Vanishing Lands
24x30, acrylic on canvas
$900

The Picayune Stand State Forest was the scene of a celebrtaion yesterday marking the beginning of a project to restore natural water flow to the Everglades grassland south of I-75.

The project was approved in 2000, but funds have been a long time in coming. Florida Senator Bill Nelson assures that the rest of the money will come more easily, and that a complete job will be done. Let's hold him to it!

Standoffish

5x7 acrylic on canvas

$150

Burr-r-r-r-r! It's cold here this morning, colder and cold longer than we're used to. I smell like the cedar chest. I opened up the old, scarred chest for the first time in ages to find my own remaining wool sweater. I've owned it long enough that it's thigh-length, in today's current fashion!

The geckos are hiding and the palms are looking a little peaked, but the sky is blue and the sun is shining brightly. I'm hoping that the orchids will make it through this cold spell on their own. The last time it was this cold I brought them into the house along with a resident snake. Won't do that again!

Goals and Resolutions, Happy in Crowds daily painting by artist JoAnn Sanborn

Happy in Crowds

5x7 acrylic on board

$150

Now that the holidays are past, it's time to begin working toward the year's goals. Setting goals, with completion times attached, is the best way for me to get something done.

I'm going to paint a large painting every month. I want to take at least one painting class this year, visit more museum shows, finish cataloging my paintings, improve my newsletter, and thank people who help me weekly. I'm grateful for my online friends, art and otherwise, and want to do a better job of connecting online.

As I thought about the coming year, I believe that most people expect it to be better than the last few years. But what does that actually mean? More access to money? Better jobs? New houses? That we'll go back to times before the last decade? The reality is that times change in ways we can't foresee.

So, I'm going to try to keep an open mind in 2010. Look at new things without prejudice and maybe try a few. We can move along with the tidal swell of the future, or we can look back, digging our feet in the sand. If we do, we're left behind.

Fresh Start, Daily Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

The Rocks, Gloucester

20x24, acrylic on canvas

Happy New Year to you and yours! New morning, new day, new year! May you dwell on your dreams to fullfillment in 2010! 2009 was a tough year in many ways, but there were a few high points to treasure. Still, I'm ready for a fresh start. How about you?

Today's painting was done as a gift and sent just before Christmas. An overdue commission was finished and delivered on Wednesday. You can read my January newsletter here. Interested in learning more about painting with acrylics? My class starts January 5th at the Marco Island Center for the Arts. Phew! Still busy! Guess that's a good thing.

Wishes for a Wonderful Holiday!

The Artists at the Esplanade held great party for our Holiday Open House. Even Lulu our mannequin was decked out for the party. The weather was perfect for viewing the short but sweet Marco Island Boat Parade, and artists were in a party mood. We all had a wonderful time sharing refreshments, and Season's Greetings and Merry Christmas to everyone and enjoying the beautiful harp music of Kim Adamson. Thanks for stopping in!
Holiday Hours can be found on our website. You might be needing a last-minute handmade gift!

While I'll still be at the studio, I'm taking time off from this blog between Christmas and the New Year. It's a time to be spent with family and friends, a time for reflection and renewal. I'll be enjoying Christmas, and then will get very busy cleaning out the old and focusing on the new.

I like to start each year fresh. I agree with artist mentor and coach Alyson Stanfield who suggests that you look back and write down your accomplishments of the past year and then look ahead to what you'd like to accomplish in the year ahead. Try it. You'll be amazed at what you've done!

Rightside Gallery served a warm mulled wine that smelled heavenly and tasted just as good. We kept it in a crock pot between our Christmas trees. Here's the recipe as my gift to you!

Jo-Ann's Christmas Mulled Wine

Make a sugar syrup with 3/4 cup sugar and 3/4 cup water. Add 6 whole cinnamon sticks, 6 whole cloves, s few shakes of nutmeg and the zest of a lemon and an orange. Bring to a simmer, simmer 5 minutes. Add:

2 bottles red wine (cabernet is fine)

1 bottle blackberry wine ( if you can't find the blackberry wine, a brandy would work

Top with leftover lemon and orange slices. Serve quite warm.

It's been a tough year, and a tough decade. Let's bring in the New Year with hope and promise for a better future. Best Wishes for Wonderful, Joyous Holidays and for a Happy, Healthy New Year to you and yours!

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.

Seth Godin, One of a Kind painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

One of a Kind

16x20, acrylic on canvas

$400

This palm caught my eye at the head of the Marsh Trail, the new trail into the Fakahatchee only a few miles from Marco Island. It was absolutely glowing in the warmth of the late afternoon sun. I took a photo and wanted to paint it before the memory faded. A few minutes later the sun had moved in the sky and the palm didn't have nearly the same appeal.

Times are fast changing, and one way I try to stay up to date is to read the blog of Seth Godin. He wrote "Tribes" and he's trying once again to update our thinking. His ideas are revolutionary, and he has an extraordinary group of friends You can get his new ebook, free, here.Wish I had time to figure out what a riff is--I'll save that exercise for later!

At My Side painting by Everglades Artist JoAnn Sanborn

At My Side

42x60

AT MY SIDE is a painting of two palm trees side by side at the water’s edge. The taller of the two is a little older, and seems to be sheltering the other with its fronds. Both are solid, well defined, and healthy. They have grown on land that rises a little above the rest of the sawgrass prairie, hat supports them and allows them to flourish.

There’s variety in the grasses at the water’s edge in both color and size, and the passages unifies the painting as the eye moves across. The opening onto the prairie allows the eye to move into the painting onto the water-rich prairie, into the future, into the unknown. The way in is smooth rather than rocky and the ancient limestone below is solid. This, along with a light breeze gives movement and life to the landscape.

The sky is dark, but morning clouds are beginning to brighten the day. They have variety in size and color as well, but not enough movement to disrupt the serenity of the morning. The scene is quiet and peaceful, rich with the promise of a new day.

Corn Plant, Volunteer of the Year

I hate to admit it, but another day has gone by without a daily painting. I've got a large commission due tomorrow, and in order to keep to schedule, I've put other work aside and have been working on the commission in my home studio as well as at the new Esplanade Studio.

The heady smell of our corn plant in bloom just outside the studio distracted me and drew me outdoors for this photo. Corn plants are a slow growing neotropical pole shrub that looks similar to vegetable corn when young. They bloom in December and the scent is particularly strong at night. It's sweet fragrance is noticeable from hundreds of feet away and easily recognizable. It's accompanied by a sticky pollen that insects and hummingbirds love.

Congratulations to Keith Dameron who was named Volunteer of the Year at Marco Island's Christmas Island Style Gala last night. Keith's wide range of interests and enthusiasms has led him to support many island organizations, and he's been particularly supportive of the arts. We share the goal of building community through art awareness and art opportunities on the island. Way to go, Keith!

Full Moon, Commissions, Painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Today's Everglades painting is a 16x20, started and worked on just for the pleasure of it. I've been busy with commissions, including a large one due next week in soft neutrals with a touch of greens and blues, another of the Adirondack Valley, and another painting I'll give as a Christmas gift.

I usually have several paintings going at a time since it keeps the work fresh picking it up anew several times a day. It keeps me from getting bogged down in one paintings issues, which often solve themselves if I see them out of the corner of my eye while I"m working on something else.

Still, it was fun to do just what I wanted for a while! This painting will get another go-over before I'm done since the sky isn't quite right yet, but I love the dawn softness this scene will portray.

Have you been enjoying the glorious full moon we've had this week? A couple of days ago it was positively glowing when I left the gallery at the Esplanade and headed home. Lovely!

Prairie Radiance

5x7, acrylic on board

$150 Framed and shipped

Everglades prairies are wide swaths of open, treeless land covered by sawgrass and other wetlands plants. The freshwater prairies are called marl prairies. Marl is rich mud or mudstone over the limestone, holds in moisture and is wet enough for some plants to survive through the driest season.

The sawgrass is shorter here than in the sloughs, and the land will also allow a lantana or swamp lily to flourish. Alligators live on these open prairies, and the paths they make through the prairies are used by other animals like the deer and the panther.

The sawgrass that covers the prairies is not a "true" grass, but actually a member of the sedge family, characterized by sharp teeth along the edges of each blade. The grasses were once over nine feet tall south of Lake Okeechobee in areas of rich soil now covered by sugar cane production. In drier areas the grass is shorter.

Fires are a natural part of the cycle of the prairie and play an important role in sawgrass habitat. Fires limit the invasion of woody vegetation that would eventually change the marsh, but the wet roots of the sawgrass protect it from the flames even though the parts of them above the ground may burn.

We're just starting the dry season here in south Florida, and will begin to see changes in the patterns of plant and animal life as the dramatic storms of our wet season decrease and fire danger increases.

Turkey, Ben Franklin, and More

We spotted this fellow showing off to a few of his friends on a visit to Maine. Isn't he magnificent? Just what Ben Franklin must have been thinking about when the country was choosing the national bird. The turkey, however, lost out to the Bald Eagle. Oh, well. Bald is beautiful, too!

The Fall Arts and Craft fair at the Marco Island Center for the Arts on Saturday had just the right amount of visitors and artists. It was a small, intimate show, with enough time to talk with everyone, artists and collectors alike. Three of my paintings went for home visits, and may be adopted.

I'm taking time out this week to visit with family over the Thanksgiving holiday and will be doing what fits into their schedule this week. Such a pleasure to be with adorable grandsons. You may remember with Nate did a great painting of me painting in my studio last year. I'll cook a large turkey with all the trimmings and share the leftovers, especially the pies, with everyone.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to look at what's important to us, and to remember how fortunate we are to live here on beautiful Marco Island with the natural world so close. Whatever your own situation this Thanksgiving, take a moment to reflect on our troops, so far away from family and friends, in such difficult situations. You can send them a card to let them know that they're appreciated. Thanks to Xerox, (and Diana who told me about it) it's easy and will only take seconds to send a soldier a thank you card by clicking here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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!

Foggy Morning

5x7, acrylic on board

$150

Several of the artists who met for almost three years at a once a month art talk luncheon are involved in the Artist Colony at the Esplanade. We're on regular schedules, and don't seem to have time to just sit around, have lunch, and discuss art.

It seems silly to take the time since we have the opportunity to see each other around the complex. But we're much more likely to say "Did we get our first electric bill yet?" (we did, and it's affordable, thank goodness!) than what did you think of the Founders Show this year?

I miss our sit down, relax, and talk about art luncheons. I want to know what each of my artbfriends are up too--not running around the Colony, but in their art minds. I want to see their latest work and hear what it means to them. Maybe we can plan a breakfast soon.

Palm Reflection

5x7, acrylic on board

$150, framed and shipped

Ribbon Cutting at the new Artist Colony at the Esplanade. All seventeen of us are in the photo, but I'm behind the guy in the wheel chair and the woman with the scissors. It was a fabulous event that met all of our expectations. We were delighted to have so many segments of our community turn out for the event! When the artists party, we do have a good time!

We're all part of the Artist Colony, but have decided that names for our three separate storefronts will help people to locate us within the complex. My studio mates are still debating a name for ours. The group gallery, nine artists, have named themselves "Waterfront Gallery to highlight their location. The other studio/gallery of three artists named Portside, again for their location.

It would seem that Starboard Studios and Gallery would be a logical choice, but some don't like it. For others, we're re as far apart as can be on a proper name. Here are some of the suggestions:

Northcourt Studios & Gallery
Marina Studios & Gallery
Harborside Studios
The Rightside Gallery
Rightside Gallery
Number 5 Gallery & Studios
Gallery 5 and Studios or Art Gallery 5 & Studios
Force 5 Studio and Gallery
Marco Art Gallery and Studio
Courtyard Studios & Gallery
>MI Gallery and Studios
Gulf Coast Gallery & Studios
Studio 760

We're certainly trying. I've changed my mind several times, but now like Marina Studios and Gallery. Maybe that's because I'm from Gloucester, MA, and a lot of the very best studios are along the waterfront in the Marinas. I could also go with Starboard or Courtyard. What do you think?

You're Invited!

Artist Colony at the Esplanade

Grand Opening

Thursday, November 12, 5-8 pm

Meet the Artists!
Carolyn Burger, Darren Clack, Tony Dallman-Jones, Maggie DeMarco, Robert Frettoloso, Tracy Gudgel, Sandy Howe, Inez Hudson, Claire Keery, Carolyn McAndrew, William Ward Mosley,
Betty Newman, Tara O'Neill, Susan Patton, Phyllis Pransky, Pat Perroti and Jo-Ann Sanborn

An evening of art, music and other delights!

Artist Colony at the Esplanade
740-760 North Collier Blvd
Marco Island, Florida, 34145

Hope you can come!

Directions

Marco Island Center for the Arts Birthday Bash

The Marco Island Center for the Arts 40th birthday bash was lots of fun. It was back to the sixties with Harvey Wallbangers, great outfits, simple but delicious food, terrific decorations and a good time had by all. It was so nice to see long time Art League supporter and artist Charlie Horn looking terrific and having a wonderful time.

Collaborative 40, the painting above, is the result of 40 different artists taking a prepared panel and using their own creative image and materials to complete it. Everyone had their own panel favorites.

Because there is Velcro on the supports and Velcro on the panels, they can be arranged in a variety of ways and in any direction. A number of party guests tried their hand at arranging the panels to suit themselves. Some lucky party participant will have the opportunity to arrange the artwork for final installation. Can't wait to see it!

Yes, I've been painting the daily paintings, but am having some difficulty getting a decent photo to post. They look fine in my new camera at the studio, but awful when I get them to the computer. Hope to overcome this soon!

Fab Five Exhibition, Marco Island

Artists Betty Newman, Jo-Ann Sanborn, Inez Hudson, Tara O'Neill, and Phyllis Pransky are Marco Island's Fab Five!

So much art to see on Marco Island these days! The new Artist Colony at the Esplanade with 17 artists in 3 locations makes for a great art walk. But don't stop there! If you haven't visited the Blue Mangrove Gallery, just across the way in Town Center Mall on Marco Island, you're missing something special.

Owner Christie is a great supporter of the arts and artists, and the Fab Five Exhibition is the first of it's kind on the island. She's chosen five island artists for an exhibition, and the reception was held last Wed evening. A nice steady crowd turned out for the event. The gallery looked great and the reception was lots of fun.

Someone asked me if we were in competition. My answer was that art is very personal, and that when people look at the wall of fifteen paintings, three from each artist, any two people probably wouldn't pick the same favorite. Since we each have our own style, some people will respond stronger to some artists than others.

We grow by knowing each other's art, learn from each others critique, but we share each other's joy when a painting finds a good home.

Out with the Girls

5x7, acrylic on board

$150 framed and shipped

Reception Tonight

Five Fabulous Femmes Exhibition

Inex Hudson, Betty Newman, Tara O'Neill, Phyllis Pransky, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Blue Mangrove Gallery

5:00

See you there!

Artist Colony artists were up for some fun

On the night the pumpkins danced

With bats and goblins all around

We were all entranced!