Iguanas & Clyde, Good Morning daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Good Morning

5x7 Acrylic on board

$150

It is a good morning, with just a few hints that our cold, cold spell may be weakening. With only one wool sweater left I've been hard pressed to stay warm. The sweater is thigh-length, old enough for the fashion to have come around again!

Yes, frozen iguanas! I saw one for myself in the parking lot of the Marco Island Library early one morning when returning some books. The poor iguana had gotten cold enough to loose his grip and fall from tree. Someone had gently place a construction cone near the cold body to avoid a squishing incident, but with the ongoing construction most people just walked by without looking down.

I've heard that they will warm up and recover. Unless, of course, the iguana collector comes by and sends them into the big chill forever. Iguanas are not native to Southwest Florida, and there are efforts underway to rid the island of them. This cold spell we've been having has made collecting easy.
I have mixed feelings about the green iguanas. They are exotic and beautiful, but do a lot of harm to the seawalls and foliage, and worse, apparently eat the eggs of our birds. Still, I'm sorry to see the suffering.

We attended the screening of the Big Cypress Swamp, the Western Everglades, last night at the Von Liebig, and all the Everglades people were in attendance. We spoke with Everglades photographer Clyde Butcher, filmmaker Elan Stoltzfus, Big Cypress Interpreter Ranger Bob Degrosse, and were delighted to see a group of Seminoles in colorful costumes.

The film takes you on a journey through the Western Everglades, the area closest to us and quite different from the Miami side River of Grass. I'll have the film in my studio gallery at the Esplanade, and will be happy to loan it to you overnight for a returnable deposit.

This weekend Rookery Bay, just north of Marco Island will hold its Nature Festival. With lectures, demonstrations, swamp walks, rides and cruises, there should be something for everyone. It's a great way to get a feel for our environment without getting too far off the beaten path.

I, along with other Marco Island professional and aspiring artists, will be be participating in the Left Bank Art Fest at the Esplanade on Marco, about 1/2 mile on the right as you come over the bridge. There's plenty of parking only a short walk away in the city lot by Winn Dixie. I'll be inside my gallery, and urge you to visit the artists both inside and out! The Left Bank Art Show is produced by the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts.

In addition, the Marco Island Center for the Arts is holding a Craft Fair on the Art League grounds on Winterberry.