Snowman Extravaganza at ArtWalk!

Snowman #2, 2011, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

Please join me

for the first ever

Snowman Extravaganza!

(see opportunity below!)

And some spiced wine and cookies!

Artist Colony at the Esplanade

Rightside Studio

November ArtWalk

Wednesday, November 30

5-8 PM

Here's how the Snowman Extravaganza will work:

No one will be admitted until 5 p.m. when the snowmen will be unveiled 

One dozen snowmen, maybe a few more will be displayed on their own special easels.

Your choice, first some first served.

$75.00 each -- Half the usual price of my daily paintings

This is the only date/time to obtain your dated and signed collectible snowman (unless repeated next year!)

If you can't be on Marco for this event, ask a friend to pick out a special snowman for you.

Perfect for giving, or treat yourself  

Mindful, Summer's Clouds daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Summer's Clouds, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

Time is flying, and summer's clouds are all but a memory.  While writing my book, I searched for a word to describe the way the Everglades landscape responds to winter, spring, summer, fall, while retaining two distinct seasons, the wet and the dry. While the flora and fauna of the glades environment are driven by the wet and dry, the change of light and heat as the earth revolves around the sun also have an effect.

I finally settled on "mindful." It means "aware" actively attentive, or deliberately keeping something in mind. 

We are coming into the dry season. As more and more humans journey to South Florida for the dry, warmer weather, the animals and plants of the Everglades are taking actions to help them survive without much water for the next few months.


If you like knowing more about the Everglade environment, and enjoy looking at images of my paintings, you'll enjoy my book, Embracing the Everglades. Is it on your holiday gift list? It can be purchased online directly from my website and is available at my studio in the Esplanade.   

And for the holiday season, "mindfu' seems to fit.  I'm asking you to be mindful as you shop this season. 

You can be mindful of the meaning of Christmas, a time of kindness and sharing and joy and giving.

You can be mindful of the gifts you select.  Who made them?  Are they made by a real person, with love and care? Can someone answer your questions about how the gift was made?

You can be mindful of where you purchase.  Will you get great customer service from someone who knows how hard you are working to get just the right gift?  Will you get help when you want/need it?

You can be mindful of the merchants on Marco Island this year who might be suffering in the dismal economy and will appreciate your business. Bonus to you--no traffic, plenty of parking, and great customer service!

So, be mindful that you're getting exactly what you want this season, and that your money is going where you are pleased to have it go.
 
Please join the Artist Colony at the Esplanade for last Wednesday's ArtWalk, Wednesday, November 30, 5-8. for our Holiday Open House.  I've got something special for you.  Check in on Tuesday to learn the details! 

See my next post for information about my first ArtWalk SNOWMAN EXTRAVAGANZA!  I'll be serving a great mulled beverage and delicious cookies too!

Thanksgiving, Out on Jane's by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Out on Janes, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on Canvas, 16"x20"

So much to be thankful for! For me Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and really appreciate my life.   I’ve never gone hungry, always have had a roof over my head, a terrific and supportive family, a sustaining relationship with my dear husband, and work I’ve found satisfying.

 

That doesn’t mean I’ve never had hard times.  I have, but I try not to focus on them.  Get through them, learn from them, and move on.  This Thanksgiving I’ll focus on what I’m thankful for as a working artist. 

I love my job. 

There’s a beautiful world to paint.

 

My paintings are recognizable anywhere as my own

           

The warm, wonderful and changing light of South Florida provides daily inspiration

I have quality materials, and right now at least, enough of them

A supportive Artist Colony to share with and learn from.

A wonderful studio at a cost I can afford. 

Students where learning goes both ways. 

Collectors who respond to my work in a positive way.

Visitors from all over the world who visit my studio and enrich my life. 

And that’s just a start.  Artists still need to eat, so I'll be cooking the Thanksgiving turkey.  I'm thankful for that, too.  What are you thankful for? 

Have a wonderful and thankful Thanksgiving holiday!

Sigh of a Breeze painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Sigh of a Breeze, 2011, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20"x24"

Sigh of a Breeze is not quite as yellow as it shows here.  With the heavy amount of glazing I've been doing the paintings are just a little color heavy in the photos.  Working on this.  Sigh

Here's an update on my recent post about working with the Marco Island Academy.  All projects and plans with the Artist Colony are off because of changes at the Academy that prompted the release of art instructor Bill Kobe.  Sigh

Since the arts are known to promote the learning of math and science, this is a huge loss to students who were already involved in a number of art focused projects. Projects that involved students thinking about broader perspectives and providing them with knowledge that would enrich their lives no matter what their final occupation. 

Bill was a terrific addition to the Marco Island arts community.  In just a few short months he had initiated incentives at the Art Center, the Artist Colony, Bonita Art Center, and with a number of arts individuals in the community.

It's a small island, and every artistic voice helps us grow culturally.  We'll miss him.  Sigh

Wrong Blog! Daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Stella, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 5"x5"

Wait, you're on the right blog!  Come back!  No palm trees or open prairie.  But a DOG?

Let me introduce you to Stella, the dog of a friend.  Stella's my friend, too.  As long as I give her treats, anyway. 

It's birthday time.  She lovers her dog.  Her dog loves her.  She'll love it. And no, I won't make a habit of it.   

Full of Promise, painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Autumn Song, 2011, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on linen, 20"x24

We look at the beauty of the land surrounding us, and take a moment to savor the promise of the day.  Autumn Song has taken on a richness and glow through layers of glazing and building up and cutting back. 

Through a touch of good fortune and an instructor who believes in the arts and community, the Artist Colony at the Esplanade is working with the Marco Island Academy with the eventual goal of producing a film about the Colony, with a short clip about each individual artist.  

The first step will be for the students to write an article for the school newspaper about their plans.  Joshua, Jakob and Armando interviewed me, as founder of the Colony, for some background information, and about my work.  They were well prepared, full of energy, and full of promise.  The techno savvy and the energy at the school was full of promise, too.  I'm excited about this opportunity!

Update!  Instructor has left and project in limbo.  Stay tuned!

Salute to Service, Flag daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

In honor of my father, Joseph  A Sanborn,who served in WWII

To all those who serve our country, past and present 

THANK YOU

 

This flag painting is one of twelve 5"x5" squares that have been created by the Artist Colony at the Esplanade on Marco Island.  The finished piece will be donated by the artists to help raise funds for a large flag and Veteran's Memorial on Marco Island.  Look for the finished piece at upcoming Veteran Events.

Luncheon for the Arts on Marco Island

Bird Centerpiece

Calusa Garden Club

Last Friday's Luncheon for the Arts was a wonderful success, with about 215 people from all segments of Marco Island coming out to honor the arts.  Harpist Kim Adamson provided delightful gathering music to get everyone in the mood and Forrest Nickols beautiful and inspiring photo of a rising heron in full plumage greeted everyone. 

The reception table was exceptional, getting everyone in on time and solving any issues quickly and with grace.  The table hosts were fabulous in both inviting people to the event and making them feel at home.  Artists and dignitaries were sprinkled throughout the room. 

The Marco Island Hilton Resort and Spa did a splendid job of feeding that many people without fuss or disturbance, and were able to offer free parking as well.  Yummy chocolate cake completed the meal. 

The Calusa Garden club provided centerpieces for each of the 22 tables, and a large display for the entrance.  One lucky person at each table got to take one home.  They were creative and distinctive and gave a wonderful, natural air to the event. 

If you missed it, you can see the opening film, Rita Blitt's "Caught in Paint" here.  And, if you couldn't come but want to see the arts remain strong on Marco, donate to the Marco Island Center for the Arts.  A rebirth, or renewal is well underway, thanks to new Executive Director Lynn Holley and a supportive board. 

Two regrets.  I completely forgot about taking photos!  Phooey!  And only one of our seven City Council members, Mr Wayne Waldack, attended.  Were the rest too busy to attend a free lunch in support of the arts?  Their loss.

Luncheon, October Aftertoon daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

October Afternoon

acrylic on canvas, 5"x7"

I'm a little behind.  The painting is an October afternoon, but I'm not getting around to posting it until November.  It's been a really busy couple of weeks getting ready to present a Luncheon for the Arts, in support of the Marco Island Center for the Arts. 

Over 200 people from all segments of the island community are expected.  We've been filling goody bags in my living room.  The wonderful image on the front of the bag by photographer Forrest Nichols makes it look like a flock of birds taking off. 

The programs for the event were finalized last night, and my job this morning was to print them while I wrote to you!  I had purchased extra ink knowing I would need it.  BIG Glitch!  I have a new printer, and the extra ink cartridge I had on hand was the wrong size.  Same number, too big.  Ugh.

Life is like that, and so is painting.  You get it all planned out and fate has other plans.  You can either roll with it or fight it.   Sometimes I choose to fight, but today, I'll roll.  It will get done, just later than I planned and the rest of the day will have to be adjusted to accommodate my error. 

Sadly, I'd whine if there was anyone hear to listen, but hubby is still sleeping peacefully. 

The luncheon will be tomorrow, at the Marco Island Hilton at noon.  It's a one-hour FREE lunch, but it is hoped that you'll do your part by opening your heart to "support."  If you haven't been invited and would like to come along. please let me know early today.  

Meanwhile I'll put all this aside and spend the day in the studio, painting.  That's really where I belong!   

An Arm or a Leg, Stone Crab daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Stone Crab, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

Florida Stone Crab season is here, and the crabs are gorgeous with large, chunky bodies and elegant black tipped claws.  The crabs have eight legs used for swimming or walking and two developed into large claws used for pinching and crushing prey and predators. 

Stone crabs are much desired for their claw meat, which resembles lobster in texture and taste.   When the crabs are caught for food, it is most often the large, crusher claw that is harvested. The claws are designed to be removed easily when the crab is in a life-threatening situation, and a crab may be able to survive an attack by leaving a claw behind.   When broken in the right place, there is little blood loss and quick healing.   A crabber will grab the crab from behind and twist firmly.  The claw pops off and the crab is thrown back into the water where it will regenerate the lost claw. 

Stone crabs can be found in shallow tidal areas with soft bottoms and places to hide, like rocks, jetties and oyster reefs.  Oysters are one of their favorite foods.  In and around Marco Island they are caught in the Gulf from mid-October through mid-May in baited traps placed on bottom

The meaty claws are sold for food, and are traditionally served with a mustard sauce.  You can find some other great receipes here.  While I don't like thinking abou the having an art or a leg torn off, I must confess that I like the idea that it's a renewable food source!

Natural World, Bright Light daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Bright Light, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

I've felt connected to our natural world since I was a child.  I'd stop to smell the breeze on the salty air of Gloucester, MA, where I grew up.  I loved to find little a special rock, a beautiful leave, or a bits of sea glass for my treasure box.  My garden here contains many such "bits."

With so very many people in the world now, (we're approaching seven billion!) it's easy to lose touch with nature.  Our natural world needs the stewardship of those who care, and its hard to care if you are out of touch. 

No matter where you are, try to enjoy a "quiet moment" each day, outside.  Listen to the sounds of nature.  Is it quiet, with nothing stirring, or do you hear voices of birds, insects and other animals going about their daily business? 

Enjoy the magnificent beauty of the sky any time of day.  Notice how the color blue changes from the horizon to the zenith.  Mark the edges of day by greeting the sunrise or noting the day's end. 

What's the smell on your breeze?

October Artwalk on Wednesday! Technical Difficulties again, and Art Luncheon

 Artist Colony at the Esplanade

October ArtWalk

Wednesday, October 26th, 5-8 p.m

Grid, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 30"x30"

Anyone who knows me knows that I struggle with the technical aspects of the new age.  Every now and then I suffer from an embarrassing technical glitch.  I push the wrong button, add the wrong code, or something unexpected happens. 

Did I preview my post? Yes!  Did I see there was a problem?  Yes!  Did I try to fix it?  Yes!  Oops! I am so very sorry if you received a "mess" from me yesterday.  Gone to you WRONG with no way to stop it!  UGH!  Despair! 

I'd rather try something and get it wrong than not try at all, but have a very red face when it involves YOU!  Please accept my deep apology.

In other news, there will be a Luncheon for the Arts, in support of the Marco Island Center for the Arts at the Marco Island Hilton on November 4th. Parking and the luncheon is free, but there will be a request for support. New Executive Director Lynn Holley has written a short film for the event! Reservations are required, so if you are on the island and would like to attend, please email me (joann@joannsanborn.com).

Florida Panthers, Panther Glade daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Panther Glade, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on board, 5"x7"

There are only about 120 Florida panthers left in the wild. They live in and around the Everglades in only 5% of their historic range. They are often killed by cars, but earlier this year, unfortunately, one of them was shot and killed. The panther was found in April on private property bordering the Big Cypress National Preserve in the Everglades, and believed to have been shot within a week prior to its discovery.

The Florida Panther is listed as an "endangered" species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the killing is being jointly investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) special agents and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).  So far no one has been charged with this crime. 

The beautiful big cat is a reclusive animal, and most Floridians will never see one in the wild.  I haven't, even though I've painted out their habitat for years. Learn more about Florida panthers you can attend the first annual Florida Panther Festival on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at North Collier Regional Park in Naples.

The Panther Festival is free, with the goal of promoting the safe coexistence of people, pets, livestock and panthers. To see a video and learn more, go to FloridaPantherNet.org. 

Gator Passage, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Gator Passage

acrylic on board, 7"x5"

The Everglades landscape is made up of such simple and ancient elements of the earth.  Palms, water, prairies, and sky comprise almost every view.  It should be simple to paint, especially after years of looking and learning about the environment. 

But nature isn't simple.  All of those elements are continually being redefined by the movement of the sun through the sky, the wind on any given day, various reflections, the movement of clouds as the day progresses, and any combinations of the elements.

Painting the magic of the Everglades is still a challenge for me, and although I've been experimenting a bit with other mediums and other ways of applying paint, I expect to find challenges in painting the Everglades landscape for quite a while yet. 

Natural world, Inlet daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Inlet, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

I'm fascinated by inlets in the Everglades, places were the water and sawgrass disappear around a bend.  I wonder what's just beyond what I can easily see.  Who lives there and what are their lives like?  Could an alligator be lurking there waiting for his breakfast, or a great blue heron waiting to snatch up a fish.  And if they do, how will it affect the natural world THEY live in?

There is a whole natural world going on a level usually ignored or unnoticed by us. Like being in an elevator with foreign speakers--we hear something, but usually don't have a clue what is really going on.  

We may hear a crow outside the window, loud and raucous.  It might annoy us and we might try to shoo it away.  What's really happening?  Is he out to drive us nuts or does he see a snake or a cat and is warning his family of eminent danger.

Could it be that in the natural world, living things are going about their daily lives with many aspects paralleling human life?  What are we missing?  Drama?  Distress?  Or maybe just the hint that it's time for a nice nap. 

Depth and Mystery, Morning Light painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Morning Light, 2011. Jo-Ann Sanborn

8"x10", acrylic on linen board
Sold

Our landscape is full of wonderful complicated colors full of depth and mystery, not always easy to capture.  I used layers of glazing to get the rich glow in the background. 

I painted today's painting on linen board, a new support for me.  I've tried painting on stretched linen in the past and found that it would stretch and sag beyond my comfort zone as I scrubbed in the many layers of acrylic paint. 

Using quality materials is important to me.  Canvas on board is the choice for my daily paintings, and when my custom supplier stopped making them, I had to look for another source. I did some research, ordered bits of what seemed interesting, and am in the process of try out several new types. 

One supplier had an acrylic primed linen on board, but not in the small size I like best for my landscapes.  Still, the thought of being able to use linen with my type of painting made me want to give it a try, so I ordered three of the 8x10's and fell in love. 

Linen takes up more paint than the cotton and it feels different.  Better?  Probably. 

We'll see where the relationship goes, and cost is a concern.  Still, I'm excited about Wind River Arts acrylic primed linen on gatorboard.  You might like it, too. 

Outspoken, Studio painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Outspoken, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on Canvas, 36"x24"

Outspoken is about boldness.  The brushstrokes are heavy and defined, and the palm dominates the background.  The sawgrass is dense and barely let the palm through but it somehow got a foothold and prevailed.  The light glows softly and the result pleases me.  I'm painting again!

Finishing the book Embracing the Everglades, redoing the studio, and updating my website has really cut into my painting time.  While I've been creating, I haven't been painting as much.  The endorphins are high when I view a blank canvas, and the discipline of painting at least a little almost every day can be as addictive as a daily run for some people.  I'm anxious to get back to a regular schedule.   

Sometimes, for an artist, a break can be refreshing.  Somehow the brain is still working on painting, and when you go back you find that you've figured something out, grown in another direction, or have learned something new.  Your style may have changed a little because of the break, because you have, too. 

So I'm looking forward to the next few months.  Marco will be energized by the return of the snowbirds.  The Everglades will be more inviting to visit with fewer mosquitoes and showers.  I'll be back to painting a regular schedule. 

I'll be experimenting with some new techniques.  I want more texture, more movement and interest in the brushwork, but also want the interior glow of a luminous painting.  Can these be both obtained in the same painting? Glazing?  Transparent Color?  Substrata? Additives?   We'll see. 

New Book! Embracing the Everglades by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Embracing the Everglades

a book about the Everglades

by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Done!  I've spent any available time in the last six months putting together a book of my paintings.  Some of the paintings in Embracing the Everglades go back years, and others are new.  It's been fun to revisit the older paintings.  Some are better than others, and some, good or bad, will always be favorites.  Some make me think of the challenge of painting them, and others fairly flew off the brush. 

Many of you have one or more of my paintings in your home, and I thought of you often as I complied and edited the book.  I count you among my friends, and am very appreciative of your support and confidence in me. 

It's a self-published book, and I was somewhat limited by my own photography issues.  I know some photos are not perfect, but felt it was worthwhile to include the painting.  I've written and re-written, edited again and again, and am sure you'll find a typo or two.  UGH! 

As I began to learn about the Everglades, I found much of the written material available was overly simplified or too scientific, not easy for a layman to digest.  What's a hydroperiod, really?  In many cases the material was contradictory or arbitrary.  So I've included information I was able to discover about the Everglades and how its systems work, and used my paintings to illustrate the landscape, and also how humans interact with it. 

I believe that a healthy Everglades is important to the Gulf of Mexico and to our planet.  I've included information about how to get involved if you'd like to help protect and preserve the Everglades. A dollar from the sale of each book will go to Everglades protection. 

If you'd like see a few pages, it's over on the right-hand side of the page.  I've had a great time putting it together.  Hope you'll enjoy Embracing the Everglades!   

Bras for LIFe Fundraiser

Heavenly Bodies

Jo-Ann Sanborn

BRAS FOR LIFE has a website!

You can see all of the wonderful entries into this fun Marco Island Center for the Arts and American Cancer Society on Marco Island fundraiser through the miracle of the Internet.

Click to view the BRAS FOR LIFE website

On the Bras for Life site, comments (in the information at the end of the post) are welcome and all suitable will be published. Use "anonymous" if you prefer to remain private.

If you place a bid, your information will be kept private and you will only see the highest bid appear under the bra. Bid information can also be called into the Marco Island center for the Arts. (239-394-4221)

Bid information on the bra site will be updated daily until 4 p.m. on October 6th, the day of the Auction.

 Auction

October 6th, 6:30

Marco Island Center for the Arts

1010 Winterberry Avenue

Marco Island, FL 34145

Hope to see you there!

ArtWalk tonight!

ARTWALK TONIGHT! 

5-8 Wednesday, September 29th! 

Oh, dear!  Have to admit that I didn't get today's daily finished.  It was a little larger than usual, 8x10 but that's no excuse.  I know you enjoy seeing works in progress, so thought I'd post anyway. 

So, what distracted me?  First, I had a visitor to the studio and just had to enjoy his beautiful outfit.

 Second, this happy heron came calling.  Who could resist spending some time watching him? 

If it goes well today I'll have the above painting finished and at ArtWalk at the Artist Colony on Marco tonight.   What will be happening? 

Check out my Studio Renovations!

Betty's Mom's 90th Birthday!

Bras for Life on display!

A wonderful collaborative painting by the Colony Artists!

(take a chance to win it!)

Refreshments and music!

If you are on Marco, don't miss it!

  5-8 Wednesday, September 29th!