Painting a Model at the Artists' Atelier, Day 3

This is the third weekly session of painting alongside my fellow studiomates at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA). I spent most of the session on one hand and one foot. Then, in the last 20-minute sitting, I moved model Liz's head (on the canvas).  That was gutsy. It needs some finetuning, but that move fit the mood of the pose.

Coming up soon:
Husband Randy and I will be going up to New York City for the reception of the American Artists' Professional League's 81st Grand National 2009 exhibition being held at the Salmagundi Club at 47 Fifth Avenue on Sunday, November 8 from 2-5pm. My painting "Sunflowers II" was juried into that show that runs from November 3rd to 13th. The exhibition is open to the public, 1-5pm daily.

Friday, November 20, 7:30-10pm The Great Falls Foundation for the Arts holds its Gala to raise funds for the Great Falls School of Art (where I teach). Come celebrate the arts. Get more info on GFFFTA's web site. (You can preview the works available for the auction during First Friday at the Artists' Atelier, 7-9pm on Friday, November 6. )

Sunday, November 29, we'll head back to NYC for the reception of Allied Artists of America's Annual Exhibition being held at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) that starts at 1pm. The exhibit runs from November 13 to December 1 and is open to the public noon-5pm daily. "Arance, Oranges", my latest market scene is the piece juried into that show.

"Tranquility" work in progress day three, oil on linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Back to Michelle I and More on Life

My husband Randy's mom passed away peacefully yesterday morning. We're not mourning. We are celebrating her life. Randy and I brought together two beautiful families. That makes for a lot of lucky people. We've got each other.

I have been painting ... just not quite as much. Yesterday and today, I worked on "Michelle I", the painting I started this summer as practice for my public demo as part of my "On the Bright Side" solo show. I'm close to finished. I cherish every moment I get to paint. I need it.

I've also been working on a portrait commission and my Wednesday live model session painting, "Tranquility." I have big hopes for it and I really like the portrait.

I did ship "Sunflowers II' up to New York City yesterday for the American Artists Professional League's Grand National Exhibition being held at the Salmagundi Club.  That's one of two NYC shows I've been juried into for November. Since I knew it was accepted into the show, I've had it sitting on my family room mantel for the last few weeks. I miss it. It was extraordinary to live with. A spirit-lifter.

"Michelle I" work in progress, oil on linen, 24"h x 18"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Life and Another Solo Show

Life as an artist is sometimes just life. The Banks family has been huddled together for the past week, supporting each other as we deal with the impending loss of my husband Randy's mom. These times are tougher though richer. Love and admiration grows deeper. Just when I thought I couldn't love Randy more, I found out I could. To see him with his Mom and Dad is truly beautiful.

I've been touched, too, by my sister-in-law Cindy who will do anything (sometimes seemingly wacky things) to make Randy's mom and those around her more comfortable. What a warm, caring individual she is. How lucky we are she's a part of our lives.

I've been in awe, too, of my son Sam -- who at 21 has the wisdom and maturity of a (wise) 80-year-old.  He's a kind soul who's ready to face anything he needs to in order to help. He lends a strong shoulder to lean on for us all.

We're extremely blessed.

In the midst of this huddling, life as an artist went on ... just not as intensely. Randy and I hung a new solo show "Black&White and Red All Over" on Monday at Maison Du Vin, a wonderful wine store in the Great Falls Village Centre (756 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA 22066). I added a page today to my web site so you could see some of the pieces that are included in the exhibit. Go to the home page or follow this link for more info.

"The Toast" which usually hangs in my foyer is there for you to see. It's the second of many large-scale still lifes that my Dad set up for me. "The Toast", oil on linen, 40"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2006.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

A Wonderful Weekend

Despite the ridiculously horrible weather, this past weekend's Great Falls Annual Art Studio Tour (put on by Great Falls Studios, a consortium of over 85 artists who live or work in Great Falls) was a roaring success. We (my studiomates and I at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 15 other artists in Great Falls, VA) had a continuous crowd of regulars, first-time studio-goers, friends and family -- all so excited to be there. They came in out of the rain to see a warm, bustling, soaring-ceilinged space jam-packed with colorful, beautiful art. We worked so hard at setting it up ... and it showed.

The publicity for this event was phenomenal. Coverage in the Washington Post and Connection Newspapers plus having the 44 participating artists promoting the event ... really drove traffic.

If you missed it, don't next year. It's always bigger and better.

I enjoyed talking to other artists looking for inspiration, non-artists who thought that only people with natural talent can create art (wrong), people interested in classes (I teach), and lots of art enthusiasts of all ages.

I sold four paintings to four people with great taste.

My friends (paintings) that are now being enjoyed by others are:
"Rainy Day Market" - my postcard image from my "On the Bright Side" exhibit this summer at the Great Falls Library. Not only was this my husband's favorite painting (although he's glad I sold it), it also clearly was a bunch of other folks' favorite. I think that until someone else buys something you love, you can imagine owning it yourself. There's hope. I know that the few days this painting hung in my house, it lifted my spirits. It's extraordinary.
"Male Torso" - not an exciting title, but an absolutely beautiful painting. Also one of my favorites.
"The Celebration" - purchased for the glow of the lights and settings, and mystery of the scene.
"Four Square Donuts" - one of my miniatures. Dunkin' Donuts selections.

These sales in combination with sales of other favorites at MPA Artfest two weeks ago are cause for a few heart twangs, happiness that these collectors appreciate what I've painted, and renewed pressure to create new favorites. What a leap of faith that is.

I've pictured my friends here. Check out this blog and my web site to see if you want to own any of my other ones.

Paintings copyright Jill Banks 2008, 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Sooo... Much Fun Painting Today

This morning, a model sat for some of the Atelier artists. There's nothing better. The model was terrific. I love this pose, the outfit, my angle. This is one of those paintings that has solid bones. If I love it, right off the bat and am thrilled to be painting it every second along the way -- a winner it will be. I will spend three more sessions -- each of the next three Wednesdays -- on it. Check out the progress each week.

Then, this afternoon we hung the upstairs gallery from floor to ceiling, salon style. It looks exciting. Fantastic, really. I have a feeling visitors on the studio tour this coming Saturday and Sunday will stand in there and their jaws will drop. It's that great.

Come visit us this Saturday and Sunday (October 17&18), 10am-5pm at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Studios will be open all around town as part of the Great Falls Annual Art Studio Tour. Get more information and download a map at the Great Falls Studios web site: www.greatfallsstudios.com.

"Tranquility" work in progress (day one), oil on linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.
Plus, a glimpse of our upstairs gallery. That's my painting "Alice with a Bad Case of Wanderlust" in the lower left corner of the wall. "Alice" won Best of Show at the Art League in July 2005 -- my first award. She doesn't make an appearance very often.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Pumpkinfied" Pumpkin Painting and Studio Tour This Weekend

After passing one beautiful pumpkin patch after another on my way home from the Artists' Atelier, I had to post this "oldie, but goodie" in honor of the season. "Pumpkinfied" is definitely a portrait of a pumpkin. No humble gourd here.

This was Danni Dawson's (my teacher and mentor) favorite still life painting of mine. It was painted as a homework assignment ... only I think we were supposed to paint an apple. Obviously, that's not what I wanted to do. During the critique, when one student was asked to select her favorite apple painting, she answered, "The pumpkin." At least, that's what I remember.

It sure made me feel great. I've had a lot of those moments along the way ... and I appreciate them all.

Tomorrow we have a model coming in for the Atelier artists to paint or draw. This will be a renewed weekly ritual. I can't wait!!! Hopefully, I'll be able to post my painting start tomorrow.

Register for Art Bucks
Tomorrow's the last day to register for "Art Bucks" at the Great Falls Studios web site or in paper form at the Artists' Atelier. "Art Bucks" are certificates good for $50 toward purchases of art from the Great Falls Studio Tour artists. Register by 5pm. Award winners will be notified by phone prior to the Studio Tour this weekend.

Come Out for the Studio Tour This Weekend: Rain or Shine!
The Great Falls Annual Studio Tour is this weekend, October 17&18, 10am-5pm and takes place all over the artful village of Great Falls, VA. I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 15 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls. Download a map and info at the Great Falls Studios (a consortium of 85 artists who live or work in Great Falls, VA) web site: www.greatfallsstudios.com.


"Pumpkinfied", oil, 14"h x 11"w, copyright Jill Banks 2005 (?)

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Queenie" Figure Drawing on Exhibit for Studio Tour

"Queenie" is one of the drawings I created awhile ago -- that I recently (as in a week and a half ago) framed in preparation for last weekend's Artfest. Since no one snatched it up then, it will be on view during this coming weekend's Great Falls Annual Studio Tour. (Saturday and Sunday, October 17&18, 10am-5pm, self-guided driving tour all around Great Falls. I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, my studio, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA. Get more info at the Great Falls Studios web site: www.greatfallsstudios.com)

This is one of my favorite drawings. I really like the variation in the line work, fluidity and pose. Randy and I also picked out and put it in the perfect frame. It would be a great centerpiece for a collection of drawings. I've hung a series of drawings of different media in my master bath. Collectors of mine have turned a stairwell into a beautiful black and white gallery.

For any of you similarly inclined, I'll be featuring screens filled with drawings in charcoal, watercolor washes, red chalk, three-color chalk and ink washes during the Studio Tour weekend.

"Queenie", charcoal, 20"x16" outer mat dimension, copyright Jill Banks 2007. See my web site: www.jillbanks.com for more drawings in the gallery section.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Yesterday's Figure Drawing: "Marye, Marye"

Yesterday afternoon, I attended an open life session in McLean for the third time. I'm trying to balance painting with drawing, so I painted for four hours at the Artists' Atelier on a portrait commission -- then tore myself away to head over to the open life, long pose session held from 4-7:30pm at the McLean Community Center. It's getting really popular ... which means I might have to get there earlier in order to find a spot without any obstructions. I drew this one peeping between two other artists. A little challenging.

It's drawn on Canson pastel paper with black and white charcoal (soft vine black, black and white charcoal pencils). I love adding the white. What a difference that makes.

Everywhere I turn ... including this open life session ... are familiar faces. The pursuit and passion for art builds a very strong community with close ties. Lots of friends. Lots of shared experiences.

elan Magazine came out with its 10th anniversary edition (October 2009) with a page of each year's covers and the a listing of the artists featured each month. My cover was in May 2006 with my painting "Alan." But, also striking was how many of the featured artists are friends, fellow Great Falls Studios artists and  members of the Artists' Atelier.

The Great Falls Annual Studio Tour is this coming weekend (October 17&18), Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm. We'll be getting the Artists' Atelier ready all week for visitors. Come! I'll be in the Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA. Register for one of forty $50 art bucks ($2000 giveaway) being awarded at the Great Falls Studios web site: www.greatfallsstudios.com. I think the drawing is either the 14th or 15th -- so you need to hurry. You can also download a map and info at the Great Falls Studios site. The tour is free. I hope to see you there.

"Marye, Marye", black and white charcoal on Canson pastel paper, 21"h x 17"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Nautilus" Painting of the Day

I just needed to do something different today... to get my painting "muscles" back in shape. I've been working on portraits, a "tight" painting task -- and needed to loosen up. So, I decided to paint this nautilus shell. I will say that if my plan was simply to loosen up, I might have chosen a simpler object. But no. I am also painting this on a Raymar panel (a linen-lined, triple oil-primed surface adhered to masonite) -- not my usual surface and much more difficult for me to work with for an alla prima painting. (By the way, these panels are favorites of plein air painters -- who are definitely painting alla prima -- so they know a secret I haven't been clued in on yet.) The paint is better at sliding off than staying put on this slicker surface. My preferred surface is a medium-tooth Belgian linen stretched canvas. So, the next one I try will be on that.

Still, I was happy with the results achieved. I will work on this again to bump up some of the contrast, add some details, and play with the colorful shell highlights.

I'd like to do more of these smaller, fairly quick paintings. They're good for me. Great practice. Plus, I often end up with some fresh, nice paintings.

Next weekend is the Great Falls Annual Studio Tour. This week we'll be getting the Artists' Atelier (the studio I share with 15 other artists) ready for this big event. Visit us Saturday and Sunday, October 17&18, 10am-5pm both days). 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066. The Studio Tour is a self-guided tour to studios and art venues of 44 participating artists located throughout Great Falls. Download a map and info at www.GreatFallsStudios.com. Don't miss this once a year opportunity. It's free and it's fun. Educational, too.

"Nautilus" work in progress, 10"h x 8"w, oil on Raymar panel, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Sweet Temptation Cupcakes" in the October Exhibit at the Art League

The theme for this month's exhibit at the Art League in "Interaction of Color." My painting "Sweet Temptations Cupcakes" was juried into the show.  The theme is right up my alley. I continually explore and experiment with color ... and know just how powerful a tool it is. It plays a major role in most of my paintings. Still, come receiving day for this month's show, I had few that I was comfortable taking away from my studio and other exhibit/show commitments.

See, I have the Great Falls Annual Studio Tour coming up in less than two weeks. On Saturday and Sunday, October 17 & 18, from 10am-5pm, hundreds of people visit the studios of 44 artist members of Great Falls Studios. I'm one of those 44. You will find me in the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls. VA. In addition to filling up the galleries, salon style, from floor to ceiling, we will have bins of artwork, temporary screens of additional work. The space will be overflowing.  I want my work around me... to sell and show.

Two people have shown great interest in "Sweet Temptation Cupcakes". It was hard to submit it. What if those hundreds of people show up for Studio Tour and they all came to see that one. Unlikely. But, artists' minds seem to be wired differently.

Then, on October 19, I'll hang a new solo show in Maison du Vin's tasting room -- a  unique wine store in Great Falls. If I didn't need to plan for those two events, I might have paired "Sweet Temptation Cupcakes" with "Rooster Ruminations" as my Art League entries. Color was on my mind throughout "Rooster Ruminations" creation. It plays a critical role in its composition, and I believe that color is handled more deftly in it than in any of my other paintings. Well, at least it is in the top tier of color handling.

"Sweet Temptations Cupcakes," oil, 12"h x12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009. Check out my earlier post about this painting.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Scenes from MPA Artfest

Sunday was a successful (and fun) day at MPA Artfest. Tiring, though. I wonder if people visiting outdoor art shows have any idea what goes on behind the scenes. Hard, manual labor is involved.

On Sunday, I sold "Sunday Morning" -- my comics, croissant and coffee painting that had been juried into Salon International and appeared in American Art Collector magazine in April 2009. Now I know someone else loves it just as much as I do. I also sold two new, framed drawings.

I was excited about the sales, but also loved the comments received all day. My favorite might be "Wow. Wow!".  All of my pieces were somebody's favorite... which is good news, and interesting.

Many visitors said that they appreciated that if they kept looking at my paintings, they saw something more. Something they hadn't noticed at first glance. Since new meanings, ideas and connections come to me while I'm painting each piece, those layered nuances naturally result. It's an evolutionary process, a slow unfolding.

If I had one real showstopper, it would be "Nigerian Beauty", a painting that's won Honorable Mention at the Art League and been juried into a National Biennial Exhibit in Punta Gorda, FL.  The painting, and its subject, Uchenna, possess a beautiful, emotional aura. This is also one of the few paintings that is just as intriguing up close as far away. "Nigerian Beauty" wasn't one of my sales -- but an awful lot of people wanted to take it home.

Now, the next event I'll be participating in is the Great Falls Annual Studio Tour on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, from 10am-5pm. I'll be one of 45 artists participating in the tour. You can find me at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA. Download a map and more info at the Great Falls Studios web site: www.GreatFallsStudios.com. Come see me and my fellow studiomates. We'll have our paintbrushes in hand.

Also, read up about Art Bucks on the Great Falls Studios site. Enter to win one of 40 $50 Art Buck certificates -- to spend on the Tour. (I accept Art Bucks... hint.)

"Nigerian Beauty", 24"h x 18"w, oil on linen-lined panel, copyright Jill Banks 2007.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Good News! Two Paintings, Two NYC Shows in November

Yesterday, I heard word that my painting of an Italian market, "Arance, Oranges", was accepted into the Allied Artists of America 96th Annual Exhibition that will be held at the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, NYC. Yippee! The exhibit runs November 13 to December 2 with a reception on November 29. This is very exciting. I love the National Arts Club ... and this is my first time being accepted by Allied Artists of America into their exhibit. I also think that "Arance, Oranges" is a powerful painting, so I'll be happy standing next to it at the reception. See more of my market paintings on my web site in the places and still life galleries (I'm not sure where they belong -- so check out both).

Two of my paintings will be in exhibits in New York City in the month of November. "Sunflowers II" was accepted into the American Artists Professional League's 81st Grand National Exhibition 2009 held November 3 to November 13 at the Salmagundi Club with a reception on November 8.

So, on November 13 you could see both in case you want to spend a Jill Banks' Art in NYC day.

I'm busy getting ready for Sunday's MPA Artfest, the juried outdoor arts festival held in McLean Central Park on the corner of Old Dominion Drive and Dolley Madison  Blvd. (Route 123) in McLean, VA. (Actually, I suppose I'm writing my blog post.) I set up some of the screens with artwork in the gallery at the Artists' Atelier last night. It was impossible. There are too many pieces that I really want to include ... that I'm proud of and that someone might want to buy. I probably also needed to take off my "exhibit" hat and put on a "show" hat. Perhaps it's not important how perfectly each piece complements its neighbor ... since people are unlikely to buy the whole display and place it just as I have on their walls. But, I was determined to fret anyway.

Yesterday, too, I selected frames from FrameMasters for 13 new drawings that husband Randy will be framing for Sunday's event. I'll probably give a sneak peek at some of those later today or tomorrow. They're having a sale this weekend (just in time) and we got there about 10 am yesterday to find the lights were out. So the beginning of my massive frame search began with a flashlight. Happily, lights were restored a little later.

Tonight is First Friday at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 15 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA. Come visit us 7-9pm and see the new show in the Gallery.

"Arance, Oranges", 24"h x 36"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2009.
"Sunflowers II", 30"h x 30"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2008.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435