Growing up by the Water, painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Growing Up by the Water, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 24"x30"

 



Born in Gloucester, Mass, I grew up by the water.  Everyone in Gloucester does, whether your home is on a waterway or not.  The water, the North Atlantic ocean, the river and broad marshes can be seen from every rise in the land.  Most of the residents walk the beach, the back shore, the Boulevard or some other outdoor area frequently.  Most celebrations in Gloucester are centered on the water and many of the inhabitants derive their living from the sea or in some related area. 

Growing up by the water in Florida is a little different.  The water in the Everglades is slow moving and filled with alarming creatures, at least if you are from New England you think they are alarming.  (To me an alligator is much more alarming than, say, a seal.)  The moods of the water are different, too, and so is the light. 

I've painted this mangrove several times over the last 20 years.  It started out very small, but has grown, and now has a shy baby of it's own.

Natural World, Bright Light daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Bright Light, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

I've felt connected to our natural world since I was a child.  I'd stop to smell the breeze on the salty air of Gloucester, MA, where I grew up.  I loved to find little a special rock, a beautiful leave, or a bits of sea glass for my treasure box.  My garden here contains many such "bits."

With so very many people in the world now, (we're approaching seven billion!) it's easy to lose touch with nature.  Our natural world needs the stewardship of those who care, and its hard to care if you are out of touch. 

No matter where you are, try to enjoy a "quiet moment" each day, outside.  Listen to the sounds of nature.  Is it quiet, with nothing stirring, or do you hear voices of birds, insects and other animals going about their daily business? 

Enjoy the magnificent beauty of the sky any time of day.  Notice how the color blue changes from the horizon to the zenith.  Mark the edges of day by greeting the sunrise or noting the day's end. 

What's the smell on your breeze?

Waugh, Kearns, and some other seascape artists

One of the artists that I admire is Frederick Waugh. I saw one of his large seascapes in a gallery in Stonington, Ct. years ago and was positively awed by it's beauty. One of the blog artists that I follow regularly is Stapleton Kearns, who writes a blog about all things arty with joy and wit and humor.

The two came together recently in a series of posts by Stapleton to educate his followers on the painting of seascapes, starting with the anatomy of a wave. It's a wonderful, classic series, worth reading if you want to paint seascapes, improve your seascapes, think you might someday live by the sea, or just want to enjoy a great learning experience. The series starts here with a gorgeous Waugh and can be followed by clicking "newer posts" at the end.

I grew up in Gloucester, MA, spent many hours playing on the rocks by the sea as a child and many more in contemplation as a moody teenager. Stapleton Kearns took and posted the photo I worked from for today's daily painting, and I offer it here with deepest apologies to both Stapleton and Waugh. The light, the drama, the form, the movement and the depth will take more than one daily painting to achieve!

Even though the Everglades are my primary subject an artist should never stop learning. I've purchased books on painting seascapes by John Robinson and Roger Curtis as suggested by Stapleton. And yes, I'll read them right after Edgar Payne's Composition of Outdoor Painting that's on my bedside table right now.

Fresh Start, Daily Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

The Rocks, Gloucester

20x24, acrylic on canvas

Happy New Year to you and yours! New morning, new day, new year! May you dwell on your dreams to fullfillment in 2010! 2009 was a tough year in many ways, but there were a few high points to treasure. Still, I'm ready for a fresh start. How about you?

Today's painting was done as a gift and sent just before Christmas. An overdue commission was finished and delivered on Wednesday. You can read my January newsletter here. Interested in learning more about painting with acrylics? My class starts January 5th at the Marco Island Center for the Arts. Phew! Still busy! Guess that's a good thing.