A New York Sort of Day

"Hudson River View," 14"h x 11"w, oil, copyright Jill Banks 2012

Originally, Randy and I planned on returning home today from New York. That changed when I opened the door to our hotel room. It's the perfect place to paint! I took the elevator back down to the lobby and booked an extra day. The balcony is amazing, but with a cool day, sunrise was spent painting in the view from the shower (all glass) looking out over the city. The easel was set up in the same spot all afternoon/early evening.

"Hudson River View" looks a bit crazy ... but it's my version of sunrise from the shower.

After a little painting this morning, I went to a sketching session (from 9 to noon) at the kind invitation of Janet Cook, the Best of Show 2D winner at Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibit. It was difficult to choose between the balcony view and drawing from the model in Janet's NYC studio. Difficult, because I was dying to do both.

Charcoal portrait sketches from this morning's life session

A group of three (plus me today) regularly get together to sketch from the model. Poses ranged from two minutes to twenty. I'd love to get a group together to do this back on home. (Any takers?)

I am so glad that we made it to the CLWAC reception. One of the draws was a chance to talk with and get to know other members -- something not possible in the jam-packed events related to the Annual Open Exhibition.

A real treat last night came just as we were walking up to the Salmagundi Club. My piece, "Hog Wild" is one of the poster images for the show that is on the sign right in front of the club.  Cool!

Poster for the CLWAC. My painting is the one with the red background.

Gloria Spevacek won an award for her sculpture of a rabbit, and we had a good time talking at the show. Her sculpture of a puma is a huge, beautiful piece. Randy's first comment about that was that he was glad not to be responsible for bringing that one in during receiving. It must weigh a ton. Photos of her with her pieces to come ... probably tomorrow.

I've painted additional pieces today ... but now it's time for a rest. Tomorrow may bring more.

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

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Register for Spring 2012 Classes

Portrait Painting and Drawing, Mondays, 10am-1pm, starting April 2
Still Life Painting, Tuesdays, 10am-1pm, starting April 3
See Jill's Web Site, Classes page for more information, supply list and registration form. Classes are filling. Sign up now!!!

Exhibits and Events

March 2-31, “Black and White” Exhibit in the Artists’ Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Visit Saturdays, noon-4pm or by appointment or whenever an artist is in the studio. My entries: “Oscar,” “Quiet”  and “Carpeaux’s Napolitano Fisherboy” charcoal, and “Market Street Bar & Grill” ink wash/pen and ink drawings. Come visit. Reception, Saturday, March 17, noon to 4pm.

March 17-30, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club’s Member Exhibit, Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Award and opening reception, Friday, March 23, 6-8pm. “Hog Wild” and “Dining Alfresco” on exhibit.

April 14-May 4, Salon International 2012, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX. Opening Reception: Saturday, April 14, 10am-8pm. “Contrapposto”

May 15-19, Wayne Plein Air Festival 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA. Gala Preview and Artists' Reception, Saturday, May 19, 6-10pm at the Wayne Art Center. Exhibition to follow May 20-June 23 at the Wayne Art Center. 

May 1-31, Solo Show, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Sunday, May 6, 2-5pm. More information to come (when I figure it out).