News from My Workshop

I'm attending a workshop by Sherrie McGraw all this week and it's been fantastic. She's a great teacher and thoughtful painter. She thinks carefully about what she wants to paint -- the model or still life, all the elements, what's driving her to paint that subject. She thinks about every stroke she places on the canvas. She edits constantly, getting rid of one detail after another. Big shapes. Lights and darks. Patterns. Make the painting hold from across the room.

Everything she says is resonating with me. She talked about having a relationship with your subject and the painting itself. When asked if she ever finishes a painting from a photo, she said she couldn't. She just doesn't have a relationship with a photo. Yup.

I'm also learning as a teacher. I love so many of the answers she gives. She is not teaching a technique ... but teaching us about becoming painters.

I'm showing you day two of a little portrait I did. Sherrie gave a demo each morning and part of the workshop participants (me, too) painted the model in the afternoon. Tomorrow morning I paint a different model and then in the afternoon I switch over to painting the still life. Picking what to paint will be a challenge. I pretty much want to paint everything. As usual, but this is worse. Vicki Blum and Tricia Ratliff organized the workshop and brought in the most beautiful flowers and vases and vessels, vegetables and fruits, fabrics and more. The array is breathtaking.

Oh, and we also have had terrific conversations at lunch and during the breaks. It's been fun catching up with fellow artist friends I haven't seen for awhile and talk art.

"Liz in the Orange Turban", oil on Raymar panel, 12"h x 9"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010. (Sorry about the bad photo -- too much glare on wet paint.)

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

"Il Gatto": Italian Cat Painting Today

Finally. A new post. "Il Gatto" was meant to be something simple to paint. It wasn't for some reason. Randy and I passed this fellow on one of our long walks in Florence. He seemed to have plenty of attitude. (Most cats do.) While I was painting this, I was thinking about what he might have been saying. I figure that it was "What are you looking at?"

The reason I think it was difficult to paint was the surface. I used a Raymar panel for this one ... in preparation for a workshop I'm taking next week. The slick, non-absorbent support gets me every time. Hopefully, dealing with those issues will be one of my "takeaway" pieces of knowledge from the workshop. That would be great!

Because the panel wasn't absorbing the paint, I ended up with a soupy mess. I did find a solution though, and that was to wipe away the lights ... a way I started paintings in workshops at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia. That was one of those "aha" moments today. Painting requires pulling on all of the knowledge you've accumulated. Lots of problem solving opportunities.

I started this as a grisaille. Using just burnt sienna, French ultramarine and white. Eventually the other colors on my palette crept in.

One of my projects that kept me quiet this past week was constructing a mini website for the Artists' Atelier -- the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G in Great Falls. Check it out at www.theartistsatelier.blogspot.com.

"Il Gatto", oil on Raymar panel, 14"h x 11"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010

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

"Fresh Produce": New Market Painting Start Today

Actually I started two paintings today ... regaining my painting muscles after a little break, and reliving this month's visit to Rome's Campo dei Fiori market. What a beautiful, bustling place. Expect some Italian artichoke paintings to come. They were abundant in a variety of colors and sizes.

As interesting as the produce was, the stall vendors definitely had the veggies beat. The star of this painting start is the Roman produce vendor ... not the leafy greens. He will be getting handsomer. Just need a smaller brush. (This is just the start of the block-in.)

See more of my Market Series in the Places and Still Life Galleries on my web page: www.jillbanks.com. This one may be slated for my upcoming (July) solo show at Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls. Or maybe for my booth at the Great Falls Farmer's Market this Spring and Summer. Undecided.

I don't normally promote this, but I do offer a set of notecards from my Market Series. One each of these four designs for $12 plus shipping. They make great hostess gifts ... plus make writing notes that much more fun. Each notecard is 4-1/4" x 5-1/2". The four designs include close-ups of "Venezia Market", "Rainy Day Market", "Rialto Market" (original available through Chasen Galleries in Richmond, VA) and "Fruit and Wine." I'll snap a picture of the card pack tomorrow and add it to this post. If you're interested in purchasing, send me an email to jillbanks1@aol.com.

"Fresh Produce" work in progress (top photo), oil on Senso linen, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.
"Rialto Market" (shown left), oil on Senso, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009 -- available through Chasen Galleries, Richmond, VA.

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

Back in the Atelier Today: "Dining Room" on the Easel

After the longest break (Rome/Florence trip, Patil portrait), I was in working at the Artists' Atelier (the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA). Funny thing is ... I worked on one of my home interiors from a photo. I had started this one at home -- of my dining room but just couldn't work with the lack of light.

This still has far to go, but you get to see it anyway.

More later on some teaching revelations.

"Dining Room" work in progress, oil on linen, 18"h x 24"w,  copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

Web Site Just Updated and Yesterday

More fun times were had by all at yesterday's Great Falls Studios Spring Art Show at the Colvin Run Historic Schoolhouse in Great Falls, VA. Lots of regular eventgoers showed up ... but lots of new people, too ... coming from all over the area. What's interesting to me is how appreciative visitors are that you take the time to talk to them about your art. I'm appreciative that they are interested in discussing it. Just as my paintings unfold before me as I'm painting them (as I see something new in my subject), the discussions lead the visitor to see more and more in the painting. Each painting holds a story and its enlightening to hear how others interpret it.

I sold two more works yesterday. Three in all for the weekend. "Sauce or Salsa?" went to a couple who will be taking it with them to hang in their future home in the South of France. "Basilica of Constantine and Maxenthius", my drawing fresh from the Forum in Rome, went to a fellow artist in the show. One of the dangers of participating in these art shows is that we have two days to be tempted by each others' art. I went home with a new, "lucky" mug from potter Laura Nichols and an art-quilt covered guestbook from fiber artist Cindy Grisdela. Couldn't help it. I'm happier having them!

I updated my web site this morning with new updates to come. I realized that most of the paintings and drawings I had for sale at the show this weekend were missing from the site. I can't correct that overnight -- but I did add four paintings (of New York City streets) to my Places Gallery. Plus, (drumroll), I added pricing info to that gallery as well. I plan to do this for the other galleries (Still Life, Portraits, Drawings) ... but that will take me a little while. I'll also be adding many paintings in the process.

"Sauce or Salsa?", oil on linen, 8"h x 10"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010. Sold
"Basilica of Constantine and Maxenthius", ink, watercolor wash, pencil, 8"h x 10"w outer mat, copyright Jill Banks 2010. Sold.

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

Great Day at the Spring Art Show and Sale: Come Out Tomorrow

So tomorrow (Sunday, April  11)... come if you can ... to the Great Falls Studios Spring Art Show and Sale, 10am-5pm, 10201 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls, VA 22066.

I had a great time today -- visiting with Great Falls Studios art events regulars and newcomers and talking about my favorite subject ... art. It wasn't an easy, or short day though. Usually for this weekend event, we've been able to set up on Friday late afternoon and then takedown on Sunday evening with clean-up on Monday morning. This time around, there were dances scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night in the space ... so we had to setup at 6:00am this morning, takedown and unload everything at 5pm tonight ... setup tomorrow at 6:00 am and takedown and cleanup everything again at 5pm tomorrow night ... all packed up etc. by 7:00pm. Yikes. Yuck.

I received phenomenal feedback today. (I like that.)  Included in my "booth" are three framed drawings from the Rome/Florence trip that I returned from this past Monday ... plus seven other drawings that are matted and ready to frame. I sold one drawing from Florence: "Santa Croce" with lots of interest in "Basilica of Constantine and Maxenthius" (a drawing from the Forum in Rome). Honestly, every painting/drawing piqued the interest of many. That's something I always find fascinating. And rewarding.

Three paintings were perhaps the top contenders for the most popular award. "Lemons, Sunflowers and the Blue Teakettle" (painting in third photo)... my painting of happiness on linen, "Tranquility" (the portrait of the woman in oriental dress, teapot and cups shown in the top photo) and "Rainy Day in NYC" (painting at top left in the second photo from the top). Still, again, every painting found some friends.

These events help make me a better artist plus I love them. I benefit (and greatly enjoy) the comraderie of a great group of artist friends and direct feedback from art enthusiasts. It's vital.

The photos were taken so that I could setup my booth similarly (or not) tomorrow morning at 6am... so  I wasn't trying to show off my photography skills. Translation: they aren't that great. So, come see what it looks like in person. If you can.

Booth photos (top 3 photos)
Bottom photo: "Santa Croce" drawing, ink, watercolor wash, pencil, copyright Jill Banks 2010. Sold.

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

Drawing "After Caravaggio"

A huge part of last week's trip through Rome centered on tracking Caravaggio paintings  throughout the city. One highlight (there were many) of our adventure was visiting the Caravaggio exhibit, in honor of 400 years since the painter's death, at the Scuderie del Quirinale. There we saw "The Deposition", on loan from the Musei Vaticani. My drawing is of Mary Magdalene as she is depicted in the painting as witness of the Passion and Death of Christ. I drew this on the ... long ... plane ride home from Rome on Monday. I will say that it seemed less long because I got to do what I love best despite the altitude. It beats sleeping.

The Caravaggio exhibit in Rome runs from February 20-June 13, 2010. If you happen to get near Rome during those dates, don't miss it. One Caravaggio painting is overwhelming. Imagine twenty-two to twenty-four of them together in one building. Amazing.

It's tough, too, to say that you love one of his paintings. Some are shocking. Horrific. Violent. Irreverent. Inhuman at times. Sounds great, right? The guy wasn't someone you'd want to meet. He murdered two people. Couldn't wrap his arms around religious art themes. He wasn't a happy or restful soul.

Still... we'd walk into a church or museum or gallery full of other beautiful works and the only thing you'd see was the Caravaggio. He holds the power to make you look at his work, puts you right in the thick of the action, and then makes the action impossible to bear. He offered beauty too ... like the Mary Magdalene I chose to draw.

My thoughts about him came from me as an artist. According to the experts, he would paint in spurts ... efficiently, quickly ... so he could get back to the carousing that was his passion. Then he'd paint again, perhaps when he needed to. Why wasn't he passionate about painting? Why didn't the extraordinary power of what he could create overrule his demons? I stop painting for a day and I have to get my painting muscles back. He managed to paint masterpieces despite horrible habits. That's a little disturbing, too. Eventually ... that lack of commitment did catch up to him. His later pieces, when he was on the run from the law saw his powers greatly diminished. Still. He was an amazing, groundbreaking painter.

I plan on copying one of his paintings as a learning tool for myself this year. I'm toying with which one. Randy's favorite was "The Cardsharps" -- which I like ... but I'm still undecided.

Why ... despite his personal failings ... I admire Caravaggio:

He's honest. Nothing is sugar-coated in his world.  I deeply value honesty. I do see the world differently. Each of us presents the world just as we see it.

The power of his paintings. His use of light and shadow. Simplicity and focus.

His courageously unique take on everything.  After writing this, I feel a little sheepish saying I'm going to copy one of his paintings. Hmmm.  But, I'm not trying to be another Caravaggio. There's an element of what he does that I need to figure out.

By the way, it seems like there are plenty of each of his paintings to go around. He copied himself often. (Or somebody else did.)

Different Note: Come to the Art Show and Sale this weekend at the Colvin Run Historic Schoolhouse, 10201 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls, VA between 10am and 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

Plus I updated my web site this morning with new drawing gallery pages and new home page info. Check it out. There's even a Drawings from Italy page.

See Caravaggio's work online at www.artrenewal.org and www.scalaarchives.it
Another great site passed on to me from fellow artist Terry O'Day is www.caravaggio.rai.it/eng/demo.htm : The Impossible Caravaggio Museum. That site will probably be the source for whatever copy I eventually create.

"After Caravaggio", ink and graphite wash, copyright Jill Banks 2010.
"The Deposition", Caravaggio, Vatican Museums (from Art Renewal Center) ... isn't this incredible? This painting is alternatively called "The Entombment of Christ" in a couple of my sources (including Art Renewal Center) ... But "The Deposition" at the Vatican Museum and the Scurinale exhibit.

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

Accepted into Salmagundi's National Exhibit

There's lots more to catch up on ... but I'm still catching up since coming home from Italy yesterday. I heard word late this afternoon that two of my drawings were accepted into the Salmagundi Club's (a prestigious art club in New York City) Annual Graphics and Photography Exhibit slated for this summer. One is a drawing I did of my daughter Sarah, as a warm-up before teaching my first drawing class. The second is the drawing of "The Nutcracker" created while son Sam was recuperating from surgery (while hanging out in his college apartment). Sort of a family affair.

Today I was ordering frames, hopefully in time for this weekend's art show at the Colvin Run Schoolhouse (Saturday and Sunday, April 10& 11, 10am-5pm, Colvin Run Road, Great Falls, VA). Plus, working a bit on the Patil portrait, and doing odds and ends. I'm spending lots of time thinking, absorbing, contemplating my next paintings and direction. That Caravaggio exhibit "got" me. So did the Sistine Chapel. So did the people, sights, sounds encountered these past two weeks. I'm percolating.

My two accepted works are:
"Sarah", copyright Jill Banks 2009
"The Nutcracker", General's layout pencil, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

This is my second time being accepted into this exhibit. I'll give more details later for exhibit dates, address, reception, etc.

Registration is still going on for Great Falls School of Art classes that start next week. I hope you sign up! Go to my classes page on my web site: www.jillbanks.com for more information.

Come to the Colvin Run Schoolhouse show this weekend.

I will post more about my Italy trip and drawings. Promise!

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

View from the Pantheon Steps

Still a short blog ahead. There's just too much I'm busy doing and taking in to type much. But, here you're in the thick of the action ... maybe you can't tell ... but imagine huge crowds around you, behind you, in front of you and you'll get the picture. As we approach Easter (tomorrow), the already thick crowds have increased ... it seems each and everyday. Then, decide to sit on the steps of the Pantheon ... an obvious major attraction and sketch. I stood up for one second (I swear) and someone took my seat. I still sat back down but with about an eighth of the room ... in hopes that the interloper would be sympathetic and stand up. Nope. Eventually, I regained my whole rear-end's worth.

Randy and I have had an absolutely amazing time. Traveling here just opens up the senses. I'm more alive. Inspiration on this trip tops any others. There's a sense of trepidation and excitement that prevails before seeing what develops. Let's HOPE ... and then I'll promise to work.

One more day and then home sweet home.

"View from the Pantheon Steps", ink and sketch and wash, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

Two Drawings from Ancient Roma

I just can't seem to keep up with blogging and this tour ... but I hope ... HOPE ... to catch you up someday. Yesterday morning we went to Saint Peter's for an audience with the Pope and spent part of the afternoon exploring the colosseum and forum ... sketching materials in hand. Here are two of mine. The capital was a quick sketch (we had 20 minutes to explore and sketch). The other is from the Basilica of Constantiine and Maxenthius, a huge structure located in the forum ... a long, rocky, winding hike from the colosseum.

Today we went to the Caravaggio exhibit. I will have to tell you about that. Later. (Sorry.) Also enjoyed venturing to the Spanish steps. What a view of the city!

More later...

"Basilica of Constantine and Maxenthius", ink and watercolor wash and pencil, copyright Jill Banks 2010.
"Colosseum Capital", sketch and wash pencils and wash, copyright Jill Banks 2010

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