Rare Orchid, On the Banks daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

On the Banks
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel

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How exciting to learn, first on Twitter and then as a headline in today's Naples Daily News, that an orchid which no one has seen for almost 50 years years is thriving in the Fahahatchee strand! Three plants of the elusive orchid, were last seen in 1961 by a biologist who took the plants home to document them and save them from an area soon to be developed. No one has seen orchid Cyclopogon elatus since.

It’s really only kind of orchid nerds who are going to appreciate this, but it’s kind of cool,” Miami environmental scientist Chris Little, who made the find said Tuesday. He's wrong, because some of us who don't know the first thing about wild orchids are also celebrating the find.

Good biological news gives those of us who are sure we're on a doomed planet over run by a destructive dominant species hope that the earth is finding ways of renewing itself. Plus, it's delightful to know that the earth still has surprises for us.

You can find out more about Florida orchids at discoverer Chris Little's website and learn more about the Fakahatchee here.

Space Shuttle, Artist Rejections, Rain Clouds Daily Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Rain Clouds
7" x 5"

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Today's daily Everglades painting, Rain Clouds, is of the lovely clouds that build in the afternoons. Right around the beginning of June our rainy season will begin and every afternoon the clouds will bring us welcome rain.

Were you able to see the space shuttle launch last night? We've seen it in the past, and were outside looking up, but could see nothing but a strange white light behind some clouds. We've seen the launches in the past and it's always such a dramatic sight. It was disappointing not to see it, when many others in Florida saw it clearly. Phooey!

Last night I followed a tweet, you know, from Twitter, back to a blog about artist rejection. The writer felt that perhaps there was some way to ask judges to justify themselves, or be required to make comments about the works that were rejected. Most of the commenters felt that some accountability was called for by the judge.

Here's how I commented:

I feel somewhat differently than most of the artists who commented. Art is totally subjective. As long as you submit your best, quality work, you take your chances. Your fee is like buying a lottery ticket. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t, but you can’t win if you don’t play.

There are many reasons works are rejected, and they may have nothing to do with you. Each artists is only concerned about their piece or their body of work, but a judge needs to look at the totality of the show, one single work can’t be a consideration.

A show is the work of a judge. Sometimes there are hundreds of entries. I don’t want to have to justify each painting choice I make, and don’t want to try and make a judge justify theirs.

You can read the whole issue here. What's your take?

Friendship, Social Media, Good Friends daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Good Friends
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)

Acrylic on Canvas

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Today's daily Everglades painting, Good Friends, makes me think about how we single out some people to be close to in our lives. Friends. We're choosy about our friends from a very young age, and some of them will remain close to us throughout our lifetime.

Sometimes we have to change friends because they do something we perceive as hurtful, because of a new understanding of their core values, or because of a fundamental decision about who we want to spend time with in life. We might lose friends when we move away or get a new time consuming job, just get too busy, or just because we're not so good at keeping up. Regrettably, I've lost a few friends this way.

Friendship through the ages has meant a closeness to someone with similar interests and someone who has your best interests at heart. Yet on Facebook, because of similar inters ts people want to be your friend who have never met you. Will they become reliable friends? And what do they want in return?

Through social media, you can "meet" people, spend time, sometimes a lot of time, with people, who you will never, ever see in person. There's no eye to eye and no requirements for you to reciprocate. You can get a feel for their personality by comments on Facebook or tweets on Twitter. Hey, give it a try, I'll be your friend......

Southern Birding, Ladies of the Morning Daily Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Ladies of the Morning
7" x 5"

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Today's daily painting Ladies of the Morning was done in response to the wonderful yellow sunrise we had here yesterday. The palms looked as though they were just emerging from the golden glow infusing the landscape. Today's sunrise is nice, too, although not quite as dense and golden.

The song of the cardinal is coming from the nearby bird feeder. His mate hasn't been coming as often perhaps because she's nesting nearby. Soon after sunrise a horde of hungry grackles will appear, throwing food everywhere and squawking and arguing loudly. The Cornell Bird Guide calls their song "a harsh, unmusical "readle-eak," like a rusty gate. Call a sharp, harsh "chack."

Tne feeder-full a day is all they'll get. The doves, nesting in the nearby lusciously fragrant Confederate jasmine will come by to clean up the seeds that the grackles have thrown to the ground. I'm still waiting to see the finches come to feed, but know there are some around. The nijer seed was a complete failure since none of the birds liked it at all. Any suggestions for a feed the songbirds love but won't bring the noisy grackles?

Today I'll work on a new commission, a painting of the New York Mohawk Valley. I've begun to block it out by haven't really started to paint yet. Doing something other than the Everglades is a nice change once in a while and a bit of a challenge. I'll let you know how it's going!

Florida Panther Week, Night Scene Daily Painting by Everglades artists JoAnn Sanborn

Night Scene
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US

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Today's daily Everglades painting, Night Scene will remind you of the active time of the Florida Panther, who most often travel and feed at dusk and dawn. Next week is National Panther Week, and a number of panther protection organizations will be offering a variety of events so that you can learn more about this elusive animal.

A few years ago Florida panthers were at such low numbers that the danger of extinction was grave. After much discussion and debate, eight Texas cougars, a closely related subspecies, were introduced into the wilds of Florida in the hopes of saving the species. Results to date are encouraging. Watch this video from Big Cat Rescue to introduce you to the beauty and grace of this large cat.

Start your week on Saturday at the Marco Island Community Conservation Celebration. This event will include lots of activities for yourself and your children. Learn more about the unique environment in which we live. Watch this video to introduce you to the grace and beauty of this large cat. You might also like to attend the Kick-off event at the Naples Zoo.

There's something for everyone. Hikes, talks, and viewings are all available. These events fill up early, so if you're interested, act fast. My two top choices are already full! If you'd like, you can join one of the protection organizations and get involved.

Women of the Everglades, Spring Morning Daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Spring Morning
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Today's painting, Spring Morning shows another beautiful spring day. Since we haven't had rain for a while and none is forecast, the lush grasses will start to dry up and the landscape will wither until the summer rains come in June. Fire danger is already high, and we've seen the smoke from a few. It's all part of the natural cycle of the glades.

Congratulations to Art & Gaye Benochea of Fort Lauderdale who won my painting donated to the Museum of the Everglades after a show there last year. The painting was in the lobby of the Museum, and visitors and residents could take a chance as a fund raiser for the museum.

We've been members of this small but active museum for years. The Museum is located in Everglades City, and almost always has an fine art or photography show in their lobby. Staff welcomes visitors from near and far.

The Museum hosts a number of events, and for March the theme will be Women of the Everglades. Historical figure Deaconess Harriet Bedell has been the focus of some attention this year when local artist Hannah Ineson painting a mural depicting her in the Bedell Chapel at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Deaconess Bedell will be canonized by the church later this year for her work among Florida's Seminole Indians. You can meet Deaconess Bedell at the Museum on March 14, when she will be portrayed by actress Marion Nicolay.

Twitter, Facebook, and Three plus One, Daily Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Three plus One
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Today's Everglades painting is of four palms on the edge of a prairie. Uneven numbers are often better visually than even, but in this painting, varying the size and placement seems to have worked.

The studio is back in order and things will be a little quieter for the next week or so. Canvases are on the way for two upcoming commissions, and I"m looking forward to getting started.

In the meantime, I'm working hard to upgrade my web presence. If you haven't already, visit Sunshine Studios's redone website. I'm now on FaceBook, friend me if you want, and on Twitter, with a growing number of followers. I didn't understand Twitter at first, but was quickly converted and am totally amazed by how much information is available, and how easy it is to make new friends or learn about something new.

Earlier today I read on Twitter about mansions to the Everglades from Hidden Florida, read about the Florida Panther lecture at a local DAR meeting, learned about 137 species becoming extinct every day as the rainforests are destroyed, and a hopeful piece about how we can save the rainforests. I also read blogger's responses to the woman who called 911 over her McNuggets, that an Alaskan artist has the flu this week, that it's a cold morning for a photographer in Glasgow. Then there's the practical stuff, like which are the best email services to use for bulk emails.

I follow some motivational people, too, to keep me upbeat in these down times, and some tech people, who's stuff is mostly totally unintelligible to me but I'm trying to learn. The wealth of information is huge, and it's all immediate. Phew! Go to http://twitter.com/ and see for yourselves! You can start by following me, or just pick your own favorites! After you get the hang of it, you'll be amazed!

Celebrate the Arts, Spring Dance Daily Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Spring Dance
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Today's daily Everglades painting is Spring Dance, with three palm trees dancing in the distance with a small mangrove for an audience. Are you ready to dance for spring?

The Marco Art League did a great job on the Celebrate the Arts festival this weekend, providing a lovely artists reception, coffee each morning, congenial booth sitters, good parking and traffic control, and weather updates when the sky looked threatening. The wind wasn't too bad in my area, but on Sunday afternoon several artists had wind issues or even damage, and a few had to close up early.

There was a crowd on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but it quickly dwindled in the afternoons on both days. Sales varied from quite good to miserable. These days in our miserable economy I'm appreciative of every sale, and was delighted to have several paintings go to nice new homes. Thank you to new collectors, and to past collectors and friends who stopped by to see my newest work and say hello.

Today I'll be removing the exhibition at the Norris Center in Naples, and shipping a painting purchased yesterday. Because of these obligations we had to turn down a nice offer to go to Shark Valley this afternoon. Darn! It's been a while, and I'm anxious to get some fresh inspiration. Tomorrow we'll volunteer at the Naples Art Association for another show intake.

Invasives, Art Show, By Boat Daily Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

By boat
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel

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Today's daily painting is taken from boat trips along the shores near Marco Island. I love the graceful look of the Australian pines waving gently in the breeze, but they are an invasive and are enthusiastically removed by the county when there's money and time. You can learn more about Florida invasives at this link here.

We'll be busy today setting up for the Marco Island Center for the Arts Celebrate the Arts. It's a fun weekend, with something for everyone. There'll be a children's tent, an antique cars show, music, and of course, the artists who have been juried in to show their work. It's a lot of fun for everyone. See you there!

Painting, Followers, and Marsh Sunrise daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Marsh Sunrise
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Today's daily Everglades painting was done almost entirely with a palette knife. There's a freshness about it and the texture adds interest. I've always painted thinly, using the acrylics almost like pastels, so it's fun to use a little more paint with the knife. It's much more immediate to use the knife rather than creep up on the light as usual. Looks like I'm experimenting more and branching out. Is change in the air or is it just the new beginnings of spring? Too early to tell!

Posting my blog three times a week is a discipline I've developed over the last two years. Its good for my art and good for me to have to define who I am as an artist and a person. I've gotten better at some of the technical aspects of the Internet and social media tools, some aspects remain a mystery despite my efforts. I'm grateful for each and every one of you who take this journey with me and for those who let me know they're there through comments or direct emails. There are well over a hundred of you now, and each one of you is special to me.

Today, I'm excited to announce that I have the honor of my first follower! Someone has publicly added me to their daily Reading List! You can see them by tracking back to the blog and looking well down into the right hand column. You can click on them, too, just like a link to learn more about them. I"m hoping they won't be alone for long!

Naples National, Future of Art Fairs, Abstract daily painting by artist JoAnn Sanborn

Abstract 5
3 1/2" x 2 1/2" (8.9cm x 6.4cm)
mixed media on paper
$65 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

When I arrived home from the show last night I was tired of talking and thinking about the Everglades, so decided to get out my abstract box. I keep special papers and parts of paintings that are no longer useful in a small box ready for use in small, abstract works. The decisions needed to complete an abstract are the same as for any painting, but it was fun to be working with something besides a brush and paint, and the new subject matter refreshed my mind. Hope you like it!

The Naples National Art Festival is always an exciting show, and this was no exception. The new load in and load out procedures seemed to work, and an impressive number of volunteers were helpful and effective. Thanks to the new collectors and old friends who purchased my work or stopped by to visit. The pleasure of hearing about your joy in my paintings brings me great satisfaction.

My booth was well located by the back gate, and from what I could see, sales were light since few patrons carried bags or larger items. Although some exhibitors did very well, every exhibitor I spoke with said that art fairs sales are decreasing. Since many of the outdoor shows are expensive to get into, and three days of time and effort to do, many artists will be making hard decisions about participation in shows next year.

An article in the National Association of Independent Artist Autumn 2008, newsletter suggests that in addition to the economy, decline in art market revenue is affected by the fact that the younger generation does not purchase original art because they do not recognize it's value. The synopsis of concerns state that an aging population of dedicated collectors, increased appearance of flagrantly derivative and buy/sell work, additional agendas by producers, and lack of new, young craftspeople all are having an effect.

Does "American made" arts and crafts carry the same weight in the marketplace as it has in the past? What can we do to ensure the appreciation and continuation of the value of the arts to our society?

Slaughter of birds, Joy to Spring daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

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

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My day usually starts with a shower, turn on the coffee and the computer, and while each is getting warming up walk outside, pick up the newspaper, am greeted by a beautiful morning sky and often take a short walk before getting to work in the studio. It's quiet then, and yesterday you could feel spring in the air. The birds were singing, and you could almost see the buds swelling under warmth coming up from the south. Here, where some people can't see a change in the seasons, spring has come.

Even though it was a little colder this morning, today's morning chill didn't come from the weather. It came from the headlines in both of the papers I picked up. The Naples Daily News's it was a slaughter, and the Marco Eagle's 21 birds killed for fun both saddened and disgusted me. Apparently seven people with nothing more important to do went out and killed the birds for the fun of it. Fun??

340 species of birds have been documented in the Everglades. The birds of the Everglades were slaughtered almost to extinction in the 1920's for the purpose of obtaining their feathers for ladies hats. They're making a comeback, but its not quick, and there are still nowhere near the hundreds of thousands that used to blacken the skies.

People with no respect for our natural world have driven our land and our oceans to the brink of destruction. I hope they're prosecuted in Federal court to the fullest extent of the law!

Seaside Health, Time Alone daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Time Alone
5" x 7" (12.7cm x 17.8cm)
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

I've often painted a single palm, off by itself. Time Alone is another palm character study. While we love being busy and having visitors, some time alone is also necessary for our well being.

Walking on the beach, or near any large body of water is positively restorative for me, alone or with others. The sound of the waves is soothing to me, the light brightens my spirits, the cries of the shorebirds direct me away from the days problems, and here on Marco the warmth and swaying palms add to the enjoyment.

I never knew that there was a chemical reason for feeling so good after a walk on the beach, but according to local author Tom Williams's article Seaside Secrets,in last Sunday's ETC, it's the negative oxygen ions caused by the waves that makes us feel so good. Sorry that I can't seem to find the article to reference, but you can get the idea from this WebMD article.

There's also mounting evidence that negative ion generators help with depression, increase oxygen to the brain, and maybe even protect against germs in the air. That, combined with allowing your skin 1/2 hour of sunshine to help your Vitamin D. uptake means a walk on the beach may be the best thing you do for yourself today.

Reception, Giclees, and Together Daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Together
7" x 5"

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Today's painting location is on Marco, down near the Caxambas boat ramp on the south end of the island. I love the group of palms together but split by the wall. It might remind you of some families, so close and yet separated by a wall. Luckily, I've enjoyed visits from family this month and am looking forward to more. The palm trunks have been glazed with a bit of red to compliment the green fronds.


I've been told that you might like to see one of the daily paintings framed, so here it is, to give you an idea of how it comes to you if you should purchase. The framed piece is about 14x12 inches, and can be hung on a wall, leaned in a windowsill, or placed on a small easel. The dailies look great in pairs or even in a foursome. One friend has four, two on each side of the front door. They look terrific!

The Florida Artist Group exhibition at the Marco Island Center for the Arts reception yesterday was very nice, with an interesting abstract demonstration to music and a wonderful exhibition. There was quite a crowd, and a satisfying number of FLAG artists present, so visitors could meet and talk. One piece generated quite a bit of discussion. It was a brushy, colorful painting of a studio with a brush can and paint jars. The label said the material was "pigmented inks." Discussion centered around that fact that it was an enhanced photo, colored with a palette and brush in a photoshop-type procedure, and printed onto canvas. Everyone agreed that pigmented inks are best for giclee, because they'll last longer than dyes. Guess its the way of the future! This colorful, and high quality exhibition will give you lots to see and think about, so don't miss it!

NY Cityscape, Watching the Clouds go by, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Watching the Clouds Go By
7" x 5"

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Our nice weather has returned, and I took a nice long beach walk, first in a while, and our guests even went for a dip. Perfect for watching the clouds go by. Beach walks positively restore me! It'll be quiet now for a few days until my niece and her husband arrive with their two small children. I've got lots to catch up on in the studio, so will be working this weekend.

The Marco Players will be presenting the play "The Odd Couple" starting next weekend, and I'm supplying them with New York cityscape of the West Side. Since it's been several years since I've been in the City, it's a stretch. I looked at a few photos and went boldly ahead. We'll see today if I'm on the right track. All of the little windows will be cut out to provide night lighting. It's amazing how much the players do with their limited resources. They're a wonderful asset to the cultural arts on Marco. If you'd like to see the show get tickets early, for they're often sold out.

Morning Light
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

So often out in the Everglades it's necessary to tilt the picture plane to show the landscape to it's fullest. Here, in Morning Light, I've taken the frogs view and painted the swamp as though you are looking up from below. Aren't you curious about what might be around the bend?

My sister and her husband are visiting this week. For years I've told her that if she would only come in February, I could guarantee her a manatee. There's a sea grass bed at the end of our canal, and this time of year it's not uncommon to see a manatee, or a group, go up and down the canal on their way to a tasty treat. This year, however, it's been so cold that I haven't been out watching to tract their progress and note likely viewing times. I worried that I wouldn't be able to produce one as promised, so spent a couple hours researching where to see them at Manatee Park in Ft. Myers, and other places further away.

Our guests arrived yesterday around dinner time, and the first thing we did was take a cocktail out to the terrace to view the sunset. Sure enough, just as we sat down a group of manatees, including a mother and very young baby obligingly swam by. Perfect! She was so very delighted, and we were all enchanted. Phew!

FLAG, All that Jazz, Bridge Palms daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Bridge Palms
7" x 5" acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Since the Wet Paint Live the palms at the Jolley Bridge on Marco have been on my mind. They're beautiful this time of year and the dwarf bougainvillea below them is ripe with rich color and a perfect compliment to their deep green. As they sway in the breeze and the sun moves across the sky, their cast shadow follows them around in a spirited dance. Gorgeous! I wish the City would let the "bougie" follow it's natural path to a less formal cut, but others would say that's too messy. In any case they're a beautiful sight when coming on or going off island.

I stretched my comfort zone quite a bit recently and applied for the Florida Artist Group, or FLAG. It's a professional artist group which juries in new members once a year. To my great pleasure, I've been accepted! There's quite a list of requirements for membership, and I was glad to find that I could meet them before submitting my application. Like every artist who puts their work in the public venue, rejections happen, so I haven't told a soul except for two artists willing to sponsor me. My thanks to Richard Rosen, a fine clay artist, and Christine Reichow, a fabulous watercolorist, for being willing sponsors. I'm in Area VI, southwest Florida. Congratulations to Sue Pink and Kathy Ross who were also accepted.

The Florida Artist Group will be having a show at our very own Marco Island Center for the Arts, called "All that Jazz" with a reception on February 15. It's too late for me to exhibit with them, but I'll have the chance to meet some of the members. Save the date!

Knitting, Cold, and Land's End daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Land's End
7" x 5" Sold

Good Morning! I can't decide whether I want the Paypal button or not. It's such an easy way for you to purchase. Guess we'll try it again for a while.

I wanted to paint a nice warm picture that would make you all feel toasty, but the cooler colors prevailed and even my beach walk looks a little chilly. Lands End is typical of the new island areas that are developing off Tigertail Beach north of Sand Dollar Island in the area of the old Coconut Island. If you look out towards the gulf you don't see the tall condos, and it could be a thousand years ago!

When I left for a meeting yesterday morning it was 36 degrees. Today should only be a couple of degrees warmer. Every now and then we get this kind of chilly reminder that although we fit the qualification of tropical, by having a temperature above 64 degrees, our actual designation by location is subtropical.

This cold, however, puts me in mind of knitting, and knitting is all the talk of Twitter today. I used to be an accomplished knitter, and still have a few stashes of colorful and luscious yarns stashed away. But the term yarn bombing was new to me. Here's how it's done.

Unexpected Exhibition Opportunity, On the Beach painting by Everglades Artist JoAnn Sanborn

Beach Walkers

20x20

$800

Yesterday's small daily painting didn't get finished, so I'm showing you another in the elongated palm series I've been working on on and off for several years. I'll take it to be framed tomorrow, since it's not a standard size and will have to be custom framed.

I started my "daily" with high hopes in the morning, then put it aside to attend the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts fashion show, thinking I'd get back to it in plenty of time. The event was a fund raiser, where artist friend Joyce Kachapis showed off her beautifully creative handmade jewelry on wonderful Roxy mannequin centerpieces, and Island Woman boutique presented a fashion show full of delightful island wear. The centerpieces were really great and I'm going to order one and paint it myself although the already painted ones were lovely!

Home to a message from the United Arts Council that their scheduled February artist had backed out from a planned exhibition at the Norris Center, and did I want the space? My mind went around this question very quickly.

Did I have enough paintings to cover? I'm doing two important outdoor shows later this month. I would have enough if I used some paintings that were too large to take to outdoor shows. Could I be ready? I'm working on a commission that I promised to be ready by Friday, but my client is a kind, understanding person. I could do it if I got right to it. So with a gulp I said "yes."

Luckily my Art Marketing Salon group was into the eighth week of Alyson Stanfield's free Art Marketing Salon, so all my materials had been updated for the new year and were ready to go. It was just a matter of making a painting list, fresh off Flick, my organizer, and printing enough handouts and cards. Leftovers for dinner, and everything is now ready to be packed into the car for delivery today. Phew.

It would have been easy to say "no", that the notice was too short, that I couldn't possibly be ready in time. But if I worked at it I could do it, and did! It was nice to be able to help the United Arts Council out on such short notice, and a real opportunity to have exposure at the Norris Center in downtown Naples in February. Will sales come of it? Who knows? But I'll be "out there" showing my work and getting some publicity, and very grateful for the opportunity!

Hey, there's even be a reception! I'll let you know the details.

Chocolate Pudding Fruit, Winter Morning Daily Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Winter Morning

5x7

Sold

We had to cancel the show in Ft. Lauderdale this weekend. We've been in some pretty tough weather conditions over the years, so the windy and cold conditions of a winter morning didn't scare us, but other circumstances combined to make it impossible to go. My deep I apologies to anyone who expected to see me there. As a consolation prize I had a nice studio visit from some collectors who come to visit when they're in town. They love my work, so it's like being surrounded by hugs while they're here!

It's quite common on Marco Island for people who have a surplus of lemons or other citrus bounty to place a basket of the excess by the door inviting visitors or customers to take what they can use. We picked up a couple of these fruit from a basket by the door of someone we were visiting. It was completely new to me and I just had to try one.

We were told the name was Chocolate Pudding fruit, or Black Sapote, one of the persimmon family. Apparently the origin is Mexican, and is much used today by Florida's Native American population.

Our instructions were to let it ripen until it was very soft, sort of a like an avocado ready for guacamole, and then open the top with a sharp knife and scoop out the chocolate pudding. We were surprised a couple of weeks later with a fruit full of delicious chocolate pudding--well, maybe more like a mousse. It sounds as though the tree gets very large, and is quite messy, but can be kept small and still bear fruit. There were some large oval seeds in the middle, and I've planted them in a pot. It could be that in the years ahead you'll see a basket by my front door!