Jean Blackburn, Artist

Jean Blackburn, artist, will present her lastest series of paintings and photographs on Sunday, January 27, 2008, 4-7 p.m. at The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria Island. The artist will give a talk at 5:30 p.m. This is a wonderful time to experience the still rural area of Myakka through the artist's eyes. In addition The River Jazz Trio will play and guests will sample Anna Maria chowser and brew. Is there a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon? I think not. A percentage of sales will benefit the Myakka Conservancy and The Friends of the Myakka River so bring your checkbook with you. Myakka is an area that we ought to take part keeping healthy, sound and in its orginal state. See you there!

Inna I

Often artists will do a sketch, pen & ink or watercolor in a small scale in order to work out some ideas about what they wish to create on a larger scale. I thought you might like to see "Inna I" which is a watercolor on paper (15"x 18") and help me create "Inna II".

Sarasota Arts Day Demo

Hello to all I met at the recent Sarasota Arts Day in front of the Dancing Crane Gallery art tent. It was a pleasure meeting and talking to you about art. A special hello to Michael, Diana and Bruceline Kinard. Their daughter, Bruceline, is a promising young artist who at 9 years of age does fine portraits. Here is the finished work which is called "Inna II", an acrylic on linen. How does she look to you? I have changed her figure and put more texture in her hair. The dragonfly remains the same but all the colors in the entire painting are intensified. I thought you might like to see how the painting changed or remained the same. Please let me know what you think? Inna II will be part of the upcoming exhibition at the Dancing Crane Gallery in the Village of the Arts in downtown Bradenton of February 1. The exhibition is called Nudes and Goddesses and promises to be exciting. All of the Village will be open that night and filled with good art of all kinds, music, food and drink. I will be there starting at 7:30 p.m. and other artists will be there starting at 5:00 p.m. Hope to see some of you there.