"June Peonies" Finished and Under a Russian Influence

"June Peonies," oil on Raymar board, 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

I saved a word and changed the title from "Peonies in June" to "June Peonies." Just seems simpler.

This is the last day I presume my peonies will be looking their finest -- so they've been my painting subjects of the day.

A Little Russian Influence
With some time away from my easel, outside influences have had a chance to run a bit more strongly. Currently I'm intrigued by Russian artists of today and the past, loving their brushstrokes, the thick build up of paint and quiet admiration for their subjects. "June Peonies" is, in its way, an ode to a beginning -- to see what exactly is drawing me to the work, to study their art, see what I can learn. "June Peonies" isn't quiet, but quieter (for me) and more expressionistic than many of my pieces. A successful day.

Isaac Levitan (Russian, 1860-1900), "Over Eternal Peace," 1894

Isaac Levitan, Landscape Artist
This past week, I've received daily emails from DickBellBookMaven.com, a dealer specializing in hard-to-come-by art books. The most tempting were four copies of a book about Isaac Levitan, a classical Lithuanian-Russian landscape painter whose work is astonishingly beautiful. The price tag is $290 for the book -- so I passed, but it propelled me to find out more about him and that's a good thing.

Isaac Levitan (Russian, 1860-1900), "The Lake," 1900

Levitan's painting, "The Lake" was his last unfinished painting, and it sure speaks peace to me. He was dying of a terminal disease, and yet this gorgeous, filled with light landscape tells volumes about his frame of mind.

From my research on the painting, it has plenty of variations. Actually, both of them do. A disclaimer, I'm not at all an authority. I appreciated the paintings, this artist and thought you might, too.

Read more about the artist at Feanor's loosely translated version of Grigory Ostrovsky's essay on Isaac Levitan.

Exhibits and Events

May 20-June 30, Wayne Plein Air Exhibition 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA (May 15-19). 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.  Eight pieces for purchase/on exhibit.

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333

August 1-10, "Quiet" in Salmagundi Club's Annual Photography and Graphics Exhibition held at Denise Bibro Fine Art, Chelsea, NYC.

Sunday, October 14, MPA Artfest Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 20&21, Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, 10am-5pm, visit artists in their studios throughout Great Falls on a self-guided tour. I’ll be at the Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

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

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Figs and Friends" Wet Paint

"Figs and Friends," oil, 8"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

So, if you happened to have seen my earlier post with photo number one of this painting, you'll realized it not only got a new photo ... but some changes to the piece as well. It's possible I might tweak this more at some point ... but it's an improvement. The light of day tomorrow will fill me in on just how satisfied I am with it. (It's growing on me.)

Tomorrow I hope to return to some pressing painting projects. At least one. With some luck, all my body parts will feel like playing along with me. Keep your fingers crossed.

Exhibits and Events

May 20-June 30, Wayne Plein Air Exhibition 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA (May 15-19). 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.  Eight pieces for purchase/on exhibit.

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333

August 1-10, "Quiet" in Salmagundi Club's Annual Photography and Graphics Exhibition held at Denise Bibro Fine Art, Chelsea, NYC.

Sunday, October 14, MPA Artfest Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 20&21, Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, 10am-5pm, visit artists in their studios throughout Great Falls on a self-guided tour. I’ll be at the Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

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

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Painting, "Peonies In June"

"Peonies in June" work in progress, oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

There's a toss-up between my favorite flowers ... sunflowers, peonies, sunflowers, peonies. Lots of  others bring a smile to my face, but these two touch my heart somehow. With the peony season lasting about two seconds, it seems I've missed out on them ... at their peak often.

So, a visit to Trader Joe's today raked in a big-time bonus. Peonies in June. I figured that was just the inspiration I needed for some time at the easel after an extended recuperatory break.

Here's my good start on them. Hopefully, more tomorrow. I know they won't wait for me.

My start for "Peonies in June"

Exhibits and Events

May 20-June 30, Wayne Plein Air Exhibition 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA (May 15-19). 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.  Eight pieces for purchase/on exhibit.

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333

August 1-10, "Quiet" in Salmagundi Club's Annual Photography and Graphics Exhibition held at Denise Bibro Fine Art, Chelsea, NYC.

Sunday, October 14, MPA Artfest Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 20&21, Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, 10am-5pm, visit artists in their studios throughout Great Falls on a self-guided tour. I’ll be at the Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

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

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Painting Clouds

"Cotton Candy Skies," oil on Raymar panel, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

This entire Spring in Northern Virginia ... continuing to today, we've been blessed with the most beautiful clouds ... more interesting than I remember here in any days past. With an area full of trees, houses and buildings, there's less open space to just stare at the sky, so the clouds come as a surprise, in the break between trees or on wider, more expansive fields or roads.

I've been waiting to paint them.

This past week has been almost a total bust -- painting-wise, with six days spent more or less at my desk or on the couch. (I've been sick.) I'd see the clouds on a car ride leaving, but once home, there wasn't any access to them from around our house, nestled in giant trees. So, I painted this one ... one with more to come ... from the comforts of my downstairs studio, imagining those cotton candy clouds.

Exhibits and Events

May 20-June 30, Wayne Plein Air Exhibition 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA (May 15-19). 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.  Eight pieces for purchase/on exhibit.

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333

August 1-10, "Quiet" in Salmagundi Club's Annual Photography and Graphics Exhibition held at Denise Bibro Fine Art, Chelsea, NYC.

Sunday, October 14, MPA Artfest Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 20&21, Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, 10am-5pm, visit artists in their studios throughout Great Falls on a self-guided tour. I’ll be at the Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

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

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

George Bellows at the National Gallery of Art

First, I'm feeling better. I just might do something today ... as in paint!

George Bellows (American, 1882-1925), New York, 1911, oil on canvas, Collection of

 Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon

Yesterday (Friday), husband Randy and I decided to turn recuperating time into doing-something-I've-been-wanting-to-do time ... and we headed to the George Bellows exhibit at the National Gallery of Art in DC late afternoon. With time being short, we had to skip the movie about him (I guess I'll have to go back) and just concentrated on the exhibit.

George Bellows, Blue Morning, 1909, Chester Dale Collection

George Bellows had been originally known to me, as he is to many, for his boxing scenes ... gritty, violent paintings that weren't exactly up my alley. In recent years, I've also seen other glimpses of him -- portraits of Chester and Maud Dale that hung on previous visits in the East Wing of the National Gallery and scenes from New York on exhibit at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. In all, there's energy mixed with no worries of refinement.

This is a fantastic exhibit. Bellows drawings were as compelling as his paintings ... with the same energy of line as brushstroke. Some (actually most) of his figures are just caricatures. It's the crowd, the action that he wants you to see -- not the individual.

My favorites were the New York scenes because they were, to me, the most beautifully painted. For all his penchant for grittiness and the seedier side of urban life, Bellows paintings of snow scenes and the Palisades are rich with color and light. He draws you in ... makes you look.

What I Took Away From the Exhibit

Each time I spend the time to look through an exhibit ... whether in a gallery or museum or elsewhere, I do a little soul-searching. What did I learn? Is there something to apply in my work? Other observations?

From George Bellows, I am reminded to strive for the big shapes (see them in Blue Morning?) and energetic paintings. The irregularity of the fence is something that comes naturally to me, too ... though my instinct might be to straighten it out. To correct. This crooked fence stands out in stark contrast to the structure that frames the painting. It's perfect by being imperfect. Contrast is key.

Slightly askew buildings okay: Sunset in NYC, ©Jill Banks 2012

Both Blue Morning and New York are in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The George Bellows retrospective exhibit is on view in the West Wing of the National Gallery, June 10 through October 8, 2012. I urge you to go take a look.

Exhibits and Events

May 20-June 30, Wayne Plein Air Exhibition 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA (May 15-19). 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.  Eight pieces for purchase/on exhibit.

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333

August 1-10, "Quiet" in Salmagundi Club's Annual Photography and Graphics Exhibition held at Denise Bibro Fine Art, Chelsea, NYC.

Sunday, October 14, MPA Artfest Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 20&21, Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, 10am-5pm, visit artists in their studios throughout Great Falls on a self-guided tour. I’ll be at the Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

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

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435