Sanibel
Posted: October 5, 2022 Filed under: Uncategorized 48 CommentsI’ve just returned from a week of teaching and sketching in Greece, and I’ll be posting my sketches from there very soon, but before that I can’t really write anything new without acknowledging the destruction and loss of life caused by Hurricane Ian in the Sanibel Island, San Carlos Island and Fort Myers Beach area, places that I know so well and sadly recognize in news images every day. It’s just heartbreaking to see, and I hope that helps comes soon for all who have lost so much in this storm.
Our first visit to Sanibel was in 2017 and in the past few years I’ve sketched buildings and canals, the lighthouse, beach people and sea urchins, birds and shells, boats, nets, the now infamous Sanibel Causeway, and lots more.
I have been reading the news reports obsessively since our return this week. There are so many places that I’ve sketched that seem to have been destroyed, like the Oil House and the Tipsy Turtle, and of course lots of palms.
We were supposed to return to Sanibel next month but for now that seems unlikely. In the meantime, here are a few of my favourite sketches from over the years.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
I love Sanibel and stayed there years ago in a little 50’s cottage on the beach. It is so beautiful there. Thank you for sharing your paintings of it. xx
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Thanks for having a look Carol.So glad you got to enjoy this little paradise too.
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Beautiful paintings and thank you for the heartfelt story. Wishing all the best to everyone who was impacted by this hurricane.
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Thanks Corry.
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Lovely thoughtful post
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Thanks Liane.
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Shari, I thought of you when Ian hit. Didn’t know if you had family there or just personal memories from vacations. It’s wonderful you captured so many memories while there over the years. I think sometimes plein air painters and urban sketchers capture history without recognizing it until something like a hurricane or new development destroys such memorable places. I”m so glad you have these paintings and maybe one day they’ll hang in a museum to show “how the place was at one time.”
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De, I have no family there but I have rented the house for several years, which is basically destroyed. I just saw photos. So heartbreaking to see.
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Nice touch Shari – hard to imagine what so many are facing.
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Hard to imagine. I just saw photos of the house. You would not believe it. And since you saw it before the Hurricane you would understand how devasted it is.
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Shari,save those painting, maybe the Sanibel Island Historical Society will be in in your recording life on the island. Thanks for this blog
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I sure will save them Janice. They are even more important to me now.
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I love your paintings from those Florida areas. So, so saddened with the destruction. We head down to Florida next week. We have a winter home in the central section of the state. Praise the Lord we did not have damage, but sadly others in our Park were affected. I pray that rebuilding goes as quickly, and safely as possible for all the areas that have been damaged by the hurricane. It’s going to take much time, money and working together to rebuild these areas. Florida Strong ❤️
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Linda, I’m glad your place was fine but yes, it will take a lot of time and money and effort to rebuild. So heartbreaking to see.
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Your sketches from the Sanibel area capture the color, light and spirit of the island so beautifully. I know it well too. We were supposed to spend Christmas on Captiva but now that is not going to happen. I’m heartbroken too and what a tragedy for all those who lived on these charming, historic islands. Thanks for sharing your memories of happier times.
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I guess you are feeling as sad as I am these days. Let’s hope we can both return soon.
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These are such just great sketches. You are a master at painting boats with all that rigging!! So very sad to see the island now. At least you have these beautiful paintings. Thanks for sharing. Jeanne
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Thanks so much Jeanne.
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Thank you for those beautiful sketches. I have taken classes and been following you for awhile. My grandparents have lives on Fort Myers beach since the 1960’s until their deaths and I myself live in downtown Fort Myers, just down from the Thomas Edison and Ford estates. I live in a 100+ year old home that did make it through the storm. It is truly horrible what has happened . Please continue to pray for my state and I love to see your painting of the area.
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Sheryl, I am so sorry to see what has happened there. I know the area where you live. So beautiful! I’m happy that your place was fine. I was wondering about the Dean Park area. Do you know if there was much damage there?
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Shari, we actually had to evacuate our home and then when storm was over went to my sisters home in the Tampa Bay Area. I am not sure about Dean Park as I was not able to explore there. There is so much damage to downtown Fort Myers, and Lee County in general. The water was up to the door handles on Main St
In downtown. I would imagine with that Dean park as it is close to the river got a bit of water. My mom and dad built there dream home on a fort Myers beach, have since sold it due to taxes. That house is totally gone along with so many. The time share we had on Sanibel “ surf rider” is also totally gone. It will definitely not look the same when you return. The Edison Ford Estates made it through, but did have damage. Hope you are well and look forward to your posting and painting posts for sure.
Sheryl Rea
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Reblogged this on Becoming is Superior to Being and commented:
An artist that has captures the southwest coast of Florida before Ian. — kenne
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And wonderful sketches they are. Having followed you for sometime now I actually thought about you during the hurricane itself. I’m so glad you make a record of those wonderful places because you kept her the character and reality of them at the time. Thank you for that!
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Thanks for writing Betty.
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Thanks for such a heartfelt description of your love for this special place. Such a tragedy for all those personally affected.
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Thanks for having a look Dianne!
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I am so sorry for you, Shari and albeit for all those who got things ripped from them. Brutal and cruel.
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Thanks Uma. So sad to see.
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Shari… it’s funny, I thought of you during last week as we were struggling to pack up what we could and make our way to the East Coast to avoid this horrible storm. I have followed your work and your love of the area for so many years, and hope to continue to do that. We Floridians are a pretty resourceful and resilient group and we will find ways to get back to where we were. Do not fear you will be enjoying the awesome landscape soon. Peg Harrison Cape Coral FL
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks so much Peg. I hope you had no damage where you live. I will certainly be back in Sanibel as soon as it is safe again. Thanks so much for writing.
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Thanks for posting this. I know Sanibel mainly through your sketches and thought of you when I saw the destruction. Having your first hand connection to the place makes it so much harder to see. I’m glad you’ve captured Sanibel in your sketchbook.
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Thanks so much Jean. A lot of people sent me notes knowing that I had been there so often. I just cancelled a workshop that was supposed to be with the Fort Myers Beach Art Association. Hopefully we’ll reschedule sometime in the future. So sad for everyone there.
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Shari – I thought about you when I saw the devastation on Sanibel – knew that you often travel there each year. We took my mom there for New Years the year my Dad died – she was a consummate sheller! – which was a year that they had just come through another major hurricane – but nothing like Ian! I’ve loved all your sketches from there because they reminded me of that fun year and you just always capture the feeling and the colors of Sanibel. Hopefully they will recover and you can return…..
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Thanks for writing Kristin. I just saw photos of the house we rent. Total devastation! It is absolutely shocking to see. I’m glad you got to take your mom there to walk those gorgeous beaches.
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I have been thinking of you and your paintings as I learn about the damage in Sanibel.
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Thanks so much Sue Anne!
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What a beautiful collection of history prior to this devastation!!! You can feel the joy and memories in each painting. The whole collection could be a beautiful book !!!!! Thank you for sharing. ❤️
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Thanks so much Linda. I do love that place and intend to get back there soon. But right now it is very sad to see.
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We stayed several times on Sanibel and your paintings have always been an inspiration to me. The lighthouse and board walk are gone and I wonder about Ding Darling. I can’t imagine when, or if, it can ever be the same.
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Barbara, I wonder about Ding Darling too. I have not seen any news about it at all.
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Oh Shari, isn’t it gut-wrenching? Due to very bad timing, my hubby and I were in Ft Myers when Ian tragically struck. Our 1st, and hopefully last, Hurricane experience. We were down there only for a week, and it happened to be that one. Still shaking. But to see the devastation at the beaches and islands is truly traumatic. Praying that help is able to come quickly and provide safety and health for so many. Heart breaking
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HI Ginny. Wow, what bad timing for you. I can’t even imagine being there during that. I’m glad that you’re ok and hopefully you can get back there again in better days.
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I know…..it’s devastating. Poor Sanibel and everyone else who was affected – it’s so sad. Bittersweet to look at your beautiful sketches and paintings Shari….. :(.
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Thanks Mary. Yes, devastating. It’s so, so sad to see.
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Shari, I share your Sanibel heartbreak. The devastation is horrific. I have been watching the nightly updates from the city and am amazed at how quickly and efficiently the city officials are mobilizing resources. Amongst all the ruble you can see the resilience of the islanders emerge. I have been going there since 2004 (right after Hurricane Charlie) and will return again as soon as my rental becomes available. Thank you for the courses you have online from that area and all the Sanibel and Ft Myers blogs you’ve posted. All my best,Victoria Lorenz
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Hi Victoria. Thanks so much for writing. I just saw photos of the house we rent every year. I had no idea how bad it would be. Absolutely heartbreaking to see. I hope we both get back there soon.
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It is heartbreaking to see the devastation that the hurricane created. You honor their memory so well. I hope that the people affected can get help rebuilding and getting their lives back together.
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I hope so too Joan.
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