Friday, November 28, 2008

Pumpkin Pie Painting Finished!



"Pumpkin Pie" is finished ... just in time, too. It will be hanging in a group show on Sunday at the Conscious Bean, a coffee shop in Great Falls, VA that's near the Artists' Atelier (my studio). Seems like the perfect kind of painting for this time of year. "Pumpkin Pie," oil on stretched canvas, 12" x 12", copyright Jill Banks 2008.

See more of my food (and other) paintings ... throughout my blog. See older posts as well!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Thumbelina Drawing of the Day


I painted, too, today -- but not much. Here's a drawing I started last night and finished just a few minutes ago. The subject is a tiny doll now called "Thumbelina", graphite on more Italian paper from Zecchi's, around 4.5" x 6.5" inside mat, copyright Jill Banks 2008.

Monday, November 24, 2008

A Rose


Yesterday my back was killing me so I couldn't stand and paint as usual. But ... I could sit and draw. "A Rose" is done in graphite on beautiful Italian paper I bought from Zecchi's in Florence, Italy. Image size is about 5.5" x 5.5". Copyright Jill Banks 2008.

"Me O My! Donut": Latest Painting of the Day


More food paintings. I'm still on a diet. There's another painting, of four donuts including one of these strawberry sprinkled kinds in an earlier post. For this one, I stood it upright on a sculptor's stand that sits next to my easel. The "O" I kept staring at suggested its name: "Me O My!". 5" x 5", oil on stretched canvas.

These are great little paintings to group together -- and a nice comforting visual for difficult times.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Winter 2009 Art Classes and Workshops

CLASSES
Fall courses begin in January and run for nine weeks. Registration begins immediately.

(The Great Falls School of Art classes are being held in the Artists' Atelier, the working studios and gallery space I share with 13 other artists located at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Classes are currently for teens and adults, with children's classes to be added once a different, adequate teaching space has been found. -Jill)

Still Life Painting in Oils
Jill Banks

Still life painting is the ultimate teacher – learn how to achieve glorious color, draw with paint concentrating on simplifying forms into abstract shapes, and how to construct compelling compositions. The instructor will set up multiple still lifes for each class and teach students how to design their own incorporating some of their favorite objects. This is a great class for artists of all levels – from beginners to advanced. Information on the instructor can be found at: www.jillbanks.com and on her blog at http://jillbanks.blogspot.com. Supply list will be posted.
$300 + $20 materials fee, Tuesdays, 9:30am-12:30pm, 9 weeks, Jan. 27-Mar. 24
Registration form.



Painting the Portrait in Oils
Jill Banks


This course covers the basic elements of painting the portrait: composition, mood, gesture, form, structure, and features. Emphasis is placed on creating sound and compelling paintings as well as achieving a likeness. Students will learn how to achieve beautiful skin tones through color studies and to place the figure in space. Continuing students will build on established skills. Model fees are extra. Information on the instructor can be found at: www.jillbanks.com and on her blog at http://jillbanks.blogspot.com. Supply list will be posted.
$300 + model fees (based on number of enrolled students), Tuesdays, 1:30-4:30pm, 9 weeks, Jan. 27-Mar. 24
Registration form.



Oil Painting from Photos You Love
Adrienne Kralick


Learn to compose and create beautiful oil paintings from photo references that interest and excite you. This lively class is tailored to help each student at their own level whether beginner or advanced, with an emphasis on the concepts and painting techniques that can be learned from great paintings throughout history. Given demonstrations and handouts are customized for the specific needs that arise during each session as the paintings progress. Information on the instructor can be found at:
www.adrienneartist.com.
$270 Fridays, 9:30am-12:30pm, 9 weeks, Jan. 23-Mar. 20
$270 Sundays, 1:00-4:00pm, 9 weeks, Jan. 25-Mar. 22
Registration form.


Introduction to Watercolor
Linda Jones



This course covers the basic techniques in watercolor: brushwork, washes, wet into wet, drybrush, color mixing and composition. Each class will include demonstration and students developing these techniques while working on specifically chosen subjects/themes from still life and photographs. A materials list will be provided before the start of the course.
$300 Mondays, 2:00pm-5:00pm, 9 weeks, January 19-March 16
Registration form.



Visual Thinking Through Media: Creating a Visual Journal
Michela Mansuino



From content to cover, this course is designed to inspire you to get serious about being creative. You will experiment with a variety of media in an 11 X 17 inch hard-bound sketchbook. Just as artists uniquely get some of their most significant ideas from working with materials, you will use these investigations to develop projects based on your personal interests and direction. The journal prompts are fused with the exploration of significant themes and contexts. They act as a springboard to help you to discover who you are and make a visual record or the process. In this studio-centered course, we will include art history, popular culture, language, science, music and other content areas. Visual journaling is a way of crafting elegant art problems for authentic learning. Visual journaling is a way of life. Hard-bound sketchbook is included. Supply list will be posted. Young teens, teens, adults.
$280 + $25 materials fee, 3:00-6:00pm, Wednesdays, 9 weeks, January 21-March 18
Registration form.




WORKSHOPS

Mastering the Business of Art
Jill Banks

Tuesday & Wednesday, January 13 & 14, 6:30-9:30pm
Creating a successful art career requires more than just creating appealing art. This two-day workshop covers the fundamentals of planning, establishing and running a career as a professional artist. Topics include goal setting, studio setup, purchasing, pricing your work, exhibiting, selling, applying for grants, taxes, setting up merchant accounts, marketing, add-on products and branding, promotions, publicity, approaching galleries, establishing name recognition, handling commissions, inventory control and more. The instructor started taking classes in 2003 – and in a little over five years has successfully built a rewarding art career through sales, commissions, recognition, awards, a grant, gallery representation and teaching. The business of art is challenging and rewarding – and conquering it lets us do more of what we love to do! A workbook is included. Information on the instructor can be found at: www.jillbanks.com and on her blog at http://jillbanks.blogspot.com.
$95 + $10 workbook fee
Registration form.


Introduction To Jewelry-Making
Donna Barnako

Saturday, January 17, 1:00-4:00pm
A half-day workshop where you will learn a potpourri of basic skills to get you started making your own jewelry. In this class we will make several pairs of earrings and a necklace or bracelet. Techniques covered include making wrapped loops, string considerations, crimping and adding closures. Information on the instructor can be found at: www.jewelworx.com. Class targeted for adults but fine for teenager 14+. Geared for beginners with no prior experience. For information about the instructor: www.jewelworx.com or www.jewelworx.etsy.com.
$50 + $15 materials fee (tools supplied by teacher)
Registration form.


Introduction to Jewelry Wireworking
Donna Barnako

Saturday, March 7, 1:00-4:00pm
A half-day workshop where participants will learn a variety of wireworking techniques useful in basic jewelry-making as well as in a completely wireworked piece. Students will make their own earwires and a bangle bracelet while learning to fashion a clasp and to coil wire as a decorative element. Class targeted for adults. Strictly for beginners. For information about the instructor: www.jewelworx.com or www.jewelworx.etsy.com.
$50 + $15 materials/kit fee (tools supplied by teacher)
Registration form.


Photoshop Elements 6 – The Basics (Crash Course)
Heidi Mraz

Saturday, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, February 7
In this crash course, students will learn the basics of this powerful image-editing software package including: how to navigate the workspace, organize, manage and save photos, resize and crop, sharpen, color correct, fix exposure, retouch and use creative filters. Plus students will explore ways to output their photos, create projects and more.
$50 + $10 workbook fee
Registration form.


Photoshop Elements 6 – Beyond The Basics (Crash Course)
Heidi Mraz

Saturday, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, February 28
Stretch the boundaries of your creativity and get started on your way to mastering Photoshop Elements’ powerful image-editing tools. This course will cover key features including selections, adjustment layers, photo retouching, special effects, adding text, filters and more. Plus students will learn ways to share their images on the web and in a slide show. For the intermediate or those who have attended “The Basics” Crash Course.
$50 + $15 DVD fee
Registration form.


Photoshop Elements 6 – Advance Techniques (Crash Course)
Heidi Mraz

Saturday, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, March 14
Learn how to take an image from the ordinary to the extraordinary and turn memories into masterpieces. This crash course covers the most powerful and flexible features of Photoshop Elements including layer adjustments and styles, camera raw, photomerge and other tips and tricks to make your photos shine. Students will also learn how to create a slide show and a web gallery. “The Basics” and “Beyond The Basics” are prerequisites to this course.
$50 + $15 DVD fee
Registration form.


Digital SLR Photography (Crash Course)
Heidi Mraz

Saturday, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, January 31
This class demystifies the technology so you can start taking better pictures right away. Learn the basics of file formats, menu and scene settings, exposure, ISO, shutter speed, bracketing composition and lighting. Find out how to transfer images to the computer and manage them. Plus students will discover options to edit, save and print their photos. Students are encouraged to bring their digital SLR cameras to class.
$50 + $10 workbook fee
Registration form.


Photos That Click – Visual Techniques to Supercharge Your Creative Potential (Crash Course)
Heidi Mraz

Saturday, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, March 21
Whether you are an amateur or pro, this class is designed to expand your vision, while providing you with lots of ideas and tips intended to strengthen your ability to capture and create images that are captivating, technically sound, and visually appealing. So if you are ready to supercharge your creative passion and potential, this is the class for you. Students are encouraged to bring their digital cameras to class.
$50 + $10 workbook fee
Registration form.


The Classic Figure: a Modern Approach
Alla Prima Figure Painting with Robert Liberace

Friday-Sunday, January 9, 10, 11, 2009
Held at the Great Falls Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, Virginia (demo January 9th from 6:30-9:30pm, and classes January 10th and 11th from 10am-4pm)

Join Rob for an exciting workshop that will unite the old and the new. Using the modern method of alla prima and a rich array of contemporary colors, students will follow a step-by-step method that will allow them to compose a figure painting with the look and finish of classic Renaissance paintings. Though alla prima (the direct manner of finishing a painting while it is wet) is often considered an impressionistic approach, it is also ideal for careful and thorough modeling which is a hallmark of classical painting. This approach will allow students to efficiently complete a painting without the laborious and time consuming classic approach of glazed layers. Methods of drawing, paint manipulation and color arrangement will be included and a general analysis of the anatomy will be stressed. But first, don't miss out on the demo Friday evening. And be sure to arrive early for wine and cheese! Students will need to provide their own easels and taborets or tables for palettes and supplies.

IMPORTANT: Registration for the Robert Liberace workshop is different than for other Great Falls School of Art courses and workshops. All are welcome. Hurry, space is limited. For the Robert Liberace workshop only, please contact Mary Orr at mary.orr@mac.com or cell 703-298-1176. Or mail check to Mary Orr at 198 Falcon Ridge Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. For more information about the instructor: see www.robertliberace.com.
$250 + model fees (to be divided among participants)

Registration Form for Winter 2009 Art Classes and Workshops

Here's the registration form for the Winter 2009 classes and workshops offered through the Great Falls School of Art (part of the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts) -- where I'm teaching two regular classes plus a workshop. See my post for all the class offerings here and click here to get just this post to print.

To register for class*, please send this completed registration form with full payment to:
Great Falls Foundation for the Arts, Inc.
c/o Jill Baker, Education Registrar
200 Rivers Edge Drive
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
(703) 759-1640
jsnodelman@aol.com
Class size is limited ... sign up early.

*IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THE ROBERT LIBERACE WORKSHOP WITH THIS FORM. SEE WORKSHOP REGISTRATION NOTES UNDER THAT LISTING. SIGN UP AND SEND PAYMENT FOR THAT WORKSHOP ONLY TO MARY ORR.
STUDENT INFORMATION

Name _____________________________________________

Address____________________________________________

City________________________________ State _________ Zip Code ___________

Day Phone ________________________

Evening Phone _______________________

Email (for class confirmation) ______________________________________________

In case of emergency, contact: __________________________

Phone _____________

I heard about the School from ______________________________________________


WINTER 2009 COURSE INFORMATION
See complete course and workshop listings here.

Course Title ___________________________

Instructor _____________________________

Day/Time ______________________________

Cost __________


Course Title ___________________________

Instructor _____________________________

Day/Time ______________________________

Cost __________


Course Title ___________________________

Instructor _____________________________

Day/Time ______________________________

Cost __________


PAYMENT INFORMATION
Enclose payment. (Make check or money order payable to: Great Falls Foundation for the Arts, Inc., no cash by mail, please). Course fees are refundable if cancellation is made by student in writing at least two weeks prior to first class session, if course is full, or if the course is cancelled by GFFFTA. Checks will be held until one week before the course begins or until the class reaches minimum enrollment. Course instructors will email confirmation of class registration to those registered, together with a list of any suggested supplies for the course not provided by instructor. Some courses have model fees or a materials fee, as noted above. Easels, where required (except for the Robert Liberace workshop), will be provided by GFFFTA for use on school premises, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, Virginia.

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION
Jill Banks 703-403-7435 jillbanks1@aol.com www.jillbanks.com and http://jillbanks.blogspot.com
Donna Barnako 703-759-3549 donna@jewelworx.com www.jewelworx.com
Linda Jones 703-442-9251 lindajonesart@gmail.com www.lindajonesart.com
Adrienne Kralick 703-716-4299 ajkralick@aol.com www.adrienneartist.com
Michela Mansuino 571-263-7696 michelamansuino@yahoo.com
Heidi Mraz 703-362-7848 heidimraz@msn.com www.heidimraz.com
Mary Orr (for the Robert Liberace workshop) 703-298-1176 mary.orr@mac.com

www.greatfallsfoundationforarts.org

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Cherry Danish Painting


I've received and taken the advice that you should have a clear reason why you want to paint each painting. The reason I painted this one is that I've been intrigued with the idea of painting translucent goop--just exactly what attracted me to this cherry danish from Panera as a subject. I love the way the light reflects. Plus, it's red! A bonus, no doubt. This was fun. I was also using a new teeny brush for some of the details... something I rarely do.

"Cherry Danish", 5" x 5", oil on stretched canvas, copyright Jill Banks 2008.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Great Falls Foundation for the Arts Gala This Friday














About 60 pieces of artwork were received, hung and arranged in the Artists' Atelier -- where my studio is -- in anticipation of Great Falls Foundation for the Arts (GFFFTA) Gala being held this coming Friday, November 21, 7pm to 10pm. All the work was donated by regional and local artists and collectors to benefit the newly founded Great Falls School of Art.

As a teacher (and student) of the School, I can attest that we need a suitable space and equipment, supplies and materials to make the school work and really benefit the community. I donated the three pieces shown above.
"Horse and Carriage", 5.5"h x 8.5"w (I think), pen & ink and ink wash, graphite and sketch & wash pencils; "Full House" (painting of three lemons and two plums), 16"h x 20"w, oil on linen; "On the Chopping Block", 30" x 30", oil on linen. The pieces will be sold at a silent auction Friday night. I believe the starting bids for the three pieces are as follows, in order, $112.50, $600, and $2450 versus retail of $225, $1200 and $3500. Tickets for the gala are $75 per person and may possibly be purchased at the door (number of guests total is limited to 300)-- but notify GFFFTA that you plan to attend. See the GFFFTA web site for more information. The Artists' Atelier is located at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Sunday, November 16, 2008

"Pumpkin Pie" Preview -- Another Two-Day Painting of the Day


I'm not quite done ... highlights on the porcelain tend to work better when the paint has had a chance to set up ... but I decided to offer a sneak peek at today's painting. By the way, whenever you see a painting on my blog, unless it's a commission, it is probably available for sale. This one will be soon. 12" x 12", oil on stretched canvas, copyright Jill Banks 2008. Contact me: jillbanks1@aol.com.

I've been busy this weekend with some different activities. Saturday a.m. I attended a marketing seminar offered by the Arts Council of Fairfax County and learned about a great site, artdc.org -- where I plan to post a bio and access regularly for all sorts of art-related info. In the afternoon, I attended Heidi Mraz's workshop on "PhotoShop Elements: Beyond the Basics". This is the third of Heidi's crash courses I attended and I learned a ridiculous amount. This info is going to help me so much in preparing my photos (for my blog and portfolio) and working with source photos for my paintings. It's incredible! Heidi again did an amazing job. I highly recommend attending her courses.

After that, I tried to paint -- working on my portrait commission -- but I wasn't in top form so I undid my errors and worked on a different painting a day of some candy bars. You will see that soon.

Tomorrow I'm helping to hang donated work in the Artists' Atelier (my shared studio at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA) for this coming Friday's gala for the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts to help fund an expansion of the Great Falls School of Art where I teach. Tickets are $75. Over 50 pieces of art are being donated. Starting bids are set at 50% (to 70%) of retail so this is an excellent chance to help a good cause and possibly get a bargain on some high quality art. I hope to see you there. See the GFFFTA site (www.greatfallsfoundationforarts.org) for more info.

Receiving Bob Hof Award at the Art League


I had the pleasure of going to last Thursday's evening reception and award ceremony at the Art League ... and Randy snapped this photo of me receiving my certificate for winning the Bob Hof Award, Best in Show for "Orange Peeled" in the "Small Works" show this month. Also see the Art League blog for more info about the show. See my earlier post to see the painting.
Hopefully, you'll return to my own blog regularly and check out older posts as well -- if you're a new visitor.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

A Hersheys Kiss and Opening Reception Tonight at the Art League


These should probably be two separate posts -- but... Tonight's the opening reception at the Art League for the "Small Works" show where my painting "Orange Peeled" won Best of Show, the Bob Hof Award. The reception's from 6:30 to 9:30 with the Award Ceremony starting around 7pm. The Art League is located at 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA.








The "Small Works" show was juried by Dr. Susan Frank, assistant curator at the Phillips Collection. Here's an excerpt from the Jurors Dialogue written by Erica Fortwengler at the Art League:
"I was looking for something a little different – a fresh take on a traditional subject such as still life, figure, landscape. I have a particular fondness for still life. I am interested to see how an artist can take a traditional subject like still life and make it new and interesting."

The pieces Frank selected as award winners are reflective of the works seen throughout the show. Frank awarded "Orange Peeled," by Jill Banks best in show. "This is a fresh take on still life, a different perspective."


"Hershey's Kiss" is the latest painting a day. The reflections in the wrapper are tough! It's a slightly different size, 6"h x 4"w, oil on stretched canvas. Most of the paintings you see on this blog are for sale. For the little ones -- the paintings a day pieces, I'm still trying to figure out a price, but I'll entertain any offers. Pretend like this is Priceline. Email me at jillbanks1@aol.com or call 703.403.7435. I'm thinking about getting set up on Ebay to try to make purchases easier. I do accept Mastercard and Visa payments. "Hershey's Kiss" copyright Jill Banks 2008.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Cupcake Alla Prima Painting a Day


So, "Cupcake" is yesterday's painting a day. It's 5" x 5", oil on stretched canvas, copyright Jill Banks 2008 ... so I'm back to the mini paintings and note: single object only (unless individual sprinkles count). Soooo much faster and easier!

Funny thing about all these paintings of food lately is that I've been on the South Beach diet for the last three weeks. So I get to stare at these goodies and paint them ... but not eat them.

Monday, November 10, 2008

This Painting a Day Took Two























I've been dying to post this one. I painted "Sunday Morning" on Saturday -- all day until my arm felt like it was going to fall off. Then I put some finishing touches on it today.

This is too large a painting for me to accomplish in one session -- at least for this detailed a style. It breaks every rule ... multiple objects, size of canvas, degree of finish. But I loved doing it!

I was tackling this project for two reasons ... my painting a day schedule plus my artist colleagues and I are putting on an exhibit of artwork featuring coffee cups (or teacups) to be displayed at the Conscious Bean in December. The Conscious Bean is a coffee shop across the street from my studio in Great Falls, VA. The Conscious Bean is located at: 10123 Colvin Run Rd
Great Falls, VA 22066. Phone: 571-237-3886

"Sunday Morning", 12" x 12", oil on canvas, copyright Jill Banks 2008. All rights reserved.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Today's Donuts: A Painting a Day Continues



I bought six donuts today at Dunkin' Donuts... all different and chosen for their beauty, not to eat. So, I have some subjects for the next few days. Today's discovery? Sprinkled donuts take longer to paint than plain ones and powdered sugar ones make pretty interesting subjects. "Four Square", oil on linen, 5" x 5", copyright Jill Banks 2008.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Alla Prima Painting a Day




So, after having just won the "Best of Show" for a small works -- I started painting even smaller. These two paintings -- the "Donut" from Tuesday and the "French Bread" done today are both 5" x 5" on gallery wrapped canvases. I really want to get into creating one each day -- or at least close. I bought a bunch of canvases at Plaza this am -- so I'm ready to go!

These are ridiculously fun to do... and hopefully will be fun to collect. They are painted alla prima -- or all at once, wet-into-wet oils. I work at getting it right from first to last brushstroke.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

"Best of Show" - More Info


"Orange Peeled" won the Bob Hof Award for "Best of Show" in the "Small Works" Exhibit at the Art League (Alexandria, VA). That's number 1 out of 538 entries. The awards ceremony will be at the Art League on Thursday, November 13 around 7pm. The reception runs from 6:30 to 9:30pm.

Randy and I went back down to Alexandria today to take a photo of "Orange Peeled" and one of me. There will be a lettering added to the wall plus a tag with blue ribbon before the awards ceremony comes around. I'll show you that next week.

The Art League is located at 105 North Union Street, Alexandria, VA.

My name also appears in the December issue of Artist's Magazine -- as I was a finalist in their Annual Art Competition. Just a note: in 2005, I won my first Best of Show at the Art League and was a finalist in Artist's Magazine's Annual Art Competition for the first time. This year is my second time winning both of those honors.

My Mom's doing better -- out of the ICU and emailing me encouraging words. That's the best news.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

"Best of Show" at the Art League



Last night, Randy and I trekked down to Alexandria, VA to the Torpedo Factory to enter this month's "Small Works" and "Large Works" shows at the Art League. Regular readers know that I torture myself over what to enter and where my various pieces should be. This evening, after teaching my portrait painting class in Great Falls I called the Art League to see whether or not my pieces got in. Rose O'Donnell, the Gallery Director who I know well ... and love ... answered the phone. She told me in her most nonchalant voice that no, sorry, #76 didn't get in. Oh, and #77, my second entry in the "Small Works" show won Best of Show!!!! I couldn't believe it! Really.

The award winner is "Orange Peeled", oil on Raymar panel, 8" x 6", $450. Contact the Art League if you are interested in purchasing. The juror for the Small Works show was Dr. Susan Frank, Assistant Curator at the Phillips Collection. Nice!

I last won Best of Show at the Art League in 2005 with "Alice with a Bad Case of Wanderlust." The Art League, with its 1000+ artist members is very competitive with a high caliber of art work in each of its monthly shows. This is an exciting honor indeed!

On a personal note, my Mom was operated on today to remove a parathyroid gland at NIH. The operation went smoothly with the outcome as expected according to my Dad. Tonight she moved into the ICU because of an irregular heartbeat ... so all the people who love her -- which probably is the whole world, and if it isn't, it should be ... will be anxiously awaiting news that all is completely well. I LOVE YOU MOM.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Christmas Boutique at American Plant


Today I took over five pieces of work to American Plant at 10106 Georgetown Pike (Great Falls, VA 22066) -- a beautiful nursery on Georgetown Pike in Great Falls that offered to sell work by local artists and artisans for the holidays. There's a cozy little outbuilding on the premises where Great Falls Studios artists have set up pottery, quilted pillows and art quilt hangings, photograms, and paintings. This may be an odd venue, but many of us find it difficult to make what we do accessible to the public for extended hours. This seems a perfect opportunity to make holiday gift shopping a little more enjoyable for local residents.



My five pieces are "Tony", 36" x 30", oil on linen; "Banana Bread", 14" x 11", oil on linen; "Lilacs", 14" x 11", oil on linen; "Sidewalk Sale", 8" x 10", oil on linen, and "Cherub", graphite on paper. Copyright Jill Banks. All rights reserved.

Contact American Plant at (703) 438-8880 or www.americanplant.net

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Commissioning a Portrait



There's something about turning the calendar page to November that triggers an almost Pavlovian portrait commissioning response. As an artist who accepts commissions, I can feel the earth rumble. Soon, the deluge will come.

If you're thinking about commissioning a portrait, I want to talk to you about your ideas, but I also thought I could help with a few pointers and ideas of my own. Please also visit my web site: www.jillbanks.com and see the Gallery pages (Portraits & Figures and the Places pages) plus the Commissioning a Portrait page. The Places page shows my unique approach to painting people. I am painting a whole series depicting real people (husband Randy and me included) dining in restaurants and just enjoying special, relaxed moments. These are paintings that weren't actually commissioned -- but many (a whole lot) of them have ended up in the homes of the pictured subjects (or their relatives). Some are still for sale -- through me or through Chasen Galleries (in Richmond, VA and Charlotte, NC). Give me a call at (703) 403-7435 or email me at jillbanks1@aol.com if you are interested in a piece.


In the Places gallery on my web page you can see that I love depicting people as naturally as possible... and particularly enjoy showing relationships and interactions between the painting's subjects. I could work with you to achieve a similar portrait of you, your family and your friends. This isn't the simplest approach to portraiture, but it is a great celebration of life. (I can and do paint more traditional portraits -- they can be the right way to go, too.)

For each of the paintings depicted in the Places gallery, I used photography that I had taken myself -- often using many photos as references, and then recreated some portion of the painting to work from life. An example is on "Randy and Me" shown above. This depicts my husband and I at a great restaurant in Santa Fe where we managed to garner the window table. Randy walked outside and took my photo, and I did the same for him. I used a composite of the two to understand how we looked together and to capture the background. Then, I painted myself looking at the mirror (didn't use the photo at all) and had my husband pose for me sitting on a stool. While that's a lot of juggling to pull the portrait together, the result is one that really rings true for the two of us. It's us.

Start thinking. What would be right for you?

By the way, I am dying to paint a dancer or dancers. This image has been "dancing" around in my head for about a year. This stems from my personal attachment to my "Bellydancer" paintings and seeing John Singer Sargent's "El Jaleo" painting at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. (This is the second time I've mentioned this ... hmmm.) Maybe Flamenco dancers, a scene from a wedding reception ... something exciting. I'm a collaborative painter -- I welcome other people's ideas. You can comment on this post or drop me an email at jillbanks1@aol.com.


Coming posts will give ideas for Christmas gifts, and much more about commissioning a portrait. Stay tuned.

"Randy and Me", 30"h x 40"w, oil on linen; "Jason", 16"h x 12"w, oil on linen-lined board; "Friends (in Florence)",11"h x 14"w, oil on linen-lined board. All paintings copyright Jill Banks. All rights reserved.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

More Local Press




Last week, the Great Falls Connection ran a wonderful article, "Great Falls Takes Art Tour" on the Studio Art Tour. Mollie Vardell, fellow studiomate, friend and the head of the Great Falls Foundation of the Arts was on the cover, painting away in the Atelier! Adrienne Kralick and I were interviewed and pictured on Page 3. The reporter, Mike DiCicco from the Connection was over in our area when a group of tour goers were asking about portraiture, working from photos, how long it took, etc. That was great timing because it allowed the reporter to witness just what the Studio Tour is all about -- introducing the public to how and why we do what we do. Read a copy of the article here.

There was another article run in the September 23 edition, with a photo and caption, "Great Falls Artists Gear Up For Tour". To read, click here.