Listening to Nature, Quiet in the Shadows painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Quiet in the Shadows, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20"X24"

Painting the landscape is a connection to nature.  I love sitting quietly in the cool shadow of the palms, looking out onto the warm, sunlit prairie.

Spending a silent moment  with nature means that our ears begin to pick up sounds we might have missed if we were talking, or even painting.  The buzz of a bee makes us aware of a whole level of life we're not privy too.  Where's he going?  What's he saying?  To who? 

The raucous cry of a heron highlights another layer of life.  Is he saying "stay out of my fishing hole"  or perhaps "I've got dinner, honey!"  Or maybe "watch out, here comes a snake!"

We'll never know.  It would take years of watching and listening to understand all that goes on the natural world we're not much a part of anymore. 

Taking the time to listen is a first step.  Perhaps if we take the time to listen, we'll begin to hear.