Happy New Year ... and the Last Painting of 2012

"Garden Girl," oil on linen, 42"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

Phew.

My shoulder's sore, feet hurt and eyes are a little bleary.

But it's so worth it.

"Garden Girl" sprang to life over the marathon of eight very full painting days. Two days ago the cyclamen flowers were hitting the table.  Yesterday morning, the strawberries were replaced.  Mid-afternoon, I used the tripod that was holding up the cloth on the left side to steady my camera to bring you this shot. The last three mornings, I've been wearing my Christmas gift of highly padded slipper boots (along with my pajamas and smock) to get to the painting more quickly. Those slippers did wonders. Sort of like painting on air. The full days of painting meant there was no awake time left to post to the blog.  Boy, have I stored up some things to write here though.

I feel kind of like my "Garden Girl."  She's resting after doing all that work -- preparing, looking for inspiration on what to grow, planting, tending, weeding, harvesting -- all necessary to surround herself with that beautiful bounty.  Just like her, I put everything I had and know into making this painting something really special.  Because I teach, while painting, those lessons passed on in my class keep replaying in my head.  There was lots of following my own advice. I was physically and mentally engaged throughout -- thinking about the process of painting in oils eight days in a row (recalling lessons learned during eight straight days working on the Brown portrait earlier this year); deciding on how finished to make each area to tell my particular story and guiding the eye; examining paintings I love and why -- and bringing that to bear here. Additions made to the original set up put together by my Dad included the three foreground objects: a palette knife and tube of oil paint -- two tools of my trade -- and the trowel for "Garden Girl." They look like you could pick them up.

All of you looking at this online are going to think it's a much smaller painting than reality. One of my favorite comments received from a collector this year was that she and her husband were talking about how much they loved my work and why.  She said that they don't feel like they are looking at the paintings, they feel like they are "in" them. That's what I want you to feel.  To share this secret world or special view with you.

My dad treated me with this amazing set up. It was inspiration, indeed.

As we all tend to do this time of year, I'm looking ahead to what to strive for and do in 2013. Because this entry is long enough already -- I'll save that for tomorrow's post.

I wish you a happy and healthy, wonderful New Year! To 2013...

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits
Register now for Winter classes.  See my web site: www.JillBanks.com, Classes page for Still Life Painting in Oils and Draw, Paint, Sculpt the Portrait -- offered through the Great Falls School of Art, Great Falls, VA. Still Life is now full with a wait list. Sign up for the Portrait class -- it's going to be a great one!

"Garden Girl" and I: Day 3

"Garden Girl" work in progress - Day 3, oil, 42"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

I'm making progress.  Here "Garden Girl" -- the star of the still life setup designed by my Dad -- is on the third day we "spent together."

The canvas is big.  The set-up is complicated (it's very easy to get lost).  Yet, it's coming together. Good thing.  The hydrangeas are beginning to droop and strawberries are turning. I'm doing everything I can to outpace the "fading" factor.

Randy has been catching up on my art inventory for a good part of the day -- with a ways to go.  With lots of paintings going to their new homes over the past couple of months, that's quite a challenge. It also meant he came into the studio multiple times today -- while I was painting away -- and he didn't even glance at the canvas until the last visit.  I was expecting some sort of reaction.  When he did look at it, the comment was that I really might finish it someday.

Last night I sent out the December "News from the Easel" email newsletter.  The gist of it was to urge folks to sign up for January classes and to share a look back at 2012 through the paintings created on various art trips.  If you didn't get the newsletter, you can look at the archive on my web site: www.JillBanks.com and I'd love it if you would subscribe.  The frequency is about one every two months or so. 

"White Dove of the Desert," oil, 12"h x 16"w, Jill Banks 2012 (sold)

And, today, one more painting was claimed by a collector.  "White Dove of the Desert" -- of the San Xavier Mission in Tucson, Arizona -- will be heading away come 2013. Following along with this year's trend -- "White Dove's" new owner is exactly who I'd want to enjoy it. It means the most to her!

Registration is going on now at the Great Falls School of Art for classes that start mid-January.  Make 2013 an artful one! Sign up now. Go to my web site: www.JillBanks.com, classes page for more information on my offerings. If anyone would like a weekly calendar of class offerings (there are sixteen in all for the Winter term), email me -- and I'll send you a pdf.

Jill

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits
Register now for Winter classes.  See my web site: www.JillBanks.com, Classes page for Still Life Painting in Oils and Draw, Paint, Sculpt the Portrait -- offered through the Great Falls School of Art, Great Falls, VA.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

A portion of Dale Chihuly's glass garden on view at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, VA

You may not normally think that "gardening" and the Christmas season go hand and hand. But, in the last couple of days, I've encountered two spectacular gardens -- both art-related -- and my favorite presents received.

Boats filled with glass on black "water"

This weekend included a pre-Christmas visit to son Sam and daughter-in-law Michelle's -- to have fun celebrating together and see the snow village, tree and decorations put up for the first time in their new house near Richmond, Virginia.  My mom and dad came, too, with Dad enjoying seeing how well Sam handled his hand-me-down snow village construction. (Every year prior, Dad has built a village under the Christmas tree -- replete with train, town of stores and houses, trees and fences, ice skaters and carolers.  It was tough for him to give it up -- but he found just the right successor in Sam.)

Chihuly's Persian glass as a ceiling

On Sunday, Sam took Randy and me to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) to see the Dale Chihuly exhibit (garden #1 -- made of glass) and wander some more after wherever we wanted before heading off to a family brunch.  It's been a few years since visiting the VMFA and in the meantime, an addition has transformed it into a not-to-be-missed destination museum.  The collection is as fantastic as the architecture -- but it's a tough competition.  I loved the American collection -- the only extra area we had time to explore -- and may revisit those treasures on this blog.

All of the Chihuly exhibit was extraordinary.  He shares his influences -- such as his Northwest Native American blankets and baskets collections inspiring entirely new forms in glass with marking and colorings that share hues from those art pieces included in the display.

His garden of glass was put together just for this exhibit.  His art has often been installed in gardens.  This time he thought why not make my own garden ... entirely of glass. Gorgeous and my iPhone photos clearly don't do it justice.

The Chihuly exhibit is on view at VMFA through February 10, 2013.

"Garden Girl" work in progress day one, oil, 42"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

Garden #2 was brought to me by my Dad. Those of you who have been following my work for awhile know that my Dad has set up a number of large-scale, elaborate (generous, gorgeous, jam-packed, etc) arrangements for me to paint.  I asked him to set up another one -- before he headed off on other holiday visits.  These collaborations have resulted in some amazing still lifes -- and it was time for a whole lot of inspiration.

My mom sent me a photo of a beautiful (drop-dead gorgeous) setup -- before Dad packed it up to bring it to my home studio to paint.  It's hard for me to take my eyes off of it -- and fortunately, while painting it, that would be inadvisable.  I don't want to show you too much of the set-up until the painting of it, "Garden Girl" starts to live up to reality.  While at first my Dad was trying to make it more manageable by using mainly non-perishables. This is the opposite -- with real orchids, cut hydrangeas, tomatoes on the vine, strawberries, a pineapple, mangoes, and other plants and flowers -- all waiting to see how quickly I can paint my now largest still life at 42"h x 36"w.  I went for those objects most likely to fade the quickest first.  Come back tomorrow to see how far I get on day 2.

Thank you, Dad!!!!

Registration is going on now at the Great Falls School of Art for classes that start mid-January.  Make 2013 an artful one! Sign up now. Go to my web site: www.JillBanks.com, classes page for more information on my offerings.

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that many treats and inspirations surround you this holiday season.

Jill

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits
Register now for Winter classes.  See my web site: www.JillBanks.com, Classes page for Still Life Painting in Oils and Draw, Paint, Sculpt the Portrait -- offered through the Great Falls School of Art, Great Falls, VA.

Happy Day

NYC Fruit Stand work in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

Since my life is surrounded with artist friends, the people I know get the problem of not painting (or creating). We get cranky.  Each day without making something out of (almost) nothing, our crankiness gets a notch worse. 

The other thing that happens when I'm not painting consistently is my first series of attempts at the easel are questionable at best.  My answer to husband Randy's question of how it went are apt to be "not so well" or "I don't know."  Not good signs.

So, what you haven't seen is my work on a Christmas still life that looked great in my brain, but wouldn't cooperate on canvas.  That was painting #1 after a break. My self-portrait was painting #2 -- and it still definitely needs work.  There was the half-done drawing at the National Art Gallery that has yet to appear.  But, I love yesterday's painting of the Mission from Tucson. My penance appears to be over. When Randy asked me about how it went yesterday, I answered "great!"

"Stepping Out," copyright Jill Banks 2012

Today was pretty darn great, too. I had fun being in the Atelier for open hours. A lot of my studiomates were in -- not all at once, but over the span of the afternoon. It made me realize just how lucky I am to be part of this group of artists that share a loft space in Great Falls, VA to create together.  I'm going to be there a lot -- painting away -- on non-holiday days.  That's in spite of having a very inviting home studio to compete for my attention.

A visitor came in, too, who came in during open hours -- looking for a piece of mine that sold recently.  A friend of hers had seen "Stepping Out" during my solo show at the Old Brogue and told her that she HAD to go see it and buy it. It was perfect for her house (that she was still in the process of finishing/settling into). Heck, "Stepping Out" was perfect for everyone's house.  Including mine.  I don't paint the same work over again -- but "Stepping Out" is close to my heart.  There is something about the wonder of creating it that I'd like to repeat.  That's coming up.

Then there was a great meeting with the new School Director for the Great Falls School of Art (Great Falls, VA), Julie Casso, and the teachers -- including two new to the school. It was fun (when's the last time you said that about a meeting?) and productive (ditto?).  What a great group.  Sign up for classes. The web site is still bare bones -- but you can sign up online -- and it will just get better and better. 

And, I got to paint. Before and after -- starting a new work of a NYC fruit stand. There's a switch that turned on in my Tucson plein air paintings that I'm working to employ in future pieces.  The three-dimensionality of "Desert Garden" is a new goal.  The first pass at a larger painting won't show it --- but there it is in my head -- wait for it to show.

I'm not a bit cranky any more.   Smiling in fact.

See more of my NYC and market paintings on my web site: www.JillBanks.com, click on works and then the Places collection.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits
Register now for Winter classes.  See my web site: www.JillBanks.com, Classes page for Still Life Painting in Oils and Draw, Paint, Sculpt the Portrait -- offered through the Great Falls School of Art, Great Falls, VA.

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Closed: December 26.

Mission San Xavier del Bac: Painting from Tucson

"White Dove of the Desert, in Pink," (of  the Mission San Xavier del Bac in Tucson, AZ), oil on linen-lined board, 12"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

On the last night of November's trip to Tucson and Tubac, Arizona -- I set up my easel in the front grounds of Mission San Xavier del Bac, also known as the White Dove of the Desert.  It was pretty late in the afternoon when I started.  Maybe 3pm when we got there.  A half hour later before finding a spot shady enough for me to handle.  (Shade is in short supply there.)

"Purple Mountain Majesty," oil, 12"h x 16"w, Jill Banks 2012, sold

We'd seen the mission -- white during our daytime travels.  Glowing with lights in the evening.  This was my first time seeing it change before my eyes ... and I've never seen more variation.  Each version of it was beautiful enough for me to want to paint those colors ... but by the time I'd mixed up my guess at that, the Mission became something else.

So, here it is, my plein air attempt modified to get closer to what it was at least at one moment in time.

Two other paintings from the trip are "Purple Mountain Majesty" (sold) and "Desert Garden." Painting there required a completely different palette. These three are unusual for me  ... but I loved the colors and light there.  Something to somehow weave into scenes and set ups closer to home.  Or, maybe I need to visit there again.

"Desert Garden," oil, 12"h x 16"w, Jill Banks 2012

I put up another blog post yesterday ... but too late for those of you who get these via email.  Go to: jillbanks.blogspot. com for the earlier post.

Also, tomorrow -- Wednesday, December 19 -- I'll be in the Artists' Atelier for open hours, noon-4pm -- the last "sure" day to be able to shop for art or cards or artful gifts there before Christmas.  (We will be open on Saturday, December 22 as well -- I just won't be there then.)  I hope you can come for a visit.  1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits
Register now for Winter classes.  See my web site: www.JillBanks.com, Classes page for Still Life Painting in Oils and Draw, Paint, Sculpt the Portrait -- offered through the Great Falls School of Art, Great Falls, VA.

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Closed: December 26.

A Long Look in the Mirror

"Self Portrait 2012," oil, 14"x 11", copyright Jill Banks 2012

I was back at painting a self portrait today ... staring at myself in the mirror ... and working on a canvas that now holds many layers of me.  Or, sort of me.

A Tribute
Yesterday, Randy and I attended the memorial service for Dr. Nancy Bruckner.  I'd gotten to know Nancy as a student in my Portrait Painting class.  She'd taken up art after being forced to leave her dermatology practice due to a return of breast cancer symptoms after a seven-year-long remission.

During that first term Nancy was taking my class, I was unaware that she had cancer.  It came up at an end of class session lunch get-together.  Nancy said, now that we've painted together, why don't we go around the circle and tell each other something about ourselves. She led off, and that's when she spoke about her illness. I remember that afternoon as one of realizing just how much we don't see about those people around us -- and the treasure and wisdom to be found when we take the opportunity to ask, listen and discover each other.

That was part of what made the 100 Faces in 100 Days Project so special -- when I painted an alla prima portrait of sitters who volunteered their faces and thoughts every day from January 1 to April 10, 2011.  Nancy was one of those faces. I recall our conversation.  I was shocked at how much hardship she'd had in her life.  It was difficult to imagine walking in her shoes.  At that time, while struggling with her own health issues, she was helping to care for her invalid brother and ailing father.  She didn't question "why me?" but seemed just to accept the facts and figure out how to make the best of it.  Because so many of her circumstances were sad (to me), I probed for answers less.  Yesterday's service showed me how much I missed.

What I didn't immediately see is while her life's circumstances weren't easy, Nancy built a beautiful life. She chose a wonderful husband. Loved lots. Treated patients, family, friends with great respect, empathy and care.  Lived deliberately. Showed the way. Threw herself into each of her endeavors -- the projects she took on -- including painting, a found passion chosen later in life. Made sure she let people know what they meant to her. 

What Nancy's husband, Steven, wanted us to see through the memorial service were all the facets of her life that formed her whole exceptional person.  It was a celebration of her as mom, wife, relative, healer (doctor), colleague, artist, friend, and caregiver. In his introduction, Steven mentioned that this may be the first memorial service in which you hear from the deceased. Nancy had typed up a letter to be read there at the gathering. She wanted to have the last word, or at least the first of the last words. What I remember in Nancy's message was how much she loved the people in her life.  She recalled regretting not speaking at her nanny's funeral -- that she had a lot to say but was worried about bungling the words. How wonderful a person she was deserved to be heard.

Nancy, I'm sure, is proud of all of those who spoke up for her yesterday. Among the tears were laughter (Nancy had quite a sense of humor), music that soothed the soul, and thankfulness for having been touched by her life.

(For those of you who receive this via email -- go to jillbanks.blogspot.comjillbanks.blogspot.com for this and today's post.)

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Closed: December 26.

Register for Winter 2013 Art Classes in Northern Virginia

Classes and Workshops for Adults and Children Now Online for the Great Falls School of Art

"Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange," oil, 24"h x 18"w

For Winter 2013, I'm offering two classes:

• Still Life Painting in Oils on Tuesdays, 10am-1pm 
• and a course with a new twist and day: Draw, Paint, Sculpt the Portrait on Wednesdays, 9:30am-1:30pm. Find out more about the class on my web site's Classes page.  I'm excited about it! I hope you are, too. (The sculpture shown is one I did of my daughter -- before starting painting and drawing classes -- many moons ago. Can't wait to dig back into clay.)

 There are lots of other class/workshop offerings and new teachers.  You'll have to do a little digging to find the right way to bring art into your life this Winter -- look at each of the classes, check your schedule, learn more about the instructors, pick a class and dive in!
All are being offered through the Great Falls School of Art located at 1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA.  Come Join Us!

Sculpture is being added to the Portrait class: learn the planes of the face

For more info or questions, please feel free to contact me or Julie Casso, the School Director. The school phone is: (703) 232-1575 or email: GFSchoolofArt@gmail.com. 

For a listing of all adult classes/workshops offered through the Great Falls School of Art, go to:
http://www.greatfallsart.org/adult-classes/

For kid's classes, go to:
http://www.greatfallsart.org/childrens-classes/

"John," oil, 40"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks, private collection

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Back to Painting: "Harbourside Burger and Brew" in Progress

"Harbourside Burgers and Brew" work in progress, oil, 16"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

Short post ... but I may add to it later tonight.

This painting, while still a work in progress, was one of the works from a Spring plein air painting "vacation" in Hilton Head.  It was started in Harbour Town, Hilton Head, SC in March.

See it on day 1 on my blog post from March 23.

It's great to have just a painting day!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Birthday Celebrating at the National Gallery of Art

...With my favorite date.  (Husband, Randy.) This morning, I was trying to decide on a specific museum or show to see -- looking online for inspiration. What I chose started with lunch at a favorite spot -- the Garden Cafe at the National Gallery of Art's West Building. A great start.

"Trevi Fountain," oil, 14"h x 11"w was purchased by a new collector (to me) on Sunday at the 

Holiday Show

From the National Gallery of Art web site, one of Mary Borgman's charcoal drawings

The National Portrait Gallery's "Drawing on the Edge" Exhibit
After a tour, viewing some more of the rooms, and sitting down to draw one of the fountains (it's about halfway there -- to be finished at another time), it was off to the American Art Museum -- to see the Civil War art exhibit and around the corner to the National Portrait Gallery. At the Portrait Gallery, there is a six-person exhibit called "Drawing on the Edge" that's part of their Portraiture Now program.  Of the group, way-over-life-sized charcoal drawings created on Mylar by Mary Borgman were my favorites. Talk about power. Go to the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery site: http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/drawing/ to view the "Drawing on the Edge" exhibit ... and then make it down there in person if you can.

Thank You For Your Support
I feel truly blessed to have people who care about my work, show up at events whenever they can, email and talk with me, read the blog, want to own one of my originals, cheer me on, agree to model for me, and decide to take a piece home with them. You are amazing!!!

You are why I get to paint and create as my life's work. Thank you!!!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Holiday Art Show This Weekend

Ho! Ho! Ho! Here's what you'll see in my nook this weekend.

Come this Saturday and Sunday, December 8 & 9, 10am to 5pm to Great Falls Studios Annual Holiday Art Show & Sale.

My "booth" is set up and I've already spotted lots of beautiful artful gifts to be.

You are invited to this weekend's Holiday Art Show and Sale presented by Great Falls Studios. December 8 & 9, 10am to 5pm at the Village Green Day School at 790 Walker Road (in the center of Great Falls, VA). There I'll be -- along with 23 other artists -- helping you spread some holiday cheer through the gift of original art. There will be a drawing for four $50 art bucks on Saturday -- for shoppers to use toward the purchase of work in the Holiday Show on Sunday. Each year, I do almost all of my Christmas present shopping there. It's a happy place to shop.

Now there are tags to make ... and a few other details to attend to before tomorrow morning.

I hope to see you this weekend!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits
Holiday Art Show and Sale, Saturday and Sunday, December 8 & 9, 10am - 5pm, Village Green Day School, 790 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. 23 Great Falls Studios artists participating (including me).

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Home Studio Open House: Incredible!!!

My dining room: the morning after

"Dining Alfresco" -- off to a new home

Last night, Randy, my Mom and Dad and I held our fourth annual Home Studio Open House party: a get-together and big thank you to collectors, students and art shoppers. It was amazing! And pretty crazy. Guests were beaming from ear to ear ... wandering three floors filled with 154 paintings and drawings, with a room-by-room list of artwork in hand ... to mark which pieces call to them most.

The artwork was doing a lot of calling. 17 pieces earned red dots last night ... added to two more purchased last week -- that were still on display in the house. I was able to take Randy out to lunch today.

Randy: Right after the party

I was so excited, too, about each person's purchases. Favorite pieces are going to wonderful homes. I love that those collectors -- saw what I saw in the piece -- and loved it enough to want to take it home. I'd find out something had sold (Randy handles almost all purchases), then find out who bought it -- and was so glad it was them.  All night, purchasers and their selections were just perfectly paired. How great is that?

Walt and Maria with their painting: "Lunch in the Courtyard Café

While most of the collecting was done by guests who own several of my pieces, two new collectors succeeded in their goal to own one of my original oils. They've been on this hunt for a long time -- it was a very big deal!

That's enough about the art-buying stuff (although I'll list the ones moving away at the end of this post). The best part of last night was the people who came. (Though I really missed some of you who've come before but couldn't make it this time.) They are such great supporters that they make my "work" -- that's already ridiculously thrilling to do -- 100 times more rewarding. I'm so glad that they are a part of my life!

I used to feel guilty about not being able to spend much time talking to each guest. It isn't possible. What I've found is that this is an experience different than any other art event and that the fun of the event is about looking all around however each guest chooses. It's a self-guided tour with a few instructions given by my mom and dad.

View of my studio: looking better than ever!!!!

As it is, even with a six hour window (3 to 9pm), the four of us are moving every minute, working our tushies off (well, actually, mine's still there), to keep a record 88 guests super happy.  In the end, sort of a miracle, only one "goody" bag -- treats given to each guest when they left -- remained.  How'd that happen?

"Quick Hen" --  6"x 6", under new ownership. Painted on Laura's farm this Spring.

My mom and dad were unbelievable -- as they always are.  They offered the warmest of welcomes, provided lots of the food and drink, excelled at name tag duty, bartended -- you name it. Thank you, Mom and Dad!!!!

If I ever want to get pictures of the party in full swing, a photographer will have to be hired. Most of the photos I have are taken after the fact... minus the people, minus some paintings ... and minus lots of the glow our home (and the art) takes on at night. I'll try to take more ... and post them here of the almost-the-same parts of the house -- at night -- some day soon.

"Quiet," charcoal

So, that list. Going or gone to new homes from last night's event are:

1. "Pomegranates"
2. "Quiet"
3. "Head Scarf & Red Skirt"
4. "Murano Cat"
5. "Buckingham Palace Fountain"
6. "Over the Shoulder"
7. "Dining Alfresco"
8. "He Started It!"
9. "Town Center Fountain"
10. "Quick Hen"
11. "Lemon Yellow"
12. "Hudson River Morn, Jr."
13. "On the Waterfront"
14. "Purple Mountain Majesty"
15. "Here's Looking at You, Kid"
16. "Pool Room"
17. "Lunch in the Courtyard Café"

"Town Center Fountain"  -- many guests wanted to go home with this one. One did.

And from just a couple of days ago:
  18. "Bringing Home the Tree"
  19. "Ride 'Em Cowgirl"

It's been a heck of a week. Thank you to all of you collecting my work. Wow!

"He Started It!," 12"h x 9"w, sold

You are invited to this weekend's Holiday Art Show and Sale presented by Great Falls Studios. December 8 & 9, 10am to 5pm at the Village Green Day School at 790 Walker Road (in the center of Great Falls, VA). There I'll be -- along with 23 other artists -- helping you spread some holiday cheer through the gift of original art. There will be a drawing for four $50 art bucks on Saturday -- for shoppers to use toward the purchase of work in the Holiday Show on Sunday. Each year, I do almost all of my Christmas present shopping there. It's a happy place to shop.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits
Holiday Art Show and Sale, Saturday and Sunday, December 8 & 9, 10am - 5pm, Village Green Day School, 790 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. 23 Great Falls Studios artists participating (including me).

"Pool Room," 6"h x 8"w was one of the paintings that went home with a new collector.

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

October 2 through December 6, Greenberry's Coffee & Tea, 6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA. Solo show of seven oil paintings celebrating coffee, friends and family and food.

Decking the Halls

"Purple Mountain Majesty" from Arizona

I am alive.

This morning I received an email from my cousin, checking in to make sure that I hadn't fallen in a sink hole or something. He's a regular reader of my blog and a week's worth of silence was too much. That may be true for some of the rest of you.

"Harbor Side Happy Hour" from Hilton Head, SC's Shelter Cove

While the week has passed with some painting getting accomplished -- the stuff I usually blog about, I've been relatively adventure-free -- the other stuff that fills these posts. Time has been spent decking the halls of our home with artwork and Christmas cheer -- well ahead of the holiday. I rethink where to hang each piece of art -- which is a bit nuts. Well, maybe not just a bit. But, I try to surround each room and nook with something to see and enjoy.

"Pie in the Sky Pizzeria" from Wayne, PA

Even though art adventures aren't happening right this moment, hanging the work has left me with the impression that it's been a heck of a year. Whether scenes away from home -- views from the shower in NYC; Hilton Head cafes; a week of plein air paintings from Wayne, Pennsylvania; or capturing the pastel colors of the Arizona desert -- or closer by -- from nearby farms and urban spots like Herndon and the Reston Town Center, each image on canvas evokes memories as immediate as today.

"Town Center Fountain" from the Reston Town Center

I did want to catch up some with tonight's post. I wrote the beginning of it earlier today. Then, at dinner tonight, I found out it is Friday, not Thursday. I'm on a deadline. It's a little disconcerting to have suddenly lost a day. Where'd it go? Who found it?

Hopefully, I'll post again before too long.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

October 2 through November 30, Greenberry's Coffee & Tea, 6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA. Solo show of seven oil paintings celebrating coffee, friends and family and food. 

Pepper Help

"Eat Your Veggies," oil, 24"h x 18"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

"Eat Your Veggies" -- a painting started during my Fall Still Life Painting class demo -- finally is finished, thanks to yellow and red peppers that became part of yesterday's feast. So, in a way, it's this year's ode to Thanksgiving.

Last year's Thanksgiving-related work was originally titled "Turkey Soup" -- later changed to "Persimmons in the Kitchen." Daughter-in-law Michelle was making turkey soup with leftovers in 2011. In 2012, she was in charge, among other things for roasted vegetables -- including these peppers.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for you!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

"Persimmons in the Kitchen," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

October 2 through November 30, Greenberry's Coffee & Tea, 6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA. Solo show of seven oil paintings celebrating coffee, friends and family and food. 

 

American Women Artists 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition, November 2-25, K Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden, Tubac, Arizona. "Honey Bunny" is one of 60 artworks chosen from around the country. 

Thinking of Christmas

"Bringing Home the Tree," oil, 8"h x 6"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

I know that we're two days from Thanksgiving ... but for many reasons, the next holiday is on my mind. Another, better photo will follow ... maybe tomorrow between cooking episodes in anticipation of turkey day.

The painting is of a figurine purchased by my mom for dad's 65th birthday during a trip to Venice that year. Now I'm off for a belated birthday dinner ... different year ... for my dad.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

October 2 through November 30, Greenberry's Coffee & Tea, 6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA. Solo show of seven oil paintings celebrating coffee, friends and family and food. 

 

American Women Artists 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition, November 2-25, K Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden, Tubac, Arizona. "Honey Bunny" is one of 60 artworks chosen from around the country. 

More events are listed on my web site: www.JillBanks.com

"Pomegranates" Continued

"Pomegranates," oil, 10"h x 8"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

This weekend hasn't gone exactly as planned. Perhaps that's because my little toe was involved with a major collision with our family room coffee table ... the result of which led me to doing more sitting than standing the last couple of days. My goal was to finish some (many) paintings. I did finish "Pomegranates" yesterday during open hours at the Atelier, and the next hour or two will find me back at the easel doing something.

Late afternoon, I picked back up my three paintings from the Treasury of Art show in Vienna, Virginia. No one purchased them, but they gained some admirers. All three of those ("Tranquility," "London Times" and "Not Picasso") drew plenty of positive reviews. They were good choices -- thanks to some help from a friend. (Thanks, Terri!)

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

"London Times," oil, 18"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

October 2 through November 30, Greenberry's Coffee & Tea, 6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA. Solo show of seven oil paintings celebrating coffee, friends and family and food. 

 

American Women Artists 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition, November 2-25, K Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden, Tubac, Arizona. "Honey Bunny" is one of 60 artworks chosen from around the country. 

More events are listed on my web site: www.JillBanks.com

Art Night in Vienna

"Tranquility" wins kudos at Treasury of Art

Vienna, Virginia.  Tonight was the awards reception for the Vienna Arts Society's Treasury of Art. This is a three-day only show where you can see three of my pieces: "Tranquility," "Not Picasso" and "London Times." "Tranquility" was selected by juror, Peter Ulrich, for a Second Place award.

This is what Peter Ulrich had to say about "Tranquility":

"This beautiful painting is a contrast of a colorful subject against subdued and neutral areas. The two pieces of background and foreground are triangles and the figure herself is a triangle superimposed on them. So, in addition to being a rich color study, it also is an efficient use of the space with this interlocking triangular geometry. It's always important in figurative work to capture the mood of the subject. The artist has created a tangible representation of the intangible mood of tranquility. A marvelous work."

"Not Picasso," oil, 24"h x 18"w, by Jill Banks

It's interesting to read someone else's "take" on what you have created. I remember the struggle of deciding on the background while conquering the subject. I chose to set her where she was -- in the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 13 other artists -- but to still only hint at it, subduing the color to keep all eyes on the subject. It was clear that was the right choice -- after it had been made. Murky waters before.

You can see the show Saturday, November 17, 10am to 9pm and Sunday, November 18, 12pm to 4pm at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street, Vienna, VA 22180.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD! (Saturday, November 17)

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

"London Times," oil, 18"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

October 2 through November 30, Greenberry's Coffee & Tea, 6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA. Solo show of seven oil paintings celebrating coffee, friends and family and food. 

American Women Artists 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition, November 2-25, K Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden, Tubac, Arizona. "Honey Bunny" is one of 60 artworks chosen from around the country. 

Allied Artists of America 99th Annual Exhibition, November 9-18, National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park, NYC

More events are listed on my web site: www.JillBanks.com

The Brown Portrait: It's a "Go"

"Carolyn and Lou Brown," oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

Yesterday I sent an email to Lou and Carolyn Brown -- my sitters from Alabama -- to show them a photo of their finished portrait ... and to ask for their approval or request for changes.

Early this afternoon I received a funny reply. I'll ask permission to reprint here verbatim ... but it was certainly short and to the point.

The gist of the message: No changes. Not one.

It's a "go" ... which in this case means waiting for it to dry, varnishing it, having it professionally photographed and sending it off to Alabama.

"Cup of Tea," oil, 20" x 20" by Jill Banks

With the painting will go the cribbage board and cards that have been sitting on and off on the coffee table in my living room ... reminders of eight days of Lou and Carolyn's keeping me company on the couch.

We had so much fun those eight days. They are beautiful people ... and it was a huge treat to spend time together.  While continue painting on the portrait after they headed home, I kept on smiling ... recalling jokes, stories, laughter, wisdom, good cheer.

See more portraits in the Works section of my web site at www.JillBanks.com. (I haven't added the Brown portrait there yet. Soon.)

"Large Squares, Small Squares" Exhibit Hung
The Atelier gallery has a new show and I'm represented with two paintings of croissants: "The Weekend Edition" and "Cup of Tea" -- both 20" x 20." Come see the show during open hours or the reception this Friday, November 17, 6:30 to 8:30pm at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.

"The Weekend Edition," oil, 20" x 20", by Jill Banks

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits
"Large Squares, Small Squares," Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, November 14-December 31. Opening Reception: Friday, November 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

October 2 through November 30, Greenberry's Coffee & Tea, 6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA. Solo show of seven oil paintings celebrating coffee, friends and family and food. 

American Women Artists 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition, November 2-25, K Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden, Tubac, Arizona. "Honey Bunny" is one of 60 artworks chosen from around the country. 

Allied Artists of America 99th Annual Exhibition, November 9-18, National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park, NYC

More events are listed on my web site: www.JillBanks.com