Moonlight Serenade, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Moonlight Serenade, 2018, JoAnn Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5" x 7"

I'm experimenting with the warmer colors, because it's all too easy for me to gravitate to the blues and the greens that abound in the Everglades Landscape.  I'm using different canvas toning colors,and adding some visitor colors, like Indian Yellow and Deep Magenta  to my palette as I experiment. 

My canvases are usually toned with a mixed of red and blue—making a warm dark purple, so  it's a nice change for me to use the red as the ground.  The warm red color peeks through here and there and sparks a nice contrast.  Most of it was covered as I Deleloped this painting, soI had to add a bit of it back into the grasses as I worked to complete this moonscape.

Burrowing Owl Painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Whooo? 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 5” x7”

The burrowing owls are just so cute and a delight to watch. I’ve done several paintings of them, one as a commission and some just to enjoy. Babies are being spotted in many of the burrows, keeping Mom and Dad busy supplying food and attempting to keep them corralled. They have adapted to living with people quite well but prefer the sand and space of open lots rather than those with more landscaping or in the Everglades. This painting is available if you’d like to take her home.

Grand Everglades Adventures Videos are available here. 

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.

1000 posts and an abstract daily painting

Out and About, 2018, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 7” x 5”

I’ve been writing blogposts since 2007, and today's my 1000th!  Blogging was new when I started back in 2007, and something to be tried.  The word means "web journal" and that's how I used it, writing 100-200 posts most years, about the activities of an artist and things I've learned on my art journey and want to share.  

Blogging started as a way to connect people all over the globe. In art, blogging grew out of the Daily Painting movement's need to get work in front of collectors regularly, and I'm a daily painter.  I've met some wonderful art friends and collectors over the internet even though there are some I will never meet in person.  Blogging has  widened my world. 

I almost gave it up a couple of years ago but it is too much a part of me, my history.  I write a few times a month to keep in touch.  It seems less formal than my monthly newsletter, and it gives me the opportunity to show you the small paintings I still do several times a week.  

So do you follow any bloggers?  Who are your favorites?  Let me know in the comments below.  

Are you coming along on my Grand Everglades Adventures?  There are four videos so far, and you can see them here:

Grand Everglades Adventure Invitation

Grand Everglades Adventure #2 - Marsh Trail

Grand Everglades Adventure #3 - process of painting

Grand Everglades Adventure #4 - Briggs

I'm still learning some of the technical aspects, so be patient with me!

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!  

Beach Walk daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Beach Walk, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn 

Acrylic on Canvas

A wonderful class of beginng acrylic painters began learning at the Art Center last week. We discussed materials—brushes, supports, additives and acrylic paints—and they approached their first acrylic paintings with enthusiasm. I don’t know how many will continue with the medium but it was fun to share basic information with such an enthusiastic group. 

Wish I could have attended the Artini event last night. Sure sounded like fun! 

If you are in the area, the first ArtFlicks  movie, America Rising will show at the Marco Movies, 10 am on Tuesday. Hope you’ll be there. 

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"

Sunmmer Blues, Edge of a Cloud daily painting by Jo-Ann Sanborn

Edge of a Cloud, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on Board, 7" x 5"

Enjoy the beautiful blues and dramatic clouds of summer. Open your heart to the beauty of this wild land.  It is unique in all the world.    

Five Sisters, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Five Sisters, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 7" x 5"

These five palms look like they've grown up together. Are they really a group of siblings?  

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!

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

A Few Flowers, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 7'x5"

Prairie Friends, Daily Painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Prairie Friends, 2017, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

Classes and more! Daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

 Floral, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7" x 5"

If we haven't spoken via newsletter, email, or social media, Happy New Year! I'm going with hope rather than despair, since it's so much more satisfying!     

It's been a busy time with the increase in traffic and the studio now open six days a week from New Years to Easter.  I've been slow to blog, spending more time on social media.  You can read my January newsletter on my website, and sign up  to receive it once a  month if you want. 

I will teach a three day workshop at the Art Center in March and hope to see you there.  More information here.  

In the meantime, at the request of visiting artists, I've been teaching at the Esplanade studio on Monday mornings.  The classes are structured with a single subject each week so you can take just one, or keep coming for as long as you are able. January's subject is the landscape. We'll paint "water" next Monday. Come along!  February will be all about color. There's a new "page" at the top of the blog with more information. 

You will hear from me from time to time here on this blog, and I may start posting the daily paintings again.  We'll see!  

Dream Boat, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Dream Boat, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5" x 7"

I'll be traveling for part of November, so blog entries get a little iffy. Part of my trip will be on a ship crossing the Atlantic from Barcelona to Miami.  It's a true get-a-way, and I'm ready for a rest. Meanwhile the studio will be opened from Wed thru Sat as usual for this time of year.  It is well stocked and well staffed so you won't miss me!   It's not too early to start your holiday shopping--not crowded, and you'll get personal attention. 

I've kept the blog since 2007, and am thinking that maybe it's to focus on other social media rather than continuing to journal online.  If you receive this blog and enjoy it, please let me know in the comment section below, or if you are more likely to use other social media, let me know that, too.  It will help in my decision making and choices for the future. This will not affect my once-a-monthly newsletter.  

If you have any interest in my class for the first week in December, sign up here right away.  I know it's a busy time of year, but if you can't make it now, perhaps I'll see you in March for Color Confidence.  

Owlish, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Owlish 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5" x 7"

I've been working on the second book in the Owlivia series.  This story is about Bully Billy, and will be out before Christmas if all goes well.  In the process of creating the character, I've tried out several different personalities.  This chunky little character is cute, but didn't make the cut into the book.  

Principals and Elements, and a Pond, Daily Painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Pond, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x 7"

Elements of design - Tools used to create an artwork

Line

Shape

Direction’

Size

Texture

Color

Value

Principals - How the Tools are applied

Balance

Gradation

Repetition

Contrast

Harmony

Dominance

Unity

Just somethi

Sailing Day daily painting by Everglade artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Sailing Day, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x 7"

Sailing used to be one of my pastimes. I'm reminded of it's pleasure when I see a ship under sail on the horizon.  A sailing vessel will suddenly take on a life of its own and rush forward as the wind fills the white sheets, blowing them up against the blue sky.  A few nights ago sunset on the beach showed only two ships under sail.  For today's painting I added a few more, reminiscent of  the Connecticut shore and Long Island Sound.  But the clouds are Florida, and the sunset was spectacular!   

Alone, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Alone, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5" x 7"

Original painting of a sabal palm near a waterway in the Everglades. 

I've had a visitor the last couple of weeks--my brother from New England.  He comes every year at this time and dirties the towels, brings sand from the beach in on his feet, talks a lot and wants dinner every night. Patriots games are required watching.  He's house handy, and will help me out doing almost anything I ask, loves to cook on the grill, gives honest, thoughtful opinions on my questions, admires my art and is delightfully easy company. 

I'm thankful to have two wonderful siblings.  Hey, Judy, it's your turn!