With a little help from my friends, A New Day daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Before the Show, Jo-Ann Sanborn

 acrylic on board, 7"x5"

$150 framed and shipped

Things are heating up in the studio. I made a decision to upgrade my space a little since it looks like the Artist Colony might have another year in our wonderful Esplanade location. (picture me knocking on wood)

What started out as a small painting project quickly blossomed into a huge renovation! I somehow thought that I could do it myself. I made a plan, bought the materials, gathered my tools, and went to work. It quickly became apparent that I was totally delusional about my time, my strength and my tools. Reinforcements were necessary, and quick!

Fortunately for me, a family friend just happened (thank you, God!) to be on Marco, and came to my aid with superior tools and some better ideas. That, and the help of another friend who has been so good to me in so many ways quickly put the project back on track. I'm very grateful to them both, and also to my studio mates who are both patient and supportive.

The "sticks" are gone, some beautiful floating shelves have taken their place. By the time of my next scheduled shift on Wednesday the painting should be done and I'll be putting things back together.  Stop by at the next ArtWalk, September 28th and help me celebrate!   Photos, and more on our exciting September ArtWalk soon.

Holiday Open House, Out on My Own, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Out on my Own

5x7 acrylic on board

Sold

Today's daily Everglades painting is a scene out on the Marsh Trail, and yesterday's early morning fog ensured it would be a quiet, subdued daily painting. The stillness of the water and the reduced values and color make the scene peaceful and serene. The single palm is alone but not lonesome on soil raised just enough above the swamp to allow its growth.

Tomorrow will be our Holiday Open House. You're invited to come along anytime between 5-8. We'll share a glass of holiday cheer and watch the Marco Island Boat Parade when it comes through Smokehouse Bay. If you're afraid that parking might be a problem, just park in the City's Farmer's Market lot a short walk away.

Artists at the Esplanade, Lovely Morning daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Lovely Morning

5x7 Acrylic on Canvas

$150 framed

It is a lovely morning today, with only a few clouds on the horizon as the sun comes up, both in today's painting and on Marco. But many artists on Marco Island, involved in the potential use of provided studio space at the Esplanade, are holding their breath and crossing their fingers rather than enjoying the view.

We haven't had a good nights sleep in a month! There are eighteen of us so far, Nine looking for studio space and another nine hoping for group gallery, or co-op space. It's expected that the gallery space will draw many other Marco artists as the plan becomes reality.

In order for the proposal to the benefit Esplanade management, the boards of Marco's two non-profit art agencies, the Marco Island Center for the Arts and the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts must agree to lease the space from them and then sub-lease it to the artists. And the devil is always in the details.

These community organizations are doing a terrific job of trying to keep the idea alive while struggling through the necessary nitty-gritty to make it work. Leases are being review by lawyers and insurance issues are being investigated to ensure the protection of the non-profits. Potential costs are being considered, and everyone agrees it shouldn't cost the non-profits. The boards of both organizations will be meeting this week to determine whether or not they want to participate.

In any case, should one or both step up, the artists of this community will owe them a a huge debt of gratitude. They chose to be innovative, progressive, excited and open to the idea, and now are doing the hard work and critical thinking necessary to make it. Artists at the Esplanade can and should work to the benefit of all.

We should have answers by the end of the week. However you work for the best, prayers, lucky charms, positive thinking, energy flow, now is the time!