Workshop

Florida Landscape

May 16, 2026

Ft. Myers Art League 9:30 a.m. to 3 .pm.

Join us for an immersive painting workshop focused on capturing the beauty of the Florida landscape through the elements of design, value and color. In this class, we will explore techniques for painting Florida’s distinctive scenery—sunlit skies, lush palms, coastal colors, and the unique light that defines the region. 

We will explore techniques for painting Florida’s distinctive scenery—sunlit skies, lush palms, coastal colors, and the unique light that defines the region. Demonstrations and individualized guidance will help refine brushwork, color harmony, and the interpretation of natural light.

Students can complete or get a good start on one painting or two, working from your photo or mine. Students will work on developing strong compositions, mixing vibrant color palettes, and creating depth and atmosphere in landscape painting.

This workshop is designed for painters of all levels with experience in acrylics or oils who want to strengthen their landscape painting skills and bring more life and movement to their work."

 

Come along, we’ll have a great time!  Contact the Ft Myers Beach Art Association, Cypress Square Plaza, 13451 McGregor Blvd. Unit #1, 239-463-3909 to sign up. 

 

Around the Bend     30" x 24"

I was looking for information about something that took place years ago, and my old blog provided the answer!  I discovered that the blog was really a history of my art life, so you may enjoy taking a look at some of the older past entries.  No promises here, but I hate to let it go, so you may get a post from time to time.  

This painting, Around the Bend, was recently shown at the Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota, FL.  Every few months the hotel hosts a new art exhibition.  My painting was included in an exhibition for members of the National Association of Women Artists-Florida Chapter.  If you're an artist and would like wider exposure, this organization promotes exhibitions of women's art and has two levels of membership.  Take a look here!

One good thing about the blog is that you are invited to comment, which you can do below if you're so inclined.  You know I love to hear from you.  

An IInvitation

 

An Invitation!  

Hope you can come.  

 

Dreaming    30x30    Available

Hello again.  I'm not very good at publishing regularly anymore but still think that there may be some value to keeping this blog.  It' started out quite a few years ago, more as a web log, sort of a diary for my art life, and I'd almost forgotten about it, but someone told me that they recently read it--right back to the beginning, and found it of interest.  So here it is.  

If you can help me by suggesting some topics, or would just like to see a new painting now and then, please let me know.  I love seeing your work on instagram and facebook.  Are blogs still relevant?   

Merry Christmas! 

Wishing you 

all the 

Love and Joy 

that make

Christmas special! 

 

 

Light in the Sky    Jo-Ann Sanborn    

acrylic on canvas, 12x16"

Hello There!  

As you may know, I no longer have a public studio.  This doesn't mean I'm not still painting.  I am, and I make every effort to get my paintings out into the public.  You are welcome to make a visit to my home studio, but do let me know you're coming.  

You may be surprised to see my paintings around town, or even in Naples.  I've made a page (above) on where to see them this month.  You are welcome to print off that page and visit any of the places listed.  

You are also welcome to let me know which you'd like to see, and I'll pick it up and bring it to your home if you are nearby.  

It's a wonderful time to bring a little nature inside.  And what's more beautiful than our magnificent Florida landscape!  

Light in the Sky, 11 x 14, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 

Bromiliad, abstracted, acrylic, 11x14     $200

Complex.  Unparalleled.  Extrodinary.  Profound changes.  Art?  Essential!

Moonlight Serenade, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Moonlight Serenade, 2018, JoAnn Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5" x 7"

I'm experimenting with the warmer colors, because it's all too easy for me to gravitate to the blues and the greens that abound in the Everglades Landscape.  I'm using different canvas toning colors,and adding some visitor colors, like Indian Yellow and Deep Magenta  to my palette as I experiment. 

My canvases are usually toned with a mixed of red and blue—making a warm dark purple, so  it's a nice change for me to use the red as the ground.  The warm red color peeks through here and there and sparks a nice contrast.  Most of it was covered as I Deleloped this painting, soI had to add a bit of it back into the grasses as I worked to complete this moonscape.

Summer Lilies, Daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Summer Lilies, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 5"x7"

There are almost always fresh flowers in my home. Most are just the grocery store variety, but they bring fresh color and life to my table.  Sometimes I just can't resist giving them a longer life through paint.  It makes a nice change from the Everglades.  Hope you enjoy this small bouquet done with the leftovers on my palette.  

Don't forget if you'd like to join me in some Grand Everglades Adventures, you can do so here.  

Grand Everglades Adventure #6 - Tigertail

Bright Bouquet, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 12"x 12"

Explore Tigertail Beach with me!  

Burrowing Owl Painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Whooo? 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 5” x7”

The burrowing owls are just so cute and a delight to watch. I’ve done several paintings of them, one as a commission and some just to enjoy. Babies are being spotted in many of the burrows, keeping Mom and Dad busy supplying food and attempting to keep them corralled. They have adapted to living with people quite well but prefer the sand and space of open lots rather than those with more landscaping or in the Everglades. This painting is available if you’d like to take her home.

Grand Everglades Adventures Videos are available here. 

Grand Everglades Adventures- #5 and Wisely, daily painting by Jo-Ann Sanborn

Wisely, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn 

Acrylic on board, 7” x 5”

Here’s another burrowing owl painting. I can’t resist painting them this time of year when they are close to the burrow and the babies are just newly out. Their little peanut shapes, often silhouetted as they stand on a T stake, makes them an irresistible subject. 

Coming along on my Grand Everglades Adventures?  The newest video, #5, Process 2 is  here.

Gardinia, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Gardenia, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 7”x5”

It’s time to do a little gardening. I’ve been pulling a few weeds and cleaning up the beds in the early morning before it gets too hot. I put in three more plumbage for the second time around, hoping they’ll come around to liking it in a spot they don’t seem to. 

But the gardinias are glorious and the scent heavenly. I’m enjoying a fresh one each morning, some to admire and some to paint. 

How does your garden grow?  

1000 posts and an abstract daily painting

Out and About, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 7” x 5”

I’ve been writing blogposts since 2007, and today's my 1000th!  Blogging was new when I started back in 2007, and something to be tried.  The word means "web journal" and that's how I used it, writing 100-200 posts most years, about the activities of an artist and things I've learned on my art journey and want to share.  

Blogging started as a way to connect people all over the globe. In art, blogging grew out of the Daily Painting movement's need to get work in front of collectors regularly, and I'm a daily painter.  I've met some wonderful art friends and collectors over the internet even though there are some I will never meet in person.  Blogging has  widened my world. 

I almost gave it up a couple of years ago but it is too much a part of me, my history.  I write a few times a month to keep in touch.  It seems less formal than my monthly newsletter, and it gives me the opportunity to show you the small paintings I still do several times a week.  

So do you follow any bloggers?  Who are your favorites?  Let me know in the comments below.  

Are you coming along on my Grand Everglades Adventures?  There are four videos so far, and you can see them here:

Grand Everglades Adventure Invitation

Grand Everglades Adventure #2 - Marsh Trail

Grand Everglades Adventure #3 - process of painting

Grand Everglades Adventure #4 - Briggs

I'm still learning some of the technical aspects, so be patient with me!

Grand Everglades Adventure #4 Video and Reflections, a daily painting

Reflections, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5" x 7"

When looking at reflections, if the subject is dark, the reflection is lighter, and if the subject is light, the reflection is darker.  But every now and then nature surprises us and there won't be much difference.  Sometimes you see amazing and unexpected light effects. That's why its important for a landscape painter to get out and see for yourself.

Follow along on my Grand Everglades Adventures thru video!  Grand Everglades Adventure #4 is a visit to Briggs Nature Center, an off-site boardwalk of the Conservancy of SW Florida..  If you want more information about the boardwalk and what you might see, click here. 

If you missed one of our Grand Adventures, the click on the links below.

Grand Everglades Adventure #3 - Process 

Grand Everglades Adventure #2 - Marsh Trail

Grand Everglades Adventure Invitation

Limiting your palette and Dancing in the Glades daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Dancing in the Glades, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board. 7” x 5”

The wind was blowing in the Glades on the day of this daily painting. I found a place there was no smoke and no evidence of the fires.  It didn't take long to get the feeling for the spot.  I'll work on a larger version in the studio.

In my Monday morning class we've been talking about limited palettes.  I most often use a double primary palette with some "visitor" colors, usually a neutral. Lately I'll just squirt out another color when I want it, sometimes upsetting the harmony of the painting. 

Time to return to the basics.  I've returned to a palette of red, blue, and yellow many times over the years, but would like to experiment a bit more.  I'll try several options in the next couple of weeks.  Perhaps I'll try magenta, Indian yellow and Phalo blue.  I'm also interested in doing a painting with the Zorn palette. 

Color changes will shake up my color strategies and force me to watch my values! What's your favorite limited palette?  Let me know below.  

Next /Grand Everglades Adventure Coming soon,  Links to the first three are below. 

Grand Everglades Adventure Invitation

Grand Everglades Adventure #2 - Marsh Trail

Grand Everglades Adventure #3 - Process 

Grand Everglades Adventure #4 coming 4/14

Grand Everglades Adventure - Process, and Daily Painting, Sunset Drama

Sunset Drama, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x 7"

Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

The soft yellow-greens of this time of year and the abundance of flowers ready to bloom are so appealing. It's the end of our dry season, and unfortunately this fire season this year is a difficult one. The fires haven't threaten Marco Island, but the smoke is prevalent and wide swatches along US 41 show the effects of the burns. I hope that the animals are finding ways to safety.

I've seen more deer than usual, perhaps because they've been disturbed. Soon the regrowth will sustain them again. The rains of summer will be most welcome.

If you're coming along on my Grand Everglades Adventure, the videos are below. Please share with anyone who may be interested!  You can get them directly by inserting your email in the box above right.  

Grand Everglades Adventure #3 - Process, Briggs

Grand Everglades Adventure #2 - Marsh Trail

Grand Everglades Adventure - Invitation to come along

Everglades Grand Adventure and a daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Neighbors, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5" x 7"

Today we visit the Marsh Trail.  I was delighted to paint with internationally recognized artist Mark Mehaffey, but I didn't get a photo of us, or even him! Hope I'll have another chance as he was a delightful plein aire companion.    

Your next Everglades Grand Adventure video is right here!   You'll be able to see the finished painting at an Exhibition at the Historical Museum in Marco of next year.  If you missed the first video in this series, you can see it here.

I used a cad red tone as the foundation for today's daily painting.  It's available on my website, here.