"Rainy Day Market" Painting in Progress

I was having so much fun today ... working on this painting of a market husband Randy and I ducked into in order to get out of the rain. Sometimes it's almost impossible to put down my paintbrushes. Today was one of those days.

I do have a few paintings that I want to tweak before Tuesday when Greg Staley comes in to photograph some recent work. Tweaking is a whole lot less fun than starting and moving around lots of wet paint. So, it will be a struggle to keep away from this one. Watch what happens.

Greg Staley has been photographing my art for a couple of years now. While I take my own photography for the purposes of this blog ... his are so much better and are what I rely on for publications, entering competitions, etc. His client list includes the Phillips Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art ... to name a few.

"Rainy Day Market" work in progress, oil on Senso linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"New York City Street" Painting Almost Done

I'm almost done with this one ... and it's been challenging! Sometimes I just wish I could get it right from first stroke to the last, but that rarely happens. There is a huge difference in complexity when dealing with a large canvas over a smaller one. Perhaps that's due to the added pressure that comes with trying to make sure all the time spent is worth it.

I do like the excitement of the street. The vibrancy and action.

See an earlier version of this painting here. This also follows with the same contrasts and similar palette to my "Dining Al Fresco" painting.

"New York City Street" work in progress, oil on Senso linen, 30"h x 40"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"Rooster and Geraniums" Painting, Chelsea 32 Gallery and More

"Rooster and Geraniums" is today's painting. In a way, this is a "street series" painting since I spotted this rooster when walking along the streets of Carmel. Both roosters and geraniums make me happy ... so this seemed like a natural scene to capture in paint. Teeny, tiny touches are left ... which I'll take care of tomorrow.

"Rooster and Geraniums", oil on Senso linen, 14"h x 11"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

As to my Bethesda Painting Awards entries, I finally decided on submitting "Dining Al Fresco," "Randy and Me", "Italian Men", "Cabaret", and "Bellydancer II". Based on previous years' winners, it seems that my work is unlikely to be recognized in this particular competition -- but you never know.

Galleries Representing my work:
See Chasen Galleries at 3554 West Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23221 for many of my restaurant scenes and still life painints. Phone is (800) 524-2736. Please visit!

I'm one of 16 artists represented by Chelsea 32 gallery in NYC. Address: 2 W 32nd Street, New York, NY 10001. Phone is (646) 548-7991. Check out their newly update web site to see my donut paintings, Canal watercolor, "Boscs and Business Cards", "Cupcake" and "The Celebration". Fellow artists (and friends) represented by Chelsea 32 include fellow Atelier artists Elaine Elinsky and Jennifer Duncan; Karen Bateman, Tricia Ratliff and Trisha Adams.

"Rialto Market" Painting Finished!

Okay, so I love this one. In contrast, "Pretzel Stand" just isn't working out. (See yesterday's post.) I'll give it another shot ... but after I've taken some time off away from it.

Why do I love this one? It's a great, generous painting. Dripping with color. Well balanced. Interesting composition. Great scale. Vegetable stands don't generally get this much attention -- so it's unusual as well. What do you think?

I've been preparing to enter a number of competition/exhibitions and in particular, was trying to get my entries together for the Bethesda Painting Awards. A CD with five images is due in Bethesda tomorrow and I was first trying to finish up "Pretzel Stand" as my fifth entry ... but I couldn't get it to work. Then, today I worked on "NYC Street" which I was making good progress on, but I put it aside as well. It's close to done, and you should see it here soon. It just won't be in tomorrow's package. Finally, around 4pm, I decided to put the finishing touches on "Rialto Market" instead. So, here it is.

I know I have about 12 hours left to change my mind about what to submit ... and even whether or not to submit for this particular competition. We shall see. I'll tell you tomorrow what I end up doing.

"Rialto Market", oil on Senso linen, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009. I've included a close-up as well.

"Pretzel Stand" Painting Today

I'm still not quite done with this ... but here's the scene with two more days of work. I'm working on capturing the atmosphere of the NYC street at night. I love all the action and lights... even the steam from the stand.

"Pretzel Stand" Work in Progress, oil on Raymar panel, 24"h x 18", copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"Pretzel Stand" Painting On the Easel

This painting is definitely not done yet... but it is what I was working on yesterday and today. I'm painting it on a linen-lined panel (a Raymar panel) and by tonight the paint was just sliding around and not obeying me at all. I'll get back to it in a few days to finish it up.

I first thought my pretzel stand was a hot dog stand. Maybe it's both. Even though this is a bit of a stretch, I figure this fits into my restaurant series.

You should see my space at the Artists' Atelier, my studio in Great Falls. I have been painting like crazy lately and it looks like it! As soon as some of the almost done ones are really done, I'll move some of them out of there. I am getting ready for my library solo show this summer, but also want to be ready to approach more galleries or restock work at Chasen Galleries (in Richmond, VA and Charlotte, NC) and Chelsea 32 (NYC).

"Pretzel Stand" Work in Progress, oil on Raymar panel, 24"h x 18"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"Red, Red Roses" Painting

Here's another Valentine's Day-inspired painting. I started this one during my Loudoun Academy of the Arts still life class last Thursday and finished it up this afternoon. It's really a loose sketch, and the roses were looking a little worse off due to their multiple trips -- to the Leesburg class and home, and then to my studio (the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA) today. Roses are fairly new subjects for me. A new challenge!

"Red, Red Roses", oil on Senso linen, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Love Is In the Air!

"L'Auberge Chez Francois" is the third painting of this Great Falls restaurant I've created. L'Auberge Chez Francois is rated as one of the most romantic restaurants in the DC area, and I agree! I still need to sign it ... but I think it's done. Enjoy your Valentine's Day!

"L'Auberge Chez Francois", oil on Senso linen, 16"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"Rialto Market" Painting Almost Done!

This one hasn't been easy ... but it's been fun. More to do, but I couldn't wait to post it.

"Rialto Market" Work in Progress, oil on Senso linen, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Patrons' Show at the Art League Entries

Once a year, the Art League (in Alexandria, VA) puts on a major fundraiser ... the Patrons' Show. Members (like me) donate artwork and ticket-holding patrons get the opportunity to choose from the hundreds of pieces of donated artwork when their number is called. Last I heard, there were still tickets available for the Patrons' Show event being held February 15. Each ticket ($175) allows the patron to select from the artwork not yet chosen when his/her number is called. Contact the Art League for more information.

My donations are shown above. "Poised" is a grisaille painting, 24"h x 18"w, oil. "The Conversation", oil on Raymar panel, 14"h x 11"w. Copyright Jill Banks 2007.

I hope you join me in supporting the fund-raising activities of this terrific organization.

"Rialto Market" Painting: Day 3

I'll continue to work on this tonight with the goal of just getting some paint on the whole surface. I snapped this photo before it was too dark to get a decent shot. Tomorrow a.m. I teach my still life class in Great Falls -- but hopefully I'll get a chance to continue on with this one after that.

"Rialto Market" Work in Progress (Day 3), oil on Senso linen, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"Rialto Market" On the Easel

I'm working larger now. This canvas is 24"h x 36"w and continues with the market theme I started with "Limoni". I still wanted the scale of the fruits & vegetables to be generous -- something I found appealing in "Limoni" as well -- so that meant working on a large-scale canvas.

I'd like to set up vegetable stands in my studio to work from ... with crates, baskets, real vegetables, etc. Buying all of these would be prohibitive, but I'd love to work with a market, farmer or enthusiastic gardener in the Washington DC area who had produce to spare who could "loan" me some. Just a thought. Any ideas are welcome.

"Rialto Market" Work in Progress (Day 2), oil on Senso linen, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"Dining Al Fresco" Finished

Here's the final for "Dining Al Fresco". As soon as I post this, it's on to the next painting.

By the way, First Friday at the Artists' Atelier was great last night. I know that I had a great time visiting with our visitors.

"Dining Al Fresco", oil on Senso linen, 24"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"Dining Al Fresco" Painting

This one's just about done ... it might get a few tweaks tomorrow. It's another painting in my restaurant or "Place Settings" series. I wanted you to feel the sunshine on the pavement.

"Dining Al Fresco", oil on Senso linen, 24"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"Sweet Talk Sweethearts" Painting of the Day

Today's painting of the day is in honor of Valentine's Day ... coming up soon. These are two of the sweethearts candies. It was tough to keep the yellow heart standing up on end. Sort of like building a house of cards. Oh, that's an idea for some paintings to come.

Come see it on our First Friday opening this Friday, February 6, from 7 to 9pm at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066.

"Sweet Talk Sweethearts", oil on stretched canvas, 6"h x 4"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009

Accepted into Salon International Exhibit

Two of my paintings, "Bellydancer III" and "Sunday Morning", were accepted into Salon International 2009. This juried International exhibit runs from April 11 to May 1 at the Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art in San Antonio, Texas. Salon International was founded and is sponsored by Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art and is a Project of The International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art. I'm ecstatic to have my work accepted and look forward to making a trip down to San Antonio to check out the exhibit and enjoy the Riverwalk. This really should be an outstanding assembly of great art.

If you are a collector or art enthusiast, I hope you can see the exhibit in person or at least look at it online. It opens in the gallery and on the web site on April 11. On April 11, there is an opening reception for artists, collectors and press from 10am-5pm and "Meet the Artists" and event celebration from 5-8pm.

I'm excited.

"Bellydancer III", oil on Senso linen, 14"h x 11"w, copyright Jill Banks 2008.
"Sunday Morning", oil, 12" x 12", copyright Jill Banks 2008.

More Lemons and First Friday at the Atelier

Today was the first day of my Great Falls Still Life class, taught through the Great Falls School of Art ... and I started this painting as a pretty quick demo. After class ended, I kept on painting ... and here it is.

"Yellow and Blue", oil on Senso linen, 14" x 11", copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Also, this coming Friday (February 6) is First Friday at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with now 14 other artists. We are welcoming two new artist members: Walt Lawrence and Jenna Klimchak. Join us from 7-9 pm to enjoy the art and sip some wine or sparkling water ... or both! Valentine's Day would be even sweeter with a gift of art. I have a miniature painting of a Hershey's Kiss and may even paint some sweethearts candies for the occasion. We shall see. The address is 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Our regular open hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm plus the First Friday night of every month. Come visit, often!