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

Those Are My Blue Paper Towels

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

Today was the second to last Still Life class of the term, and with many students gone missing, I had a chance to paint between visits to other easels. Trina had brought in a big wooden basket full of pomegranates for sharing (as in eating) ... and as potential painting subjects. They are set up on top of the blue Shop Towels that are indispensable painting companions of mine.

Colors
While painting this, we were discussing last week's workshop with Lea Colie Wight from Studio Incamminati. One of my takeaways from the week is a renewed appreciation of some of the colors that had worked their way off of my palette. (Studio Incamminati's full supply list is missing some of my standard colors ... but adds about 50% more to the line-up.) Actually, it was pretty funny to have gone from painting with seven tubes of oils the weekend before in Tucson/Tubac, Arizona ... and then controlling an eye-popping array just a few days later.

Three color additions have caught my attention: Dioxazine Purple, Pthalo Turquoise and Indian Yellow. All three were booted off before for "bad" behavior, but now all of a sudden, I'm finding them incredibly useful. They are highly staining, saturated, crazy colors that can be added to other "saner" oils to darken (or brighten) them while still retaining a punch. Look at the bottom of the front pomegranate. I'm not sure of the exact mixture ... and I paint right on top of the oils underneath ... but that's probably Permanent Rose and Dioxazine. It's tough to get a deep red without muddying it. Voila! A perfect solution, too, for many mouths (on portraits, the line where the upper and lower lips meet is a dark, bright, saturated red).

And those blue paper towels. The Pthalo Turquoise mixed with white and Cobalt or French Ultramarine helped engineer my Shop Towels (the surface of the still life) in the light.  In our color discussion, Carol added that Indian Yellow and French Ultramarine make a great green. She was right and I added that into the shadow on the towels as a top layer.

The workshop was a reminder to play with your paints. Push for new discoveries. Experiment with color.

Please excuse my recent absence from posting. I've either been too tired (during the workshop), on a different time zone (Arizona trip) or painting into the night (finishing portrait commissions). I can't wait to walk in my still-to-be-tidied-up (it's a MESS) studio and go a little nuts. There's so much I want to paint!

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

"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

Out of the Frying Pan ...

"Figure Study 1" from today, 40 minutes, closed grisaille

And into the fire. The plane landed (from Tuscon, Arizona) and a workshop with Lea Colie Wight, a super instructor from Nelson Shanks' Studio Incamminati Atelier program started at the Great Falls School of Art. So far, it's been two days (of five) of painting bootcamp for the lucky participants in Great Falls, VA. I'm enjoying being a participant (vs. teacher) and painting gesture after gesture ... and settling into some longer poses with a great model under the gentle and effective instruction supplied by Lea.

The five-day workshop is offered through Studio Incamminati as part of their "In Your Town" program. Having taken a couple of intensive workshops up in Philadelphia many years ago, I sure appreciate the ability to be at home and still get the benefits of the program's offerings.

"Figure Study 2" from today, 50 minutes

Tomorrow there is a new model ... with increasingly longer poses. Should be fun. Can't tell you how pooped I am ... however ... by the end of the day.

Figure Study 2 wasn't quite as strong as the one done right before, despite an extra 10 or so minutes. Blame a full day of painting.

Two Pieces In at the Art League
There are dual exhibits going on this month at the Art League in Alexandria, VA: "Small Works" and "Large Works" shows juried by two different judges. One piece of mine made it into each, so this month you can see "Sunflowers in My Studio II" (large works) and "Monkeying Around" (small works) there throughout November. 

"Sunflowers In My Studio II" in the "Large Works" exhibit

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

American Women Artists, Tucson Time

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

These few days in Arizona -- enjoying activities related to the American Women Artists Juried Exhibition -- have been fantastic. Randy is probably tired of hearing me rave about this group of highly accomplished artists. After painting at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum yesterday morning, the two of us took a look at the show in the gallery by the Signature and Master Signature members -- "Visions of the Southwest" (on exhibit November 3 to January 6) -- and it is phenomenal. Comparable to the best I've seen anywhere. I'm still raving about the juried exhibition as well. As impressive as all the artwork is, the people I've met are even more so. Open, happy to share, surprisingly non-competitive, comfortable with what they've accomplished and working to help others with a leg up.

Late afternoon was spent plein air painting at the San Xavier Mission. Two very different locations with lunch and a spectacular drive through the mountains inbetween. The Mission was challenging to paint. The Arizonan sun turned the facade into an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors that I tried to chase with a very limited palette. In addition we walked around a big circle looking for a good view that also provided scarce shade. I found it, but the search stole a half an hour.

There are so many favorite times of this trip. One (sort of) non-art-related highlight was dinner at Elvira's in Tubac. Such a romantic, beautifully lit, soft, whimsical place. A duo performed all of us lucky enough to be there that evening. A funny note is that when we walked to our table, the couple next to us asked how the painting turned out. They had passed by while I was painting "Purple Mountain Majesty."

Now we're back home. Time to get ready for the week ahead.

"Sunflowers and Gladioli"

"Sunflowers and Gladioli" Off to Their New Home
While I was away, collectors took home "Sunflowers and Gladioli" -- a still life packed with meaning for me and for them. It's always interesting (and heart-warming) to hear why/how people feel connected to a piece.

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

Mountain Time

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

Hi from Tubac, Arizona ... where Randy and I attended the awards brunch and reception of the American Women Artists (AWA) National Juried Exhibition at the K Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden. I love it here! This is our first visit to Arizona and it felt like entering a whole other world just exiting the Tucson airport. Cacti are everywhere ... real and via artistic interpretation. The Santa Rita mountains greet us on streets around and in/out of town. Somehow ... while I think they are right there ... they mysteriously manage to recede into the distance.

From the AWA Show: "Honey Bunny" -- my still life with bunny and lilies is right in the middle

The show at the gallery is outstanding, as is the gallery itself. We spent hours looking at the art, meeting artists, enjoying this welcoming group. It is a real honor to be included in the show. Amazing!

The AWA brunch was for members and afternoon reception for the general public. In between we wandered through the galleries and shops in Tubac. It's an art haven.

Tomorrow I'll be participating in a paint out at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in the morning, then may figure out other spots to both visit and paint.

This afternoon, I took the opportunity to paint those purple mountains ... and managed to find some shade under which to enjoy those hours. The hardest part of the day was figuring out which direction to face. Every spot is gorgeous!

My lack of posts have been due to work on my two major portrait commissions. One may be done and the other is so close! I have the distinct impression that they may indeed be done well before managing to come to that conclusion myself. Perhaps it's just difficult to let go.

Walls Full of Art
The Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA) will be full of screens of extra work and the gallery is still hung from Studio Tour if you'd like to take a look during open hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm through November 14.

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