Jo-Ann Sanborn, Sunshine Studios

Last Wednesday Art Walk

I'm dreamin' of....

December 29, 2010, 5-8 p.m

Art, Refreshments, Live Music, FUN!

Hope you can come!

Please excuse me if you get this twice.  I'm testing after the trouble last month, and it won't happen again!  Thanks, J

Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, Everglades painting by Jo-Ann Sanborn

Today's Everglades painting is a make-over, or "new life" paining, done from one that's been around the studio for a while and never quite satisfied me.  As I began to reassess the problems and work on it, the painting developed a life of it's own.  Now it's cheery and inviting, with some great reflections.  All this happening while my mind was elsewhere.  Go figure!

This year late on December 21 the earth's axis will stop moving away from the sun and stop, and a second later will start back in the other direction towards the sun.  This marks a change from growing long dark nights to shorter nights and longer days.  The Winter Solstice is the time of year that marks the earth's farthest point from the sun.

Various cultures around the world celebrate this event.  The Winter Solstice starts the Celtic calendar, and Bronze age sites such as Stonehenge and Newgrange are set up to mark sunset and sunrise (respectively) of the Winter Solstice at their sites. 

Although there will still be much cold, January's growing light and warming earth will start a new cycle of growth in the Northern hemisphere.  In  the Everglades, it's the height of the dry season.  Animals will concentrate where there's a little water, and the only plants to survive will be those adapted to dry conditions. 

The Winter Solstice is close to the Christian Christmas, a time of joy and celebration of family and friends, and soon after the New Year will prompt us to look ahead, make positive changes, and to renew our commitments to ourselves and to others.

Between Christmas and New Years  I usually take a little time off, and I'll be starting a little early this year.  I wish you and your family a perfect mix of the sparkle of Christmas, the joy of giving and a big dose of unexpected love.   Merry Christmas and if you celebrate another Holiday this time of year, Merry that, too.

In the New Year I'll share my intentions for 2010, tell you how I did, and set up some new intentions for 2011.

Please join me

for 

Holiday Cheer

(spiced wine, punch, and cookies)

prior to the Marco Island Boat Parade

Artist Colony at the Esplanade

Rightside Studio

Saturday, December 18

5-7 pm

Exclusive Offer for newsletter/blog customers only!  25% off  purchase of current inventory December 18th only. Maybe used in person or for online purchase from http://sunshinestudios.net. (Phone me at 239-404-9179) New purchases only, no cash value, one per customer. Offer good Dec. 18th only. 

Snake in the House, Back Fence daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Back Fence
acrylic on board, 5x7

These flowers have are hanging on an old fence just outside my window and seem to be braving the extreme cold.  The container was a gift from a friend, a pretty, basket bringing me much pleasure. While I'm not always the best gardener, I love having fresh flowers in the house, and I love puttering around with the fabulous tropicals we have here. 

I've collected a few orchids, and they were looking good and starting to put out new growth after the extreme cold last year.  This year the cold is already giving them stress, and in order to save them I've had to relent on my "no outside pots in the house" rule to keep them from damage.

Why such a rule?  As some of you know, I used to do outdoor art shows almost every weekend in season.  Getting ready to go early one cold morning several years ago I was groggily making morning coffee when I noticed that one of the orchids I had brought in from the cold didn't quite look the same.  In the dim light, I put on my glasses for a closer look and came face to face with a rather large garden snake half in and half out of the pot. 

I might enjoy seeing a snake outside, and know their value in our environment, but seeing one unexpectedly and IN THE HOUSE was a whole different matter!  Screaming, went for husband,  just as groggy and not at all delighted to be dragged from the warmth of the shower. 

Luckily for us, the house was cold and the snake not yet in full panic mode, dear husband calmly picked up the pot from the hanging hook and put it outside in the garden.  Yes, I was just a little embarrassed at my reaction, but eternally grateful to him!

Since that time I've never taken the orchids in from the cold.   I examined this group carefully before bringing them in and look every morning for signs of some unexpected denizen, but so far, it's a quiet group .  Let's hope it will pay off when Spring comes! 

On another matter, it seems that I've fixed the link and have my google group back.  Welcome!  Thank you so much for your patience, and for the supportive comments as I struggled once again with technology advancements.  I'm so glad to have you with me again.  If you have missed some entries and would like to view them, you can click on this link, and at the end of each post click on "newer post" until you're back here.

Lubbers! Palm painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Today's painting is one that I've been working on over the weekend. This palm has personality plus, and caught my attention just begging to be painted.  It's a 36x24" size, nice for a palm portrait.  

The painting is about 3/4 complete, but since I work from a dark background to the light, it's not quite where it needs to be yet.  You can see that the dark, shadow values are in place, as are the mid-tones, but there's  no spark of sunlight.  I'll work on that today!

This little guy caught my attention, too, out on an Everglades trip last week.  It's an Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, and being from the north I didn't see my first one until a trip to the Everglades soon after arriving in Florida many years ago.  It was just one of the things that enchanted me, and still delights. 

The lubbers don't fly, can hop short distances, and mostly crawl.  If they are chewing on your best landscaping you might think them a pest  They're unappealing to birds because the emit a toxic substance and will also foam unpleasantly at the mouth when disturbed. 

But when you come upon a single fellow out in the Everglades with gorgeous coloring and spectaular size, they are a delight to enjoy. 

End of the Day, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

End of the Day, Jo-Ann Sanborn
acrylic on board, 5"x7"

When you visit the Artist Colony at the Esplanade on Marco, you’ll see the work of 11 different artists. For the most part each artist has a separate area where their work is distinct and separate from the other artists work. As you browse, you’ll see that each artist has their own style and subjects.

Just as you respond to the people you meet differently, you’ll respond to the work of each artist in a different way. Some, you’ll feel very positive about, looking closer and finding a connection. There’s something the artist has created that touches your heart, or moves you to take a closer look.  Others may not interest you as much, and that's just fine. 

At the End of the Day, I'm hoping that when you look at my paintings, you'll see beyond my struggling efforts to portray this special landscape, and into the heart of the Everglades themselves.  I hope you'll think about the value of the land--its beauty, its value to our state and our world, it's value to our economy.   If it doesn't move you, my efforts fall short. 

Limited Palette, Winter Prairie painting by Everglades Artist JoAnn Sanborn

Winter Prairie, Jo-Ann Sanborn
acrylic on canvas, 11x14

Colors all have value, and it's important to know where the colors you use fall on a value scale.  Every now and then I'll use a limited palette, and find that it helps sharpen my value observation. 

Winter Prairie, today's Everglades painting, was done with a limited palette of Liquitex acrylic colors Indanthrene Blue, Quinacridone Crimson, Naples Yellow, and Transparent Burnt Sienna and Titanimum White.  And to tell all, in the end I used a there's a touch of Pyrole Orange in the trunks of the palms. The blues needed that little punch of orange for contrast, and the Naples Yellow was too grey to do it. 

With only a few color choices, it's less easy to get distracted or seduced by the color, and easier to make the right value choices.   It's always a surprise that the paintings end up as colorful as ever but the values seem to fall into place more easily. 

I'll be teaching a class in Color Confidence at the Art League of Marco Island and you can sign up online now.  We'll have a good time! 

Shameless Promotion, Winter Prairie daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Winter Prairie, Jo-Ann Sanborn
Acrylic on Board, 5"x7"

Christmas is coming.  Some of the people you will gift deserve something very special.  I'm going to be shamelessly self-promotional today and urge you to purchase a Sanborn painting for some special person on your holiday list. 

There's a nice selection in the studio to meet most every need.  Perhaps a neighbor has taken care of your home or a pet while you're away. Perhaps it's time to start a son or daughter collecting original artwork, or you have a good friend that you'd like to get something special for.  One of my daily paintings, framed and shipped for $150 might be just right. 

Perhaps you'd like a larger painting for  a loved one who's mentioned enjoying my work.  You can come in or call to discuss your needs and see what is available in your price range.  The current price range for a painting is $300-$4500, mostly by size.  We can talk if you'd like something larger.

Don't worry about making the perfect choice.  If the painting you chose is not perfect for the recipient, you are welcome to visit the studio and exchange the painting for another.  The choice of art is quite personal, and I want you or your loved one to have a painting that speaks to your heart!

You may be among the more than 50 people who own more than two of my paintings. Thank you! You're a collector, and it's a great time to add to your collection. I may not recognize your face, but I when we talk, I know your name and your paintings! You already know the pleasure a Sanborn painting can bring.

Original art work never goes out of style and has lasting value.  Read about the value of original art in the Collector Corner of my holiday newsletter.  Give a gift the recipient will thank you for and enjoy for years.  A Sanborn painting will bring much pleasure.   So much, that a number of people have become collectors.  I'd love to have you join them.

Art League back! Prairie daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Prairie, Jo-Ann Sanborn
acrylic on board, 5"x7"

You may have heard about the Art League of Marco's financial difficulties in the past year.  Somehow the organization was caught short by the financial downturn, but the community, businessman David Rice, and a terrific board worked very hard to ensure that this forty-year-old Marco Island institution was able to survive.

While the Art League is in the black, it will still take a lot of work to get the organization back on solid ground.  D, yes, "D" Michael, brought in from Colorado, is the new director, and by all accounts is a breath of fresh air for our community.  She's tiny, but very effective.  She's proving to be both smart and street smart, and is slowing pulling the Art League out of deep water while proving herself a real asset to the arts community here on the island.  We've got a friend!

There are a number of things that you can do to help.  You can rejoin if you've let your membership lapse.  Do that right away!  You can sign up for a class.  This helps both the teacher and the League! There's some terrific gift ideas for you to choose from in the Gift Shop, so you can stop in and make a choice.  Best of all, you can make a donation and see your name as one of the leaves on the new tree in the lobby.

Let's give a helping hand.  You'll feel good and ensure that the Art League remains an island asset.  Visit the newly revised and user friendly website at http://marcoislandart.org/ today!

J'accuse! Quite a Storm painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Quite a Storm, JoAnn Sanborn, 2010
Acrylic on Canvas, "24x30"

A women came into my studio recently and spent some time looking at the paintings.  "I've been looking at your work a long time," she told me, "I think you're getting repetitive."

Oh, the horror!  While nearly ill with inner turmoil, I thanked her for her interest in my work.  I told her that I painted almost every day and that I've been painting the Everglades landscape for seventeen years.  There's not much out there besides water, sky, and palms.  It's the shapes and their relationship to the sky and the changing light that interests me. 

Yes, I told her, I occasionally revisit a spot.  Still, each time there's a a fresh approach as I address my canvas.  The light is different, or a view from a different angle to explore.  Some palms clumps were old favorites, and I loved visiting to see how they were growing or had changed, or perhaps some little ones had come along. 

I suggested that my compositions had improved, that my color palette had changed, and that my brushwork was maturing.  She agreed this was true.  I was glad for the discussion, because we each learned from it. 

We went on to discuss how some artists have always painted in series, like Monet's haystack or lily pond series, (forgive the comparison, please!) and that I've done different subjects in my past and might again. 

Yes, it's all Everglades.  But for now each time I face the landscape and begin to paint it still feels new and exciting and challenging. When that ends, it's time to move on. 

Daily Chores, Passage painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

 

Passage, Jo-Ann Sanborn, 2010

Acrylic on canvas, 20x24

What are the daily chores of a landscape artist?  What do we do to fill each day? 

Observe

Observe the landscape to do a great job of painting it.  Usually you look closely at the scene in front of you in order to begin finding the essence of the landscape you are about to paint.  For me this is most often the Everglades. 

 

Other times observations come upon you in a quiet moment.  As you sip your morning coffee, just for a few moments the sky turns a remarkable shade of pink as the sun peeks over the horizon.  If you weren't observing, you'd miss it.  Let it wash over you, feel it, and it will bring depth to your painting that day, or show up in a later painting. 

 

Contemplate

Thinking about the things you've seen takes a mind free of the other obligations of life, even if just for a while.  The artist needs some time each day just to contemplate what you've seen, what you've heard, and what you've read.  Those things combined, and your reaction to them, are what make you who you are as a painter.  The thinking time will show in your work.

 

Generate

Generating art is what you're all about.  It the most important thing you do as an artist, because without painting you'll lose the essence of what you saw and what you thought about it.  Painting often builds skill and inventory.  Paint often and regularly!

 

Connect

Connecting is a vital part of being an artist.  First comes connecting with family and friends.  Don't neglect this just because they'll forgive you.  You'll find that you need this in varying amounts. 

 

Today, connecting with the outside world is easy and vital.   Join your local Art League, visit an art show, write a blog, try Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or join an online artist forum. 

 

It might seem that observing, contemplating, generating and connecting can make for a pretty full day.  Yep! 

 

Thanks to Chris Brogan for the idea for today's post.

Vistors, Sailing, and Thanksgiving

The studio was busy and full of visitors last week as we held our second painting party with the theme Mostly Monet.  The participants all exhibited great creative enthusiam and had a wonderful time. 

 Monetessori School came to visit and the children enjoyed painting a group painting.  Then they ffollowed clues to a scavenger hunt about the art.  They counted boats and found curlers, looked for an eagle and found feathers.  It was fun for all and the children were quite serious in their discussions about the art, except for one little boy who didn't want to see the paintings at all! 

Many people will sail away and leave the island for the holidays.  As much as they love Marco Island, they'll always call somewhere else home.  But for me, this is my home now, and I'm thankful to be sharing this Thanksgiving with family from afar. 

Sail Away

acrylic on canvas, 5x7

Along with the family and friends I hold dear to my heart, at Thanksgiving I'm always especially thankful for the people who have purchase and collect my paintings.  Some of you have collected my work since I first came to Marco Island and have seen my work change and grow I developed as a Florida landscape painter.  

Some of you have picked up my work because you also have a love of our endangered Everglades.  Some enjoy my work because of the strong forms and bold shapes.  Sometimes a color attracts you, or you just see a painting passage that you love.  When any of these things happen and you purchase the work, a bond is formed between you and the painting, and me.  

In every case I'm thankful for each connection, and for each sale.  As my work and career advance, I'm delighted to have you along for the ride.  You've watched my prices appreciate as I've gained skill and recognition.  Better still, you've brought your friends and your children into the circle.

So when I sit down to a delicious Thanksgiving feast this year thinking of the many things I'm grateful for in my life, you, my collectors, will be among them.  Thank you, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

No Man's Land, painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

No man's Land, Jo-Ann Sanborn 2010
acrylic on canvas, 20x24

Few people were found living in the Everglades region prior to the turn of the last century. The interior was simply too wet to live comfortably, and those who did set their homes on higher ground near the coastal ridges.

The people who did live here put out a cry for help after devastating hurricanes in the late 1920's and 1940's. They petitioned to control the flood waters that continually threatened the area, and Congress complied. It seemed the right thing to do at the time, but the results have been devastating for the Everglades ecosystem, and now efforts are underway to restore the ancient water flows.

Scores of stakeholders, led by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Southwest Florida Management Agency have developed the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan neither of which have an easy link to the plan or their part in it.

The plan is huge, and of such significance that we all ought to be aware of it. How the water is handled will affect our water and our economy. There are so many parts and so many stakeholders each with their own take that it's not easy to follow. Still, occasionally you might see a request for public comment. When you do, please speak up for the land!

Arts Afire on Marco Island!

I'm doing too much other than painting right now. This happens to me now and again, and with a big show coming up in February and family responsibilities increasing over the holidays, I have to make some decisions to pull back.

So, I've bowed out of a joint venture to produce labyrinth floor cloths, and will leave the Palette Parties to others in my studio. I'm most likely going to have to pass on being on the committee of the Chamber of Commerce's "Wet Paint Live." Still, I believe that the arts build community, was brought up to be service oriented, and have to put some time in making the arts grow.

The Arts Advisory Committee of the City of Marco, which for two years has been a very manageable commitment, is doing something that I just can't refuse. We're working on a new Celebration of the Arts to include fine arts, music, dance, and theater. It will a wonderful opportunity for our community to view and enjoy the arts, and will end with a celebratory dinner dance and presentation of Flame Arts Awards on March 20, 2011.

Arts Afire website will be up soon, but in the meantime you can do your part by nominating someone for one of the awards. I'll have applications in the studio, and so will the Art League of Marco and the Marco Foundation for the Arts.

You also download a copy from front page of the City of Marco's website, or here. Look for the flames, and look to your fellow citizens and see who might deserve a little recognition in the literary, visual or performing arts.

Deadline is December 31, so don't delay. Nominate someone today!

Wall Art is so Yesterday! Sunset in Paradise daily painting by artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Sunset in Paradise

Acrylic on board, 5"x7"

The artists of the Artist Colony at the Esplanade met last night for a pot luck supper. Starters on the patio as the sun set, great fun learning something about each other we didn't already know, and a delicious pot luck dinner by candlelight in and out of the house, opened up to the delightful weather.

We had some good laughs trying to figure which artist was responsible for some fact we didn't know about them. Who knew that artist Carolyn Burger had played solo guitar at a high school talent show, or that artist Betty Newman had flown on the Concorde with David Bowie? Or that artist Darren Clark had had words with Oliver North in an Oxford bar?

Mostly we talked about the things that any group would when together socially. Even politics reared it's head. Almost too touchy but the subject was changed easily and we moved on to more appealing subjects.

What outraged us and drew the most ire was a ad run in the Marco Island Eagle by Wilson Lighting. "Wall Art is so Yesterday" the ad said. Given the high number of Collier County artists, and the huge percentage of income in the county attributed to the arts, why promote your business at the expense of a large population who will take offense? What were they thinking?

"Wrong" we said! Wall art has kept it's appeal for almost 25,000 years. Wall art is warm, colorful, personal, and keeps giving pleasure. You don't have to have electricity to enjoy it. We don't expect it to go away soon! In the meantime, not many artists will be shopping at Wilson Lighting.

Teaching, Sheltering Arms painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Sheltering Arms, by Jo-Ann Sanborn 2010
acrylic on canvas, 24"x36"

When you take an art class or a workshop, what do you expect to get out of it? That's one of the first questions I ask when starting a new class. It's a lot easier to meet people's expectations if you know what they want. Will you be expecting the teacher to shelter and guide you, or will you expect to work hard to gain knowledge the teacher has and you want to learn?

When I first started teaching, I wondered if I knew enough and would be able to offer enough to my students, but I found that I love to organize the material, and to teach in a sequential way. I like to present material so that students understand it, and then have them do some work to learn, and then looking at the results. I'm also a fan of handouts, so students have the material to recall and refresh.

Lately I've been teaching in short, two hour increments in four week sessions. Each session can stand alone. This is perfect for getting a concept or idea across. Students can take work home if they want, work on it during the week, and bring it back if there are questions.

I'll be teaching a class on Color Confidence at the Art League of Marco Island in January. It will start January 4, so all of you who are just coming back, or who might be away from Marco Island for the holidays may want to sign up before you go. We'll work hard to learn why color mixing is so hard and about color value and color temperature and why they are important. We'll have fun, but I know you'll learn a lot too.

If you're not interested in the hows and whys, and just want to try a little painting, sign up for one of the "Palette Parties" at Rightside Studios. I'll be leading "Mostly Monet" on Monday, but it's all sold out. Our next one will be on Nov. 29. It might make a memory with family or older grand kids, and it might introduce you to a whole new world!

Just say No, Family Outing by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Family Outing, JoAnn Sanborn, 2010
acrylic on canvas, 8"x10"

Today's painting, Family Outing, makes me think of how little we know about family of those other than humans. Are these trees related, with the small one the result of cross-pollination between the other two. Will they know if someone came along and killed one of the three?

There's talk of a new highway interchange deep in some of our valuable open space. The reason is that people need it for fire and hurricane protection, and yet many of the people in that area choose it for it's quiet and isolation.

Is this interchange really necessary to protect the lives of the people who live in this area? How many have died here? What are the alternatives? What is the cost to the very environment that sustains us?

Collier County has more preserved land than most Florida counties. However, the population of Collier County in 2007 was almost 320,000, a number that had grown 26% in the previous 10 years. Almost 275,000 live here year round, putting tremendous pressure on the delicate environment and our natural resources. But our environment creates jobs and provides income for many Floridians.

As the head of the food chain, shouldn't we be taking a step back? Think about sharing rather than hogging? Taking care of the very plants and animals that make it possible for us to live here?

Please, just say NO to this new interchange. It's in the wrong place.

Monday's Muse, by Jo-Ann Sanborn ©2010

Acrylic on Canvas, 20x24

Artist's often search for their particular muse. The word muse comes from Greek Mythology, when certain goddesses, spirits or real people were thought to inspire excellence in music, literature, and song. According to Varro, a Roman Scholar, there are only three. Once borne from the sound of the movement of water, one from the sound of striking the air, and the third by the sound of the human voice.

By classical times there were nine, who embody the arts and inspire creation with the graces of song and stage, tragedy and comedy, music and dance, poetry, history and astronomy. Most people could recognize the muses by the symbols they carried. Calliope, who's domain was epic poetry, for example, carried a tablet, and Euterpe, symbolizing music, carried an aulos.

There's very little in ancient times about a muse for the visual artist, but it is thought that by embodying the attributes of the muses, the artist will benefit and prosper. My muse is the Everglades, a constant source of inspiration with many moods and faces. Sometimes he's in close attendance, and other times very hard to find.

If you'd like to see Greek pottery including the muses, visit the blog of Stapleton Kearns. He's done several posts on Greek Art that are perfect for a mini-lesson.

Chickee Huts, Beach Sunset painting by Everglade artist JoAnn Sanborn

Beach Sunset, Jo-Ann Sanborn
Acrylic on board, 5"x7"

We've had some beautiful sunsets lately and I love the way this little chickee hut glows in the setting sun. This one's on Resident's Beach on Marco Island.

Chickee is a Mikasuki, or Creek word. There is evidence of native Americans using palm frond structures since the time of the Spanish invasion, however at the time of the first Seminole war, log cabins were the homes of choice. As the US troops pushed deeper into the glades, the Chickee hut regained favor as a shelter that could be put up and taken down, or left, quickly.

These open-air homes are still being used by the Mikasuki and Seminoles today. The Chickee provides sturdy shelter, are visibly pleasing in the landscape, and are made of renewable resources.

Part of the settlement at the end of the Seminole wars allowed the tribes to build the chickee huts wherever they could find business, regardless of zoning or permits. If you'd like to see the process of one being built, you can start here.

Fire ant attack, No Man's Land painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

No Man's Land, Jo-Ann Sanborn
acrylic on canvas, 24"x30"

When you go out for your hike in the magical, mystical Everglades, there are a few things you might like to take along, and a few that you should watch out for, and a few you should be careful of.

If you're doing one of the walks in my last post, it's good to know that there are rest rooms at the walk at Big Cypress Bend, the Visitor's Center oat SR41 and SR29, and at the Ranger Station on Janes Scenic Drive. Take along some water in case you stay longer than you think, and some mosquito wipes. I'll talk more about the mosquitoes in a new post. If you're a painter and you plan to plain, you might benefit from my plein air tips.

For the benefit of the creatures that live there, think of it as their home, and treat it like you would if you were a guest in someones house. Take any trash you've brought home with you or secure it in a proper receptacle If you happen upon a Rookery enjoy it and back out quietly. Never, ever feed an alligator, or throw rocks at it to make it move, or poke it with a stick. Treat it like you'd like to be treated in a similar circumstance. If you see the elusive Florida Panther, consider it a gift.

Most of all look around carefully BEFORE you stand still. There's a lot of interesting stuff in the Glades, and before you stop to marvel at the beautiful bromiliads in a tree, make sure you're not standing in an ant hill! Fire ants are the thing to be most careful of and they are considered the six legged scourge of the South. Supposedly taclum powder repels them, but I have not tried this out, forgeting until it's too late.

There are more of them than alligators, eagles, birds and panthers, and they are the most ready to cause you trouble. Many of them make their homes by the side of the road. They don't like visitors, and if you step on a nest you'll suffer for days!

The fire ants seem to crawl so quietly that you don't know they are there, until one of them somehow gives the sting signal. The first thing you will feel is some stinging on your leg or foot. First--move away fast. If you stay where you are while getting rid of them, more will be on you in a moment. Then, if you have a sock or shoe on remove it immediately and drop it, and get the ants off your legs. They get further around than you think, so make your you've killed EVERY ONE on you. Look between your toes and around your heel, cause at this point the sneaky buggers are hiding and waiting for a second bite.

Finally, go pick up your shoes. Hit them on something hard, a tree or your car, until you're sure the ants are gone. They're not, you will still find more hiding in your shoe, along the edge of the seam or under the strap. Same with the socks. Look thoroughly. No matter how desperately you do this phase, I can almost guarantee you another bite. Finally, it's over!

But wait! It's not over yet because if even one of them has had a good bite you will sting for hours, and will have a painful reminder for days, and left with a scar. Do I sound like I'm talking from experience? Yep! More than one? Yep!

So, you've been warned. This video isn't great quality, but will show you what to look for!

Dry Season, Autumn painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Autumn, Jo-Ann Sanborn
acrylic on canvas, 30"x40"

It's the beginning of the dry season in the Everglades, and one of the best times of year to visit. There's less water and fewer mosquitoes, and as the grasses dry the colors become soft and warm with lots of purple. If you winter in the area and haven't been out to the vast wilderness just outside our door, it's time to take a walk. You can go with a guide, but the area is very accessible for you to investigate on your own. I'll start close to home

The Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve is only a few miles from the Naples/Marco Island area and is easy to visit. Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, is a self-guided boardwalk about 8 miles from where SR92 hits SR41, is on the left. The easy boardwalk, about a mile out and back, takes you to a lovely natural pond at the end, where you're almost sure to see an alligator. If you're fortunate you'll see the bold eagle who lives in a tree off to the left, and we've seen a huge owl there, too. Raccoons, snakes, deer many birds and even a panther have been seen on the boardwalk. It's best to go early and be very quiet!

The newer Marsh Trail makes a lovely walk. It's found about 3 miles past Seminole State Park, on the right coming from Marco. It's a pleasant walk with a fabulous high overlook for a great view of the area. There's always a lovely breeze on top, and you can see great distances. Several of my new paintings come from this area, including Autumn above. See if you can find it!

If you're more of a driver than a hiker, Jane's Scenic Drive off SR29 will take you into the strand. It's a beautiful area with many cypress trees where you can stop and look into the clear, clear water or take a walk along one of the old logging trails.

C'mon, give it a try!

Walk on a Prairie, painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Walk on a Prairie, Jo-Ann Sanborn
Acrylic on Canvas, "12x16"

It's generally accepted that an uneven number of the same object in a painting makes for a more interesting composition. This is almost always true, but it's fun and challenging to break the rules. Nobody gets hurt, and if it doesn't work out you can always add in another of your somethings.

In this case I had five palms trees on the prairie in the above painting not counting the ones against the further growth. Even thought they were spaced at varying intervals, and different sized, the composition of the painting looked too contrived and was not working. There's a nice light and the colors are soft and pleasing, but it wasn't until I took out one of the palms that the painting seemed to come together.

This painting is of a freshwater marl prairie. It only takes a few inches of soil above the water for a single palm or cypress to take root and grow.

Invasion, painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Invasion, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on Canvas, 24"x48"

The Australian Pines, or casuarina, are not pine trees at all. Their airy branches form interesting shapes against the morning sky, and their graceful limbs sway gently in a light breeze.

They are not native to Florida. Once widely planted as a hedge against erosion, they are now maligned and outlawed because of their adapibility and invasive habits, taking over where native plants should flourish. The Plant Conservation Alliance calls this plant an alien invader!

In this painting I've tried to show their beauty, but given them threatening feeling as well as they loom over the native species along the shore.

Seeking Cezanne with Artist Tara O'Neill

Palette Party Paint Along on November 1

The artists at Rightside Studios are planning something special. Palette Parties! Our studio will be set up for a paint-along, and you'll come along with your favorite beverage or wine.

Mostly Monet with artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Palette Party Paint Along on November 15th

We'll furnish brushes, canvas, palettes and easels, music, muchies and FUN. All at a table ready for you to get creative. Wear your old clothes and bring your friends, family, spouses or lovers. You'll go home with a finished painting ready to frame done in your style and with our direction and help.

A La Van Gogh with artist Betty Newman

Paint Along Party November 29

Cost is $45 to participate. You can contact me, Tara or Betty if you'd like to participate. Call to reserve your place not before it's too late. It's so much fun you'll want to come back!

Everglades Trivia, No Man's Land painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

No Man's Land, by Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20"x24"

I think of the Everglades as a special place, a place people really should have left alone. It's designed by nature or God to be a "no man's land" since it's populated by all sorts of things to deter us from living there. Prickly, sharp and bitey things. Still, because of the climate we've persisted, and now the future of the land is in danger.

Here are some fun facts about the Everglades, courtesy of the Everglades Foundation, an organization that works hard to protect the Everglades.

• The Everglades are the largest wetland located in the lower 48 states in the U.S.A.
• While it is often described as a swamp or forested wetland, the Everglades is actually a very slow-moving river.
• Once spread out over 8 million acres, the Everglades ecosystem reaches from the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee where waters from the lake slowly moved south toward Florida Bay completing the Everglades ecosystem.
• Native Americans living in and around the river called it Pahayokee (pah-HIGH-oh-geh), the "grassy waters."
• Birds were so plentiful in the Everglades that it was said they “darkened the sky” when they took flight
• America’s Everglades are home to 67 threatened or endangered species.
• Just months after Florida became a state in 1845, the legislature took the first steps that would lead to draining the Everglades
• Periphyton, the mossy golden-brown substance that is found floating in bodies of water throughout the Everglades, is the dominant life form in the River of Grass ecosystem.
• The Everglades is the only place in the world where the American Alligator and the American Crocodile co-exist in the wild.
• Mosquitoes play a vitally important link in the Everglades food chain. The larvae of grown mosquitoes provide food for a variety of native fish that are critical to the diet of wading birds.
• The Everglades is a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve.
• The ubiquitous grassy plants known as sawgrass (a sedge), feature serrated, razor-edged blades of grass that are so sharp, they have been known to cut through clothing.

But hey, if you've been reading this blog very long, or getting my newsletter, you knew all this stuff, didn't you!

Warm Sun, Jo-Ann Sanborn
acrylic on board, 5"x7"

It's coming up on the time when the warm sun will welcoming, and instead of standing under palm trees looking for a breeze when we stop to chat we'll be willingly standing in the warm sun. I think staying out of the sun has come just a little too far, and that we'd all be happier and healthier with just a half hour of warm sun a week!

The Artist Colony at the Esplanade recently sent out a letter to about 25 groups/clubs and fraternal organizations on Marco Island. We've invited them to arrange a special group visit to the Artist Colony. We'll do it for you, too!

Depending on the interests and needs of a group, we can develop a unique visit just for your organization. This might include a tour of the three studios let by one of our artists, a demonstration by an artists, a behind the scenes tour, a presentation regarding various art topics with a question/answer session and/or refreshments. We are also ope to making arrangements to donate a percentage of sales made during these group tours to your organization or the charity of your choice.

The visit could be during our regular hours from Wednesday through Saturday, or a private tour when the studios are not open to the public. Since we have several outstanding restaurants at the Esplanade, a special visit to the Art Colony combined with lunch or dinner at a restaurant might be another option for a group visit.

If you would like to arrange to bring at least 25 people for a special visit, let us know and we'll have fun tailoring a tour just for you!

Here's Naples designer Libby Marks of Interior Decorating International, winner of a door prize of one of my paintings at just such a meeting. The International Design Society, Naples Chapter held a very successful meeting at the Esplanade and the members had a great time meeting the artists and seeing our work.

Trill in the Woods painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Trill in the Woods, Jo-Ann Sanborn
acrylic mixed media on board

When I received this commission for Trill in the Woods, I had a board cut to specifically fit in the cover of the antique music box it was intended for, gave it three coats of acrylic gesso, and used a fine sandpaper after each coat, and also coated the back to prevent warping.

The client had some very specific requirements, in fact three pages of them. He wanted a rocky hill to the right, a reverse "s" curve path, a small pond, the feeling of coming out of the woods, late summer flowers with a stand of sunflowers in the background, at a least a dozen birds, (I managed 10) cat tails in the pond and maybe a frog or two. He named the painting, too.

Since I rarely do this kind of painting, I began with my sketchbook, which I filled with birds and frogs and flowers, until I was comfortable with them. The original drawing on board was done with acrylic inks. I used my I usual methods, building the scene by carving in the lights and darks, and gradually bringing up the light. In this case it meant that the drawing came and went as well. In some cases I let it disappear, and in others re-drew to keep detail. The final stages were with a very small brush.

The requirements of this commission caused me much angst, but worth it when the client saw the painting and told me that I had "given him back a piece of his childhood." Phew.

Naples Bay Resort, Squash, daily painting by Everglades painter Jo-Ann Sanborn

Squash, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

Since the summer has been quiet on Marco Island, and the number of September visitors down, I have an adequate supply of small paintings right now. I still paint every day, but have been working hard on getting a nice supply of new larger painting ready for season. But this little squash was just hanging around the studio begging to be painted as a daily.

After a breakfast meeting with my studio partners, I'll be taking two paintings to a window in Naples Bay Resort, where my friends the Kinkeads are using the windows in unrented retail space to showcase art. They've build some easels for uniformity, and each one will hold up to three paintings depending on size. An artist can buy one, two, or three. I'm only taking one, and hope it will draw people from Naples to my studio on the Esplanade on Marco Island.

It will be a nice change of view from empty storefronts to original art, and the Naples Bay Resort will have a number of events throughout the year. In addition to the Hotel, Olio Restaurant and Bonefish Grill are in that complex, so if you have the opportunity visit for lunch and dinner and a window-shopping the art show!

Why the Glades? Waterway painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Waterway, 2010, J Sanborn
acrylic on Canvas 24"X24"

When life changes dictated a move to Florida, I wasn't sure how I'd adapt. Everthing was different from my New England hometown. Soon after arriving and on a drive to get oriented, I fell in love the Everglades landscape. It's been almost 18 years now and I'm still excited to pick up my paintbrush each day and see what the landscape will reveal.

The Everglades are defined as the land south of Orlando in the middle of the peninsular of Florida. Water from Lake Okeechobee, summer rains and hurricanes form a shallow river that moves very slowly across the landscape to the estuaries and mangrove fringes on the southern coasts.

The land is filled with bold shapes and forms. Palms thrust upward when their roots can get a footing just a few inches about the prairies. Knife sharp sawgrasses form islands of foliage that sway together in light breezes. Deciduous bald cypress trees are ghostly in the winter's evening light and delightfully playful in spring greens. And the water is everywhere, sometimes only an inch or two, and other times remaining in deep life-sustaining sloughs during dry spells.

In the summer wet season the skies are filled with gorgeous billowing clouds as storms build throughout the day. Torrential rains drench the parched landscape by late afternoon. Sometimes the humidity is so think the air practically shimmers with it, and the sunrises and sunsets are almost always spectacular.

In the winter dry season, the grasses dry to lovely soft lavenders as summer's abundant foliage dehydrates and the landscape dries. The skies are every blue in your paint box and fill with puffy afternoon clouds and the light dances in each breeze and is thick and rich and yellow.

The light is magical as it plays among the brash forms and varying colors of this exotic landscape. When you look closer even the small things amaze and delight. If you're quiet and looking for it, there's also the spiritual peace sometimes found in uninhabited places. Places that should be revered rather than destroyed.

As a painter the Everglades landscape provides me with endless inspiration. As a human, I'm concerned about the many threats to this ancient land. It's my hope that my paintings will help you to see it through different eyes, and want to preserve and protect it, too.

What do you know? Corner of the Glades painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Corner of the Glades

Acrylic on Canvas, 24"x36"

What do you really know about the Everglades? They are mysterious and sometimes difficult to enjoy, with a variety of biting insects, the thorny, prickly undergrowth, shallow waterways everywhere you turn and the potential for SNAKES! Yes, at least 26 varieties!

But the Everglades have a special place in our world. We've abused this planet resource and the Everglades need to be saved and restored as a valuable and contributing part of our world.

The Everglades Foundation, an organization that wants to inspire restoration, has a great quiz to help you find out what you know about the Everglades and to fill in information gaps. You can take the Everglades quiz here. Let me know how you did and what surprised you!

Iberia, Bras of LIfe, Party Time Everlgades paiinting by artist JoAnn Sanborn

Party Time, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on Canvas, 16"x20"

What a nice party Keith and Barbara Dameron gave at Iberia Bank of Marco Island to introduce the public to "The Art of Banking." Keith removed the bank's artwork and replaced it with the work of nine local artists. Having worked with Keith on a number of art projects in the past, I was delighted to be included. Keith asked for our best work, and had the show hung by Nancy Garrison and Darlene Schultze of One Day Interiors.

In addition to the paintings on the wall Keith asked each artist to bring another painting to be placed around the room. The Bank looked fabulous, the food and music was terrific, and the guests were interested in the art and artists.

There were several sales as well. My painting, Lazy River, found a home with a couple who had been looking at it since I started it in the studio. Thanks, friends! Stop into Iberia Bank and take a look. Staff there is friendly and will welcome your visit.

I was sorry to miss the the Bras of Life auction at the Art League of Marco Island last night. My husband and I saw the show earlier in the day. What creativity! The bras were fabulous, with a lot of work in each clever piece. There may be a slide show of them up on the Art League's site soon. In addition, the new director was introduced. Can 't wait to meet her.

Changes in the Colony, and I love a Parade painting by Everglades Artist JoAnn Sanborn

I Love a Parade, JoAnn Sanborn
Acrylic on Canvas, 20"x40"

The Artist Colony at the Esplanade, of which I am delighted to be part, is housed in donated, vacant retail space. While all of the artists know it can happen, the reality of a paying tenant claiming their space came as a shock!

What a parade as the artists of Waterfront Gallery carried their art works and the contents of their gallery across the Esplanade to their new home. Luckily they were offered another donated space, and while they're sorry to lose their nice bright gallery on the waterfront, they'll enjoy being more visible to the Esplanade's many visitors in their new space.

In addition to the move, sculptor Bob Frettoloso, painters Carolyn MacAndrew, Bill Moseley, Pat Perrotti and mixed media artist Tracy Gudgel will be leaving the Colony. They cite a variety of reason for their decision, and are all grateful for their Colony experience. The eleven remaining artists wish them well on their continued artistic journey.

Waterfront regulars Tony Dallman-Jones, Maggie DeMarco, Claire Keery and Phyllis Pransky are working hard to make the new space ready. The gallery will be closed during renovations, but will reopen in a couple of weeks.

Because the new space is smaller, Waterfront, which started out as a group gallery, has decided that each of the remaining artist would welcome a little more space, so there will be no openings for additional artists at this time. Welcome to the Courtyard!

Marooned, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 5"x7"

Many artists have found the Everglades a wonderful place to paint an occasional painting, but few have made it their muse and their mission. Artist Sam Vinikoff, who painted the Everglades for many of his 91 was a dedicated Everglades artist. He passed on Saturday.

Sam did much of his work on site, coming out to paint even in advanced years and failing health. I considered Sam a competitor even though we've never met. I've often wondered if we'd cross paths out on some side road In the Fakahatchee or along the Loop Road. I'd planned to stop and say "hello" if it ever happened, and to tell him how much I enjoyed his work.

Sam's work can be seen all over Florida. You can take note of it when you visit the Big Cypress
Visitor Center. Rest in Peace, Sam.

Art Class, Light Descending painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Light Descending, 2010, Jo-Ann Sanborn
acrylic on canvas, 30x30"

Everglades painting Light Descending, along with a painting by artist Inez Hudson, tied for the People's Choice award at the Artist Colony at the Esplanade Art Walk this month. The vote was close, with the ever-popular art of Tracy Gudgel in second place.

There was a nice turnout, much better than expected for a slow September. We're fortunate to have some great music, and the musicians had a great time jamming favorite songs towards the end of the evening.

You can put the October 27th Art Walk on your calendar right now if you want to be part of these Last Wednesday Art Walks on the Esplanade. Come along and pick YOUR favorite painting.

I'll be teaching Acrylics Short and Sweet starting Tuesdays, October 26 for four weeks. It seems that people don't have the time or the funds for a longer workshop in these difficult times, and the short, two-hour classes have become quite popular.

We'll work on all the basics of a good painting in the two hours, with a short lecture and demo, and ending with taking a look at what we've accomplished. There's a Color Confidence and a Florida Landscape class coming up as well.

We have a lot of fun, and you'll go away with some bits of knowledge that you may have forgotten since art school or never really absorbed. Handouts, too. Several of my students have been repeating my classes for years, telling me that they're still learning something new. So am I -- that's the pleasure of teaching.

Sign up today at the Art League of Marco Island, 239-642-6367. I'll look forward to seeing you!

Morning Cohorts, daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Morning Cohorts

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

A friend knocked on my door early yesterday morning and urged me to grab a coffee and come out to see the morning light. She knew I'd be up early, trying to get all my computer duties finished before the light came up in my studio and I could paint.

There was a lovely, bright band of sunlight just below morning clouds. As we walked and chatted the clouds turned lovely shades of pink and lavender and grey and the rising sun's light changed the sky from dawn to morning.

It didn't take long for the incredible magic of gorgeous morning light to pass. Not enough time to get out my brushes, although it may show up in a painting, soon. Glad I didn't miss it!

Working through, End of Summer painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

End of Summer, Jo-Ann Sanborn

20x24, acrylic on canvas

Just a couple of weeks ago this Everglades painting was not working for me. I spoke about it's problems here. A few hours in the studio and the whole came together in a much better painting.

The first thing I did in my correction attack was to glaze the whole painting with a transparent Yellow Azo. The colors took on a unity they had been lacking. The yellow neutralized, or toned down the purples, exaggerated the greens and softened the sky, giving the painting a nice glow. A this point I felt there was some hope for this painting.

Without letting that dry thoroughly I painted out some of the brush clumps and merged others, giving a much better flow to the greenery, put more distance between the water and the background which helped the scale of the palms, and added the cloud reflections to the right places in the water. My final step was to soften the more distant brush line to keep it in feeling with the rest of the painting.

The changes are not huge, but make a big difference in the final product. Wolf Kahn, one of my favorite art teachers, paraphrasing, says that a painting should always show the struggle of the painter on the canvas. I find that working through problems gives a painting depth of character it doesn't have when all comes more easily.

Taking Risks, On the Edge daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

On the Edge, © 2010 Jo Ann Sanborn
acrylic on board, 5"x7"

Some days life seems all about putting yourself at risk. We do this in our relationships when we reveal just a little more of ourselves than we're comfortable having someone see. We do this when we overeat unhealthy food, become exposed to toxic chemicals when we're working in the yard, or take a chance in the stock market.

As a painter, I have to take some risk every day in order to keep my work fresh, exciting, and new. I experiment with color, form, shape, learn from others and from self study, and hope that it pays off and I'll grow as an artist.

Sometimes risk is sticking your neck out. Founding and developing Marco Island's Artist Colony at the Esplanade was that kind of risk for me, yet it's paid off for the artists of Marco and for the City.

We're in the process of negotiating another year in our studio spaces. Please wish us well!