Couldn't be ignored

Mixed Media Monday

My painting, Screaming Inside, won the Couldn’t Be Ignored award at the Glen Arbor Art Center’s INteriors exhibit this week. Gotta say, that made my day. Who knew there was a “couldn’t be ignored” award? And what a perfect caption for the week.

Some paintings paint themselves and others are hard. “Screaming Inside” was hard. With the theme of the show being INteriors, I wanted to capture how I feel inside versus what I show on the outside.

I’ve been living with a pretty persistent sense of anxiousness recently. Yet I go about my day trying to see the beauty at my feet and embracing the good around me.

How do you capture that in a painting? I try to keep my shadow side at bay through breathwork, yoga, running, art, nature. Did I really want to let it emerge to try to capture it?

I took the preliminary painting to a climate change workshop I was teaching and asked participants to write their feelings on it. Wow.

Next up was to figure out how to hide those emotions while still capturing them within the painting. I let it simmer. I took pictures of myself trying to show my shadow side. I played in my art journal.

And then I just had to jump in and start.

I know this painting is not for everyone. When I took it to my critique group, they stared at it. One person said, “I don’t understand the grey figure.” Another: “I’d like it better without words.” I so appreciated everyone’s honesty. It made them uncomfortable. Jeff said, “I’m not sure I want that one hanging in our house.” Fair.

There are so many reasons to paint, to create. This painting was a challenge. I was thrilled when it was juried into INteriors. As much as I try to ignore my shadow side, to keep it hidden, to have the painting awarded “not able to ignore?” Perfect.

Plus there is so much that shouldn’t be ignored right now. I highly encourage you to check out the full show either virtually or in person. Take time and read each artist’s statement. There’s so much insight. You’ll also learn where my title came from.

Soul Moment

This week I was heading to a meeting when the sun came out. We’ve only seen the sun a couple of times since Thanksgiving. I stood there. My whole being needed to be outside. A rash decision happened. I let the dogs out. We wandered the woods, the hills, orchards and basked in the sun. I felt like a kid skipping class. Sunshine and shadows can’t be ignored.

Mixed Media Tip

I was recently asked how to seal a wooden panel before collaging on it. There are no hard and fast rules. Many artists do it differently. Yet there are some general guidelines.

GOLDEN has a page that address this exact question. It’s a helpful reference for preparing a variety of different surfaces.

If you’re not a person who likes to learn through trial and error (like me), it’s a great resource.

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Happy Monday!
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With love, gratitude and a heartfelt thanks,

Jessica

To light a candle, is to cast a shadow.— Ursula Le Guin

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P.S. Happy to be part of these shows!

INteriors
Glen Arbor Art Center, Glen Arbor, MI
Jan 9 - Mar 12, 2026

SPECTRUM
Oliver Art Center, Frankfort, MI
Jan 9 - Feb 6, 2026

2026 Artist Guild Member Salon Show
Crooked Tree Arts Center - Traverse City, MI
Jan 16 - Feb 21, 2026

Upcoming Workshop

Blues Busters: February Art Play Day
Glen Arbor Arts Center, Glen Arbor, MI
Feb 21, 2026
Co:workshop instructors/ Jessica Kovan & Lauren Everett Finn

I’ve updated my Daily Paintworks page with new paintings! Please check them out!

You can find my paintings at:
Daily Paintworks online small works gallery
Synchronicity Gallery, Glen Arbor, MI
My Website

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