A New Adventure Sailing the World

Nubble Lighthouse Reflections watercolor painting with white lighthouse, blue water reflecting sky.

The last five years, from the Rockies to the Atlantic Ocean, our family has inched closer to the water. In a few months, we will be living off the coast of South Africa, on our catamaran “Lady Grey”. So many normal things are about to change, but some things will remain the same. Sailing Dreams […]

Who Tells Your Story?

"Beauty from Prickles" - Cactus with yellow bloom

We can all remember certain stories that define us. When you think of your favorites stories growing up, were any about you? Who told your stories? Dinner Table Stories Growing up my dad would tell the family stories around our dinner table. I’ve heard all the family stories so many times, I could tell them […]

COVID Paintings – Reviews from the VIRTUAL Watercolor Show

Covid art of doctor with COVID era mask in the shape of a hand covering her mouth.

When you finish an event, two years in the making, it’s wonderful to be able to share the good words with you. Let me share what people said about the “Saving Lives” Virtual Gallery Experience. What They Said After my Premiere event of “Saving Lives”, my watercolor exhibition on the COVID years, here’s what the […]

You’re Invited – the Virtual Gallery of my COVID paintings

Framing Windows Milford NH watercolor painting commission 11 x 15

When you’re an artist you want your friends to witness the art you create. It is the biggest honor and a true celebration to share what you’ve made. A Place for You Two years of painting coming together for one LIVE event! I think it will be a refreshing and beautiful time. I am hosting […]

Savor Chocolate

Watercolor painting of ski helmet, goggles and gloves with a cup of hot chocolate.

There’s a reason I chose chocolate. Teaching Tweens This last semester I taught Creative Writing to a class of 15 junior highers. Our time crescendoed on a Parent’s Day when I paired each child/parent into teams and placed two matching Lindt chocolate truffles before them. Observe their chocolates and write your best words, I told […]

Mother and Child

Mother with child nursing 7 x 10 original watercolor by Jonalyn Fincher copy

How did we become a homeschooling-sailing family? I wasn’t always a mother and I didn’t always want to homeschool or travel. But the reality of a child to her mother has changed many an ambitious woman. As many good stories, this one begins with the birth of a chubby baby. Birth of the Child When […]

All is Calm

All is Bright watercolor of candle with holly in dark room 7.5 x 6

All is calm, all is bright. Now, let’s be a little bit more honest. These six little words could not be further from the truth. All is Bright The rules go like this, you can have it bright or calm, but you cannot have both. Bright decorations, bright faces, bright packages require someone put in […]

Painting a Garden

Jonalyn Fincher paints a watercolor of a garden in her studio

For a watercolor artist, painting a garden is an absolute dream. Painting for a friend is even better. I adore doing commissions for people I know. Barefoot Boy I have a friend who created a cut-flowers garden. This is a commissioned painting of her son running carefree and diaper-heavy through her flower beds. That’s the […]

One Painting with All Your Ski Memories

Watercolor painting of a family skiing together down the slopes in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

One of the best things about being an artist is taking ideas that only exist in someone’s imagination and turning them into a work of art. One blank sheet of paper in which I get to paint all the memories–it’s a challenge, but I love it. I’ve been asked to paint ideas from family vacations […]

Spiritual Conversations

Downtown Exeter in Summer 15 x 30 original watercolor by Jonalyn

Before I was an artist, I was an author and speaker with a focus on sexuality and spiritual conversations. And while I’m not traveling and speaking anymore, I still have spiritual conversations with my friends and family. My First Books Those of you who came to my art show know I used to write books […]