Jan Avellana | Art + Words

Lilla Rogers, “Make Art that Sells” E-Course Student!

I am giddy with excitement and nerves about Lilla Rogers’ upcoming summer E-course—“Make Art that Sells”!!! I have secretly been drooling over Lilla’s site for years now…in awe (awe, i tell you) of the artists she represents, and so quietly, quietly, I have been working towards becoming an artist of that caliber.



I hope you’ll join me as I share all of the things I learn from this amazing teacher and course. The best is yet to be! :)

Hugs,

Jan

30 Days of Hand Lettering Prints Now for Sale! Yipppiieee!

Prints from my 30 Days of Handlettering Project are now available for sale on my website, at janavellana.com :). All prints are 8 x 10 with a white border around the image for easy framing. :) Enter coupon code: LETTER2013 to get an additional 10% off, now thru Wednesday, 3.20.13! :)

“I will not die an unlived life.” :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 23

{ “I will not die an unlived life.” ~Dawna Markova :: Art Print, available on Etsy in March 2013 }

I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible,
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance;
to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.

~Dawna Markova, I Will Not Die An Unlived Life

It is safe to try. :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 22

{ It is safe to try. :: Art Print, available on Etsy in March 2013 }

"God doesn't require us to succeed, he only requires that you try." ~Mother Teresa

Float. :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 21

{ Float. :: Art Print, available on Etsy in February 2013 }

Surrender. :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 20

{ Surrender. :: Art Print, available on Etsy in February 2013 }

¹sur·ren·der

verb \sə-ˈren-dər\  ::  transitive verb

1

a : to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand <surrendered the fort>

b : to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another

2

a : to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner

b : to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)

intransitive verb

: to give oneself up into the power of another : yield

I am learning to surrender, day by day, moment by moment. It is my path to sanity. And so hard, HARD...yet so pure and good. I surrender willingly, Lord, and where I am unwilling, help me to yield to your love.

“May You Live Everyday of Your Life.” :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 19

{ “May You Live Everyday of Your Life.” ~ Johnathan Swift :: Art Print, available on Etsy in February 2013 }

I hope you live every single day of your life, and that you’re not just holding out for the weekends, or the “special days” because every day that you are alive and breathing is a special day, indeed! I hope you wear your favorite perfume and sun dress and that you put on those dangly earrings that make you feel special and that you don’t save the good bubble bath or the chinaware and crystal for special occasions only, because if you have breath in you today, today IS that special day. And don’t just kill time EVER, because time is precious so please, please don’t waste it doing things you abhor or that offend your spirit unless you absolutely have to and then, do it out of necessity as an act of worship, offering it up to God to use as a holy sacrifice to accomplish His good. This is the way to live a life of purpose and meaning even if you aren’t where you want to be yet, even if you live in a cubicle from 9-5 and your dreams seem so far away. They are closer today than they were yesterday, and we are also one day closer to meeting our maker, so let that thought sober you into living already; no more waiting for this or that.

This is my wish for you—and for me— may you live everyday of your life.

This, and all of the prints in the “30 Days of Handlettering Series” will be available soon in my Etsy shop in a variety of colors! :) Stay tuned!

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Live True :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 1

Your Light Matters :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 6

“Light Up the Night.” :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 18

“Tell Yourself the Truth. Listen.” :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 17

{ “Tell Yourself the Truth. Listen.” ~ J.A. :: Art Print, available on Etsy in February 2013 }

oOOoooh boyohboy, this is so much easier said than done. It’s one thing for me to finally level with myself, to admit the truth that is staring me in the face, waiting to be acknowledged. It’s another thing ENTIRELY to get to the point that I can actually honor, accept and do what my truth is asking of me. I find that...well...I’m kind of just a tad bit stubborn that way, you know? Sigh...I’m learning. Really I am.

How about you? What is the truth that you need to tell yourself, and are you ready to listen?

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"Tell Yourself the Truth. Listen." :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 16

I am Always Doing What I Cannot Do :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 10

Your Light Matters :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 6

“May You Live to Be 100...” :: 30 Days of Hand Lettering, Print 16

{ “May You Live to Be 100...” ~J.A. :: Art Print, available on Etsy in February 2013 }

Not only do I want to live to be 100, but I want to do it in style and freedom, dancing around like a young one, with flowers in my hair...who wants to join me?!