Gardinia, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Gardenia, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 7”x5”

It’s time to do a little gardening. I’ve been pulling a few weeds and cleaning up the beds in the early morning before it gets too hot. I put in three more plumbage for the second time around, hoping they’ll come around to liking it in a spot they don’t seem to. 

But the gardinias are glorious and the scent heavenly. I’m enjoying a fresh one each morning, some to admire and some to paint. 

How does your garden grow?  

1000 posts and an abstract daily painting

Out and About, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 7” x 5”

I’ve been writing blogposts since 2007, and today's my 1000th!  Blogging was new when I started back in 2007, and something to be tried.  The word means "web journal" and that's how I used it, writing 100-200 posts most years, about the activities of an artist and things I've learned on my art journey and want to share.  

Blogging started as a way to connect people all over the globe. In art, blogging grew out of the Daily Painting movement's need to get work in front of collectors regularly, and I'm a daily painter.  I've met some wonderful art friends and collectors over the internet even though there are some I will never meet in person.  Blogging has  widened my world. 

I almost gave it up a couple of years ago but it is too much a part of me, my history.  I write a few times a month to keep in touch.  It seems less formal than my monthly newsletter, and it gives me the opportunity to show you the small paintings I still do several times a week.  

So do you follow any bloggers?  Who are your favorites?  Let me know in the comments below.  

Are you coming along on my Grand Everglades Adventures?  There are four videos so far, and you can see them here:

Grand Everglades Adventure Invitation

Grand Everglades Adventure #2 - Marsh Trail

Grand Everglades Adventure #3 - process of painting

Grand Everglades Adventure #4 - Briggs

I'm still learning some of the technical aspects, so be patient with me!

Grand Everglades Adventure #4 Video and Reflections, a daily painting

Reflections, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5" x 7"

When looking at reflections, if the subject is dark, the reflection is lighter, and if the subject is light, the reflection is darker.  But every now and then nature surprises us and there won't be much difference.  Sometimes you see amazing and unexpected light effects. That's why its important for a landscape painter to get out and see for yourself.

Follow along on my Grand Everglades Adventures thru video!  Grand Everglades Adventure #4 is a visit to Briggs Nature Center, an off-site boardwalk of the Conservancy of SW Florida..  If you want more information about the boardwalk and what you might see, click here. 

If you missed one of our Grand Adventures, the click on the links below.

Grand Everglades Adventure #3 - Process 

Grand Everglades Adventure #2 - Marsh Trail

Grand Everglades Adventure Invitation

Limiting your palette and Dancing in the Glades daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Dancing in the Glades, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board. 7” x 5”

The wind was blowing in the Glades on the day of this daily painting. I found a place there was no smoke and no evidence of the fires.  It didn't take long to get the feeling for the spot.  I'll work on a larger version in the studio.

In my Monday morning class we've been talking about limited palettes.  I most often use a double primary palette with some "visitor" colors, usually a neutral. Lately I'll just squirt out another color when I want it, sometimes upsetting the harmony of the painting. 

Time to return to the basics.  I've returned to a palette of red, blue, and yellow many times over the years, but would like to experiment a bit more.  I'll try several options in the next couple of weeks.  Perhaps I'll try magenta, Indian yellow and Phalo blue.  I'm also interested in doing a painting with the Zorn palette. 

Color changes will shake up my color strategies and force me to watch my values! What's your favorite limited palette?  Let me know below.  

Next /Grand Everglades Adventure Coming soon,  Links to the first three are below. 

Grand Everglades Adventure Invitation

Grand Everglades Adventure #2 - Marsh Trail

Grand Everglades Adventure #3 - Process 

Grand Everglades Adventure #4 coming 4/14

Grand Everglades Adventure - Process, and Daily Painting, Sunset Drama

Sunset Drama, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x 7"

Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

The soft yellow-greens of this time of year and the abundance of flowers ready to bloom are so appealing. It's the end of our dry season, and unfortunately this fire season this year is a difficult one. The fires haven't threaten Marco Island, but the smoke is prevalent and wide swatches along US 41 show the effects of the burns. I hope that the animals are finding ways to safety.

I've seen more deer than usual, perhaps because they've been disturbed. Soon the regrowth will sustain them again. The rains of summer will be most welcome.

If you're coming along on my Grand Everglades Adventure, the videos are below. Please share with anyone who may be interested!  You can get them directly by inserting your email in the box above right.  

Grand Everglades Adventure #3 - Process, Briggs

Grand Everglades Adventure #2 - Marsh Trail

Grand Everglades Adventure - Invitation to come along