Dance by the Light of the Moon daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Dance by the Light of the Moon,
5x7, acrylic on canvas
$150

The moon was glowing gorgeous last night as dark clouds raced across the sky, and just as lovely this morning just before dawn. Hope you got to enjoy it.

Here's a little music, just in case you want to give the dancing a try. And then, of course, you can lasso the moon, as George promised in It's a wonderful life.

Full Moon Names, Anticipating Spring daily painting by Everglades Artist JoAnn Sanborn

Anticipating Spring

5x7, acrylic on board

$150

Did you see the glorious sunset last night, and later the lovely full moon? If not, you missed some spectacular gifts from the natural world. Taking a moment to enjoy such gifts will instantly pick up my spirits and bring me inner peace.

There are many names for the February moon. The Celts call it the Moon of Ice, something I can really identify with this year, the pagans call it the Snow Moon, and it was Moon of Storms in medieval times. Native American Choctaw called it the Little Famine Moon, before the Big Famine Moon of March.

I prefer the optomistic Chinese name of Budding Moon. In New England it was the time when the woods got fat, and I couldn't see as far as buds swelled. Here in Florida its usually the time when my orchids send up new shoots. I heard a Cardinal yesterday. I'm anticipating Spring.

The Old Farmer's Almanac has decided that the old moon names don't fit us anymore since we're not as tuned to the turns of the natural world. They're having a contest to rename the full moons for more modern times. Full Sweetheart Moon doesn't do much for me at all but you can vote here for March's Moon if you'd like.

Full Moon, Commissions, Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Today's Everglades painting is a 16x20, started and worked on just for the pleasure of it. I've been busy with commissions, including a large one due next week in soft neutrals with a touch of greens and blues, another of the Adirondack Valley, and another painting I'll give as a Christmas gift.

I usually have several paintings going at a time since it keeps the work fresh picking it up anew several times a day. It keeps me from getting bogged down in one paintings issues, which often solve themselves if I see them out of the corner of my eye while I"m working on something else.

Still, it was fun to do just what I wanted for a while! This painting will get another go-over before I'm done since the sky isn't quite right yet, but I love the dawn softness this scene will portray.

Have you been enjoying the glorious full moon we've had this week? A couple of days ago it was positively glowing when I left the gallery at the Esplanade and headed home. Lovely!