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!