Morning, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on Canvas, 12x12"

LAST WEDNESDAY ARTWALK

Artist Colony at the Esplanade

Wednesday April 27, 2011  

 5 pm - 8 pm

Play the Match Game!

New Art Works, Refreshments, Live Music,

FUN! Maybe a prize or two!

And if you come, you can purchase any of the four sunrise/sunset palette knife paintings for $125 each  at April's ArtWalk!

Too much passion becomes a curse, Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Spring Sunset, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 12x12,

I love working with a palette knife.  You can really go at the painting in a very immediate and almost physical way.  The knife flew out of my hand several times while working on some passages.  Still, I find that the knife alone cannot produce the quality of finished I like in a painting.  I'll experiment some more to integrate the delightful tactile textures and mixes of the knife with some brushwork to produce the right balance of finish for the final painting.  

Just as in life, it's balance that works, and sometimes too much passion can be a curse. 

Spring Sunrise II, Painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Spring Sunset II, Jo-Ann Sanborn, 2011

acyclic on canvas, 12x12

Just like Spring Sunrise, today's sunset was done almost completely with a palette knife.  I'm really enjoying the way the color mixes on the canvas.  More paint brings more texture, too.  

The Everglades have become the focus of my work and I continue to enjoy the interest they provide.  Still, I value the time occasionally spent with other mediums and subjects. 

Approaching a different subject or trying a different medium refreshes the creativity process, opens the mind and enhances skills.  Have you tried something new lately? 

Almost Springtime

Sunshine Studios Spring Newsletter

Bright Spot Daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Bright Spot, Jo-Ann Sanborn

 acrylic on board, 7"x5"

No Everglades today!  I almost always have at least a few fresh flowers around.  They're not expensive, and even a small bouquet can bring joy and color and a spot of brightness into our home.  I try to keep fresh flowers at the studio, too, where I enjoy but rarely paint them. 

Still, every now and then a group will beg to be painted, and I'll give it a whirl.  What's your bright spot?

Global Warming, Soft and Sweet daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Soft and Sweet, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

Last week the humidity was strong enough that anything in the distance was muted and softened by the moisture in the air and the temperature was a little warmer than we expect this time of year.  The Everglades were hot and muggy, with the purples of the dry season in full glory.

In some places global warming seems a reality, in others it seems like spring will never come.  Could it be that the reign of humans as the dominant species on the planet is coming to an end?

Left Bank Art Fest is Saturday.  See you there.   

Spring Break, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Spring Break, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on Canvas, 5"x7"

It's Spring Break time on Marco, and the island is filled with young people.  Most are with friends enjoying a visit with parents or grandparents while getting some sun and fun.  It's a pleasure to see them, since they get out and about and bring a wonderful airy energy to the island. 

Today's daily painting of the Everglades reflects a lighter tone that both spring and young people bring!

See you at the Left Bank Art Fest at theEsplanade on Saturday!

Everglades Spring, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Everglades Spring, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5x7

Oops!  Sorry if you've seen this painting before--technical difficulties! 

Longer days, warmer temperatures, and gorgeous skies are the hallmarks of our springtime.  It's the driest time of year in the two-season Everglades, with the wet season still a few months off. 

On Marco Island signs of regrowth abound, triggered by the longer days.  The scent of my glorious blooming Gardenia perfumes the air and powder puff clouds pepper the deep blue skies. 

Rock Star, Inside or Out? Daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Rock Star, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5x7

One of the questions I’m most often asked is “did you paint this outside, or in the studio?” My answer more often now than in the past is that I painted inside. Years of time were spent painting outside a couple of times a week. I still visit the Everglades every chance I get, and usually take a number of photos to work from.

These photos are not carefully composed to ensure I get every detail, but casually taken to remind me of what I saw. It could be the way the light hit a particular feature of the landscape or perhaps the way a palm frond thrusts up into the sky. In any case, a glace will transport me back to the time and place and I’m ready to begin.

You can’t learn to paint landscapes inside. I harp on this theme often, since I teach a landscape class inside. You must get outside in order to see the relationships of time, space and color for yourself. All of the lessons I give inside can prime you, and help you, but you must study the natural world from observation to learn to paint the landscape well.

When I’m outside, my paintings are more responsive and immediate as I react to the reality of the wind, sun, light, and foliage. More choices are in my face, and I must work quickly and loosely to capture the scene. 

As a more mature artist, I find that studio time allows me to be more reflective and thoughtful. My paintings delve deeper into the well of knowledge I’m still acquiring. I can make and change choices of features, color, light and time of day.

Is one better than the other? I don’t think so. I’ve come to believe that working both inside and outside helps me to see better, think better, and develop more deeply as an artist.

Spring Sunrise, Jo-Ann Sanborn, 2011

acrylic on canvas, 12"x12

I took a workshop recently with Brian Curtis, University of Miami Art Department professor.  The class used only black and white paint, and the subject was expressive landscapes with the focus on values.  I'm always one for strengthening my values, hadn't taken a workshop myself for far too long, and the class came highly recommended.

I paint thinly and was excited by the use of so much paint!  It turns out the class wasn't at all what I expected, with so many people jammed in a small non-studio room that it was almost impossible to be expressive with brushstroke.  Still, Curtis was a wealth of knowledge and it was a pleasure to hear him speak and comment both about painting and about our changing society. 

I used the palette knife exclusively for the two day workshop. The results were interesting and expressive, and I came away loving the texture and depth forced by using the knife and from having to make a decision on what was black, what was white.

The palette knife probably doesn't suit my usual style of working,  Still, there are delightful surprises in the way the colors mix on the canvas.  I'll return to using it for excitement and expression occasionally, I'm sure. 

The value parts of the class are still simmering in my brain....

Art Class, Palm trees and Painting

Two Palms

Today’s palm tree painting was started as a demo in the Landscape Class lesson on Trees. They were done quickly in order to demonstrate in response to questions, but I like what was happening and the painting may have potential. 

Each student had taken a photo of a tree or some trees, and worked on painting from photos. We talked about the character of trees, the way light works on them and through them, and how the same rules of atmospheric progression apply. We often found ourselves looking at the lush foliage outside the window to help us define a concept or illustrate a point.

Here’s a rather poor photograph of the class’s excellent results on our water day!

I love teaching, and will post a schedule for my classes on my website by September for those of you who want to plan ahead. I’m also working on some terrific workshops by some really great artists for the Art League next season. Keep in touch!

Safe Journey, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

April 1 is no joke (April Fools Day) on Marco Island.  April 1 signals a slowly growing peace as the frenetic activity of season comes to a close and our snowbirds begin their yearly migration north.  

Traffic, activities and attendance will begin to slow as the heat of our sub-tropical climate increases and about two-thirds of our population begin to leave the island.  Today's daily painting is symbolic of starting out on a new journey. 

When I was sailing I always superstitiously tossed any change in my pocket into the sea to appease the Sea Gods.  I've done that this morning for you.  To those who may be making a journey, I wish you light winds and calm waters until your return. 

Meet and Greet, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

Today's Everglades painting is really all about meeting and greeting others. One of the pleasures of having a studio in commercial space with the Artist Colony at the Esplanade on Marco Island is that I get to meet all kinds of interesting people who wander in while I'm working.  You never know who'll come in, and if you like to meet and greet, there's plenty of opportunity.

Dreama Tolle Perry was in the studio la couple of weeks ago.  She was visiting Marco Island for a few days of respite, and wandered in with her husband and a friend. We chatted before I knew who she was, and was almost overcome over when I discovered who I was speaking with! If you don’t know Dreama, she is an artist, and half of the team that produces the weekly radio show Artists helping Artists. Her paintings are colorful and fabulous, and she’s lovely and gracious, and just as delightful as she sounds on the radio.

One of the things she noticed right away was my method of paint organization. I have a clear, over-the-door shoe holder to hold my paint supply, and use it to organize the tubes by color. It’s very easy to see what colors you have on hand and what it’s time to order. Dreama thought it was a clever idea, and two shows later spoke on the show about this method being a helpful tip for artists.

The show is terrific, geared to helping developing artists market their best work, but there’s plenty of substance for mid-career artists as well. This particular show answered a question of artist Mary Sheehan Winn, another artist and friend who stopped by two days after Dreama. The shows are all recorded and can be listened to while you paint or work on something that doesn’t require much attention. Listen in, and tell Dreama I sent you!

I'm going to work on getting Dreama Tolle Perry and her radio and sometimes workshop partner Leslie Saita to come to Marco for a workshop.  Would you like that, too?  If so, let me know! 

Dark and Suffering

The photo above is from a demonstration I did recently at my studio in the Esplanade. I tone all my canvases with a nice warm dark, usually a mix of dark red and blue, as soon as they arrive, and always have some toned canvases ready for the next painting.   My habit is to work from the dark canvas by blocking in the darks and working towards the light.

Other artists, especially in Florida, tone with a bright orange or red, feeling that the compliment will spark up all the green.  Other artists tone with a medium grey, and find that it's easy to see what's in light and shadow by starting in the middle.

I work back and forth, from the lights to the darks without worrying too much about anything but getting the feeling of the space until a composition begins to emerge.  From the darkness a plan emerges, once I'm satisfied with this rough block out I'll begin to add volume to the forms and develop a color strategy. 

Since daylight savings, I can't seem to get out of the dark.  I'm a morning person, and do my best working and thinking as the sun rises.  I feel for the late risers, who are probably more affected during the Fall switchback and delighted in spring, but find that daylight savings Daylight Savings Time has thrown me completely off my regular schedule. It's worse as I age, too. 

Even though it's been more than a week, I'm still suffering.  After waking naturally to gently lengthening days, having a sudden shift back to the dark is like waking up in a dark pit.  I find myself sluggish and slow thinking for hours. 

The health benefits of Daylight savings are mixed, providing more sunlight hours for exercise and outdoor activities, but possibly the cause for a rise in suicide rates and heart attacks right after the changeover.  It's time we got back to our natural rhythms! 

With so many serious problems in the world to worry about, this is a small one.  But I'm just saying, how's a person to solve them if half of the solvers can't wake up?

What's on your palette?

Art's Afire!, the week long celebration of arts and culture on Marco Island was terrific!  It culminated in a beautiful evening of celebration and awards.  It was a busy time, a wide variety of events happening around town all week.  I believe that arts help build community through shared experiences, and last week was a great example as people who might not come together otherwise enjoyed the events. 

The Afterglow Gala was specular.  Held at the Island Country Club, doors opened to a trumpet fanfare, the ceiling glowed with paper lanterns.  World renown Everglades photographer Clyde Butcher was there, and  PT Barnum and Reese Witherspoon made brief appearances.  Several of Marco's elected officials were seen having FUN!  The food was supurb, ending with delicious, flaming baked Alaska.

The Awards all held a requirement for service to community as well as achievement, and it was with great pleasure that I handed an envelope containing the name of the winner to each presenter.  Thanks to Ken Stroud, Commissioner Donna Fiala, Keith Dameron, Sandi Johnson and Howard Blankman for presenting the beautiful glass engraved awards. 

     Tara O'Neill - Individual Artistic Achievement

     Tyler MacDonald - Emerging Artist

     Public/Private Art in Business - Dave Rice

     Arts in Education - the Calusa Garden Club

     Cultural Leadership - Clyde Butcher

Tyler is a 15 year old nature photographer, and meeting Clyde was the highlight of his evening.  It was a magical community evening filled with good will.  I'm hoping it will become a yearly event. 

After taking a break from painting for a week, I'm going back with a slightly different palette.  Pretty colors, nice change.  What's on your palette today? 

Arts Afire Ignites the Arts on Marco Island! Changing Light painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Changing Light, Jo-Ann Sanborn, 2011

acrylic on canvas, 30"x30"

Arts Afire!, Marco’s celebration of Arts and Culture, starts tomorrow, and there are so many wonderful opportunities for people to see, view, and participate in a wide range of arts and culture events over the 10 days of Arts Afire!

One event that is sure to be well attended and VERY special will be Flashpoint, a Kick-Off Party at CJ’s on the Bay held by the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce on Monday, March 14th.  In addition to the literary and performing arts delighting you, the Artist Colony at the Esplanade will provide an opportunity for your participation in the Visual arts, but that's only a small part of what will happen at Flashpoint. Flashpoint will truly light the spark of arts and culture on Marco, and will delight you.  Don't miss it! 

On Wednesday, March 16th, The Artist Colony at the Esplanade will have demonstrations by each of the Colony artists all day long.  Stop in and have the opportunity to look deeper into each artists muse.  Some will demonstrate or show you a special technique, some will talk about their own art, and some, about the art of others.  Here's our schedule"

10:00 Waterfront Gallelry and Studios, Karen Swanker - Found objects

10:30      Rightside Studios, Darren Clack

11:00     Waterfront Studios Gallery and Studios, Maggie DeMarco - Glass Painting

11:30     Portside Studios, Inez Hudson - Inspiration

12:00     Rightside studios, Tara O’Neill - Art with an Intimate Focus

12:30     Waterfront Gallelry and Studios, Tom Gallagher - Watercolor techniques

1:00     Portside Studios,  Amanda Ganong

1:30     Rightside Studios, Betty Newman - Painting on Water

2:00 Waterfront, Tony Dallman Jones Sculpting with Light - 22nd Century Art

2:30     Portside Studios, Carolyn Burger - The Diversity of Acrylics

3:00     Rightside Studios, Jo-Ann Sanborn - Everglades, Light and Love

3:30     Waterfront Gallery, Claire Keery - Collage and Assemblage as an Artform

The week will culminate in a fabulous Afterglow Gala at the Island Country Club.  Tickets can be purchased online here. 

What a week!  Here's a SMALL sampling of the weeks events:

Opera!  (Opera Naples at Lutheran Church on Sunday - costumes and scenery!)
Dance! (Spotlight Dance at the Esplanade Monday)
History! (Museum on Sunday)
Song! (Ray and Mary Ellen Friday)
Flowers! (Art in Bloom at the Art League)
Movies! (MIFA Wed and Mackle, Friday)
Art show and all day entertainment!  (Art League)
Art of Flaming Food (Bergman at St Marks Tuesday
Photography!  (Clyde Butcher Lecture Wed at Historical Society)
Mimes and more! 

This can be wonderful!  It's still growing, but you can download a copy of the latest Arts Afire! schedule of events here or pick one up in any of the studios.  I'll be taking the week off from this blog to enjoy the events.  See you out and about!   

Life's a Beach, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on archival board, 5x7"

Landscape class started yesterday and I've got a wonderful group of fine artists to share and grow with!  We spoke about the light yesterday, and how the light changes as it moves through the sky.  I gave out a handout about light on forms, but a student suggested I develop a handout about the changes of color and light.  It's something that needs to be observed, over and over until it becomes part of a landscape painters vocabulary, but here's a start to get you thinking about how colors change as the day progresses.   

Morning Light

Cool early morning light retains influence of night colors
Colors grayer in the early morning
More yellows appear as rising sun warms the land
Shadows usually soft
Horizon is lighter than the rest of the sky
Often there’s a beautiful array of soft, subtle color just before sunrise

Mid-Day Light
More orange in the mixes
Bluer sky affects the shadows more
Strong value contrasts between light and shadow areas
Bowl effect of sky becomes very strong
Light on the horizon, deep blues at the zenith

Late Afternoon Light
Colors are grayer and warmer as the daylight mixes with pollution
Yellows turn to umbers
Shadows lengthen

Sunset Light
Sun goes through more atmosphere as it sinks to the horizon
Increases the amount of warm reds, yellows and oranges
As sun sets,  the purples and deep blues of night slowly take over
Top of the sky darkens more quickly than near the horizon

On another subject, you may have visited the Art Artist Colony at the Esplanade  and wondered how one of the artists conceived and executed a painting or other work of art.  Here's a chance for you to meet them, hear what they have to say, and ask questions.  We'll be having a FREE meet the Artists demonstrations and lectures event every half hour NEXT Wednesday, March 16th, as part of Arts Afire, so put it on your calendar now! 

Here's the schedule!  

10:00 am     Waterfront Studios & Gallery,  Karen Swanker - Found Objects
10:30 am     Rightside Studios, Darren Clack
11:00 am     Waterfront Studios & Gallery, Maggie DeMarco - Glass Painting
11:30 am     Portside Studios, Inez Hudson, Inspiration
12:00 noon  Rightside Studios, Tara O’Neill - Art with an Intimate Focus
12:30 pm     Waterfront Studios & Gallery, Tom Gallagher
1:00 pm       Portside Gallery, Amanda Ganong
1:30  pm      Rightside Studios, Betty Newman - Painting on Water
2:00 pm       Waterfront Studios, Tony Dallman Jones - Sculpting with Light
2:30 pm       Portside Studios, Carolyn Burger - The Diversity of Acrylics
3:00 pm       Rightside Studios, Jo-Ann Sanborn - Everglades, Light and Love

3:30 pm       Waterfront Studios, Claire Keery Collage, Assemblage as an Artform

We'll look forward to seeing you.  I've got a nice, new, oversized postcard for those who come to mine! 

Art League's New Directions, painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Radiant in Spring, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on archival board, 5"x7"

The Art League of Marco hired a new director recently, after nearly a year of search for just the right person.  D (yep, that's the name, just the letter!) Michaels, hailing from Colorado, seems like a great fit.  She's a tiny dynamo with an upbeat attitude and a warm smile, and community partnerships in mind.

She's slowly getting her feet under her--remember the Art League was in a bit of a pickle with both funding and image problems, on a bit of a slippery slope.  There's a sound financial plan in place now, a new enthusiasm among the members, and things are looking up. 

D's a connector, and looking for ways for the Art League to partner and build relationships with friends and community organizations.  One of her first ventures was to partner with the Naples Children's Museum, soon to open, but already beginning to offering  some exciting and FREE classes for children at the Art League right here on the island. 

The Art League will be very involved in Arts Afire! next week.  First, March 11 and 12th, Art in Bloom, will be presented at that Art League, a partnership with the Calusa Garden Club.  In addition to having their annual awards show at the Art League, Garden Club members will interpret the work of local artists in flowers for the gallery show.  They'll have some outdoor vendors of garden related items as well. Should be fun. 

The second weekend, March 19 and 20, will be the Art League's Celebrate the Arts.  They were kind enough to reschedule this weekend at the City's request to coordinate with the last weekend of Arts Afire!  The Marco National arts and crafts show will be held on the grounds, as well as two full days of arts and entertainment on the big stage, and a car show besides!  I'll be there with my only tent show of the season.  Come out and support Marco's Art League.  You'll have a great time!

Check out the class lists, too.  There are several good ones!  Landscape class starts tomorrow with an optional day April 1st painting out in the Everglades.  Don't miss!

Signing and dating paintings

Pond with Bald Cypress, Jo-Ann Sanborn, 2011

acrylic on canvas, 5"x7"

I sign and date my paintings with charcoal pencil on the back. This practice probably comes from owning a small painting of an uncle dated 1942. It’s a painting of some pink roses in a basket, darkish background, light on the flowers, with a couple of bees flying around. I wonder if the flowers were real and the basket of roses sat on a porch scenting the warm summer air drawing bees while my aunt sipped lemonade and chatted with my uncle as he painted. I wonder why he wasn’t at war, and how he had time to paint during that difficult year. I like knowing the year.

So I sign and date and name my paintings on the back with a charcoal pencil, knowing there’s a risk that someone may refuse to purchase because the painting might not be my newest work. Usually paintings sell within a year or two, but sometimes one hangs about the studio for a while, just waiting for a collector who will immediately identify with the work, love and understand it where no one else has felt that connection.

Occasionally, however, familiarity breeds a desire to improve, and I’ll take up my brush and alter the painting in some way. Curving a line a little more, or adding a spot of light might enhance the value or the composition and doesn’t really change things and the painting is better because of it.

Sometimes, however, a painting just hasn’t reached the point of being all it can be, and major redevelopment occurs. What do I do with the date when this happens? Usually nothing, if the adjustments are minor, but if it’s a major revision, I’ll note that on the back. Why not? To call yourself an artist is to grown and learn, and when that happens, there’s no shame to admitting it!

Teaching again and Clyde Butcher!

Jo-Ann Sanborn and Clyde Butcher at the Fakahatchee Safari taken by fabulous Everglades photographer Jay Stanton

Do you paint, but want a little jump start on the Florida landscape?  Paint what you see but don't get what you  want?  Have trouble with clouds? 

I'm teaching a class focusing on Florida Landscape starting March 8th at the Art League of Marco Island.  You're invited to come along!   Four Tuesday mornings will be short and sweet classes indoors all about the landscape.  We'll cover trees, skies, water, atmospheric progression, and a lot more in the two hours we have together each week,

Then, on April 1, I'll lead a brave and hearty group out to spend a morning painting in the Everglades. The "plein air" day will be "stand alone" from the class, and you can take one or both. 

Actually, you don't really need to be brave or hearty either.  We'll be on solid ground, not in the water like famous Everglades photographer Clyde Butcher who loves to wade with the alligators!

Come along, it'll be fun!  Sign up online or call the Art League of Marco Island to register today.