Web Updates

A portion of the revised portrait gallery page

Today after class, I worked some more on the Poker Club. It's coming along. Still a lot to do, but that's the nature of the beast for a larger painting and complex subject matter. It just takes time. Funny, though, I get more enamored with some paintings the closer they get to the finish line. In a way, I'll be sorry to be done.

I still have quite a bit to do tonight and then have a busy morning ahead ... so this post needs to be shorter than normal.

On Sunday, I worked on my web site, mainly updating the portrait gallery. Since there are so many faces in my recent past and present (lots of portraits), it seemed like a good place to put in some effort. Take a look: www.JillBanks.com, click on gallery and then portraits.

Spring classes are right around the corner ... starting April 4 (Portrait) and April 5 (Still Life). Look for more info on those in the next two days. (More web updates.)

Exhibits and Events

March 2-31, “Black and White” Exhibit in the Artists’ Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Visit Saturdays, noon-4pm or by appointment or whenever an artist is in the studio. My entries: “Oscar,” “Quiet”  and “Carpeaux’s Napolitano Fisherboy” charcoal, and “Market Street Bar & Grill” ink wash/pen and ink drawings. Come visit.

March 17-30, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club’s Member Exhibit, Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Award and opening reception, Friday, March 23, 6-8pm. “Hog Wild” and “Dining Alfresco” on exhibit.

April 14-May 4, Salon International 2012, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX. Opening Reception: Saturday, April 14, 10am-8pm. “Contrapposto”

The "Black and White" Exhibit and "The Poker Club" Continues

"The Poker Club" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

Part of the March Black & White Exhibit at the Artists' Atelier

It's been a long while (or at least it feels like it) since I worked on "The Poker Club," the painting of seven members of my dad's card-playing club. You never pick up where you left off. All those brilliant conclusions about where you were going to go from here ... need to be replaced with today's assessment and plans. I spent the first four hours in just one little spot. Then, I started to see the whole, how it will all work together. Although I didn't get too far (I'm still hovering around the left side of the painting), it was a good painting day. There's a light at the end of that tunnel even though it may take lots of days to reach it.

View of my charcoal portrait, one of four entries for the show

The "Black and White" exhibit at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA) is stunning. Group shows often seem like a haphazard assortment, with pieces vying for attention versus enhancing one another. The cohesion of the "black and white" theme lets each piece shine. Many of my studiomates created work specifically for this show, enjoying the stretch outside of their comfort zones of color.

Since we don't want to be the only ones to enjoy it, there's talk of a St. Patrick's Day opening. I'll let you know more details once someone tells me. Green beer, anyone? (not me.)

I've got more show photos around here somewhere, but it appears my desktop felt like having them as a snack. (Can't find 'em.)

On Exhibit:
"Black and White" is on exhibit at the  Artists' Atelier March 3-31, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

March 17-30: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition. "Hog Wild" and "Dining Alfresco" at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Awards Reception, Friday, March 23, 6-8pm.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
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"Black and White" Exhibit in the Gallery

"Market Street Bar and Grill," ink wash & pen and ink, ©Jill Banks 2011

Today we hung the "Black and White" exhibit in the gallery at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Studiomate Roberta (Bobbie) Beasley (the instructor of last weekend's printmaking workshop) just took over the responsibility of managing the gallery ... and its calendar. She's the wise woman who thought up the "Black and White" theme, and although almost all of us are painting in full color, the gallery was brimming with black and white entries to be hung.

I may write more in a minute ... but ... it's time to get this up. "Market Street Bar & Grill" and "Oscar" are two of the four pieces I have in the "Black & White" exhibit. Both of them were juried into the Salmagundi Club's Annual Open Exhibition ... just different years. Come take a look!

"Carpeaux's Fisherboy," charcoal, ©Jill Banks 2006?

Okay, more ... I've also included "Carpeaux's Fisherboy," a drawing I did sitting on the marble floor at the National Gallery of Art staring up at Carpeaux's sculpture, next to a friend, Susan O'Neill. It was one of those days when I reveled in how magical life can be as an artist. Who gets to sit, in good company, in a place full of wonders, seeing what you can make of the inspiration in front of you? How ridiculously wonderful is that? We happened upon a young companion that day, a girl who had come with her mom to the museum. She wanted to draw with us and Susan lent her some paper and a pencil. The three of us were happy as clams.

There's one more drawing of mine in the show. No photo, though.

"Oscar," charcoal, ©Jill Banks 2009

On Exhibit:
"Black and White" is on exhibit at the  Artists' Atelier March 3-31, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

March 17-30: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition. "Hog Wild" and "Dining Alfresco" at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Awards Reception, Friday, March 23, 6-8pm.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
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Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Exhibit ... And Some Days

"Hog Wild," oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©Jill Banks 2006

I've been painting. I swear. It's just that the results aren't what I'd like them to be. At least I'm having a conversation with myself about why.

Today, I tried to find a spot around my house ... on this rainy day ... that I wanted to paint as one of those small plein air exercises. After trying yesterday and today, with no paintings ready for view ... I realized that this is a forced exercise. Small studies are good. But. You have to paint what you're dying to paint. And a wet, wintery landscape of my back or front yard with non-spectacular light just isn't going to cut it. So, instead of reaching for numbers (as in 100 studies), I'm going to concentrate on just painting what I want to paint. If a still life is far more exciting than regular plein air surroundings, guess what will get attention?

"Dining Alfresco," oil, 24"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2010

Despite a slight bit of angst over the last few painting attempts, I was productive today. Tons of show submissions are due in this one to two week span ... and an envelope went out with my selections for the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's member exhibit taking place this month. As a juried member, my two pieces "Hog Wild" and "Dining Alfresco" are assured a spot in the Members Exhibit held at the Salmagundi Club (47 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, March 18th through March 30th with an Awards Reception
Friday, March 23rd 6-8pm) in NYC later this month. We'll be going there to enjoy the show and get to know some of the other Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club members.

It was tough to figure out what to submit, especially with deadlines popping up left and right. Using a dart board and darts is probably just as effective as agonizing over the choices. Right? Too bad I don't have a dartboard.

On Exhibit:
"Black and White" is on exhibit at the  Artists' Atelier March 3-31, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

March 17-30: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition. "Hog Wild" and "Dining Alfresco" at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Awards Reception, Friday, March 23, 6-8pm.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
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"Bird Bath" Painting and Mini Studies

"Bird Bath" Mini Plein Air Study #1, oil, 8"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

After teaching and lunch today (at the just opened Siciliano in Great Falls, VA), I came home to do a little art business (mini proposal for exhibits) and then headed almost outside to paint. The daffodils are up in front of our house with some in bloom. Thanks, Dad, for planting those bulbs! My first instinct was to paint them. But, with a severely sloped front lawn, the only place to put the easel appeared to be the garage where the focus shifted to the bird bath with a peek at one daffodil through the shrubs. The garage turned into my studio for a bit.

This is a really little painting. It's only 8"h x 6"w and I'd like to paint lots of these little plein air studies. Even though I've painted plein air quite a bit lately, let's consider this #1 in a new batch of mini studies. I'm going to keep track -- numbering them on the back -- to hopefully see the difference between #1 and #100. Each one becomes a learning exercise. Every test/stretch helps.

On Exhibit:
"Drama Queens" and "Classical Painting Atelier" are on view at the Artists' Atelier "Wet Paint!" February Exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
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Printmaking Workshop Today

"Moo Print," ink block print, ©Jill Banks 2012

And now for something completely different.

My model: "Moo," oil, 12"h x 9"w, ©Jill Banks 2011, private collection

My last printmaking endeavor took place in college ... way back when. Fellow Artists' Atelier studiomate Roberta (Bobbie) Beasley offered a one-day free workshop on block printmaking today and we have a black & white show planned for March in the gallery, so I signed up.

It was perplexing at first. (What new approaches aren't?) We had to come up with a design, sketching it out on a piece of newsprint in pencil to be transferred to a linoleum block. My first thought was to sketch a shell that's part of one of the still life setups in the class. (I might try that one later.) Instead, I made another sketch, this time from a picture of my painting "Moo." While I was still sketching, others were moving on to transferring and cutting into the block. (The class included Jennifer Duncan, Elaine Elinsky, Terri Parent, Bev and me.)

Drying time for the day's work. Those are Elaine's tree (top middle), Jennifer's shapes (top right), Terri's Chinese character

The sketch was transferred to the block by placing it face down on the linoleum and rubbing with the back of a spoon. It was very tough to see the lines and dark areas (the transfer was poor), and that caused the trickiest problem to solve. The transfer was now a mirror image of my drawing and reference -- which made clarifying the lines/dark & light areas much more difficult.

The linoleum block (mirror image of prints) is the pink thing on top. My prints for today include the two "Moo Prints" below and a monoprint made at the end of class by painting and stamping on a plastic cutting board then transferred to paper.

Next came cutting out all those areas of the drawing that should remain white (or the color of the paper). Then, inking the block. Pressing it onto the paper. Ta-da! A print. Could you guess that it was a cow? Certainly an abstracted ones. Bobbie taught us that we could go back later to carve more out of the linoleum. If I were to try another stab at a print of a cow, it would be completely different. A sign of learning.

Thanks Bobbie for offering the workshop ... and the Great Falls School of Art for providing the space.

On Exhibit:


"Drama Queens" and "Classical Painting Atelier" are on view at the Artists' Atelier "Wet Paint!" February Exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
Email

Painting the Potomac in Old Town Alexandria Today

"Down By the River," (Potomac, Founders' Park, Old Town Alexandria), oil on panel, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

Plein air painting today ... in beautiful weather, late February.

I received an email notice from Jean Schwartz inviting her fellow Art League Plein Air Painters to come out and enjoy the weather painting together. It was a joint spirit thing, since the two of us set up in quite different spots this time around. My view here is at the start of Founders' Park, around behind Charthouse Restaurant where I temporarily found some shade.

On Location

It's not easy to choose the spot to paint. There are so many views I'd love to capture, but I'm tied a bit to finding a shady spot, near a restroom of sort, etc. Even with those requirements, there are so many beautiful, paintable scenes all around. While I was there, couples came to picnic. Dogs came to play. Onlookers came and went. People seemed to enjoy/be amused/wonder about me -- the lady in the painter's smock and hat.

This painting is an achievement. Plein air painting is wonderful ... but a bear. Stuff lands in your paint. Sun and shadows move. Colors change in front of your eyes. It's physically taxing. (I'm tired.) In "Down By the River," I formed a game plan, adapted, tackled challenges, and came out with a good painting. Time to call it a day. But, what a beautiful day.

On Exhibit:

"Drama Queens" and "Classical Painting Atelier" are on view at the Artists' Atelier "Wet Paint!" February Exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
Email

"Trevi Fountain" and Influences

"Trevi Fountain," 14"h x 11"w, oil on Raymar panel, ©Jill Banks 2012

 Today was full. The agenda:

• Setting Up, Teaching, Cleaning Up: Still Life Class
• Presenting A Sketch for a Portrait Commission
• Painting on "Trevi Fountain"
• Blog about it 

All went well.

Influences

One of the new still life set ups for class includes a plaid scarf. During yesterday's portrait class, the conversation somehow turned to reveal that our model (husband of one of my students) owns two kilts. I already knew that he would be fun to paint (he was a great model in regular attire), but how fantastic would he be to capture in a kilt?

Five of my Still Life students are also in my Portrait class and they got the plaid scarf/kilt connection.

There were other influences in each set up. Stories everywhere.

Late afternoon I got back to "Trevi Fountain," a painting started early February. I have a couple of tweaks left but left the studio very happy with the day's work. It really does send me back to Rome. Not a bad thing. And, to return to the influences theme: one of my studiomates, John McCabe is currently working on a painting of a marble sculpture that just sings on his easel. That certainly must have had a role in what I chose to paint today.

Ink wash drawing of Reston Town Center with Fountain

On Fountains

There's something about water features that's just mesmerizing. Water with sculpture ... yea! I'd like to do more.

On Exhibit:

"Chrysler Museum Memorial Garden Fountain," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

"Drama Queens" and "Classical Painting Atelier" are on view at the Artists' Atelier "Wet Paint!" February Exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
Email

Some Web Updates and 100 Large Jars

Nothing major ... but I feared big trouble with some new updates to my web site. Take a look at the revamped home page, still life and animal galleries ... from the gallery page. I hope everything's working. For a moment there, it said page not found for www.jillbanks.com. (That's bad.) And, another version didn't show the top menu bar on any of the pages. I finally figured it out and phew! What a relief.

With the help of an artist buddy of mine, Laura Nichols of Pig Pen Pottery, I found out about Daniel Johnston, a North Carolina potter who challenged himself to make 100 huge pots. Take a look at his web site: http://danieljohnstonpottery.com/large-jar-project/. Impressive! As one of my 100 Faces in 100 Days, Laura has been on the lookout for other artists who have challenged their skills with similar projects. Make 100 of anything and you are bound to get better. No matter what. I love those huge pots.

By the way, every day I eat on my set of dishes, with each plate, bowl and mug uniquely thrown and glazed by Laura. A daily treat.

Then if you have time left over, take a look back at my 100 Faces project through my blog posts and Web site. (See links to my Project Page 1 and Project Page 2, below.) It was my challenge from January 1 to April 10, 2011. Every day this year, I think back to last year and what it was like to be in the midst of such a massive project. This afternoon I took a nap. There was no napping allowed in 2011. At least the first half.

On Exhibit:
"Drama Queens" and "Classical Painting Atelier" are on view at the Artists' Atelier "Wet Paint!" February Exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
Email

"Chickens!" Painting Finished

"Chickens!," oil on Raymar panel, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

I figured the title of my post would make husband Randy happy. With so many unfinished paintings, those with the stamp of approval as finished are a relief to both of us.

The subjects of "Chickens!" are one of the roosters and many of the hens from Kidwell Farm in Herndon, VA. Group dynamics is the hen house are really fun to watch. All the characters are moving -- constantly -- and they pay attention to each other while pretending not to notice. My goal was to capture their movement and relationships.

The earlier version of "Chickens!"

The changes aren't that drastic from the last time I showed this to you -- but it did take me another eight hours of work to get to this spot.

See more of my Feathered and Furry Friends Series on my web site: www.JillBanks.com.

So, this is what I was up to yesterday.

Today, I was drawing the main compositional sketch for a portrait commission. Time to show it to the client.

On Exhibit:
"Drama Queens" and "Classical Painting Atelier" are on view at the Artists' Atelier "Wet Paint!" February Exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
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