Slow down, and Orchids, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Orchids, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20x24

Slow down and smell the roses. Well, orchids in this case.  Slow down, you move too fast!  No, not the Simon and Garfunkel 59th Street Bridge Song, Feelin Groovy, but me, talking to myself!   

I was rushing around last week, moving too fast getting some groceries, and fell in the parking lot as I tried to outrun the rain.  Squished a mango and bumped my head pretty hard.  I'm fine, just fine, but ended up with two very ugly black eyes.  No photos! 

It reminded me of the Aesop's fable the Tortoise and the Hare.  I wasn't racing against anyone but myself, but lost this race!  Not many rabbits here that I've seen on the island, but Marco has some wonderful gopher tortoises.  Thanks to a friend, here's a little Marco Island tortoise for you to enjoy. 

Don't forget to slow down and smell the flowers,  Watch your step, and take time out for tea on Friday at 4 at the Studio.  YOU are welcome! 





 

Pretty in Blue, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20"x24"

  

I've been away, and I've missed you! 

 

Please join me for

  

Afternoon Tea

 

Friday, May 3, 2013

 

4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

 

 

Sanborn Studio/Gallery at the Esplanade, Marco Island, FL 

 

 

Who remembers "A nice cup of Tea" in the morning?  This version is by Bonnie Hale, but you may remember Gracie Fields.


Open House, and Edge of a Woodland, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Edge of a Woodland, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20"x24"

 

 

Come Along!

Four Stake Prairie Paintings

An Evening of Art

 

Sunshine Studios Open House

at the Esplanade, Marco Island

in conjunction with The Artist Gallery

 

Thursday, March 21, 5-7 p.m. 

Refreshments! 

 

 

This is the sixth of the Four Stake Prairie Paintings.  Edge of a Woodland features the intriguing Everglades bald cypress during their relatively short leafless period.  When the light is just right, my painting genes quiver and I want to express their unique character with paint on canvas. 

 

I was hoping to get back to the Prairie after the spring rain we had, and see the Bald Cypress sprouting their first little bits of green, but it was not to be.  My first miserable cold in years made it impossible for me to inflict my germs on others.  Now the trees are in almost full green, and you won't see anything like the above painting until a lucky day next winter! 

 

You will be able to see all seven of the Four Stake paintings together  at my studio gallery for an open house event in conjunction with the new Artist's Gallery right around the corner, An Evening of Art.  Three of the paintings have already sold, but the owners have graciously allowed me to borrow them, so it will be the only time to see them all together. Hope you can come! 



Camp in the Fakahatchee Part 3, Classic Beauty painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Classic Beauty, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20x24

 

 

Camp in the Fakahatchee

 

The air was crisp and clear as we walked along the dense green tunnel of the tram road.  The coolness of the early morning passed as we walked, and the sun warmed our faces. 

 

 

After about half a mile, the brush thinned and we walked the vehicle path onto

Four Stake Prairie, a wide open prairie ringed with strands of bald cypress.  In a month they would sport a fringe of green, but today were bare and light grey, almost like ghostly spirits between the healthy deep green of the palm islands.

 

 

 

A bird sang in the distance, but that was the only sound.  There was no breeze, and little movement but ourselves.  There were paintings to be made everywhere, but all I had time for today were photographs.  After a while we turned and walked back to the camp for the return trip.  

 

Yesterday's painting is a gift to my hosts, in the hopes of being invited back.    

Wnter Solstice, and Moon painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Moon, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20"x24"

 

 

Today is the 2012 date for the Winter Solstice.  It's the day with the longest dark period in the Northern Hemisphere, so a just finished and rather mysterious moon scene might be appropriate for this notable day.

 

Ancient people marked the solstices with rituals and celebration. It is believed that the date of Christmas was set to offset some of the pagan rites of Winter Solstice.  Many Christmas traditions such as the Yule log, mistletoe, singing, and sharing of food may have been adapted from pagan celebrations.   

 

The passing of the winter solstice brings thoughts of longer days and springtime ahead. Days will begin to shorten, and our world will begin, slowly, to awake to a new year. The animals will begin spring mating rituals and the plants will respond with new growth.

 

If you want to mark the solstice yourself, notice where the sun sets tonight outside your home.  In the months that follow, you should be able to follow the sun setting further and further into the northwest.  It will continue to move in that direction until the time of the Summer Solstice in June, when it will begin it's return journey.

Where Inspiration meets Execution! Off to the Beach painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Off to the Beach, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20x24

My inspiration is the land around me.  I find that being outside in natural surroundings makes me want to paint, and inspires me to paint again and again. Nature is my muse. 

Every time I'm outside absorbing nature's bounty, I notice something I might never have seen before, or seen a million times before, without notice.  The way the leaves of a Sable Palm rustle and ripple in the wind, the shape of a swamp lily bloom following the sun, colors that sing, light that delights.

Then it's off to the easel, hoping through my efforts to translate that vision, that gift, onto a canvas.  And hoping that the moment will be recorded in time, and that you will look at the painting and say "ah."

And where inspiration meets execution successfully, you'll feel it, too.  When it's right, it will please you, delight you, and touch your heart.  And the painting will mean something in a way that is bigger and better than either of us.  That's the joy of original art. 

Delightful Day painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Delightful Day, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20"x24"

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.