Autumn's Last Dance, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Autumn's Last Dance, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 16x20, $650

 

 

Today's just completed painting is another of the row of palms.  This group was a little further down the row, and the light was pretty dusky by the time I got to thinking about painting them.  The details of where the trunk meets the crown, were a little murky, so added a bit of neck jewelry. 

 

I think the colors of a New England autumn have crept into this painting just a bit. So funny how a walk in the woods up north might affect a palm painting, but since I'm from there, I guess New England is always under the surface.  What's under your surface that informs your art?

Fall Parade daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Fall Parade, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

 

This is a group of palms in the Fakahatchee further south than the group I've been painting.  The reds and oranges of autumn have still crept in.  I had to fuss with the color of the sky to get the temperature cool enough.  It went from orange, then yellow, both too warm, a light blue didn't suit me, and finally the cool pink seems to work well. 

 

Doing the little dailies is a pleasure since it's It's been quite busy in the studio, and I have sevaral commissions to finish. Most are going well, but one is giving me a hard time.  I know that the cause is I'm unclear about exactly what the client expects.  Most likely this is my fault rather than the client.  If I don't ask the right questions or get the right feedback there can be a disconnect. 

 

I'm excited about the concept for the painting,  so I'll just  have to give it a dramatic revision to see if I can get it control and going in a direction I can work with.  If not, I'll go back for more guidance to be sure we're on the same track. 

 



Snowman #4, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

 

Snowman #4, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on archival board, 5"x7"

 

 

I'm hoping you had a nice weekend.  My Thanksgiving was lovely, with family the highlight of a very quick trip to New England. The weather was perfect and travel was easy.  There was enough warmth from the morning sun to make a walk through the woods in November a real pleasure, even for someone now from Florida.  There were still some leaves on the trees, and the woods were full of the glorious golds and browns of Autumn.  

 

I flew back in time for the Snowman Extravaganza, with weather cool enough to enjoy the hot spiced wine and cookies. The Snowmen were all quite different, and it was interesting to hear just which ones appealed to the various customers.  Some were treasured for being different, and some folks only wanted the most traditional. 

 

There are some not yet adopted, and I'll be putting them up on the blog in the next few days.  If you see one you like, you can purchase it by coming into the Studio, calling me, or going to my gallery at Daily Paintworks online. 

If you are not yet sick of Snowmen yet, or want to delight the children, you might want to make some Melted Snowmen Cookies.  Thanks to cyber friend artist Kelly MacDonald for the tip. 

In the Distance daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

 

In the Distance, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 5"x7"

 

 

The light has been clear and lovly in the Everglades with weather perfect for humans.  We've had no rain for a while, and the Everglades animals are beginning to go into survival mode.  Alligators will dig water holes using snout and tail, and other animals will gather to share the water.

 

There are some natural sloughs, channels that will retain water throughout the dry season, and manmade construction has made other deepwater passages.  In these areas the alligators can gather without doing the work of excavation. 

 

The corner of Turner River Road, off US 41 is one such area. When I first came to Florida, almost 20 years ago, only one or two gators used this location during the dry season.  As the area developed, the channel was deepened.  Now, as the season progresses, more and more gators gather at this manmade water hole.  Today it's easy to see multiple gators there. 

 

Without the alligator holes throughout the Everglades, other animals may have to find new methods to find the water they need to survive.  It's too soon to know if the lack of alligator holes will become a serious problem to some species, but scientists are beginning to be concerned about the changes.  You can learn more about alligator holes from the Croc Doc.

Snowmen, tonight at 6

Snowmen, Tonight at 6!

Studio at the Esplanade

Just to get you in the mood, 
Last Year's Snowmen
 

 

Tough Times for Snowmen, too 

 

Favorite beach bunny with a Snowman 

Another favorite!

 

Hope to see you tonight! 

 

Snowmen, An Invitation!

Please forward to anyone who might think this could be fun. Thanks!

 

Jo-Ann Sanborn Everglades Artist Sunshine Studios of Marco Island Please join me for the Second Annual Snowman Extravaganza! (see opportunity below!) And some spiced wine and cookies! At the Esplanade Studio/Gallery Friday, November 23 6-8:00 pm Here's how this special event will work! Event will take place at the Esplanade Studio Gallery on November 23, from 6-8:00 pm. No one admitted before 6 pm., when snowmen will be unveiled Eighteen Snowmen, maybe a few more or less, each on their own golden easel YOUR CHOICE first come first served, $65.00 to $85 each - HALF the usual price of my daily paintings! This is the ONLY day/time to obtain your signed and dated collectible snowman directly from the artist. If you can't attend in person, ask a friend to select a special snowman for you. After the event, I'll post them online. Perfect for giving, or treating yourself!

Row of Palms, Autumn, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on Canvas, 6x 20, Sold

 

 

I'm still working up in size on this wonderful row of palm trees seen in the late afternoon light.  If you look back on this blog, you will see several smaller versions.  My plan is to do quite a large painting of this row of trees before I am done.  It helps to work out the color harmonies on the smaller versions until I'm ready to grow it up to a much larger size.

 

Studio work is going well, and I'm tired at the end of the day.  I'm discovering that I can usually get thefor a new painting down early in the day when I'm fresh and there's not too many people around, and have the painting well underway and know where I'm going as the day progresses.  I generally work on at least two paintings at a time, which gives me both thinking and drying time.

 

I was delighted to have Liz come into the shop to pick up her choice of Daily Painting.  She's the seasonal winner of the a daily painting given away from among people who receive my monthly newsletter.  If you would like to read my newsletter and have a chance at winning a daily painting, you can sign up here. 

My apologies for those who got your Thanksgiving post early.  I'm beginning to think that it's Blogger making the mistakes, not always ME, since I had very carefully scheduled that post for Thanksgiving day.  UGH.  It's very annoying to me, and I know an inconvenience to you, so please accept my apologies.  Blogger's been terrific, but sometimes causes issues I can't control  I'll be looking into other ways to be in touch with you.  And I DO want you to have a nice Thanksgiving!

Sunny Side Up, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 12x16

The Everglades environment is often the subject of this blog, and was the subject of my book. I often write about the environment, because I believe that we are only a small part of what goes on here on planet earth. I believe that as the most dominant species right now, we have an obligation to make sure that the plants and animals we share the earth with have their homes and habitat respected, too.

erstanding and accepting, and just being aware of the natural world is part of that respect.

 In my paintings, I often feature the magic moments that, if you are just willing to look, are constant gifts to us. The sunsets and sunrises here in Florida are glorious, not occasionally, but often. Each one is special and unique. I take the time to enjoy them, and hope you do, too.

Squash, again, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Squash, again  2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

The squash and pumpkins available this time are just begging to be painted.  I usually do at least one, and this is it for this year.   Well, at least I think so right now.  I don't know if this little beauty was grown locally or not, but will be asking more questions about where our food comes from now that the Marco Island Farmer's Market is back.  

 

Do you know that chosing and purchasing locally grown food puts much less strain on the environment?  It doesn't have to be shipped, so saves both gas and emissions, and ensures that local farmers will stay in business.  The quality of the food is usually better, too, because it comes to us fresh off the farm.

 

It can make a big difference in sustaining the environment if we all encourage and support local food production.  Thanks!  

Commissions, and helping the victims of Sandy

Quiet Place, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 8x10, sold.

 

It's been a couple of busy weeks, mostly working on commissions.  They are always stressful for me, as the reality of creating another person's vision gives me fits.  Still, The challenge and the income makes it worthwhile, so I do most of what's asked in the hopes of artistic growth.  The small painting above is one of a pair that will be traveling soon, and be placed on either side of a fireplace, reminding their owner of the joys of visiting Marco Island.

 

David and Carol Marine, at Daily Paintworks are doing a Hurricane Sandy Artists Challenge, and the proceeds of the art sale will go to the victims of the dreadful storm.  My first painting sold, so I'm putting in a second painting.  You can bid on Gull, or another painting to help the storm victims here.  

 

 

Gull, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7"x5"

 

Hope to see you at the Art Center's reception for the show America the Beautiful tomorrow, Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30.  There will be refreshments and its, free.  See if you are beginning to recognize the local artists without peeking at the labels!   

 





Limeade, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Limeade, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 11x14

 



 



Island Breeze, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Island Breeze, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 30x30

Today's painting, Island Breeze, was started way back in August when we had that little hurricane flurry long before Sandy.  It's been on my website for about a week, and I just realized I hadn't shown it here yet. 

With getting the new studio ready and preparing for the Grand Opening, both the weather and my activity level changed dramatically, and so did the painting. 

When I started this painting, these three palms trees were moving and blowing in a pretty stiff wind.  Today, they are barely swaying in the light breeze in an almost idyllic view.  

Could the painting have morphed as a reflextion of my own activites, from overly busy to now settled into the new studio? 



More on Original, and Peaceful Morning, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Peaceful Morning, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

 

I recently wrote about making original art.  Its been said that nothing is truly original.  So how do we grow as artists?  Does our inspiration come from our deep within our own brain, or is it triggered by something we see?  The answer may be a little of both.   

Art History should be  a part of what every artist knows.  We look  at the art of those who came before us.  We also look at the work of our contemporaries, to see what they are doing.  When we look at the work of others, what happens?  Some assessing and some absorbing, and yes, maybe even some borrowing.  But not stealing.   

I know that I'm personally interested in seeing what other artists have done or are doing, particularly the work of other landscape painters.  I often see something that I am drawn to in other artists work.  I might post a copy of what interests me on my inspiration board, and look at it for days, trying to understand the technique or appreciating the delicateness of the work.  Some of this will stay with me, and when the opportunity arises I might try the technique or use the color combination in a part of my painting.   

 

Artists are always learning, and exploring the work of others doing similar work is part of that process.  It's part of determining where your own work fits in the context of where you stand as an artist in the world today.  After you build a strong foundation of knowledge, your own work will have the strength to stand on its own.

Exploring an idea, and Late Day Light by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Late Day Light, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 11x14

 

 

I'm continuing to explore the late day light against the trunks of a row of palms seen recently in the Everglades at the end of a day.  I was so lucky to have see it.  Moments like this fade quickly, and if you happen to be looking the other way you might miss it completely.  Morning light is often like that, fading or changing quickly while I'm in the shower! 

 

Although I have painted almost every day for years, being inside the studio for so many hours a week will definitely have an effect on my work.  I'm not sure how--like most artists I may never know.  You just have to paint from the heart and hope the finished product will please you and make someone happy. 

 

In this series I am finding that the balances are very delicate.  I'm talking about how many verticals, and their position, as well as the color harmony.  Painting is a process, and as this painting developed the palm trunks changed position a few times.  I'd like to get them leaning a little more, but when I tried leaning them, the whole looked rather forced and trivial.  They ended up straight again. 

 

In nature each plant finds its own space, and it may take another visit to the spot to see exactly how they grow in order to change what my mind has seen. More to think about, and maybe work on in another painting. I may do a still larger painting of this subject, but am not sure how it will translate.  I'll think about it and maybe some sketches to see if it will scale well.