Artists Tabletalk, Family Outing painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Family Outing

16x12

The MIFA sponsored Artist Tabletalk luncheon that I host is today, the third Thursday of each month. What started out to be a small group of professional artists has grown into a great support group for artists here on Marco. We've decided that we'd accommodate all serious artists who wanted to come, even new artists, at long as they were serious about their art, were actively painting, and wanted to get to know other Marco artists. Right now there's almost 20 people on the list, but only 12 seem to make any one meeting.

Our goal is to carry on one conversation, since we all want to hear what everyone has to say. We go around the table taking turns telling about our art month--successes, disappointments, experiments, new ideas, discovered materials. Sometimes someone comes with an art question or art issue that sparks lively discussion.

We also have a time for show and tell--where we can discuss how a painting developed, why we went in a certain direction, and get some help when we know things aren't quite right, or just want affirmation that they are. I'll bring the above painting to see what the reaction is.

Other artists have told me that they go home energized, renewed, and full of new enthusiasm. Me, too. Thanks, art friends! See you at lunch.