Thanks to collectors and friends who have purchased since my last newsletter. 

I appreciate your support!     

Everglades

Mindful of the movement of the sun creating the familiar seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall, there are just two seasons in the Everglades, the wet and the dry.

From June until November heavy afternoon rains soak the marshes, flood the prairies, and fill the aquifers.  Humidity of over 90% and temperatures in the 90s are common.  These hot, wet conditions bring significant changes to the Everglades landscape.    

Animals dependent on water holes in the dry season begin to disperse.  Plants begin a cycle of re-growth.  Mosquitoes and other insects increase in great numbers and fish spawn and flourish.  As migrating birds return in the fall, they will find food in abundance.

Collector's Corner

When you bring home that first purchase of original art and find that it looks great on your wall and makes you feel good as well, you may want more!  When you purchase your second piece, you become an art collector.

You will learn to choose carefully within your budget, and may purchase many small pieces or make a large purchase every year or even every few years.

As your collection grows, you may choose a focus or theme for your collection.  It may be the material, for example pencil drawings or works on paper, or a theme, such as palm trees or boats.  As time passes you seek out quaility work that will fit into your collection, and your collection brings you much pleasure.

I'd love to help you get started.  Stop into the studio and we can discuss your needs.  

Over time your collection will becomes a statement of who you are and what is important to you, just like the clothes you choose each day.  You'll find that building a collection can be as creative and satisfying as the work of an individual the artist.

 In the Studio

Summer, when things are a little quieter here, is a great time to experiment and play with paint.  I'm getting more confident with the palette knife and love having a little more texture to the work.  I'm working to get more surface richness, and not sure I want actual texture, so I'm playing around to find out. I've been faithful about doing my three daily paintings a week, too, and feel as though it's helping me grow as an artist, too.

It's been hard to get out in the field, and I'm am really feeling the need, but the light hasn't been too good, and the mosquitoes are the worst they've been for years.  Where's a cloud of dragonflies when you need them?

I read The Legacy of Mark Rothko, by Lee Seldes, about the "matter of Rothko", and the fate of the paintings for which Abstract Expressionist Mark Rotho lived and died.  What a bizarre tale of personal greed and deceit.  I have great admiration for Katherine Rothko, who even as a young person fought with courage for the legacy of her father.

Painting Marco

News about  the Marco Island Arts Community  

We're delighted to welcome several new artists at the Artist Colony at the Esplanade. Check them out on the website at http://marcoislandartistcolony.com.  You'll also always find the dates of our latest artwalk either here on my website, http://joannsanborn.com

Welcome also to Lynne Holley, new director at the Marco Island Center for the Arts.  She brings a wealth of valuable experience and a great attitude. We'll look forward to moving forward with new ideas, excitement and enthusiasm.