Retrospectively Authorized!
Lola Jovan and I met online through a 30-Paintings-in-30-Days challenge in which we both participated—back in early 2016, I think. We’ve been friends ever since, she on the west coast and I on the east, following and commenting at each other’s blogs for seven years now and generally cavorting with each other. Lola periodically sponsors a READER GIVEAWAY from among those who comment on a given blog post. In both May and June of this year, my name was selected at random by Wonder Dog Mike to receive a painting done by Lola!
When I received Wonder and Grief in May, I thanked Lola and let her know that my response to the painting was to feel both delight and an immediate strong pull to pick up a brush and get painting.
8 x 8″; acrylic on cradled wood panel
Lola Jovan
2022
When I received the June READER GIVEAWAY, I wrote again with thanks and delight … and more of the story, a story I’ll share here now.
“As I think I told you, Lola, my immediate response to receiving my MAY READER GIVEAWAY painting was to feel the strong pull to pick up a brush and get painting.
“I didn’t do so immediately because the strong pull was to pick up a brush and get painting with you. On the very painting you sent!
“I hesitated because my inner gremlin was saying, I don’t know if you should do that. In the end, I determined I should, and the reason I knew I should was because I did!
“What kept bubbling up was a combination of (a) times when you’ve gone on a tear of painting over, finding that the more you painted over, the more you wanted to paint over; (b) the story you told of meeting Valerie Thomson just before her death and her entrusting you with unfinished paintings, inviting you to ‘finish them. Paint over them. You’ll know what to do;’ and (c) an inner urge to collaborate with you.
“I felt such joy and freedom as I painted!
“With your gracious willingness, I’d like to post our collaboration at my blog. You’ll notice I’m asking this time, not just acting! I’ll honor whatever you tell me.”
I heard back from Lola in short order:
“Dotty!
“Holy heck! Yes yes yes! Cannot wait to see what you created … I freakin’ LOVE that you went for it—for all the reasons you listed (Valerie would be thrilled!). And you MUST follow the muse! Woooohoooo! Now I want to give away MORE paintings!
“xoxoxox”
8 x 8″; acrylic, ink, oil pastel, and collage on cradled wood panel
Lola Jovan and Dotty Seiter
2022 & 2023
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10 responses to “Retrospectively Authorized!”
Spectacular! From moody and mystical, to, well, . . a slightly moody and very magical secret garden! The depth drew me into Lola’s gift. And somehow you managed to keep that wonderful, deep, space. While adding light and joy, and
maintaining a feeling of wonder. Bravo to you both. Thanks so much for sharing your collaboration with us!
Thank YOU, Dotty. For sharing your JOY with us
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