Marco Island Wet Paint, Haze in the Distance daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Haze in the distance, Jo-Ann Sanborn

5"x7", acrylic on board

It's a busy week for the Arts.  Today, Wednesay, Jan 26th, is the monthy Last Wednesday Art Walk at the Artist Colony on the Esplanade.  You are welcome to come and share a glass of wine or other beverage, view new work, talk with the artists, hear live music, and generally enjoy a good  time. 

We will not have the People's Choice this month--after a year we've tired of having to do a theme painting each month, so are trying something new.  YOU will be able to participate in making a painting, and we'll raffle it off to one of the participants.  Visit each studio and MAKE YOUR MARK!

Tomorrow, Thursday January 27th is Marco Island Wet Paint Live.  This is a collaborative venture lead by Marco Island's Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Marco, Marco Island Art League, Marco Island Foundation for the Arts, and some of the islands artists, and other artists with ties to the island. 

Artists will have their canvases stamped between 8-9 am, and be on their chosen site to paint by 9 am.  They'll paint until 3 pm, frame and bring their completed canvases to the Art League on Winterberry Avenue at 4 pm. 

In addition to the artists that you've come to know and love, this year we'll have some wonderful first-time artists and some off-island artists participating, including Don Moser and Robert Gruppe of New England.  Both men have painted in the area on and off for years, and should be exciting additions for collectors.

The finished paintings will be hung for viewing pleasure until 6 pm, when they will be auctioned off. Tickets to view the paintings and to attend the auction can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce.  That's also a good place to pick up maps showing the painting location of the artists.   

I'll be painting at the Esplanade since it's my usual day to work and my partners are all participating or working elsewhere.  I've been looking around for just the right scene.  We'll see what light the day will bring and what will capture my imagination.

I really hope to see you at the auction.  Tickets are only $35, and will be well worth the viewing even if you are not in the market for a painting.  There will be some terrific paintings and some may go for bargain prices.  In any case you are supporting scholarships for Marco students, and should have a lot of fun besides!