A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstrokes and with a … A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstrokes and with a … A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstrokes and with a … A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstrokes… — edge view A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstrokes an… — detail A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstr… — shown hanging
A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstrokes and with a …
A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstrokes and with a …
A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstrokes and with a …
A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstrokes… — edge view
A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstrokes an… — detail
A woman is sitting on the floor cross-legged playing a guitar. It is painted with thick, expressive brushstr… — shown hanging
Painting by Jhoanna Monte 22 Artworks Sold

Practice

Acrylic, Canvas, Ready to hang

40.5cm (W) x 61cm (H) x 1.2cm (D)

Certificate of Authenticity Included

Complete Your Piece With A Wood Frame
A$480

Arrives 14–16 Sep

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Artwork Description

Continuing with the theme of music from my last painting, this painting came about from memories of learning how to play the guitar during my University days. I was craving something creative to counter balance what I was studying at the time (my major was Accounting ... need I say more). I was listening to mostly grunge, British rock, and a little bit of punk, so I thought I would try and learn a new instrument by learning their music, saved some money and bought the cheapest acoustic guitar I could find.

It was therapeutic to try, fail, try, get a little better, try, fail and try again. Practicing was a constant exercise in disappointment and joy. Unfortunately, I haven't picked up a guitar in a long time, but music continues to remain a means of therapy. It was a coincidence that when I started this painting, Raye's new album was released and it quickly became the constant soundtrack for this work. I felt all the feelings while I listened and painted, from crying (ok, sobbing), to dancing around. It reminded me how impactful your creative pursuits can be when you remain authentic to your own voice, work towards your vision, and allow the beauty of the human experience to guide you.

This painting would also look great in a black or natural wood frame. This painting comes unframed but framing can be arranged through Bluethumb.

A matte varnish has been applied to this painting. (as I do for all of my paintings). I've tried my best to provide clear and accurate photos of this work, but please note that colour nuances may not be captured perfectly by digital media and vary from screen to screen.

More photos of this artwork available on my Instagram: @jhoannamonteart.

On display at the "Small 2026" Exhibition 4 - 13 June 2026 at Red Gallery, 157 St Georges Road Fitzroy North, Victoria, Australia.

Artist Bio
Photo of Jhoanna Monte
Jhoanna Monte 136 artworks | 21 Sold

I create art as a hobby, both to completely disconnect from my corporate job and to reconnect with my inner child who loved to draw, design, imagine and make. I’m self-taught, with a love for the different modern western art movements that occurred between the late 1800s and in to the first half of the 20th century.

My intention when I paint is not to achieve realism, but to bring the viewer into the painting to experience a fleeting, yet common human feeling, thought or observation - a familiarity to remind us that we're not alone in our experiences. To express this, I like to play with colour and loose brushstrokes, and be open to a range of styles from landscapes and figurative paintings, to still lifes and abstraction.

After completing a Masters Degree in Art History in 2020 I realised that there are so many other kinds and styles of art that inspire me and for which I hope to continue studying and reflecting in my own practice. I aim to learn something new with everything I create, which is what motivates me to continue to make art.

You can find more on my Instagram @jhoannamonteart

Commissions
Jhoanna's studio is in Melbourne