Five Roses daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Five Roses, 2014, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7"x5"

 

 

 

How do you start your work day?  I open my studio most days far earlier than the posted 10 a.m.  I have coffee there, and sometimes a muffin as my day begins to take shape.  My palette is usually ready, and there are always a  number of larger paintings needing attention.

 

Most often, I'll warm up by doing a small painting, one of my 5"x7" daily paintings.  Sometimes I'll do a quick study from a larger painting I'm considering since it's a good way to work out any composition issues.  Other times I'll work backwards from a painting already done, focus on just a small area of the scene, or paint a single tree from an on-hand Everglades photo.

 

But sometimes I'll focus on something outside the Everglades.  This little bouquet of roses was in the house of a friend.  I took a couple of photos just to remind me of softness I wanted, and got to work.  Hope you like it! 

 

 

Issac, Sloughs, and Studio Assistants! Slough in the Glades daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Slough in the Glades, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

 acrylic on linen board, 8"x10"

 

Sloughs are filling up as the summer rains drench the Everglades landscape.  If we get storm Issac next week, the winds will help blow out debris and clean the land, in additon to adding much needed water to the environment.   Huricanes are a little less helpful to people, so pay attention and be prepared!  You'll find good information on the NOAA site, here. 

 

My  get-a-kid plan is working well.  My new studio assistant has been a great help already.  She's a busy teenager, but having her available even a couple of hours a week has already proved a good decision.  

 

Her first job was to take a huge shopping bag of clippings and make sense of it.  I've been stuffing stuff into that pile for years, thinking "someday....."  She returned the mess to me in two three-ring binders.  Every show, postcard, newspaper article, award, and note, all sleeved, and separated by year and date.  Even more impressive that she just DID it, without even a single phone call or question.  Wow! 

 

When you have everything ready, it's easy to start to paint.  Yesterday she unwrapped five boxes of new canvases, and broke up the cardboard that I'm not saving for shipping. In the next few weeks she'll to tone them in the warm dark I use for priming. These two simple chores will save me hours of work and I'll have exactly what I want all ready to go. 

 

If all is still going well, we'll move on to cataloguing the paintings.  This job has been on the top of my to-do list for at least three years.  I put it off over and over.  She loves a challenge.  Together maybe we can get it done.  

Studio Visits, Knee Deep daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Knee Deep

5x7, acrylic on canvas

$150, framed

I had a lovely studio visit the other day. A friend of mine brought over a friend of hers as part of a birthday outing. What a nice idea! It gave me an opportunity to show off my studio and talk about my process of painting and my inspiration. We shared some light refreshments, and had a nice visit talking about art and Marco Island.

A studio visit is a great way to get to know an artist whose work you admire. Artists work alone in our studios. For the most part, we're delighted to take some time out to make a new friend and introduce you to our art. Through a studio visit you can become more familiar with the artist as a person, learn about their working process and review their inventory.

Artists understand that not everyone is in the market for a painting. We're happy to add you to our mailing list, blog list, invitation list. We welcome the chance to introduce you to our art. But please, call ahead. We might be out painting!

Out of your element, daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

As today's daily developed, the palm in its environment seemed to be out of its element, uncomfortable with its surroundings. It wouldn't settle in, and wouldn't be forced into a more normal mode. The colors fought me. As I painted, I decided to let the painting go its own way, and began to think about what it means to be out of ones element.

We've all been there. Sometimes we're been required to do things that we're just not used to doing. We're asked to do things that are different for us, hard for us, not usual for us, or stretching our limits. When you're forced out of your element, you have two choices, to grow or to retreat. Which do you choose?

The studio is clean, painted, and ready for work. I'm laughing at myself, though, as I post this photo, because after my hard work the studio still has everything it had it in, and here it looks almost as bad as last week! But yes, it's clean, it's fresh, and there's just a little more organization. There's also more room for the guests who will have to sleep in here when we pile in family and friends for a wedding in a couple of weeks!

Nana in her Studio, Spring Morning daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Spring Morning
5" x 7" (12.7cm x 17.8cm)
acrylic on Panel

Sold

I'm so glad the show season is over, for me at least. It was quite successful but doesn't compare to a few years ago. Still, it was nice to renew my acquaintance with old collectors and friends. Most of them will head north for the summer months and not think about this area at all, but for those of us who live here, it's a wonderful time of renewal.

I'm thinking about a focus for my summer paintings. There are so many aspects of the Everglades and Marco that inspire me. I'm not sure yet if I'll work closer to home or get out a little more. I particularly love the Fakahatchee and the Big Cypress, and have spent many happy hours painting away. I do more studio work now, and would like to get a few large paintings complete this summer. I'll start outside, because that's where my inspiration is, but will take the painting back to the studio for the finish. It's so much easier to work in my small studio when I don't have to think about lugging out the paintings for weekend shows!

Had a wonderful week with the kids. One grandson was able to complete his Cub Scout artist badge by working on projects a little each day, and the little guy did this great portrait of me in my studio as I struggled to finish a NAWA submission in time to meet the deadline! Just made it! Next week will bring another set. Can't wait!

Children's Story Illustrations, Full Studio

I'm working on illustrations for another children's story, so spending a lot of time sketching raccoons, honey bears and falling leaves. This is the first small, preliminary watercolor. Sorry the colors don't balance properly--the background smudges should be blue-green tones but the camera would not cooperate this morning! As you can see from this first effort, there's a lot to work on. The composition leads you right out of the painting instead of keeping you in the scene. The leaves look contrived, and the trees aren't properly constructed. But the colors will work - honestly, they do - and my watercolor skills get better with each go round. I'll show you another when my set of five is complete and I'm satisfied with the results!

In the meantime the studio is filling up. There's some nice new things from my work over the summer. My show at the Art League comes down today so space will get even tighter. Next week one of my galleries is moving and will be returning paintings until after the move. It's tight, but you are always welcome. Just call ahead if you'd like to make a studio visit! Have a wonderful holiday weekend!