Blue Shutters, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Blue Shutters, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 8"x8"

 

My usual supplier of frames doesn't carry an 8"x8" size frame, so I'm having to order elsewhere.  I'll try several different styles, and see which ones you and I like.  I'll still be offering a gold choice, but will try a couple of wood frames, especially for the French paintings. 

 

I'm very much enjoying painting 8"x8"  and 12"x12" squares, and will re-arrange the studio to make a place to view them together.  I think it's much easier to choose if you can see all the choices in your size or price range. 

They should be in by the end of the month, so if you have your eye on an 8"x8" or a 12x12 painting, please be patient and I'll soon have just the right frame for you! 

 

Blue Shutters, above, was done in France.  It's an 8"x8" painting, and will soon have a nice frame! 

Treats for tea, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Treats for Tea, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 5"x7"

Tea on Friday was great fun, with a nice group showing up and enjoying the French paintings.  Both Joanne and I were happy they were so well received, and that several sold.  I was so pleased that artist friends from Naples also made the trip to Marco for tea. 

There were two winners for the French Artists matching contest.  Joan won a sketching set and Dolores a post card, and Judy was delighted to win the framed post card drawing. 

I'm getting more comfortable with painting in oils, and really enjoying a new medium.  Not ready to give up the acrylics, but sliding the paint around a little easier than my first few.  Treats for Tea was fun to paint, and I made special effort not to overwork it.  Not easy, but I put down the brush when I started getting fussy with it! 

Lily Pond, Le Vieux Couvent, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Garden Pond, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 8"x10"

 

At Le Vieux Couvent, in Frayssinet, France, this little lily pond is just off the studio patio.  There are several large bull frogs in the pond, and if you were very quiet they would begin to sing.  Well, croak.  Loudly and with character. 

 

As soon as you moved closer they would dive for the bottom.  It took me several days to actually see one, but once I knew what I was looking for--mostly two bulbous eyes and a pulsating throat--and learned to move quietly enough, I could pick them out of the green that camouflaged them. 

 

You can see this little painting and the others from my trip if you get your "oui, oui" on and come to tea, Friday, June 12th, 4 p.m in the studio.  Joanne Lawand will join me in showing you our best French paintings, show photos of the trip, have a small little contest, and draw a name for winning one of the French scene post cards.  Hope you can come!  

Old Variety Rose, daily paiinting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Old Variety Rose, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 5"x7"

 

I've always loved roses, and had several climbing varieties when I lived in New England.  I've got one here in Florida, too, and every now and then it will surprise me with a lovely bloom.   Making rose hip jelly was something I did in the fall when the fat rose hips from the Rosa Ragosa along the sure tempted me. 

 

Roses are not particularly difficult to grow if you choose the ones that like the environment where you plant them.  In France, rose growing is a national sport, and almost every home has at least a few roses in the yard.  I did a watercolor postcard of the rose garden, below.

 



 

You may have received my newsletter yesterday.  If not, and you're interested in hearing more about France, you can click here to read it. 

Frolicking in France, Blue Monday daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Blue Monday, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

The frolic in France is over.  Au revoir, mes amies!  We had a great time, but agreed that what happens in France, stays in France, so I won't say too much more.  My lips are sealed about how much chocolate was eaten,

wine consumed, and. . . oh dear. . .and who ATE THE CHEESE!

You may recognize friend and artist Dreama Tolle Perry as the lead troublemaker!  Just sayin'

I've got photos in three places, (ipod, ipad and camera and it will take a while to organize them all, but there's a good number that will make lovely small paintings, so you'll have to excuse me if you see a little French rose or a watercolor postcard of them from time to time.

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I had been tempted to slide a few tubes of acrylic paint in my case, just in case I couldn't make the switch to oils, but didn't do it and now am glad.  Am I a convert to oil painting?  Too early to tell.  I learned a lot about transparent oil painting, and like the way the paint moves.  For the first time I really felt some control, rather than making mud as I have in the past.  And, delightfully, one of the other artist purchased my very first painting.  What an honor! I was happy to get one of her very lovely watercolor postcards as part of the deal. 

While I really enjoyed the Lavender fields, it was wonderful to see how beautiful the Everglades looked on the ride home from Miami.  The light was lovely, and the golds and purples will be inspiration once again in the days to come. 

It's good to be back!  I'll be in the studio during regular hours starting today, and may open for a while on the 4th if its rainy.  Have a wonderful Fourth of July holiday, and remember how much we Americans have to be thankful for.

Les Fleurs of Frayssinet

Les Fleurs de Frayssinet, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn
Oil on board, 5"x7"

In the tiny village of Frayssinet in Southern France, there are flowers blooming in almost every garden. Pots of colorful blooms march up the stairs or sit on the low walls surrounding the homes. Church bells ring, up the hill is a beautiful flock of sheep, cats play in the yard, and in the morning I can hear a rooster crow his "good morning" to the village.

Food here is consistently good, fresh farmhouse food with lettuce just picked from the garden and breads rich beyond description. Pants getting snugger by the day, but I'm not passing up any of the delicious and beautifully presented bounty we are being served.

Le Vieux Convant, each of the 16 artists gathered here to paint agree, is a little piece of heaven. The gardens are extensive and gorgeous: the medieval garden near the oldest ruins, the rose garden, the vegetables, the perennial gardens, to the poppy fields on the hill. Roses ramble from stone courtyard to terrace walls and up and over the stone houses.
I've been introduced to transparent oil painting and may well become a convert, and had a great time meeting the other artists and seeing their work. It's been a very special moment in time for me, full of meaning and growth. I'll share my oils, watercolor post cards, photos and stories as able. If you are on Marco Island, you are invited to tea at me studio at the on Friday, July 12 at 4 to see paintings and photos from the trip. Joining me in exhibition will be fellow traveler, artist Joanne Lawand, who has paintings to share as well. Thanks, Dreama!

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Door in Frayssinet by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Le

Door at Le Vieux Covant, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

8x10, oil on board

Yes, you are on the correct blog but this is not the Everglades! There are so many picturesque scenes here at Le Vieux Covant in Frayssinet, France, that it is hard to decide what to paint first.

As many of you know, I am not an oil painter. I've tried them on and off over the years and decided that they were not for me, yet I am using them on this trip trying to keep an open mind about it! And, there's a possibility I'll become a convert, or at least a user!

I'm traveling with a wonderful group of artists, led by artist Dreama Tolle Perry. We are living in a group of beautiful old buildings that have been converted into a place for artist retreats. The food is magnificent, the beds comfortable, and the abundant painting scenes on the grounds are covered with fragrantly scented roses. Charm everywhere you look.

There are nearby ruins, lily ponds with magnificent bull frogs, stone steps and church bells, sheep and cows. All told, it is a painters dream, and I feel so fortunate to be here. More to come!

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France, and Glades Waterway, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Glades Waterway, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

I am hoping to be  traveling more and love taking you along with me, so will have to learn the secrets  of posting from afar on mobile devices. Posting on my last trip was both frustrating and expensive, so  it's time to looks at the alternatives.

 My current trip will be with my artist friend Dreama Tolle Perry, and a group of 16 accomplished artists.  We will travel to Frayssinet, France, where we will be staying at Le Vieux Couvent, a convent converted for use as an artist retreat.  The countryside looks delightful and should provide plenty of inspiration.  

Abby will be holding down the fort at the studio while I'm in France. She's knowledgable and creative, and will be happy to help you acquire a Sanborn painting for your home.  Please stop in and say hello.

My trip will be ten days of color and joy, friends and laughter, and I can't wait.  I'll share with you what I can, and have arranged for some Everglade paintings to appear on schedule for you when I can't get out a traveling post.