The Way I See It

Nature takes center stage at the Marco Island Center for the Arts La Petite Galerie with Jo-Ann Sanborn’s collection of landscape paintings titled, “The Way I See It.” “Landscape painting brings us back to the earth, to trees, waters, clouds, and a mutable sky,” said Sandborn. “Nature does its best for us every single day. Gratefully, I’m never at a loss for subject matter!”

“To my surprise and eventual delight, I became a vehicle for the paintings in this exhibition to tell their own story,” Sandborn added. “Each one exudes the Florida landscape - the languor of a sunny, humid day, the chill of a cold winter, the threat of storm tide. As a group they are softer and more expressive, yet beneath the surface they reflect resilience and an acceptance of a changing world.”

She fell in love with the Everglades over thirty years ago, and for her, “it was love at first sight.” Sanborn’s focus reflects her deep connection to the natural world, and she emphasizes the importance of nature’s markers and the inward journey of learning and creating art.

Influenced by the Florida landscape, her paintings have their own soul and often lead the artist’s intuition, resulting in expressive works revealing a landscape that conveys a depth of resilience and yet is accepting of change. With strong expressionistic compositions rich in uncommon color, Sanborn invites you to take a breath, become engaged in the natural world, and listen to the song of the Everglades.

Sanborn’s paintings are enjoyed by collectors across the United States, Canada, several European countries, Scandinavia and Africa. Sanborn has been honored with over a dozen solo shows and received numerous awards. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of Women Artists. Sanborn loves to travel, teach, and hold plein air workshops in the Everglades. She lives and works on Marco Island, Florida, where she maintains her studio.

The Members Exhibit has impressive works of art featuring over 64 participating artists and showcasing over 114 pieces of art from the Art Center’s community of artistic talent. The exhibit is available for viewing at the Lauritzen and Rush Gallery through April 1, 2025.