Bonita Show Review

With the Studio at the Esplanade on Marco, I haven't felt the need to do the outdoor shows in the last few years.  Lately I've wanted to re-connect with my client base (I did), see if I'm still priced competitively (I am) and see what's new in the Art world. (some good, some not so good)

It used to be something special to attend an art show, but now there are so many that there's one every weekend somewhere close. People don't understand the difference between a juried and unjuried show, and sometimes it doesn't matter anyway. 

The Bonita Show is a juried, quality, well-run show with some terrific artwork in many disciplines.  Traffic at the show could have been heavier, much heavier, but the word was that with so many shows around people are just tired.  I enjoyed meeting old friends, connected with many who said they had missed me, and made a few new friends, too. 

It was nice to see art friends Phyllis Pransky, Bob Ewell, and Tom Ross, as well as new work by Barbara Groenteman.  Naples Calendar artist John BARTolous stopped by, too.

The photo above was taken by my artist friend Mary Sheehan Winn.  Thanks, Mary.  She's fun and fabulous, and teaching now in Naples.  We met, as many artists today, by admiring each others art on the Internet!

We all watched the weather on Saturday as a storm came and went very close by. How did we ever get by without iPhone radar to show exactly where the storm was? Rain threatened briefly on Sunday, late, but again stayed away. Phew!

I remembered everything I needed, set up with the help of a friend and took down myself on Sunday. I can still do it, although my body knows I did something different and the muscles not used in a while are complaining a bit! Like every show I've ever done some artists did quite well, and others are looking hopefully towards their next show.

Thank you to those who purchased, those who will visit the studio, and those who said kind things.  It was well worth the effort, although I most likely won't do it again any time soon!

Friendly Neighbors, painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Friendly Neighbors
12x16, acrylic on canvas
$400

This lighthearted little painting, friendly neighbors, is cheerful and colorful. You can see it in person at Celebrate the arts, the Marco Island Art League's fine arts show this weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 10-4. I'm hoping for no rain or wind!

As a exhibitor, I always hope for friendly neighbors at the shows. Set up and tear down occur in very close quarters and can be stressful. Everyone tries not to infringe on the space of someone else, get in their way, or park to confine, but a smile or kind work from a neighbor can make the task pleasant, while a grouchy neighbor just adds to the stress!

There will be close to a hundred high quality arts at the Art League show, including painting, pottery, sculpture and jewelry in addition to a nice selection of entertainment, children's activities, and refreshments, too.

The show is a fundraiser for the Art League. Many have suffered financial difficulties during these hard times, and the Art League is no exception. With a hands-on effort from the board, support of the members and the business community, the Art League is slowly working their way out of debt and back to fiscal responsibility.

This show will be an important fundraiser for the Art League. Come, pay the minimal entrance fee graciously, extra if you can, and pass this on to anyone you think might be interested in a really nice art show. Hope to see you there!

Fall Arts & Crafts show tomorrow, Lifting Clouds daily painting by Everglades artist

Lifting Clouds

5x7, Acrylic on Canvas

After years of doing outdoor art shows almost three weekends every month from November to March, I've really enjoyed being in one space at the Esplanade Studio. But today I'm packing the car and setting up for the Marco Island Center for the Arts Fall Arts and Craft show to be held on Saturday.

I haven't done it since the Spring, so there's a lot to think about. Will the tent be fine when I set it up? Will I remember how? Paintings? Sales info? Hanging materials? Display materials? Signage? Chair? Then there's the actual physical packing, getting the car ready and lugging everything in and out.

It's a lot of work, but so nice once it's done. It's fun to see the artists who come from far and wide to display their work, and nice to visit with my collectors and people who may become collectors or just enjoy looking at original art.

Try to make time to stop at the show. It's one day only, Saturday, November 21. This will be a small show, but very important to helping out the financially endangered Marco Island Center for the Arts. They'll ask for a two dollar donation if you come--give more if you can!

Sex after 50, Invitational Art Show, Morning Parade daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Morning Parade

5x7 $150

Is it the clouds or the palms that are parading this morning? I got ready for a two day art show, packed the car, and worked on this painting yesterday between a busy schedule of home, obligations, and party. The Marco Island Center for the Arts board is interested in offering an artist's forum, since this is something artists asked for in a brainstorming session last year, but they've had trouble getting the artists to actually attend. This brown bag luncheon on art marketing was no different, with only very few artists in attendance. What do you think could make this work so that the Art League artists will want to come?

Later in the day I demonstrated, while the Center hosted guests from a number of Marco Condos as part of their new membership drive. It was fun to meet old friends and new, and talk about the class I'll be offering on Acrylics and the Florida Landscape in March. You can learn more about the class or sign up at the Center. If you live here, stop in. It's a wonderful facility with a great gift show and many class offerings.

After that it was time to party with a group of island women gathered to hear more about Sex After 50 by Dr. Francine Barbetta, author of "A Pebble In His Shoe. She had spoken at the Marco Island Yacht Club earlier in the week, and this gathering was for women who wanted to know MORE. As any gathering where the subject is sex, or any gathering with good friends, we howled with laughter over things we knew and didn't know. And we were sworn to secrecy, so I can't say any more about . . . . ! Thanks, Betsy, for a great party! I think it will do wonders for membership at the Yacht Club!

Later today I'll set up for the Naples Invitational Art Show. This is a wonderful show, located in lovely Fleishman Park, just south of Coastland Mall, between Rt. 41 and Goodlett Frank Road. If you can find Dillards you can find this show! The show is a benefit for Eden Florida, an organization that supports children and adults to autism. I'll donate a painting for the silent auction to benefit this cause. The show will offer a wide variety of arts and crafts, with many artists who only do this one show in the area. There's something for everyone and a great food court, so come on out and enjoy. Your purchases will help support artists in these difficult times, and your entry donation will help the cause of Eden. I'll be there all day Saturday and Sunday, and look forward to seeing you!

Art Show Weather, Off by Myself Daily Everglade Painting by JoAnn Sanborn

Thanks so much if you are one of the old and new friends who stopped by my tent to chat or to purchase at the Renaissance Art Festival on Saturday. It was a lovely show with quality work and a leisurely shopping crowd. Congratulations to two new collectors.

Sunday's weather provided a bit more challenging. My husband and I got there early so we could park right behind our tent, and then went to the lovely Bella Sera Hotel for a nice breakfast. Little did we know that breakfast would be the nicest part of the day! We knew there was threatening weather, but this far south the weather forecasts can be quite unreliable and most of the art show artists watch conditions closely and are prepared to act quickly when conditions change. The tent was dry inside, so I decided to set out the paintings. Several rain squalls later and a leaky roof made me rethink that decision. When strong wind gusts suggested that forecast tornadoes could become a reality and festival management left the decision to each individual, we decided there would be limited visitors and shoppers, and decided to pack up. We were among several exhibitors who lost equipment due to the strong gusty winds. The rest of the day was spend washing up and drying everything out and putting it all away until the next show.

Today's Everglade painting is on a lighter note. Nice and sunny. As you know I love the single palms. This one, on the edge of the canal, seems not to mind being all by itself. Could it be admiring it's reflection?

Off by Myself
7" x 5"

Sold

Outdoor Shows, Room with a View Everglade Daily Painting by Jo-Ann Sanborn

I've finished working on the outdoor art show applications and are glad to see them all in the mail. In another month or so I'll know which ones I'm in and which I can take off the calendar. We're doing only a few shows this year since the daily shows, much enjoyed, are so much work setting up and taking down for the day. This year, construction in Naples will mean longer walks for the car and more difficulty finding parking at all. We're getting older, and a little stiffer in the early mornings. In the studio I'm working on a large commission to be finished in the next two weeks. It's a "committee" piece, always more difficult because a group needs to approve the purchase. It's much harder to please a group than just one person, as our President is finding out. Let's hope for group approval for both of us!

When I finish a small Everglades "daily" painting and get ready to post, it needs a name. This painting answered quickly that its name is Room with a View. What's your favorite room with a view? Hint--while I love getting your emails, this is a clue to add a comment in the comment spot on the blog!

Room with a View
7" x 5"

acrylic on board
$150 with free shipping and handling in the US

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!

Sold