Deep In, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Deep In, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 16x20

Happy New Year. 

It's a bit cold today on Marco Island, and most likely a lot colder for you in the north.  

When I started this blog some years ago, blogging was new and my stream was a journal of my artistic efforts and the daily life of an artist. I'm going to give it a try again despite the variety of other internet options.  We'll see whether it's sustainable--both in the writing and your interest-- in the coming year.     

I'll work in the studio today since it's overcast and the light is rather flat.  I'm waiting for a frame for a commission, and about to start a large beach scene for a client who plays bocce on the beach and wants a painting.  Ideas have been stirring around for the last month and it's time to get busy and see how the composition looks on canvas.  

Classes will start here in my home studio next week, so I'll spend some time preparing for that as well.  

  

Flirting with a Breeze - March Madness

Flirting with a Breeze, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 16x20



THE WHITE RABBIT'S VERSES
by: Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)

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HEY told me you had been to her,

And mentioned me to him;

She gave me a good character,

But said I could not swim.

 

He sent them word I had not gone.

(We know it to be true.)

If she should push the matter on,

What would become of you?

 

I gave her one, they gave him two,

You gave us three or more;

They all returned from him to you,

Though they were mine before.

 

If I or she should chance to be

Involved in this affair,

He trusts to you to set them free,

Exactly as we were.

 

My notion was that you had been

(Before she had this fit)

An obstacle that came between

Him and ourselves and it.

 

Don't let him know she liked them best,

For this must ever be

A secret, kept from all the rest,

Between yourself and me.

"The White Rabbit's Verses" is reprinted from The Hunting of the Snark and Other Poems and Verses. Lewis Carroll. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1903.

Read more at http://www.poetry-archive.com/c/the_white_rabbits_verses.html#fmS0OI63LbgJ9t8f.99

THE WHITE RABBIT'S VERSES
by: Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)

Share12 Tweet0 Share0 Share760

HEY told me you had been to her,

And mentioned me to him;

She gave me a good character,

But said I could not swim.

 

He sent them word I had not gone.

(We know it to be true.)

If she should push the matter on,

What would become of you?

 

I gave her one, they gave him two,

You gave us three or more;

They all returned from him to you,

Though they were mine before.

 

If I or she should chance to be

Involved in this affair,

He trusts to you to set them free,

Exactly as we were.

 

My notion was that you had been

(Before she had this fit)

An obstacle that came between

Him and ourselves and it.

 

Don't let him know she liked them best,

For this must ever be

A secret, kept from all the rest,

Between yourself and me.

"The White Rabbit's Verses" is reprinted from The Hunting of the Snark and Other Poems and Verses. Lewis Carroll. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1903.

Read more at http://www.poetry-archive.com/c/the_white_rabbits_verses.html#fmS0OI63LbgJ9t8f.99

March Madness!

The number of visitors to the island continues to grow, many coming from the frozen northlands for a bit of sunshine and greenery after a brutal winter in much of the country. It's fun to make new friends and hear their stories.Talk on Marco Island is all about being named the number ONE island to visit in the country, so we are gearing up for even more visitors. Talk about March Madness!

AskArt!
Many thanks and much gratitude to Diana Williams, a fine art appraiser who initiated an artist listing for me on AskArt--The Artist's Blue Book , after visiting my studio last month. There are thousands of artists listed, with information about their lives and work, I'm delighted to be one of them. There's a discussion board on this site allowing additional notices of interest and facts about listed artists. You can see my listing here . Buying or selling of paintings can be done in a separate section of the site.

Additional Hours
My studio/gallery is opened on most Tuesdays, thanks to Holly and Cece, who have been a great help. My occasional studio assistant, Nicholas, helps me frame and ship, and also climbs the high ladder to change light bulbs and focus them on the paintings--a never-ending challenge, since I move things around all the time. Their help allows me to focus more on painting, which I'd much rather do. We'll probably keep to this schedule through April.

Upcoming Events
March 20, 4-5:30 pm. Thursday, is another of my Tea with the Artist - We'll celebrate Spring! As before, we will have tea, and some goodies, and yes, PRIZES. Bring a photo of yourself with one of my paintings to be eligible to win!

Visit my website! 

On Reflection, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

On Reflection, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 16x20

 

I've just signed a new lease, giving me another year in the Esplanade location.  It was just a year ago that I decided to strike out on my own once I was certain that the Artist Colony would no longer be able to have space for group galleries in the Esplanade. 

 

It was the right decision for me, and I'm happy to have another year in this location.  My space is just the right size for one artist, and I love working there and meeting all the visitors and Marcoites who stop in to see what I'm working on. 

 

Having a studio/gallery in the Esplanade still gives me plenty of time to visit the Everglades.  There is always something to delight me on my trips out in the field.  One day last week coming home I saw my first Bobcat!  He was larger than I expected and into the brush far too quick to take a photo, but it made me smile just it see it.  

Palms, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 16x20

 

 

Abstract art may require using different brain cells than the ones we use for something more representational.  To abstract means "to take away"  Here, I've taken away the essence of some palms blowing in the wind.  I've abstracted them to be less defined, and more colorful than they are in real life. 

 

Abstract art lets me as an artist break away from reality, from the need to have something look exactly as it does in real life.  For you, it allows you to enjoy the color and the shapes, to let your eye move around the piece in any way that suits you, and to add or subtract in your own imagination exactly what a piece is about. 

 

You can look for form, color, line, texture, pattern, composition and process.  These are the accepted principals of art, and you should be able to find evidence of them in a piece of abstract art as well. 

I try to keep a piece of abstract art in the studio at all times.  I believe that creating them makes me a better artist, and that you as the viewer will find something to admire and enjoy. 

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?

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!