Fall, and Way Out There, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Way Out There, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on canvas, 12" x 12"

By September, we've had enough of the rains and high humidity, and I long for the crisp blue-sky days and colorful maples and oaks of a New England fall. When my sister was in Hawaii  and I was still in New England, I would send her fall leaves ironed between two sheets of wax paper, so she wouldn't forget her roots!  

In the northeast, the bright yellow-greens of spring transition into the rich, full, permanent greens of summer and gradually fade to the olive greens of fall.  Some years the trees sport magnificent riots of color for weeks, depending on the timing of rain and wind and other factors of weather.  From all reports, this year will be a good one for fall color.   

Here in south Florida, nature is beginning to respond to the cycle of changing light and moisture in much more subtle ways. In the Everglades, the lush greens of summer will slowly fade to the golds of autumn, and then to the pinkish-purplish-grays of the dry season.  Yes, you will see purple way out there.  

Greens are always a challenge to a landscape painter.  We need to be able to vary them to show a variety of  plant life and also distance.  Permanent green is not my favorite color. but I've been given a few tubes by a friend who no longer paints.  I'm getting better at using it by mixing with various reds to make some nice greens.  Still, I'll give a tube of permanent green to the first artist who comes into my studio and asks for it!  

Sailing Days, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Sailing Days, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 6"x6"

Painting sail boats always brings back fond memories of sailing in New England when I was younger.   The North Atlantic coast provides many safe and interesting harbors to explore.  

Autumn's Last Dance, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Autumn's Last Dance, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 16x20, $650

 

 

Today's just completed painting is another of the row of palms.  This group was a little further down the row, and the light was pretty dusky by the time I got to thinking about painting them.  The details of where the trunk meets the crown, were a little murky, so added a bit of neck jewelry. 

 

I think the colors of a New England autumn have crept into this painting just a bit. So funny how a walk in the woods up north might affect a palm painting, but since I'm from there, I guess New England is always under the surface.  What's under your surface that informs your art?

Vegetables, a shell and some Wolf Kahn paintings!

Shell Post Card, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn
Watercolor on paper, 4"x6"

Visiting New England was a lot about eating and shared meals with family and friends.  I attended a fabulous lobster feast in Rhode Island, with fresh caught steamers, yummy salad overlooking the sea the Ocean House in Watch Hill, (ask me about my new shoes, purchased in the lobby after lunch!)  Fried Clams in Gloucester, Fruit and chocolate birthday cake in Hopkinton, Chinese in Maine.  There's more, but you get the idea that I came home with a few more pounds than I needed.

But what really stands out is what good cooks my daughters and their families are, and how wonderful fresh vegetables can be.  New England, which so far is not severely affected by drought was bursting with harvest.  Beet and carrot soup, cucumber salad, fresh BLT's, and the best ever fried green tomatoes, much of it homegrown. Garlic salad!

 It was almost enough to make me want to stay, until I saw this

reminding me why I really love living in Florida.  No mittens!

While in Kent, Ct, my daughter and I enjoyed a visit with William Morrision at the terrific Morrison Gallery.  It's a beautiful, clean-space gallery with great light, and almost always has some Peter Woytek, sculptures to enjoy.

I knew that the gallery had hosted a Wolf Kahn exhibition, but was expecting it to be over by the time of my visit.  We were excited to see that the show was still hanging.

Wooooooo, what a treat! 

Ah, delightful!  Fat and content I rolled my way home.   Energized, and ready to get back to work.

The shell at the top of this post?  It's to remind you that the Artist Colony at the Esplanade's ArtWalk theme this month will be "We sell Sea Shells."  Save the date, August 27th!

Home!

We got back late yesterday from a whirlwind New England trip. There's already wet paint in the studio, and there will be a new painting to show you soon. I love getting away because the paintings kind of "ferment" in my head and somehow it's a growth period even though I don't pick up a brush!

New England is always a joy. We love the history, the old houses, spring flowers, and most of all visiting family and friends. We managed to visited three daughters, six grand children, two sisters and a brother, nieces, and dear and treasured friends. Met the newest member of the family, a 22-day old great niece. Hugged and kissed, laughed and cried. Talked and talked, walked down country lanes, on beaches, around points and in the woods. Went to T-ball, Little League and soccer games. Saw movies, ate ice cream and lobster and had wonderful meals cooked and enjoyed with dear ones. Went to the high school graduation that prompted the trip. Congratulations to Kyla who graduated 8th in a class of 280 and will go on to study graphic design. Saw and enjoyed a lot of art, and met some incredible artists, too.

After all that, there's still no place like home. As we drove back we were hit by one of the summer's heavy thunderstorms and took comfort in the fact that the summer rains had started on schedule and are renewing the dry landscape and providing nourishment and continuity to the Everglades. The greens were green, skies dramatic, and the light was fabulous. Can't wait to paint!