Today at the Torpedo Factory

"Tools of the Trade" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, Jill Banks 2012

Today brought lots of visitors ... all day long. Two very enthusiastic young girls loved looking at my paints and painting ... one said she just loved the way I paint ... as mom looked on from afar. I think they would have stayed there forever.

Two of my visitors were here for the 70th Reunion of the Guadalcanal Campaign -- here with their fathers.

My foreign visitors came from Ukraine, France, Australia and Holland.

U.S. visitors came from Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Colorado, California.

Two interesting portrait demo prospects came at the end of the day. They would be great subjects ... but aren't local and will be gone before the demos. The young woman looked very Bohemian with a guitar by her side. Maybe I'll approach some of the street musicians.

I'm not getting much painting in ... but some. That's my "Hudson River Morn" painting in progress behind "Tools of the Trade."  I may move on to working on the NYC painting tomorrow ... as a break.

Tomorrow's a long day. 10am-5pm at the Torpedo Factory, then receiving for the Art League's 'Scapes show tomorrow night. It's doubtful that I'll be in a typing mood at the end of that.

I'm enjoying my days at the Torpedo Factory. I'm not sure that's getting across. The commute squeezes time away from reflection on the many great parts of the day. But, they are there.

Exhibits and Events (Now look at this on the Events page at www.JillBanks.com)

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333. See regular hours/days, reception, demo dates on the events page on my web site.  
Reception: Thursday, August 9, 6-9pm (2nd Thursday Art Night receptions throughout the Torpedo Factory).  
Portrait painting demos: Sunday, August 12 and August 19 and August 26, 1 to 5pm.
I'll be in my studio:
Mondays, 10am-5pm
Thursdays, 2-9pm
Friday, noon-6pm
Saturdays, noon to 6pm
Sundays, noon to 6pm
Other events/times will be listed on my event page on my new web site. I hope to see you there!

July 7- August 31, Artists' Atelier, "Water, Water, Everywhere" group exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.  Open Saturdays, noon - 4pm. 

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