What do you make? Do Da Day by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Do Da Day
6x8, acrylic on canvas

With deepest apologies to Seth Godin, as an artist, what do you MAKE?

Do you make - people stop and look?
Do you make – people remember a fond memory, a sad memory, a joy?
Do you make – people believe in something, or in nothing?
Do you make – people wonder about how you did it, how it could be, what it represents?
Do you make - people think about the past or the future?
Do you make – people consider the special, uninhabited places of our earth?
Do you make - people wonder what their next meal will be, who will produce it?
Do you make - colors that glow, that reveal, that hide, that bring joy?
Do you make - paintings that encourage people to open their eyes?

What is Art? At Water's Edge daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

At Water's Edge

5x7, acrylic on board

$150

Today's daily painting of a still morning at the edge of the swamp reminds me of the quiet places in my soul. Elusive, but treasured when I can find my way there.

What is art? Empty Easel asked this question on their blog this week. The question provoked thought, so I've done a little research on the subject.

Many of the objects we value and admire in museums are useful, if beautiful, objects of everyday living in the past. For centuries those with the means to have beautiful things around them did, and those who could not envied them.

The idea of art as art emerged during the Renaissance when beautiful objects became valued for themselves rather than being something practical and useful. Then along came Andy Warhol who showed us that almost anything can be art, totally confusing many people.

How to determine whether beautiful, everyday things are crafts, or might be art? Tolstoy says it is only " upon this capacity of man (the viewer) to receive another man's expression of feeling (the artist) and experience those feelings himself, that the activity of art is based."

Artist Shelley Essak, in her essay What is Art for about.com makes sense with her answer of form and content. Form being the design and materials, and content being the artists portrayal of intention and our reaction to it.

An artist works at creating art because they have a need to create, to find ourselves and our spirit through our work. Yet the reaction and response of the viewer is as necessary to the art as is the need of the artist to create. What's your take?

Sense of Wonder, Morning Clouds daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Morning Clouds

5x7, acrylic on canvas, framed

$150

There's a note on my desk that just says "wonder." Its been there long enough that I'm not sure what it refers too. Did I want to talk about a child's sense of wonder? How every artist needs a sense of wonder? Did I want to spend more time wondering about something?

In definition, it refers to feeling awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration. It's the emotion aroused by something awe-inspiring, astounding, or marvelous. Something we seem to lose as we grow older, but something often seen in the face of a two year old.

The natural places of our world like the Everglades provide a sense of wonder if we just take the time to appreciate the moment. Sunset, sunrise, building clouds, light playing on moving water, a group of palm trees tall against the sky all have elements that cause me to marvel at their beauty. Was it these things I wanted to write about?

When we stop to look at, wonder about, or are amazed by a beautiful painting, we gain a sense of something deeper than ourselves, something that celebrates our very being human and helps connect us to each other and the world around us.

And let's not forget that we are human, very human. Artist Hugh MacLeod says it all, with less.

And I wonder at his uncanny ability to get it right so often! Thanks, Hugh.

Art Show, Boca Grande, Daily Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Beach Walkers

20x20

$800

On the Beach is another in the series of elongated palms on the beach that I've been working on, It's in the same family with Out to Sea, Night Mists, Warming in Sunshine. You can see them here. Sometime groups of palms just scream to be painted! The intervals of space between them, the different heights, and the way the tops interact all make for a painting challenge. It took a bit of work but I finally was happy with the value range and the depth and movement of color.

This painting, along with a nice selection of others, will travel to Boca Grande this weekend for an outdoor show. I'll have a couple of large things, and some daily paintings as well. I don't know much about Boca Grande except it's a barrier island near Gasparilla. Although we've passed by it a number of times, it's a part of Florida we haven't investigated yet. We're excited about having the opportunity to check it out. It will be a mini-working-vacation for us.

It's been really busy getting ready for both the show and my yearly Marco workshop which will start first thing Monday Morning. I've been updating and revising the class material, preparing handouts and putting everything together to take. It's a very intense class, and getting home late Sunday night won't give much time. This is the last day to sign up, so if you're interested, call the Marco Center for the Arts today.

If you're here on Marco this weekend, don't forget to attend the Marco Seafood Festival. The Chamber of Commerce will have a wealth of information about Marco businesses, and will have my April flyer as well. Stop by and mention my name!

Sex after 50, Invitational Art Show, Morning Parade daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Morning Parade

5x7 $150

Is it the clouds or the palms that are parading this morning? I got ready for a two day art show, packed the car, and worked on this painting yesterday between a busy schedule of home, obligations, and party. The Marco Island Center for the Arts board is interested in offering an artist's forum, since this is something artists asked for in a brainstorming session last year, but they've had trouble getting the artists to actually attend. This brown bag luncheon on art marketing was no different, with only very few artists in attendance. What do you think could make this work so that the Art League artists will want to come?

Later in the day I demonstrated, while the Center hosted guests from a number of Marco Condos as part of their new membership drive. It was fun to meet old friends and new, and talk about the class I'll be offering on Acrylics and the Florida Landscape in March. You can learn more about the class or sign up at the Center. If you live here, stop in. It's a wonderful facility with a great gift show and many class offerings.

After that it was time to party with a group of island women gathered to hear more about Sex After 50 by Dr. Francine Barbetta, author of "A Pebble In His Shoe. She had spoken at the Marco Island Yacht Club earlier in the week, and this gathering was for women who wanted to know MORE. As any gathering where the subject is sex, or any gathering with good friends, we howled with laughter over things we knew and didn't know. And we were sworn to secrecy, so I can't say any more about . . . . ! Thanks, Betsy, for a great party! I think it will do wonders for membership at the Yacht Club!

Later today I'll set up for the Naples Invitational Art Show. This is a wonderful show, located in lovely Fleishman Park, just south of Coastland Mall, between Rt. 41 and Goodlett Frank Road. If you can find Dillards you can find this show! The show is a benefit for Eden Florida, an organization that supports children and adults to autism. I'll donate a painting for the silent auction to benefit this cause. The show will offer a wide variety of arts and crafts, with many artists who only do this one show in the area. There's something for everyone and a great food court, so come on out and enjoy. Your purchases will help support artists in these difficult times, and your entry donation will help the cause of Eden. I'll be there all day Saturday and Sunday, and look forward to seeing you!

Dana Souza, In the Distance Daily Painting by JoAnn Sanborn

The loss of Marco Island Parks and Recreation Director Dana Souza is a huge loss to our community. I was saddened by the news that Dana will be taking a position elsewhere. Dana has played a very big role in building our community by touching and including so many different people and organizations with a style that's inclusive, rather than in any divisive way. Dana was also a big friend of the arts, and actively promoted the arts on Marco.

I was on the first Charter committee after the City was incorporated, so I feel a vested interest in what goes on. It's just plain painful that after 10 years we still can't come together as a community and get it right. Some people blame our contentiousness on having too many people from too many different places, that we don't have a shared, common background. Some say that there are too many power frustrated, middle management people retired, with too much time on their hands. Some relish controversy as democracy at work. Whatever the reasons, Dana was a friend of the arts and a community builder, and we'll be sorry to see him go.

Today's daily Everglades painting, In the Distance, is a small version of the palms on the beach series I've been working on. I'll deliver a couple of paintings for display at the Morgan Stanly office today and finish my entry into the Naples Art Association's Founders show. You can see my painting Kindred Spirits in the Naples Art Association's Show of Shows

In the Distance
7" x 5"

Sold

Arts Ordinance, Enjoying the Sun Daily Everglades Painting by JoAnn Sanborn

O-o-o-o-oh! Wasn't that a nice breath of cool air we felt yesterday morning here on Marco Island at the edge of the Everglades? We've had a long, hot summer, and it was wonderful to open up the house and let the breeze in after such a long time. Along with the cool air will come the end to our rainy season, just one of the passages of time to note in this climate. Another strong indication of season change is the number of just returned snowbirds. Welcome back! You add a vitality missed in the heat of summer.

This morning I'll be working with the other members of the Marco Island Arts Advisory Committee to begin forging an art ordinance for the island. The committee, and most of the Marco City Council believe that the arts help a community economically and help build community strength. We assembled the ordinances of several Florida cities to help us get started, but know that Marco has its own special needs. If you're on the island and want to help you can tell your favorite council member that you support the arts!

Today's palm painting is the third in a series of paintings of a clump of palms that I'm exploring. I'll post an even larger painting of this series on my studio blog later today along with some hints for composing a painting.

Enjoying the Sunshine
20" x 24"
acrylic on canvas
$750 with free shipping and handling in the US

Handmade, October Afternoon Everglades Daily Painting by JoAnn Sanborn

Everything we live with and use on a daily basis has been chosen by you. What are your choices? How many of the things that you live with daily

would you classify as "art?" How many things around you in your home have been purchased directly from the maker? Do you have a piece of handmade furniture? A painting purchased directly from an artist? Do you drink your daily coffee or tea from a mug handmade by a local potter? Serve your vegetables in a handmade dish? What are your treasured things, and how well will they travel into the next generation. Just something to think about!

My brother has been visiting this week. His joy in our weather and natural environment is refreshing. Despite the showers we've had some great weather for him to enjoy. Today's Everglades daily painting is October Afternoon.

October Afternoon
7" x 5"
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US

Out for a Walk, Daily Painting by JoAnn Sanborn

If you live on Marco Island and haven't been to the Town Center Mall on the first Wednesday of the month you're missing something special! You can sit back and sip something cool from the Crazy Flamingo as Island musician J. Roberts plays his delightful easy listening music to a appreciative crowd and artists gather around to paint. Art and music! The Blue Mangrove Gallery and local artist Tara O'Neill set up a number of easels at the tables around the gazebo where people are welcome to take up a brush. Children and adults are welcome, but children should not be left unattended--it's a family affair. They've had a great response to the event and it's a lot of fun, so put it on your calendar for next month!

Speaking of children, today's painting reminds me of a mother out for a walk with her kids. There's always one who has to get too close to the water!

Out for a Walk
7" x 5"

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