Turner, Simon Schama, From the Beach daily painting by Florida Jo-Ann Sanborn

From the Beach

16x20

acrylic on canvas

I've been working on getting more depth in the single color passages in my paintings in order to deepen the richness of the images, and this new painting is an example. I was born in Gloucester, MA, a place of sea and light, and sometimes my past creeps into my studio and onto my canvases!

Richness of atmosphere immediately brings to mind JMW Turner, a British artist of the 18th century. The elusive mystery of his canvases have always intrigued me, and I've been thinking about them more following his show last year at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A wonderful way to learn more about Turner, and other famous artists is to listen to the Youtube videos of professor Simon Schama. His series on the Power of Art is not-to-miss fabulous! You can find the first Turner one here, but don't stop with just one. His series on other artists are just as good.

Goodland's Spammy Jammy, Spectators daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Spectators

5x7

$125

Today's daily Everglades painting is of six palms soaking in the rain. The colors are muted and there's not much definition. The landscape flattens out and softens, and that's reflected here. I find the soft colors restful, though and the final result pleasing.

Here's a second pass on the demo from the Ladies Luncheon at the Yacht Club last week. It's starting to take shape now, but still has quite a bit of work before I'll call it finished. My great friend Kathy Caruso did a wonderful job of publicity for this event, and if you missed the demonstration you can read about it in the Marco Island Eagle or the Marco Island Sun Times. There's a photo of door prize winner Kathleen Rinaldo with her painting, too! Thanks, Kathy!

If you haven't got plans for the weekend yet, consider attending the 2009 Spammy-Jammy at Goodland's Little Bar this Saturday. It's a tradition meant to appease the Hurricane Gods, and we all want to do that! Spam sales are doing very well in this economy, and the party will certainly boost local purchases! Wear your best PJ's, and be ready to party. You can bring along either a spammy recipe creation, or a spammy art work if you'd like. You'll see such creations as Sockeye Spamon, Spamzilla, Spam-a-Claus and Spamoni. It's quirky, yes, funky, yes, and some of the best creativity ever!

Everglades Restoration, By a Stream daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

By a Stream

5x7

Acrylic on Canvas

$150, framed & shipped

Today’s Everglades painting is a common scene, one of palms, water, and sky. I never tire of interpreting the way the palms interact with the sky and the rest of the landscape. It’s my hope that we will come to value this land, one of three critical watersheds in our country.

There have been many stops and starts to the protection of the Everglades. One turning point for development came as a new jetport was planned to take the pressure off Miami International Airport. Since Miami had outgrown it’s capacity, a jetport larger than O’Hare, Dulles, JFK, and LAX was planned only six miles north of Everglades National Park.

When studies indicated that the proposed jetport would create 4,000,000 gallons of raw sewage a day and ,almost 10,000 tons of jet engine pollutants a year, the project met staunch opposition from many quarters. River of Grass author Marjorie Stoneham Douglas, at 79 years of age, was pursued to go on a speaking tour against the project, and the measure failed.

Today, water quality is improving, but has a long way to go before anything close to restoration. Despite a strong coalition for change and the support of Florida lawmakers, Everglades Restoration still faces continual difficulties and challenges from competing interests.

Chris Curle, Marco Island Dining, We're very Close daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

We're very Close

5x7

Acrylic on Canvas

Sold
Today's daily Everglades painting, We're very Close, shows palm trees growing on a bit of land just a few inches higher than the surrounding wet prairie. They're close, but you can see their tops stretching for their own bit of light.

We’re having family visits again. Family visits are special times, but since our home is of modest size, this means that the studio and the office/library are both unavailable for a few days. Both are equipped with Murphy beds that can sleep guests comfortably. Oh, I can get in and out of the rooms for the essentials, but painting for any length of time is just about impossible. Luckily the large commission I’m working on is going well and it looks like I’ll be able to get it done in time, and I can do the daily paintings on my small thumb box easel anywhere!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a big supporter of Marco Island as well as the Everglades. I was delighted when we became a city and delighted when our tax money started getting spent on the island instead of elsewhere in the county. I also believe in shopping locally, and urge you to take advantage of what’s right here on the island. This especially makes sense during difficult economic times, and when gas prices rise.

Island restaurants are really making an effort to offer you a deal worth staying home for. Well known columnist Chris Curle has created a great list of Marco’s restaurant specials and options in an article in the Marco Eagle this week. We’ll be dining out. How about you?

Hurricane Cut, I've got the Blues, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Glades Watchers

12x16, acrylic on canvas

Sold

I've got the Blues is another painting in my elongated palm series. I'm still investigating both color and composition as the the series continues. Although I love the drama of the tall palms, it's prompted when I see the severe cutting inflicted on palm trees as some people continue the practice of give the palms their annual hurricane cut.

Deep in the Everglades, the hurricanes trim the palms. When done on purpose, the hurricane cut is quite detrimental to the health and the life of any palm. The hurricane cut removes all the fronds, dead and alive, up to a 45-degree angle. This reduces the ability of the tree to support it's critical functions of growth, storage, and defense.

This harmful practice has been documented to increase, not decrease, damage in a hurricane. Here you can see pictures of the damage it can cause, and here learn the right way to prune your palms! A hurricane cut is never appropriate, and some communities are now banning the practice!

Our monthly Tabletalk art luncheon was held yesterday. Our only rule is that the subject must be art, and we take turns telling about our month's work, discussion art matters, and enjoy a show-and-tell or critique. So far, been a women's group. Yesterday, for the first time a male artist attended! Shocking, but why not? It didn't seem any different since we were all talking art. Will he come back next month? Bring friends? A gender neutral round table about art? Wow.

Art Thanks, Luncheon, Demo

These small, mixed media images will be used as a tiny thank you when someone buys a painting! They fit in an envelope, and can be used as mail art. I've often written thank you notes to collectors and enclosing a small original will be an extra step in showing my gratitude. The idea has been graciously shared by Linda Blondheim, another Florida artist who also loves the Florida Landscape. Thanks, Linda!

Two thank-you notes will go out this week, both to valued collectors who have purchased paintings of mine for their children. It's happened before, and I'm always thrilled! The idea that people want to share their love of art, they are teaching their children the value of original art, are willing to pay, and that the kids actually want it, is satisfying to me in just the best way!

I spoke about my art, the Everglades, and the Marco Island Arts community and did a brief demonstration at a luncheon held yesterday. I used a photo to block out a painting in a short time. It's a good start, and we'll see where it goes. I've promised to post it here upon completion!

Kathleen has been following my work for some time, and I was pleased to get to know her better at yesterday's luncheon. She was delighted when her name was drawn for the door prize! The whole thing was a lot of fun, and everyone enjoyed the food and the commraderie. Thanks, Ladies!

Art Collectors, Out in the Glades daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Out in the Glades
7" x 5"

acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US

Many of you who read this blog own one or more of my paintings. Some of you have told me that you love living with your artwork, and almost 35% of you have come back for a second piece. I suspect that you have followed your heart, and chosen something that touches you emotionally in some way. When we speak, it’s obvious that your love for my work goes deep.

It’s so wonderful for me to have my work resonates with you. If you purchase, we’ve created a special bond. Your special choice has made you happy, provides original and unique decoration for your home, has monetary value for you, and helps support me. That’s special.

Whether it’s my choice of subject, the beloved Everglades, or the manner in which I work, I’m grateful to all who take the time to view and comment and purchase my work. I’ll be making a special column in my newsletter called Collector Corner. There’ll be something there each month about collecting art that I hope will be useful and helpful to you.

I’ve got something special for those who attend my presentation at the Ladies Luncheon at the Yacht Club on Wednesday, too! Hope to see you there.

Gopher Tortoises, water mixable acrylics, daily painting by JoAnn Sanborn

Good Morning! This small bouquet is the second pass using my new, water mixable oil paints. I haven't used oils regularly for years, and never particularly liked them. I tend to cut in and out and layer over and over when I paint and find that the oil colors blend too much and usually turn to mud. But I was given a set as a gift artist Rob Hazzard, and decided to give them a try. First pass is below.

I had to wait three days for the paint to somewhat dry between the two sessions. Had a lot of trouble getting the contrast I wanted, and the sharpness as well. It will probably be several more passes, or a number of small paintings before I'm comfortable with this medium in any way, but it's always fun to try something new.

We had the great pleasure of showing some friends the island this week and in addition to Marco Island's burrowing owls, were delighted to see an active colony of gopher tortoises in Marco's hilly estates area.

These guys were quite happily munching on the thin grasses, even in the hottest part of the day, which is their habit. They can withstand the warm temperatures well, and like to live in sandy areas containing a variety of shrubs and grasses.

The gopher tortoise is listed as and endangered species, and among other initiatives there' s a council dedicated to it's preservation. The gopher tortoise is considered a "keystone" species, because a number of other species use their burrows for their home or survival. When the gopher tortoise declines, so to the other species.

So, if you happen to see one crossing the road, slow down, or even give them a hand!

Art Show Applications, Bromeliads, Daily painting by JoAnn Sanborn

It's the time of year when everything is blooming, putting my mind into painting some flowers. We almost always have fresh flowers or blooming orchids in the house, so this little bouquet became my inspiration. This daily looks a little fuzzier here than in person, and could use a stronger value range in the blooms. Still, the composition and color work pretty well.

I've worked hard to get my orchids in shape this year, and it had been rewarding to enjoy their blooms. But my long term love affair with bromeliads got a boost yesterday with an introduction to a gal who calls her business "Airheads." Two beautiful plants came home with me. The first one is Chantini Black. Great name, beautiful plant.


The bromeliads work wonderfully well as a ground cover and withstand our hot summers well. This platter sized beauty will have babies and fill in some open space quickly. Prices were good and she has some beauties! Can you see the tiny flowers in the center? If you're interested email me and I'll put you in touch with Airheads!

It's the time of year that local artists begin applying to the many shows coming up next season. The applications are beginning to appear, and decisions about which shows to apply for will need to be made. I'll be doing fewer shows than in previous years, but will do a few. The Naples Art Association's first call for the 2010 Naples National Art Show came out yesterday. There's a great little YouTube video about the show here. It's a wonderful show to participate in or to attend.

Hurricane Season, Morning Drama daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Light Show
7" x 5"

acrylic on Panel
Sold

We've had quite a bit of rain, and some of the storms have become windy and the sky very dramatic, bringing to mind that the hurricane season is upon us once more. The forecast is for a fairly mild season, but it still pays to be prepared before the eventual and inevitable hurricane disrupts routine. There is a wealth of information to help us prepare, and while I certainly wish everyone an uneventful hurricane season, if you’re an artist there are some additional considerations and preparations you can take.

Insurance is the first line of defense against any natural disaster. Make sure you have enough insurance and that it will cover what you might lose. Homeowners insurance won’t necessarily pay for your business inventory, your studio, or your art collection. You may need an additional policy, or rider to cover these. Remember that if water comes up from the ground, its flood, and you may need a separate flood insurance policy. A discussion with your insurance broker can help with your insurance decisions. .

After that, here’s a list of things you might want to take into consideration.

1. Prepare by being prepared. Document everything for insurance/tax purposes. Know what you have on hand in inventory and materials, including works on loan, at galleries, and exhibitions. Documentation may include lists and/or photos. Take photos of your studio

2. List for evacuation. Make a list of things you want to take with you should evacuation be necessary. What’s really important to you? Think light and portable. You may not be able to think of everything once a crisis occurs, and the list will be helpful.

3. Personal archival material. Articles, Prizes, Photos of art events, Postcards from solo shows, resume, bio, artist statement are all things you’ll not want to try to recreate should they be lost. I keep mine in a three ring binder, light and quick to grab should evacuation be necessary.

4. Computer files. Mine contain my valuable collector list and photos of every painting. You can take the whole computer, but that’s awkward. Back up or download onto a portable hard drive or those little plug-in things, or get a web-based backup service like Carbonite. Carbonite is reasonably priced and invaluable should your computer fail.

5. Be mentally prepared for the worst, do what you can, but don’t overdo it. You can’t save everything if the worst happens, but most evacuations and even hurricanes will leave you coming home to life unchanged.

Art Style, Before the Rains daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Before the Rains
14" x 11"

acrylic on canvas
Sold

Today's Everglades painting, Before the Rains, is a little larger than I've been doing for the dailys. We've been getting quite a bit of rain this week, and the moisture softens the landscape even when it's not raining.

If you've seen much of my work at all, you know that it's usually pretty easy to tell, even from a distance, that I'm the artist. It may be in the distinctive use of color, or the way the space is defined on the canvas, or the way I layer the paint.

This isn't something that I try to do, it can't be forced, any more than the ease with which you write your own name. It's your signature, and no one else can do it quite the same way.That's what makes one artist different from another. We're interpreting what we see in our own way.

Some artists don't interpret. Their goal is to get an exact a replication as is possible. Their work is called photo realism. Some artists interpret the subject to complete abstraction. Collectors usually gravitate to one style or the other, and don't appreciate works that go too far off their ideal.

I"m trying to define my art, and having some problems. I know for sure that I'm a landscape painter, since that's my inspiration and my muse. But beyond that, what category does my art fall into?


My work is realism, to the extent that you can identify the subject but doesn't meet the definition of realism because in realism there's no interpretation. It has touches of post-impressionism in the way I see blocks of light, and the post impressionists are certainly a group I identify with and have learned from. My work also shows an appreciation for the luminists, another group I respect and hold dear. Some of my artwork has been called expressionist, but I seems to be lacking in the angst necessary to be an expressionist. Although I love color I'm not completely either a colorist, or a tonalist.

Do you have a particular style of art that you like above others, or a particular artists whose work you identify closely with?

Spam, Phyllis, and All of a Kind daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Today's daily Everglades painting, All if a Kind shows palms against a prairie background with sun in a hazy sky. Sometimes the palms stand out strongly against the background and other times blend in so it's hard to differentiate what's palm and what's brush!

Everyone these days is concerned about too much email spam. I've changed to sending out my email news in a way that gives you, the viewer, total control over whether or not you'd like to receive it. Although I'm still learning, my Constant Contact email seems to offer me lots of options for offering you a quality newsletter, and is easy for you to accept or refuse. I would prefer to have everyone who receives it look forward to it each month.

The newsletter itself is still in the formative stages. There will always be a section that allows you to learn more about our fragile Everglades landscape. It's a fascinating place, and different from any other place on the earth.

The Collector Corner is new, and there I hope to give you information about collecting original art. If you already own one of my paintings, you are a Sanborn collector, an original art collector, and one of a group of very special people.

Feel free to comment on what you liked and read, or what you skipped and didn't interest you. The newsletter will evolve as we both participate! If you didn't get the newsletter and would like to, you can sign up here.

By the way, if you're thinking of using Constant Contact for your email list, let me know and we can both get a bonus discount! I did this with artist Betty Newman--thanks, Betty!

We enjoyed the opening of local artist Phyllis Pransky's artwork at the Marco Island Center for the Arts last night. Phyllis arrived on Marco just about the same time as I did, and we've been sharing a love of island and art every since. Phyllis is the driving force behind the successful Marco Outdoor Artists. Her work is colorful, lively, and done with a passion for the light. There was a nice turnout for this time of year, and it was great to meet and greet other artists and island residents.

New Newsletter! Monday Morning daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Monday Morning
7" x 5"

acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US

My Everglades painting Monday Morning looks simple, but the balance of light and dark is very carefully done. It makes me peaceful!

Once I realized that the newsletter I had been sending out might not, on your computer, look anything like what I though you were getting, I knew I would have to do better. I've contracted with Constant Contact, an email subscription service. Many of you may have received my June newsletter in your email boxes this morning. My goal was to get it out by June 1, and I'm thrilled to have done it, but it sure was a challenge. Sigh.

I'll sure there will be changes as the months go by, but at least there's something to work with now. Telling you something about the Everglades landscape is important to me. Does it interest you? Valuing you as collectors is important to me, so I've put in a "Collector's Corner" and there'll be a newsletter special in each issue. I always love to share what's happening in my art world. I'm hoping that you'll open it, read it, enjoy it. Let me know what you like and don't like.

Didn't receive the email newsletter and would like to read it, or to subscribe? You can that here. There's also a new sign up box on the blog here. It's very safe, I won't email often, and you can unsubscribe when you no longer want to receive emails from me. Just like receiving this blog!