Invasives, Art Show, By Boat Daily Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

By boat
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel

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Today's daily painting is taken from boat trips along the shores near Marco Island. I love the graceful look of the Australian pines waving gently in the breeze, but they are an invasive and are enthusiastically removed by the county when there's money and time. You can learn more about Florida invasives at this link here.

We'll be busy today setting up for the Marco Island Center for the Arts Celebrate the Arts. It's a fun weekend, with something for everyone. There'll be a children's tent, an antique cars show, music, and of course, the artists who have been juried in to show their work. It's a lot of fun for everyone. See you there!

Painting, Followers, and Marsh Sunrise daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Marsh Sunrise
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Today's daily Everglades painting was done almost entirely with a palette knife. There's a freshness about it and the texture adds interest. I've always painted thinly, using the acrylics almost like pastels, so it's fun to use a little more paint with the knife. It's much more immediate to use the knife rather than creep up on the light as usual. Looks like I'm experimenting more and branching out. Is change in the air or is it just the new beginnings of spring? Too early to tell!

Posting my blog three times a week is a discipline I've developed over the last two years. Its good for my art and good for me to have to define who I am as an artist and a person. I've gotten better at some of the technical aspects of the Internet and social media tools, some aspects remain a mystery despite my efforts. I'm grateful for each and every one of you who take this journey with me and for those who let me know they're there through comments or direct emails. There are well over a hundred of you now, and each one of you is special to me.

Today, I'm excited to announce that I have the honor of my first follower! Someone has publicly added me to their daily Reading List! You can see them by tracking back to the blog and looking well down into the right hand column. You can click on them, too, just like a link to learn more about them. I"m hoping they won't be alone for long!

Naples National, Future of Art Fairs, Abstract daily painting by artist JoAnn Sanborn

Abstract 5
3 1/2" x 2 1/2" (8.9cm x 6.4cm)
mixed media on paper
$65 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

When I arrived home from the show last night I was tired of talking and thinking about the Everglades, so decided to get out my abstract box. I keep special papers and parts of paintings that are no longer useful in a small box ready for use in small, abstract works. The decisions needed to complete an abstract are the same as for any painting, but it was fun to be working with something besides a brush and paint, and the new subject matter refreshed my mind. Hope you like it!

The Naples National Art Festival is always an exciting show, and this was no exception. The new load in and load out procedures seemed to work, and an impressive number of volunteers were helpful and effective. Thanks to the new collectors and old friends who purchased my work or stopped by to visit. The pleasure of hearing about your joy in my paintings brings me great satisfaction.

My booth was well located by the back gate, and from what I could see, sales were light since few patrons carried bags or larger items. Although some exhibitors did very well, every exhibitor I spoke with said that art fairs sales are decreasing. Since many of the outdoor shows are expensive to get into, and three days of time and effort to do, many artists will be making hard decisions about participation in shows next year.

An article in the National Association of Independent Artist Autumn 2008, newsletter suggests that in addition to the economy, decline in art market revenue is affected by the fact that the younger generation does not purchase original art because they do not recognize it's value. The synopsis of concerns state that an aging population of dedicated collectors, increased appearance of flagrantly derivative and buy/sell work, additional agendas by producers, and lack of new, young craftspeople all are having an effect.

Does "American made" arts and crafts carry the same weight in the marketplace as it has in the past? What can we do to ensure the appreciation and continuation of the value of the arts to our society?

Slaughter of birds, Joy to Spring daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Joy of Spring
5" x 7" (12.7cm x 17.8cm)
acrylic on Panel

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My day usually starts with a shower, turn on the coffee and the computer, and while each is getting warming up walk outside, pick up the newspaper, am greeted by a beautiful morning sky and often take a short walk before getting to work in the studio. It's quiet then, and yesterday you could feel spring in the air. The birds were singing, and you could almost see the buds swelling under warmth coming up from the south. Here, where some people can't see a change in the seasons, spring has come.

Even though it was a little colder this morning, today's morning chill didn't come from the weather. It came from the headlines in both of the papers I picked up. The Naples Daily News's it was a slaughter, and the Marco Eagle's 21 birds killed for fun both saddened and disgusted me. Apparently seven people with nothing more important to do went out and killed the birds for the fun of it. Fun??

340 species of birds have been documented in the Everglades. The birds of the Everglades were slaughtered almost to extinction in the 1920's for the purpose of obtaining their feathers for ladies hats. They're making a comeback, but its not quick, and there are still nowhere near the hundreds of thousands that used to blacken the skies.

People with no respect for our natural world have driven our land and our oceans to the brink of destruction. I hope they're prosecuted in Federal court to the fullest extent of the law!

Seaside Health, Time Alone daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Time Alone
5" x 7" (12.7cm x 17.8cm)
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

I've often painted a single palm, off by itself. Time Alone is another palm character study. While we love being busy and having visitors, some time alone is also necessary for our well being.

Walking on the beach, or near any large body of water is positively restorative for me, alone or with others. The sound of the waves is soothing to me, the light brightens my spirits, the cries of the shorebirds direct me away from the days problems, and here on Marco the warmth and swaying palms add to the enjoyment.

I never knew that there was a chemical reason for feeling so good after a walk on the beach, but according to local author Tom Williams's article Seaside Secrets,in last Sunday's ETC, it's the negative oxygen ions caused by the waves that makes us feel so good. Sorry that I can't seem to find the article to reference, but you can get the idea from this WebMD article.

There's also mounting evidence that negative ion generators help with depression, increase oxygen to the brain, and maybe even protect against germs in the air. That, combined with allowing your skin 1/2 hour of sunshine to help your Vitamin D. uptake means a walk on the beach may be the best thing you do for yourself today.

Reception, Giclees, and Together Daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Together
7" x 5"

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Today's painting location is on Marco, down near the Caxambas boat ramp on the south end of the island. I love the group of palms together but split by the wall. It might remind you of some families, so close and yet separated by a wall. Luckily, I've enjoyed visits from family this month and am looking forward to more. The palm trunks have been glazed with a bit of red to compliment the green fronds.


I've been told that you might like to see one of the daily paintings framed, so here it is, to give you an idea of how it comes to you if you should purchase. The framed piece is about 14x12 inches, and can be hung on a wall, leaned in a windowsill, or placed on a small easel. The dailies look great in pairs or even in a foursome. One friend has four, two on each side of the front door. They look terrific!

The Florida Artist Group exhibition at the Marco Island Center for the Arts reception yesterday was very nice, with an interesting abstract demonstration to music and a wonderful exhibition. There was quite a crowd, and a satisfying number of FLAG artists present, so visitors could meet and talk. One piece generated quite a bit of discussion. It was a brushy, colorful painting of a studio with a brush can and paint jars. The label said the material was "pigmented inks." Discussion centered around that fact that it was an enhanced photo, colored with a palette and brush in a photoshop-type procedure, and printed onto canvas. Everyone agreed that pigmented inks are best for giclee, because they'll last longer than dyes. Guess its the way of the future! This colorful, and high quality exhibition will give you lots to see and think about, so don't miss it!

NY Cityscape, Watching the Clouds go by, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Watching the Clouds Go By
7" x 5"

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Our nice weather has returned, and I took a nice long beach walk, first in a while, and our guests even went for a dip. Perfect for watching the clouds go by. Beach walks positively restore me! It'll be quiet now for a few days until my niece and her husband arrive with their two small children. I've got lots to catch up on in the studio, so will be working this weekend.

The Marco Players will be presenting the play "The Odd Couple" starting next weekend, and I'm supplying them with New York cityscape of the West Side. Since it's been several years since I've been in the City, it's a stretch. I looked at a few photos and went boldly ahead. We'll see today if I'm on the right track. All of the little windows will be cut out to provide night lighting. It's amazing how much the players do with their limited resources. They're a wonderful asset to the cultural arts on Marco. If you'd like to see the show get tickets early, for they're often sold out.

Morning Light
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

So often out in the Everglades it's necessary to tilt the picture plane to show the landscape to it's fullest. Here, in Morning Light, I've taken the frogs view and painted the swamp as though you are looking up from below. Aren't you curious about what might be around the bend?

My sister and her husband are visiting this week. For years I've told her that if she would only come in February, I could guarantee her a manatee. There's a sea grass bed at the end of our canal, and this time of year it's not uncommon to see a manatee, or a group, go up and down the canal on their way to a tasty treat. This year, however, it's been so cold that I haven't been out watching to tract their progress and note likely viewing times. I worried that I wouldn't be able to produce one as promised, so spent a couple hours researching where to see them at Manatee Park in Ft. Myers, and other places further away.

Our guests arrived yesterday around dinner time, and the first thing we did was take a cocktail out to the terrace to view the sunset. Sure enough, just as we sat down a group of manatees, including a mother and very young baby obligingly swam by. Perfect! She was so very delighted, and we were all enchanted. Phew!

FLAG, All that Jazz, Bridge Palms daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Bridge Palms
7" x 5" acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Since the Wet Paint Live the palms at the Jolley Bridge on Marco have been on my mind. They're beautiful this time of year and the dwarf bougainvillea below them is ripe with rich color and a perfect compliment to their deep green. As they sway in the breeze and the sun moves across the sky, their cast shadow follows them around in a spirited dance. Gorgeous! I wish the City would let the "bougie" follow it's natural path to a less formal cut, but others would say that's too messy. In any case they're a beautiful sight when coming on or going off island.

I stretched my comfort zone quite a bit recently and applied for the Florida Artist Group, or FLAG. It's a professional artist group which juries in new members once a year. To my great pleasure, I've been accepted! There's quite a list of requirements for membership, and I was glad to find that I could meet them before submitting my application. Like every artist who puts their work in the public venue, rejections happen, so I haven't told a soul except for two artists willing to sponsor me. My thanks to Richard Rosen, a fine clay artist, and Christine Reichow, a fabulous watercolorist, for being willing sponsors. I'm in Area VI, southwest Florida. Congratulations to Sue Pink and Kathy Ross who were also accepted.

The Florida Artist Group will be having a show at our very own Marco Island Center for the Arts, called "All that Jazz" with a reception on February 15. It's too late for me to exhibit with them, but I'll have the chance to meet some of the members. Save the date!

Knitting, Cold, and Land's End daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Land's End
7" x 5" Sold

Good Morning! I can't decide whether I want the Paypal button or not. It's such an easy way for you to purchase. Guess we'll try it again for a while.

I wanted to paint a nice warm picture that would make you all feel toasty, but the cooler colors prevailed and even my beach walk looks a little chilly. Lands End is typical of the new island areas that are developing off Tigertail Beach north of Sand Dollar Island in the area of the old Coconut Island. If you look out towards the gulf you don't see the tall condos, and it could be a thousand years ago!

When I left for a meeting yesterday morning it was 36 degrees. Today should only be a couple of degrees warmer. Every now and then we get this kind of chilly reminder that although we fit the qualification of tropical, by having a temperature above 64 degrees, our actual designation by location is subtropical.

This cold, however, puts me in mind of knitting, and knitting is all the talk of Twitter today. I used to be an accomplished knitter, and still have a few stashes of colorful and luscious yarns stashed away. But the term yarn bombing was new to me. Here's how it's done.

Unexpected Exhibition Opportunity, On the Beach painting by Everglades Artist JoAnn Sanborn

Beach Walkers

20x20

$800

Yesterday's small daily painting didn't get finished, so I'm showing you another in the elongated palm series I've been working on on and off for several years. I'll take it to be framed tomorrow, since it's not a standard size and will have to be custom framed.

I started my "daily" with high hopes in the morning, then put it aside to attend the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts fashion show, thinking I'd get back to it in plenty of time. The event was a fund raiser, where artist friend Joyce Kachapis showed off her beautifully creative handmade jewelry on wonderful Roxy mannequin centerpieces, and Island Woman boutique presented a fashion show full of delightful island wear. The centerpieces were really great and I'm going to order one and paint it myself although the already painted ones were lovely!

Home to a message from the United Arts Council that their scheduled February artist had backed out from a planned exhibition at the Norris Center, and did I want the space? My mind went around this question very quickly.

Did I have enough paintings to cover? I'm doing two important outdoor shows later this month. I would have enough if I used some paintings that were too large to take to outdoor shows. Could I be ready? I'm working on a commission that I promised to be ready by Friday, but my client is a kind, understanding person. I could do it if I got right to it. So with a gulp I said "yes."

Luckily my Art Marketing Salon group was into the eighth week of Alyson Stanfield's free Art Marketing Salon, so all my materials had been updated for the new year and were ready to go. It was just a matter of making a painting list, fresh off Flick, my organizer, and printing enough handouts and cards. Leftovers for dinner, and everything is now ready to be packed into the car for delivery today. Phew.

It would have been easy to say "no", that the notice was too short, that I couldn't possibly be ready in time. But if I worked at it I could do it, and did! It was nice to be able to help the United Arts Council out on such short notice, and a real opportunity to have exposure at the Norris Center in downtown Naples in February. Will sales come of it? Who knows? But I'll be "out there" showing my work and getting some publicity, and very grateful for the opportunity!

Hey, there's even be a reception! I'll let you know the details.

Chocolate Pudding Fruit, Winter Morning Daily Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Winter Morning

5x7

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We had to cancel the show in Ft. Lauderdale this weekend. We've been in some pretty tough weather conditions over the years, so the windy and cold conditions of a winter morning didn't scare us, but other circumstances combined to make it impossible to go. My deep I apologies to anyone who expected to see me there. As a consolation prize I had a nice studio visit from some collectors who come to visit when they're in town. They love my work, so it's like being surrounded by hugs while they're here!

It's quite common on Marco Island for people who have a surplus of lemons or other citrus bounty to place a basket of the excess by the door inviting visitors or customers to take what they can use. We picked up a couple of these fruit from a basket by the door of someone we were visiting. It was completely new to me and I just had to try one.

We were told the name was Chocolate Pudding fruit, or Black Sapote, one of the persimmon family. Apparently the origin is Mexican, and is much used today by Florida's Native American population.

Our instructions were to let it ripen until it was very soft, sort of a like an avocado ready for guacamole, and then open the top with a sharp knife and scoop out the chocolate pudding. We were surprised a couple of weeks later with a fruit full of delicious chocolate pudding--well, maybe more like a mousse. It sounds as though the tree gets very large, and is quite messy, but can be kept small and still bear fruit. There were some large oval seeds in the middle, and I've planted them in a pot. It could be that in the years ahead you'll see a basket by my front door!