Bright Side Daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Bright Side, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 5" x 7"

The Everglades grasses welcome the passing summer storms that soak them to their roots. The bright green of new growth can be seen at the base of each clump and will soon overtake last year's dry remains.

Oops, Beach View Daily Painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Beach View

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Yesterday turned out to be one of those days--you know the kind, when you have too much to do, not enough time, and your mind is in 10 places at once. Our Internet line had failed the day before and required a new modem, an extra trip to Naples in an already busy day. First thing that went wrong was that I mailed a deposit check from a client, yes, mailed it! UGH. By the time I realized that I had no deposit for the bank, the mail shipment had already left town. Embarrassing to have to tell the client. The rest of the day went pretty much like that, with several backtracks and errors, until we saw that big, gorgeous moon, which I wrote about and posted. Oops! Posted to the wrong blog. It went to my studio blog, at Jo-Ann Sanborn's Art and Sunshine Studio, where I talk more about my process of painting, post larger work, and post some art lessons.

So, take a look, and see what you missed. The above daily painting is there along with some comments about the moon. The moon was big, rich and lustrous here, truly beautiful, the party last night a lot of fun, and tonight's the Christmas Parade. Hope you're doing something fun and seasonal this weekend!

Investing in Art, Watching Ike, Daily Painting by Jo-Ann Sanborn

Yesterday's Naples Daily News article Artful Investing discusses whether art is a financial opportunity in these challenging economic times. Certainly if you have certain French Impressionists works in your collection, you have seen the prices rise to astronomical heights. The prices of many American artists are also seeing a nice return. The international art market is growing, and many dealers feel the Russian art market is both hot and affordable. However art as an investment can be just as risky as any other investment. There's a great deal of satisfaction in looking at a painting you love, but any return can only be realized if you part with the work. If your budget puts you below the "blue chip" art market, then emerging artists is the way to go. The painting can bring you much pleasure, is affordable, the artist will be grateful, and just like any speculative stock can be fun to watch.

Watching Ike
7" x 5"

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Blog Comments, Breezing Up, painting by JoAnn Sanborn

Our headlines this morning "Could Have Been Worse" and "Fay leaves Marco Soggy" pretty much sum up the experience of the last couple of days here on Marco Island. I love watching the palms sway and bend in the wind and am amazed at their ability to take a beating and keep on their feet! And the needed rains came.

Thanks to the many people who wrote to wish us well, with special thanks to artist Bonnie Luria, Internet friend, creative blog writer and welcomed, attentive commenter. However it's clear that many of my dearest friends and relatives, as well as some fabulous art collectors, have something to say but are clueless about how to leave a comment on a blog. So here goes:

The comment spot is that last spot in the day's posting, under the day's writing, after the paypal button if there is one, and after a list of labels that help the search engines know what the blog is about. It's the last thing on each days page, directly after "posted by Jo-Ann Sanborn"

Once you find the comments spot, click on it and a comment box will come up. You write your comment there. You may have to verify some letters to make sure you aren't spamming, hit "publish" and after a while your comment will appear. I'll get an email telling me you've commented.

You can post it anonymously if you wish, and no one will see the email address. If you don't do it anonymously, someone can click on the highlighted name and an email or blog of the person who wrote the comment will appear. It's called connecting. Some people create an email identity just for this purpose.

If you get the blog in your mailbox each day rather than check on it directly, you will need to get to the actual blog before you can comment. If you comment by replying, your comment will come to me eventually but does not appear on the blog. Here's your procedure:

Near the bottom of the page at the end of the post is a line that states "posted by Jo-Ann Sanborn Daily. It's in blue on my machine and should be "live" on yours. You should be able to click on this and the full blog will come up and you can follow the instructions above.

So, be brave! Someday when you've got a comment, leave it for all the world to see!

Breezing Up
7" x 5"

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Children's Story Illustration Change from Everglades!

I've just delivered the first six illustrations for a children's story called "The Berry Good Berry and Nut Company" Let me introduce you to Sammy Squirrel and his helper Midget Mouse. Midget is throwing her worries to the wind at Wayward Willies, and the friends are relaxing at Sally's Swill. Yes, Sally's Swill - no comments, please! After a lot of sketching (how does a squirrel's shoulder look when he's moving, where is a mouse tail actually attached?) I used mixed media, including watercolor, watercolor pencils, and India ink pens and brushes. Faber Castell artist pens with brush tips were new to me and a pleasure to use. Quite a change from my usual Everglades. I'm sure it will help me to grow as an artist. How far out of your comfort zone in life are you willing to go to grow?

Muck About with Clyde Butcher

Every year on Labor Day weekend, Everglades photographer Clyde Butcher and his wife Niki open their Everglades property to the public for a "muck about". In cooperation with a number of Everglades groups, experienced park Rangers will take groups into the swamp to see it's beauty and mystery first hand. You can get a preview of the walk by checking out this video on youtube, but it's not as good as the actual experience!

Clyde himself is usually on hand to autograph his books or for a photograph. You can purchase a muck about tee shirt and the proceeds will benefit Everglades restoration. There's a party atmosphere, and even if you forgo getting wet, take a ride out and plan to be part of this fun weekend! I'm letting you know early so you can call ahead to reserve your tour. Great for kids, and anyone else wanting a unique Florida experience!

Going Green
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on board
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Tulips

We lose friends this time of year. They"ll be back, but people we become very close to in the fall cast us aside and go back "North" for the summer. North can be anywhere north of the Florida line, but if you're from New England, it means anything above the Mason-Dixon line. Some go because they can't stand the hot, humid summer weather, some dread the potential hurricane drill, and some go to reconnect with family and friends in a place that will always be "home." Those of us left here will enjoy less traffic and the less frantic pace of social life.

One couple, good friends and lovers of my art, left this morning and took with them a painting for their new condo in Maine and a painting of tulips for a loved daughter-in-law. I did two of the tulip paintings, quite different. They picked one, and there's one left for you!

Tulips
7" x 5"

First of July

This time of year southern outdoor art show artists receive show notices. We've made a decision to cut down on the number of shows we participate in this year, partly for personal reasons and partly because I want to investigate other ways of marketing my work. Decisions have to be made and I've been busy trying to figure out our schedule for the upcoming year. The number of art shows in our area are increasing and there are more choices than ever. Some weekends there are two or three to choose from! Do we do the ones that are close to home? These cost us less and are a bit easier since we don't have to travel. But, the ones further away give me an opportunity to introduce my work to other communities and for us to enjoy a couple of days elsewhere. It's hard to give up old favorites, yet the results of trying something new can be uncertain. Of course, you still have to be accepted, and some shows change up to one third of their artists every year to keep the show fresh. Will I pick shows and then not get in? Rejection becomes second nature to artists who put their work before the public, but it still not easy! In any case I'll keep you posted once my schedule is complete!

We would probably appreciate this great country of ours more if we ignored the media's version of the news. We live in a great country of magnificent beauty. The majority of us have enough for our basic needs, and more. We have unlimited opportunities. Take the weekend off, tune out, enjoy family, fireworks and have a happy Fourth of July weekend!

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Three's a Crowd

You might like to know a little about how prepare for a painting. I almost always work on a stretched canvas, and usually prepare the canvases ahead of time. I tend to scrub and work the surfaces pretty hard, so professionally stretched canvases work best for me. If the canvas is not at least double primed, I add a coat or more of acrylic gesso, and sanding after each coat. This gives a nice "tooth" to the canvas. I don't overdo the gesso or the sanding, because the texture of a medium canvas has a welcome naturalness that I enjoy. Then I usually paint the canvases a warm dark. This can be any dark mix of red and blue I happen to have around my studio. I usually do the whole order at once so there's always just the right canvas available when I'm ready to start a painting. You can expect this quality preparation when you purchase a Sanborn painting!

Three's a Crowd
12" x 12" (30.5cm x 30.5cm)
acrylic on canvas
$300 plus $15 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Racing for Home

The other day a group of sailing boats reminded me of an earlier time in my life when I often sailed Long Island Sound and north to the Maine Coast. Moving along with no sound but the wind in the sails and the cries of sea birds was exhilarating and good for one's soul. Clouds are building in this painting and the ships are looking to get home before the storm. Soon the summer rains will come and this will be a common scene. When out on the water in the summer in South Florida you learn to gage the speed of the building storms, and learn correct timing to be home just before it pours.

Racing for Home

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Ancient Artist Blog

Good Morning. Sue Smith has published an interview with me on her Ancient Artist Blog. Sue be lives that the voices of older artists need to be heard, so often talks with and publishes interviews with older artists. You'll enjoy her artwork and her interviews with other artists, too! I'm delighted to be included. Thanks, Sue!

If you are getting this by email and haven't visited the blog lately, you might enjoy the change of colors and some new links! Pay a visit! Thanks to collector Bloom who purchased "Rounding the Mark" It will go to Connecticut, and into a very nice collection. Thanks!

Two Palms

Best Friends? Lovers? I moved the background way back and subdued it to let these two palms take the lead and highlighted them with strong color. It's a small painting, but powerful and pleasing.
We'll be at the last Art in the Park all day tomorrow. Art in the Park is put on by the Naples Art Association on the first of each month from November to April for their juried in members. Its a quality show, but smaller and more laid back than some, without the frantic "sell" mentality of the larger shows. It's nice to visit with the other artists and see what's going on with their lives and work and to greet customores new and returning.
I won't get much painting done today, because I'm still getting ready for the Florida Landscape in Acrylics workshop I'll be teaching next week. In addition, the outside door of my studio will be replaced today with hurricane resistant glass. We've already replaced the glass in the rest of the house as part of a plan to make our home safer in the inevitable Florida storms! Then tomorrow, two of my dear grandkids will come for a spring break visit. So, it may be a while before I post again! SOLD!

Last night my husband and I traveled into Naples for an art opening at the IAG Galleries, where Jack Howard Potter's Sway and his new Goliath sit gloriously on an outdoor patio. The galleries focus is international art, and we enjoyed the beautiful drawings of an equine artist from Bahrain. We were delighted to meet owner Don Binns, a warm, generous man who offered to be a sponsor of the Marco Foundation for the Arts ArtQuest in the future. we'll take him up on that!
It's been a busy time. I'm also preparing to teach next week, which for me means a lot of preparation. I redo handouts, prepare new ones, and make sure the plans for each day make sense. Lots of stuff gets dragged to class, mediums and additives for students to try, books, paints, show & tell stuff, and canvases and my outdoor easel, too. We'll have family here starting Saturday, too, so I'll have to be ready early. I wish it wasn't the same week, but I'd much rather see my darlings part of the time than not at all! In spite of that I've still been painting, at least a little every day. I've almost finished this small, breezy painting, inspired by all the visits from Mother West Wind lately. I'll try to give it another pass today!