Jo-Ann Sanborn's Blog: oil on board

Showing posts with label oil on board. Show all posts

10/30/15

Bloom, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-AmmSanborn

Bloom, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 8" x 8"

This bloom was left over when the rest of the bouquet had past, so I took it to the studio with me one day. Instead of painting it in the little vase, I set it in a garden, so it will have flower friends surrounding it forever.

9/22/15

Sweet Beach Walk, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Sweet Beach Walk, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Oil on board, 5"x 7"

How many of you who live here on Marco Island hardly ever go to the beach. It used to be something I did without fail, three times a week, usually at sunset. Somehow over the years I've gotten out of the habit. These days its a treat!

Quite a few years ago I wrote a post about the benefits of a walk on the beach. Yes, there are actual health benefits. If you missed it, you can read it here.

Last week I did it, took an hour and just enjoyed a beautiful walk on the beach. I came away vowing to do it more often. Maybe I'll see you there!

9/18/15

Quiet Sundown, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Quiet Sundown, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 8"x 8"

Today's painting is the companion piece to the one shown here. They are framed alike and would make a nice pair.

I thought you might like to know how I spend a typical day at the Esplanade. I'm there every Wed-Friday, 10-5 and Saturday's until 2. Usually, I paint most of the day and save the business responsibilities, like bookkeeping, promotion, newsletter, blog, for home, There's also fitting in visits to the Everglades--a necessity for me to keep my ties to nature and painting inspiration strong.

Yesterday was a typical studio/gallery day. I started by moving a few things around, to better show some of the work that didn't have the best light. Despite my best efforts, the light in the studio/gallery remains a challenge! As I did that, I realized that I didn't have many paintings in the 20x24 size, and if I started a new one that's the size it should be. I got out my photos, and decided what to paint, and thought about how what I've seen in nature recently might be incorporated.

My preference is to work between two or three paintings at a time. Each stage requires a different type of skill/concentration, and I seem to get the best results by changing from one to another fairly frequently I pre-coat all my canvases, so always have several ready. I got to work on a new painting, developing a strong block-out. My paintings are usually at their best at the early-mid stage, awful in the middle, and then finished up by working to express the same excitement I felt at the beginning.

When I reached a good stopping point on the new painting, I went back to a painting I had been working on last week. The second painting has been a struggle from the start. While it had some nice areas, the whole composition was just not coming together. Assessing it again, I saw that the problems were insurmountable, I had lost my direction. It had to go completely or get a new, stronger start. As I was covering it with fresh paint, a pattern began to develop and I could see a potential Everglades scene developing. I had nothing to loose by going along. A few hours later it still needed more work, but had much more potential than the prior effort.

That filled the morning and more. After a late lunch I went back to the first painting I had started this morning. After working on the morning painting again, I did some framing.

All this, of course, is working around the people who wander in. It is, after all, a working studio/gallery so visitors are very much welcome. In fact I very much enjoy my visitors and am sometimes pleasantly surprised with how well I can paint while distracted! I'll try to get both paintings up on my Facebook page tomorrow.

9/11/15

Palm and Flowers, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 6"x 8'

Yes, oil! Acrylics are my favorite medium, but I'm doing a few oil paintings this month just to keep my hand in. It helps me to have some understanding of oil painters who occasionally take my classes. I'll do a few watercolors, too.

It's good to change mediums occasionally just to expand the range of techniques. Seems to open up the art mind a little, too. Try something different today, just for the fun of it!

10/4/14

Lemon #3, 2014, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 8"x8"

4/7/14

900th Post! Journey, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Journey, 2014, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Oil on board, 8"x10"

When you get comfortable with the colors on your palette, know what to expect of each one, know how it will react with all the other colors you squeeze out for your working day, and exactly how it will mix, it’s time to add a new color to your palette. Or perhaps try a whole new palette.

An artist should never get too comfortable with any materials and methods that allow staying in a comfort zone for too long. That’s not the job of an artist. Experiment, try a color, method or material, think about your work with a fresh eye. Comfort equals complacency, and complacency stifles creativity.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately because I’ve been painting the Everglades for a long time now. Still, after examining my motives, I know I’m not done yet. I continually see new things, new colors, new forms. The light continues to be fabulous, and it intrigues and inspires me. I don’t copy nature, my paintings come from something deep within me that resonates with this ancient landscape. The day I feel complacent and the work becomes easy, I’ll try something new.

I feel the same way about this blog. I started writing in 2007, and today marks my 900th blog post! When I started there was no Facebook and no Twitter. Now I use social media to connect with my collectors, and both art and social friends. But the blog is my web journal and I'm not ready to give it up completely. I'm not as faithful as when I named it Jo-Ann Sanborn Daily -- what was I thinking??? Still, look for post 901 soon!

3/14/14

Snowman #6, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 5"x7"

This snowman is cozy and warm in a purple hat and a big smile on his face!

These are one of a kind, limited edition Snowman, each one signed and dated, and created just for you with love. They come with a gold wood easel for display on a table to brighten your home and make you smile. They are a perfect gift for a beloved child or grandchild, for the person who has everything, as a housewarming gift or as a treat to yourself and can be shipped to you for a small extra charge.

This year's crop of Snowmen will be available in the studio/gallery on Marco Island after November 28, and through my Daily Paintworks gallery . They will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Don't wait!

12/3/13

Snowman #5, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Snowman #5, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 5"x7"

SOLD

Charity Snowman, sold online for a Shalin Liu benefit. Did you bid?

These are one of a kind, limited edition Snowman, each one signed and dated, and created just for you with love. They come with a gold wood easel for display on a table to brighten your home and make you smile. They are a perfect gift for a beloved child or grandchild, for the person who has everything, as a housewarming gift or as a treat to yourself and can be shipped to you for a small extra charge.

This year's crop of Snowmen will be available in the studio/gallery on Marco Island after November 28, and through my Daily Paintworks gallery . They will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Don't wait!

12/2/13

Snowman #4, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Snowman #4, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 6"x6"

SOLD

Christmas Carols are such a great part of the holidays! Most of you will know all the words to at least a few. A singing snowman is a bit unusual, and this one is ready to go to a good home.

These are one of a kind, limited edition Snowman, each one signed and dated, and created just for you with love. They come with a gold wood easel for display on a table to brighten your home and make you smile. They are a perfect gift for a beloved child or grandchild, for the person who has everything, as a housewarming gift or as a treat to yourself and can be shipped to you for a small extra charge.

This year's crop of Snowmen will be available in the studio/gallery on Marco Island after November 28, and through my Daily Paintworks gallery . They will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Don't wait!

12/1/13

Snowman #3, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Snowman #3, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 5"x7"

SOLD

Did you know that each snowflake has a unique and individual shape? Can it really be true? This Snowman wants to know! He's going to live in the Boston area and will se plenty of snow!

These are one of a kind, limited edition Snowman, each one signed and dated, and created just for you with love. They come with a gold wood easel for display on a table to brighten your home and make you smile. They are a perfect gift for a beloved child or grandchild, for the person who has everything, as a housewarming gift or as a treat to yourself and can be shipped to you for a small extra charge.

This year's crop of Snowmen will be available in the studio/gallery on Marco Island after November 28, and through my Daily Paintworks gallery . They will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Don't wait!

11/8/13

Facing the Modern, and Scented Beauty, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Scented Beauty, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 5"x7"

When deciding what art exhibitions I could fit in on a recent visit short visit to London, I found a great tool to let me know what was available. At the top of Katherine Tyrrell's terrific art blog, Making a Mark, among many other useful categories was one for major exhibitions in London for 2013.

My first choice was Facing the Modern, The Portrait in Vienna, 1900, at the National Gallery. You might think it an odd choice for a landscape painter, but I found the exhibition well worth the visit. To my knowledge I had not seen an original painting by artist Egon Schiele. I found the brushwork vigorous and exciting on the surface of the canvas, impossible to appreciate fully in a flat image. I also wanted to see another painting by artist Gustav Klimt and was rewarded with a portrait of Amalie Zuckerandl. It was a great lesson in delightful and useful pattern that so beautifully set off the figure.

I took away a sense of history, an appreciation for both line and color in portraits, and an awareness that seeing this exhibition will enrich my own work in ways that I could not have anticipated.

Could Scented Beauty, painted before I left, be considered a portrait of a rose?

10/24/13

Autumn Mood by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Autumn Mood, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

oil on board, 7"x5"

I'm in an Autumn frame of mind. There's definitely a chill in the air this morning. The coolness is welcome after the abundant rains of summer and high humidity with little relief. A change in the weather might prompt a change in energy levels. Fall is a great time to paint en plein air, or to just take a walk in nature to absorb inspiration.

Thanks to all of you who supported me by coming to the 20 year anniversary of my painting the Everglades. It was a great party, and YOU made it so. It's always so nice to see you, and to hear about your travels and your families. Each of you means so much to me. If you weren't able to come, just stop in when you are on Marco and I'll have a special little gift for you.

I've had a busy week couple of weeks, working to finish up a couple of commissions, and starting some new things. I also finished painting a bowl for the Chamber of Commerce's "Souper Bowls." The event, which will benefit scholarships for Marco kids isn't till February, but getting the bowls painted and glaze-fired takes time. We're passing around the little pill vials of paint, too. You'll be able to purchase your choice of bowl and enjoy soup made by local restaurant at Mackle Park on the Saturday before Super Bowl Sunday. Wish I had thought to take a "pre-fired" photo!

10/2/13

Portrait of a Palm, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Portrait, 2013, JoAnn Sanborn

oil on board, 7"x5"

It might interest you to see the progression of a daily painting. The one above is the final product, signed and ready to be framed for sale in the studio and shown in my gallery at Daily Paintworks. It is a painting of a single Everglades palm, worked in oil on board over several hours, each time refined until I was happy with the outcome.

I thought I might be done when I finished the second version, but analysis showed it needed more work. The lack of a light source weakens the whole, so in the final version shadows added beneath the canopy add dimension, and the grasses are integrated and balanced with the canopy. As you move down the page you will see the progression from the bottom up.

In this second pass, color is added to the grasses and canopy. Compliments of purple and yellow add a little zing to the ground, while adding some color character and adding connection between the grass and the tree.

My goal was to portray a single palm to show it's character, without the distractions of my usual mantra of palms, water, prairie. The palm was placed on the canvas with intent to ensure the edges form interesting and varied negative spaces to move your eye around the palm. At this point the greenery of the palm and the grasses have no real connection and the painting lacks a definable color strategy.

Florida painter, Everglades, Marco Island, artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

10/30/15

9/22/15

9/18/15

9/11/15

10/4/14

4/7/14

3/14/14

12/10/13

12/9/13

12/8/13

12/7/13

12/6/13

12/5/13

12/4/13

12/3/13

12/2/13

12/1/13

11/8/13

10/24/13

10/2/13