"Sunflowers in My Studio II" Wins Honorable Mention

"Sunflowers in My Studio II," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

In the Art League's "Large Works" exhibit, "Sunflowers in My Studio II" earned an honorable mention. I was happy to hear it and plan to attend Thursday night's (tomorrow's) opening and awards reception to see both the "Large Works" and "Small Works" show. (The reception is at the Art League Gallery in the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, on Thursday, November 8, 6:30 to 8:00pm.)

Today was day three of Studio Incamminati instructor Lea Wight's workshop being taught at the Great Falls School of Art. After a series of very short gestural poses, we moved on today to a long pose -- with a new model -- which will continue for the rest of the workshop.  Everything slowed down ... and I cheated a little with this post be cropping out the model's right hand -- one that had been plaguing me the entire afternoon. Right before leaving for home, I erased it. Tomorrow's another day.

"Figure Study: Day One": Closed grisaille

We've been working on 16" x 20" canvases and all poses/paintings are meant to cover the canvas as fully as possible while including the figure from head to toe. This is a great way to quickly learn proportions. At the same time, with a slender model and standing pose shown head to toe, she doesn't fill up too much of the width. (A 12" x 24" canvas would have been a better choice.) But, another part of the teaching is that this is about learning, not producing a great painting.

Because I've been through several of the Studio Incamminati programs in the past ... and spent the last nine years painting, learning is more incremental rather than done in huge leaps. At the same time, I'm constantly struggling with one thing or another. I'm going to spend the next two days trying to answer as many of those issues as possible -- by tapping the expertise of an exceptional painter and instructor.  I've actually been a lazy student -- not going into the workshop with a clear agenda. Time to change that!

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

Events and Exhibits
Atelier 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