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

Daisy Pot, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Daisy Pot, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn 

Acrylic on Board, 7"x5"

Painting, and Distant Yearning, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Distant Yearning, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x 7"

People tell me all the time that they wish they could do what I do -- paint.  If you are serious about painting, it's never too late to start.  You can learn about the principals of painting by listening to other artists, either by taking classes and by watching teaching DVDs and online videos.  You can read books and magazines about the "how-to."  

But to really learn to paint, you must put brush to canvas again, and again, and again.  It's only when you have put miles on the brush that with trial and error, that you learn to paint. So go paint...and then paint some more!

Principals and Elements, and a Pond, Daily Painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Pond, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x 7"

Elements of design - Tools used to create an artwork

Line

Shape

Direction’

Size

Texture

Color

Value

Principals - How the Tools are applied

Balance

Gradation

Repetition

Contrast

Harmony

Dominance

Unity

Just somethi

Sweet Beach Walk, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Sweet Beach Walk, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Oil on board, 5"x 7"

How many of you who live here on Marco Island hardly ever go to the beach.  It used to be something I did without fail, three times a week, usually at sunset.  Somehow over the years I've gotten out of the habit.  These days its a treat!

Quite a few years ago I wrote a post about the benefits of a walk on the beach.  Yes, there are actual health benefits.  If you missed it, you can read it here.

Last week I did it, took an hour and just enjoyed a beautiful walk on the beach.  I came away vowing to do it more often.  Maybe I'll see you there!