Born in 1955 in the town of Lukavac, in former Yugoslavia, Jovan started drawing at the age of 10, shortly after receiving a book of fables for his birthday. Astonished by the beauty of the book's illustrations, he started making pencil drawings on paper bags. Later in school, he learned how to use color.
His first public art appearance was in May, 1989, when his painting "Abduction" was selected as a finalist for the annual exhibition at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
His self-education came from examining the works of old masters in museums and galleries, as well as from meeting artists during travels across Europe and America.
He had one man shows in Cleveland, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Washington, D.C., and Sarasota, and participated in group exhibits. His paintings can be found in private collections across America and Europe.
Jovan spent most of his life in Belgrade with his family, and currently resides in Sarasota, Florida, which is a frequent motif in his paintings.