Hot Stuff, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on archival board, 5"x7"

Breakthrough, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on archival board, 5"x7"

Rosey, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Rosy, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7"x5"

I'm going to take a break from this blog for a while.  I'll keep the website updated, at http://joannsanborn.com, and post new dailies on http://dailypaintworks.com.  Thanks for your support and for your interest in my work.

In the meantime, know that I'm wishing you the best, whatever your occasion. 

What can a Rose Say? poem by Margie Driver

A rose can say I love you and want you to be mine,

A rose can say I thank you for being so very kind,

A rose can say congratulations, whatever the occasion may be,

A rose can say I miss you and wish you were here with me,

I rose can say I'm sorry if I've hurt you in any way,

A rose can say get well soon, May God bless you today,

A rose can say I wish you happiness, and the best for you each day,

I rose can say farewell, when someone goes away,

A rose can say hello, I'm thinking of you today

There's just so many wonderful things that a rose can say,

A rose can say goodbye when a loved one is laid to rest,

No matter what there is to say a rose can say it best. 

Delightful Day painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Delightful Day, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20"x24"

Waitin' for the Worm, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7"x5"

The early bird gets the worm, and this robin is patiently waiting his reward. 

I've been invited and will be showing in a gallery in Portland, Maine this summer with a number of other local artists.  Their will be an August 3 reception, and I'm trying to work it out so I can attend.  Save the date if you're in the area. 

My usual Everglades scenes aren't appropriate to the non-tropical north east, so I'm working up a number of small paintings that might appeal there, and the change is nice for me.  Flowers, birds, boats and small sea-scapes might be better, so you'll see more of them in my work as we get closer.

Pink Glow daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Pink Glow, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7"x5"

pink scented blossoms

garden picked, maybe gifted
enjoyed either way

First Haiku, be gentle please!  It may be the balanced but uneven negative spacing in today's painting, colors are reminicient of cherry blossoms, or the heavenly scent of the last of the gardenias  in my garden, but flowers are definately on my mind and brush!

Marco Island, Sunset Moon, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Sunset Moon, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7"x5"

This weekend's moon was just magnificent, and I hope you enjoyed it.  It's the moon a couple of weeks ago that has stayed in my mind for today's painting.  The sliver of a silver moon in the darkening sky said goodnight to the sun, and I sat pondering the future of the natural world on Marco Island.

Do we want to share our island with gopher tortoises and burrowing owls?  I do.   They are quite exotic to someone who grew up with squirrels and bunnies.  I'm amazed and delighted by these unusual creatures and take great pleasure in showing them to island visitors.

Can we ensure that future generations, out taking a morning walk, will be able to stop and watch the bobbing little peanut shapes of the owls or the lumbering ancientness of the tortoises?

Our environment is important. When I moved here, the entrance sign said "eagle sanctuary" and there were four nesting pair.  Now there's one.  The Marco Eagle Sanctuary Foundation is a step in the right direction.

Our arts and culture is important.   The new director at the Marco Island Center for the Arts is making good progress, and our cultural groups are growing. 

Our history is important.  The Marco Island Historical Society has added a terrific museum, and has plans for more, and Otter Mound will remain a wonderful natural little pocket park if treated carefully. 

We need to think ahead and begin planning for all of these elements to be part of our future.  Studies show that cultural and environment tourists stay longer and spend more. Marco Island can be much more than just a day at the beach. 

Pond in the Glades, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on canvas, 5"x7"

A champion of Everglades protection and preservation passed away last week.  Wayne Nelson raised both his voice and his money to challenge the powers that cause and continue deterioration of only subtropical environment in our country. 

A friend of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, like her his work will not be complete until we reverse and honor the natural systems of our world like the Everglades, that will allow us to enjoy clean water and healthy oceans into the future.  

Do you have a cause, something that you believe in and work for?  Mine is the Everglades.  If you would like to know just a little more about  why I think their preservation is important, you can order my book, Embracing the Everglades here.  A dollar from every book sold is donated to organizations that work to protect the landscape I've come to love. 

Computer Woes, Flowing Gently By painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Flowing Gently By, (c) 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20x24

Sold

Today's Everglades painting reminds me why I love what I do. The Everglades is a magical and special place, and I'm very grateful to be painting its beauty on a daily basis. Looking at this painting is calming, and the gentle trickle of the softly gurgling water can lower the blood pressure!   This one was sold before it left the easel, and will go to the home of a dear collector as soon as I can get it framed. 

It has been an incredibly crazy week.  I was followed around by a little black rain cloud, which continued to rain down additional stormy challenges on a daily basis.  Finally it got so bad it became humorous, which helped to put everything into perspective.  The least of it was eight days without a computer.  The fate of much of my data is still unknown, and everything is newly different. Moan.

Thanks to all of you who responded positively to the new format for my newsletter, fortunately already scheduled when the computer troubles started.  You were overwhelming in support of the new format.  Those of you who read my newsletter are very special to me and I'll be announcing the winner of the drawing for a daily painting soon.  If you don't yet get my newsletter, you can sign up here. 

You've probably noticed the new Daily Paintworks gadget just under my photo on the blog, and hope you will visit my gallery.  If you get the blog in your mailbox you won't see the gadget, but can go to the gallery here.