Wet Paint,Catching the Light daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Catching the Light

5x7, acrylic on board

$150

My class on Acrylic Basics is going well, with twelve talented and delightful students. When the Education Committee asked me to try four two-hour classes to be held within a month, rather than my usual four day intensive workshop the Florida landscape. The goal was to offer classes to monthly visitors as well as residents.

I wasn't at all sure it would work. I worried. How would there be time for our "talking time?" How could the students possibly learn something and paint it in such a short time

Well, it's working out just fine. We start the class with the day's subject--yesterday was composition, and between some discussion and a handout, students were at their easel in no time working away. Fortunately, they are not adverse to a little homework, and will be bringing their own homemade value scale in complete next week for our session on value. All the while we're learning to work with the acrylic paint, and I'm learning too as we talk and share.

On the subject of Wet Paint, my husband and I hosted a cocktail party for the artists and sponsors of the Marco Island Wet Paint Live event last night. It was a fun event with a great turn-out, and everyone is looking forward to paint-out day.

Wet Paint Live, now in it's third year, will be held the last Thursday in January. There's fewer artists this year and more sponsors, which translates into a stronger event. Paintings of participating artists will be displayed at the Marco Island Center for the Arts the week before the event, and participating artists have the opportunity to include two paintings in a silent auction.

The event provides scholarships for Marco Island students, and is presented by the Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Marco, the Marco Island Center for the Arts and the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber for $35. Don't miss it!