"Five Umbrellas" New NYC Street Scene Today

I've been painting away ... this week ... in addition to house hunting, but this is the first I've wanted to show you. While this is a work in progress (like all the rest I've touched this week), I'm pleased with it at this stage. (I will add in my warm brights: yellows and reds. Coming soon.)

My inspiration for this one? "Rainy Day in NYC" getting accepted into the Salmagundi Club's Annual Painting and Sculpture Exhibition ... that coincides with my July solo show at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls, VA. I really wanted "Rainy Day in NYC" to be part of that show (though I'm very excited about it getting accepted to the Salmagundi Club!). The only solution was to paint another rainy New York City street scene.

I'm sure I was also inspired by last weekend's trip to the city and the fact I was discouraged with my progress on other paintings. I just read an article about staying productive and the author shared her method. She allows herself to procrastinate ... put off one art task ... but only by substituting it with another art task. Brilliant!

A confession. I did use Photoshop Elements to touch up this work in progress since the photo I took (at dusk) looked, well, dusky. I "despeckled" it and then "unsharp masked" it. So, this isn't completely true to the painting at this stage but I like it. Now I know a bit more of what I want to do with this next painting session.

I did hear today that three of my paintings were accepted into artReston, the League of Reston Artists Annual Juried Open Exhibition. The exhibit runs from Monday, June 7 to July 6th at the JoAnn Rose Gallery. Lake Anne Reston Community Center, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190. A reception is being held Sunday, June 13th, 2-4pm. Daniel Wise is the juror.

"Five Umbrellas" work in progress scene from Chelsea in NYC, 18"h x 24"w, oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2010.


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

New York City Visit: Sorolla and Scene from Central Park

As planned, I visited New York for a very quick trip. Randy and I drove up Sunday early in time to visit the Hispanic Society of America located near Harlem. The Hispanic Society is home to Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida's (1863-1923) Vision of Spain murals ... as well as other Sorolla paintings and works by El Greco, Velasquez, Fortuny and Goya. What's compelling to me about Sorolla (he's my favorite painter) are his colors (vivid, strong, yet the values hold together in both the light and shadows), his bravura (bold brushstrokes and compositions) and his humanity. He obviously has a great love for his subjects. It shows.

The Hispanic Society of America houses the largest (finest) collection of Spanish art outside of Spain and Latin America. It's worth a visit. The exhibit is permanently housed in New York City.

This visit we hung out a good deal in Central Park ... a spot I decided to explore through paintings and drawings. I set up an easel on Sunday and painted a scene. It actually was daunting because there are just literally hordes of people everywhere. I'm pretty accustomed to having people watch me paint, but some came and visited me before I put the first brushstroke down. I spent quite a while (a few hours) on just one little painting. Another time I'd like to do a number of small, quick studies though I find it difficult to move on and hanging out in one spot made the place familiar to me. It becomes my corner, my memory. The reason I might want to do many small studies is there was so much vibrant life there ... so much I'd be interested in capturing.

I didn't know much about Central Park. I visited there when I was in Junior High (at Cold Spring Harbor High School: a combined Junior/High School on Long Island). That was a long, long time ago. The Park is unbelievable. A park super sized.

This drawing is one of a few I worked on yesterday ... of the Carousel in Central Park. While you can't see the horses going round, you do get a glimpse of the parents hanging out and taking photos of their tots.

"Central Park Carousel", ink wash, pen&ink and pencil on Zecchi's paper (from Florence), 6.5"h x 9"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

Below: Detail of Sorolla's Vision of Spain mural. These are HUGE and beautiful. Lots to learn from them.

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

Painting Garlic: New in My Market Series

Tonight (any moment now), Randy and I are heading out for a wonderful Rome post-trip reunion party. Can't wait. Carciofi alla Romana (Artichokes Roman Style) is simmering on the stove. With Rome on my mind, I painted "Rope of Garlic" in the studio today. This garlic was hanging in the Campo dei Fiori market in Rome. That's the same market that inspired my "Fresh Produce" painting. Apropos, no?

See more of my market series on my web site in the places and still life galleries: www.jillbanks.com.

Tomorrow ... early ... I'm off to New York to paint/draw and see some Joaquin Sorolla (my favorite artist) murals for inspiration at the Hispanic Society of America. I'm really excited. I'll let you know what I think.

"Rope of Garlic" work in progress, oil on Raymar panel, 16"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

NYC Street Painting Accepted into Salmagundi's National Exhibit

First Time! My "Rainy Day in NYC" painting has been accepted into the Salmagundi Annual Juried Painting and Sculpture Exhibition for Non-Members. The Salmagundi Club (a prestigious arts club located at 47 Fifth Avenue, New York City) juries two National exhibitions for non-members each year. One is for Photography and Graphics (drawings, etchings, etc.). I was accepted into that exhibition last year (with "Granddaddy" and "Oscar") and this year (with "Sarah" and "The Nutcracker"). This is my first time gaining acceptance into the club's Painting and Sculpture National Exhibit. (I've tried for many years.)

Happy News!

So, you can see "Sarah" and "The Nutcracker" in the Non-Member Photography and Graphics Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club's Main Gallery, Monday, June 28 through Friday, July 9.

And, you can see "Rainy Day in NYC", same place, in the Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Monday, July 12 through Friday, July 23.

My artwork has hung at the Salmagundi Club quite a few times as many National art organization hold their annual juried shows there. The club has a wonderful dining room that is open to exhibiting artists and their guests during the exhibition. Randy and I enjoyed dining there last year surrounded by outstanding art of generations of past members. I sat staring at a gorgeous painting of peonies. Couldn't take my eyes off of it.

This news does mean that "Rainy Day in NYC" won't be part of my solo show at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls in July. I guess I'll have to paint!

"Rainy Day in NYC", oil on Raymar panel, 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

"White Peonies" Painting Finished

I've been "missing" from blogging for the past week. Randy and I finalized selling our house yesterday ... something we knew was imminent ... and in addition to lots of showings, etc. we are now figuring out just where we're going to live next. It cut into my painting time.

Today, after checking out the Northern Virginia Arts Festival in Reston and touring open houses, I finished "White Peonies" -- the painting I started in Sherrie McGraw's workshop. It's such a quiet, moody painting -- but I'm happy with it, too. The strong contrasts and shapes, though, make it reach out across the room to pull you in for a closer look.

There are so many directions I want to go in ... it's hard to decide. Peonies got attention first because my peony models were looking very tired. Perhaps next will be to finish my dining room interior before my dining room turns into someone else's. Sounds like a plan.

One more thing. In my last blog I mentioned getting ready for class the next day. I need to do that again soon ... but classes are going so well. I love watching the progress being made in both my Drawing 101 and Oil Painting Atelier program. The Drawing 101 students are experiencing lots of "aha" moments and it shows. So interesting! The ability to draw really boils down to allowing yourself to see in a new and different way.  I will posting info on my new Summer workshops on my web site shortly.

"White Peonies", oil on Raymar panel, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

"Fresh Produce" Painting Continues

This painting was calling to me today... and I didn't want to stop, but have to pay attention to some other duties, too. Alas. I believe this is day three on this painting of a produce seller from Rome's Campo dei Fiori market. There's still more to do but I do like the way it's turning out.

In case you're looking at this photo of it and comparing it to day two's version -- you'll probably notice the change in color cast. The previous photo was warmer, more yellow and this one's cooler and more blue. The painting hasn't shifted. I photographed today's progress outside (cool light) and the earlier photo in my studio at night (yellow tungsten light).

Tomorrow's class day. I need to go gather my thoughts and my stuff.

Plus, I have some stiff, unhappy brushes that need a very good cleaning.

Life as an artist.

"Fresh Produce" work in progress, oil on Senso linen, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

Open Life Figure Painting Last Night

Yesterday (as in 19 minutes ago) was a marathon. After my Farmer's Market plein air painting session (see previous post), I attended the open life session at the McLean Community Center. Most Saturdays, there's a long pose open life session from 4-7:30 pm to paint/draw from the model. Guess what? My EasyL easel ... and I suppose my wrist and arm ... continued today's workout.

So, here's the result. I like it.

Paint from life. Paint from life. Paint from life. Repeat.

Be sure to read my previous two posts. I went a little post "happy" in the last couple of hours.

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day! 


"Reclining Nude with Irises", oil on Raymar panel, 12"h x 9"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.


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

Plein Air Painting at the Farmer's Market This Morning

My single artistic goal for this year is to become a better painter. To do whatever it takes to make a gigantic leap forward. I've thought about this a ton and made lists of what steps I can take to make this leap happen.

What I know is that the glorious achievements happen when you're most alive and motivated -- painting what you're absolutely dying to paint. Something else I know is that I'm most alive when my subject is right there in front of me -- changing and moving, challenging me constantly. So, I decided that this year I was bringing my easel and sketchbook out of the studio -- to paint those things (and people) I love to paint -- live.

This is a bit scary. I want to paint all over town ... in DC, in Reston, in Great Falls, Herndon, Alexandria, Bethesda. I want to paint inside restaurants. Around cafes. You know I love market scenes. So, I'm going to markets to paint there. It's a lot more about planning, getting okays and lugging what I need around. But, I know it will be well worth the effort.

I'm taking baby steps. On Wednesday, I painted on my patio -- testing out my EasyL (portable easel -- it's great, by the way) and figuring out what I need to take this "show on the road." (I'll post a photo of my patio painting sometime soon.) On Thursday, I went to Lake Anne in Reston to sketch ... ending up with three. And today, I started the day at my easel at the Great Falls Farmer's Market (Great Falls, VA).

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a challenge ... really windy, lots of people to talk to, and my "models" never stood still. One young girl chose to hang out with me while her mother shopped. Wrapped up in my painting is the whole experience of standing there at my easel as part of the market scene.  That's cool. Plus,  I'm proud of myself for taking these first steps toward my goal.

I'll try it again next week.

"Farmer's Market", oil on Raymar panel, copyright Jill Banks 2010. (I'm not sure what size it is.)

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

Patil Portrait Delivered: Now on the Mantel

I've been storing up blog posts ... lots to come. Assuming I get them written. It's been a busy week. I'll show you later.

Yesterday evening, Randy and I delivered the portrait to the Patils and it finally is resting on their mantel. It looks BEAUTIFUL there. And, they are truly thrilled with it.

I feel tremendous about having met such a tremendous challenge, having satisfied my clients and myself. It's just awesome.

This is the largest canvas I've painted. I was thinking that it was the greatest number of subjects with four people and two dogs -- but I did paint six grandkids on the beach last year. Since only one of those was facing the viewer... this qualifies as the greatest number of faces painted in a commission.

I will be helping with frame selection next week.

Thought you'd enjoy this view of the portrait in its new home. That's (my husband) Randy on the left and Sangita Patil taking a closer look at the portrait. Read more about it in earlier posts: "The Patil Portrait Finished: Some Close-Ups" and "The Patil Portrait Unveiled".

Now, on to some new chapters in my life as an artist.

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

"White Peonies" Painting

This is "White Peonies" continued ... from the painting I started last week in Sherrie McGraw's workshop held in Herndon. I absolutely love peonies, but struggled with these in the workshop. I was trying to take in too many new concepts at once that all together paralyzed my painting activities. It reminded me of when my husband tried to give me a golfing lesson (long, long ago). When you're thinking about your shoulders, your hips, your wrists, where you're lining up, how full a swing, etc. ... you're sure to miss the ball. My paralysis and difficulty wasn't  due to Sherrie ... I was just trying too hard.

I'm liking this painting now. I will be looking for some stand-in peonies to replace the originals to finish this up.

This Friday, May 7 is First Friday at the Artists' Atelier, the working studios and gallery space I share with 15 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Join us from 7-9pm for the opening reception of the "School Spirit" show of works by students of the Great Falls School of Art -- where I teach. The Artists' Atelier is also open every Saturday, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in.

Coming soon is information on Summer classes and workshops. I'm going to be teaching five single day workshops on "Painting (or Drawing) the Town" -- capturing the urban scene in plein air with and without models. Students can sign up for a single day or several or all and join me in various locations around the metro area (Great Falls, Reston, Herndon, maybe more) for demos and individual instruction. I'll also be teaching a three-day still life intensive workshop. Class listings will be posted on my web site.

Still on my to-do list is to update my web site. All I can say is it can get complicated. Life as an artist is a lot like playing in a one-man band. Or being a one-armed paper hanger. You get the drift. Still ... check my site for more paintings of flowers (including peonies) in the still life section of the gallery.

"White Peonies" work in progress, oil on Raymar panel, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

The Patil Portrait Finished: Some Close-Ups

Here it is. I know I'd written a post about the unveiling of the Patil portrait back in March... when the family got their first glimpse of the portrait I'd been working on for a very long time. I wrote in that post that I had a few tweaks to make and that the Patil's were very happy with their family treasure. Pluto and Goofy -- the family pets -- needed longer hair and I still had some areas of the portrait that I wanted to work on.

It's really done now. I'm happy with every part which is not exactly easy with a painting of this scale and complexity. (On second thought ... it's never easy.) Randy and I will take it over to their house on Friday. Pretty exciting final delivery. I'll post some photos of those moments, too.

One of the comments Sherrie McGraw made (in the workshop I attended last week) when asked how long she might spend on a painting is that she's never anxious to be done with a painting. She stops when she's accomplished what she set out to do. She has a relationship with the painting that she's sorry to see end.

I accomplished everything I set out to do with this painting. It looks like that vision I had in my head from the very beginning. (Only more so.) The Patils love it. And my relationship with this painting will continue after it's hanging in their home. I imagine forever.

So here is a better photo of the finished piece plus close-ups. I'll put this up soon, too, on my web site: www.jillbanks.com, along with some stories on my process. In the meantime, look at my portrait pages and information on commissioning a portrait.

Happy day.

"The Patil Portrait" and closeups of same, oil on Angel linen, 45"h x 59"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

Painting of Rome's Campo dei Fiori Market

Today was wonderful. I struggled for the rest of last week in Sherrie McGraw's workshop ... trying to get it, thinking while painting (a tough combination ... as I tell my drawing 101 students), learning new materials, attempting to be a good student, absorbing all I could. I created some funny-looking work even though I had great inspiration. (Coming out with acceptable paintings wasn't the point ... learning was.)

But, today, I just breathed. Painted and reflected and found that I'd learned some invaluable lessons that are going to greatly influence my work. I picked back up on "Fresh Produce", a painting of a produce vendor from the Campo dei Fiori market in Rome. Husband Randy and I took an art historical trip there over Easter week this year. This was a break from art history.

One lesson I applied here was to think about what function I wanted each of the parts of my painting to play ... did I want it to be a dark or light. And, regardless of reality, how did I want to orchestrate the music of light and dark on the canvas to tell my story? An unusual approach, but one I see clearly taken in the work of Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Raphael. It's all about the light and its shape.

See more of my market paintings in the Places and Still Life Galleries on my web site: www.jillbanks.com.

This is still a work in progress. Check back.

"Fresh Produce" work in progress, oil on Senso linen, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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