Around the Bend     30" x 24"

I was looking for information about something that took place years ago, and my old blog provided the answer!  I discovered that the blog was really a history of my art life, so you may enjoy taking a look at some of the older past entries.  No promises here, but I hate to let it go, so you may get a post from time to time.  

This painting, Around the Bend, was recently shown at the Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota, FL.  Every few months the hotel hosts a new art exhibition.  My painting was included in an exhibition for members of the National Association of Women Artists-Florida Chapter.  If you're an artist and would like wider exposure, this organization promotes exhibitions of women's art and has two levels of membership.  Take a look here!

One good thing about the blog is that you are invited to comment, which you can do below if you're so inclined.  You know I love to hear from you.  

Light in the Sky, 11 x 14, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 

Bromiliad, abstracted, acrylic, 11x14     $200

Complex.  Unparalleled.  Extrodinary.  Profound changes.  Art?  Essential!

Grand Everglades Adventures- #5 and Wisely, daily painting by Jo-Ann Sanborn

Wisely, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn 

Acrylic on board, 7” x 5”

Here’s another burrowing owl painting. I can’t resist painting them this time of year when they are close to the burrow and the babies are just newly out. Their little peanut shapes, often silhouetted as they stand on a T stake, makes them an irresistible subject. 

Coming along on my Grand Everglades Adventures?  The newest video, #5, Process 2 is  here.

Gardinia, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Gardenia, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 7”x5”

It’s time to do a little gardening. I’ve been pulling a few weeds and cleaning up the beds in the early morning before it gets too hot. I put in three more plumbage for the second time around, hoping they’ll come around to liking it in a spot they don’t seem to. 

But the gardinias are glorious and the scent heavenly. I’m enjoying a fresh one each morning, some to admire and some to paint. 

How does your garden grow?  

Limiting your palette and Dancing in the Glades daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Dancing in the Glades, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board. 7” x 5”

The wind was blowing in the Glades on the day of this daily painting. I found a place there was no smoke and no evidence of the fires.  It didn't take long to get the feeling for the spot.  I'll work on a larger version in the studio.

In my Monday morning class we've been talking about limited palettes.  I most often use a double primary palette with some "visitor" colors, usually a neutral. Lately I'll just squirt out another color when I want it, sometimes upsetting the harmony of the painting. 

Time to return to the basics.  I've returned to a palette of red, blue, and yellow many times over the years, but would like to experiment a bit more.  I'll try several options in the next couple of weeks.  Perhaps I'll try magenta, Indian yellow and Phalo blue.  I'm also interested in doing a painting with the Zorn palette. 

Color changes will shake up my color strategies and force me to watch my values! What's your favorite limited palette?  Let me know below.  

Next /Grand Everglades Adventure Coming soon,  Links to the first three are below. 

Grand Everglades Adventure Invitation

Grand Everglades Adventure #2 - Marsh Trail

Grand Everglades Adventure #3 - Process 

Grand Everglades Adventure #4 coming 4/14

A Few Flowers daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

A Few Flowers, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn 

Acrylic on board,  5” x 7”

There's something special coming.  If you haven't received an invitation to join me, yours is right here!  You can follow this blog as I post videos and information about our Grand Everglades Adventure.  Hope you'll come along!  

An invitation! Higher Ground daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Higher Ground, 2019, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

keep reading for some exciting news! 

Wet Paint Live

I'll be using this blog for something different in the coming months.  I've been asked to have an exhibition of my paintings at the Marco Island Historical Society in Marco of 2019.  I'd like to take you along as I prepare for the show.  Your invitation is right here!  

You'll be able to follow along right here!  

Glow, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Glow, 2017Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5: x 7"

Daisy Pot, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Daisy Pot, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn 

Acrylic on Board, 7"x5"

One in the Sun daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

One in the Sun, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn 

Acrylic on board, 5"x7"

Palm #3 daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Palm #3, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on cradled board, 4" x 4"

Another palm.  These small paintings are fun to do on cradled board.  It's a multi-layered process, first covering the block with a textured gel, then doing an abstract color layer, then finding the palm in the paint, sometimes completely changing the background, and finally the highlights. 

They can be hung just on a push pin or set on an easel.  You can find a small spot, maybe half hidden, like on the wall under a lampshade.  Every time you turn on the light, you will get the delight of finding a little gem.   

Three in the Sun, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Three in the Sun, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on archival board, 7" x 5"

When the sun comes out in the rainy season, there's high humidity and it's very hot.  Still, sunshine is always welcome.  It makes for Everglades landscapes with strong value definitions in the palms.   

Rain on the Beach, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Rain at the Beach, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on archival board, 5" x 7"

If you're not careful, your walk on the beach could end up a drenching--because in South Florida, when it rains, it pours. Still, the light is fabulous, and everywhere you turn you can see something magical.  Just the place for a landscape painter to be! 

Textured Palm #2, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Textured Palm 2, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on cradled board, 4"x 4"

You may have seen these textured palms if you visited my studio at the Esplanade.  I'm now working at home, and they are still fun to do.  The paintings are done on a 3/4" cradled board and can be hung on push pins. They're just lovely on a small easel, too.  Hang three in a row to add color to a skinny spot in your home.  

I've got a few more and will show them in the next few days, but if you want special colors let me know.  

Textured Palm #1, daily painting by Jo-Ann Sanborn, Everglades artist

Textured Palm #1, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

4x4", acrylic on cradled board

Happy Independence Day!  

You may have seen these textured palms in the studio.  They are on a 3/4" cradled board and can be hung on push pins.  I've got a few more and will show them in the next few days, but if you want special colors let me know.  Have a fabulous holiday.  

Hurricane plans, and Passing Through, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Passing Through, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 7" x 5"

Today's painting, Passing Through is of a stand of palms during one of our frequent rainy moments.  

Summer rains have come right on time and have already spread heavy rain across our region.  While the wet season brings life-giving water to the parched Everglades, they are less welcomed by humans, since they can bring flooding, violent storms, and hurricanes. If you live in south Florida like I do, it's time to make sure your hurricane plans for 2017 are in place. 

Brett, the first tropical storm of the season was named yesterday. Even though it may be a while before you need a strategy, since the strongest storms come later in the summer, it's best to have your lists made and your plans ready early.  

I've written about hurricane preparedness for artists before.  If you need a refresher, here's a link to a blog post written some years ago.  You can also find official up-to-date information at the FEMA and FL State sites. Both sites are full of information that will help to keep you and your family safe. Meanwhile, the skies and clouds are magnificent!  

Just another Summer Day daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Just another Summer Day, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 5"x7"

The rainy season is underway in south Florida, with rain for at least part of each day.  Still, we have moments of gorgeous sunshine before the clouds come back in.  Just Another Summer Day was done before the clouds closed in again.  

It it was a pleasure to attend the Center for the Arts exhibition Whimsy this week. It's not a large show, so there's plenty of space for each painting to breath, and there was no medium requirement so each artist was free to interpret "whimsy" in their medium of choice.  Congratulations to the prize winners!  Stop in and take a look!

Family Matters, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Family Matters, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 6"x6"

A Few Flowers, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

A Few Flowers, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 7'x5"