"Horsepower" Painting Continued

"Horsepower" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

Sorry to have been away from posting for awhile. Last week's talks on top of teaching made more restful days necessary. Portrait class for the last two Wednesdays have been clay days -- working to help students discover the face in three dimensions. It's been fun!

"Not Picasso" -- one of two paintings headed to the Salmagundi Club

Tonight -- after a full day of applications for various art events -- it was time to return to "Horsepower" -- my painting of an energetic carriage horse from Central Park in NYC.  I actually have another reason to return to it. One of the results of the talk on my "100 Faces in 100 Days" to the League of Reston Artists was an offer to show my animal (Feathered and Furry Friends series) paintings in an August exhibit.  That would be easier if a Summer solo show at the Great Falls Library wasn't in the works and the animal paintings weren't quite so popular.  (I'm glad they are -- Thank you collectors!) See more of them in the Animal collection on my web site: www.jillbanks.com (click on Works).

More shows are coming up. Two paintings headed to the Salmagundi Club in NYC for the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition.  "Harborside Happy Hour" and "Not Picasso" will be on exhibit there March 10 to March 28.

"Harbor Side Happy Hour," oil, 16"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

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

New Nude

"Red Pillow," oil, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

After a long hiatus, I took advantage of an open life long pose session at the McLean Community Center (McLean, VA). Yea! Loved it. Loved the setup. For dates/times for open life there, go to www.mpaart.org and click on education (I think).

Hopefully it doesn't take me as long to return again.

 The monitor today -- right at the beginning -- said he'd like to try something ... and turned off the overhead flourescent lights. Huge improvement. I can never quite figure out why art spaces add room lights that can't be controlled individually.  And, flourescent lights don't do anything good for anybody. 
 
Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

February 1 - February 28: "Flowers and Chocolate" Exhibit at the Artists'Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon - 4pm.
 

A Little Hoarse: Talk and Demo Last Night

Portrait sketch of husband Randy in progress with some of my 100 faces behind the easel. Photo by Terri Parent

Between last night's demo and talk on the "100 Faces in 100 Days" project for the League of Reston Artists and teaching still life class today, I'm literally all talked out.

The intro.  Photo by Terri Parent

I was trying to figure out logistically how to demo a quick alla prima portrait and speak intelligently about my project at the same time.  As a teacher, I'm used to talking during the demo covering what paints are being used, the method, words about the painting in progress.  That's different than painting and taking on another topic. It's like having your brain wires crossed. I was also concerned with how well this could be pulled off with my back to the group attending.

Good news is that somehow it worked out just fine. There were many familiar and welcoming faces at the meeting. I just knew it would be fun to share this terrific, challenging experience with them.

Thank you to the folks at the League of Reston Artists for inviting me.

Tomorrow's our first day working in clay for my portrait class. Something new! Tomorrow night I will be giving a shorter talk on the project for the Prince William Art Society. Let's hope I'm not squeaking or growling then.

To read up on my "100 Faces in 100 Days" project, go to my web site: www.jillbanks.com and click on the 100 Faces in 100 Days collection under Works.  Excerpts from each blog post for those sittings can be found by clicking on the painting of that person.

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

Events and Exhibits

February 1 - February 28: "Flowers and Chocolate" Exhibit at the Artists'Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon - 4pm. 

Revisiting My "100 Faces in 100 Days" Project

Diane Scott (Face #99) next to the painting of her ... with me ... on April 9, 2011

On Monday, February 18, from 7 to 9pm, I'll be painting husband Randy (a demo, sort of) while discussing some of the stories, motivation, lessons learned from the crazy "100 Faces in 100 Days" project that brought a volunteer a day to my studio from January 1 to April 10 of 2011 to sit for an alla prima portrait. The presentation/demo will be a little like juggling (trying to paint and give a talk at the same time is almost impossible) -- it should remind me a lot of those very busy and challenging 100 days.

Reston Founder Bob Simon was Face #100 and only had 1 hour 15 minutes to sit

My demo and presentation will follow a short business meeting of the League of Reston Artists taking place at the Parkridge 5 Building, 10780 Parkridge Blvd. in Conference Room 400 on the 4th Floor, Reston, VA.  Non-League of Reston Artist Members are welcome to attend.

I know that some of my 100 Faces will be there. Maybe you'll hear about the project from their perspective.

You can "meet" my 100 Faces on my web site's 100 Faces in 100 Days page (or on this blog through entries from January 1 to April 10, 2011).  Each day during the project, I put up a post introducing the face of the day, what we talked about and learned from each other, funny and touching stuff. Excerpts from the blog post can be found by clicking on each of the faces on the web site.

Visitors at the May 2011 Exhibit in the Great Falls Library ... with some of my faces

Anyway, I hope you can come.










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

Events and Exhibits

February 1 - February 28: "Flowers and Chocolate" Exhibit at the Artists'Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon - 4pm.

Monday, February 19, 7-9pm, Guest Speaker & Demonstrator, League of Reston Artists, "100 Faces in 100 Days" Project, General business meeting: 7:00 to 7:30pm, Demo/Talk, 7:30-9:00pm, 10780 Parkridge Blvd., (room to be announced -- check back here), Reston, VA 

"Toad and Tulips?" Almost Done

"Toad and Tulips" almost done, oil, 36"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

After portrait class today, and lunch, I returned to the still life set up (and deteriorating rapidly) in the Artists' Atelier. The tulips that started floppy, closed, yellow on Saturday -- turned stick-straight upright on Sunday (still yellow) and today, they are miles longer, floppy again and this gorgeous red-orange. Who could pass that up? There's very little left to do on this one. It teeters between work and progress and done. So, I'm happy with it.

Teaching classes is always rewarding, but (maybe) even more so this term. I feel so grateful that art is in my life. I remember the excitement of discovering this whole new world when first taking classes. With many new students this Winter, I get to chance to share in their fun, challenges and "aha" moments. That's pretty wonderful. Today, Christine -- whose always exuberant was even more so -- stunned at her first painted portrait. It's great, and it earned a hug. Read her blog, titled "Giddy" about today's class, her perspective.

Next week's pretty daunting.  I'm giving a talk and demo for the League of Reston Artists on Monday about my "100 Faces in 100 Days" project. Teach class on Tuesday (Still Life) and Wednesday (Portrait -- starting the sculpture segment) and then give another shorter talk on Wednesday night to the Prince William Art Society.  That's a lot of full steam ahead.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

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

Events and Exhibits

February 1 - February 28: "Flowers and Chocolate" Exhibit at the Artists'Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon - 4pm.

Monday, February 19, 7-9pm, Guest Speaker & Demonstrator, League of Reston Artists, "100 Faces in 100 Days" Project, General business meeting: 7:00 to 7:30pm, Demo/Talk, 7:30-9:00pm, 10780 Parkridge Blvd., (room to be announced -- check back here), Reston, VA

Fun Weekend ... Art & Chocolate

Frog and Parakeet painting work in progress, oil, 36"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

Thank you to many of you who showed up on short notice and helped make this such a great weekend! I truly enjoyed the opportunity of spending time with each guest. Some stayed for hours ... really getting a sense for what makes the Artists' Atelier, the studio space I share with 13 other artists (at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA) such a special place. Most had been there before, during studio tour or other events when there are so many visitors that it's much more difficult (impossible?) to have a one-on-one conversation.

The place smelled of chocolate. My contribution included made-from-scratch chocolate mini cupcakes from Ina Garten's (the Barefoot Contessa) chocolate cake recipe ... and chocolate-covered strawberries. (I don't usually bake -- but it was fun to see how much people enjoyed the treats.)

Spending time with visitors didn't leave much time to paint during the open hours but tonight I had the fun of continuing with my frog and parakeet painting. Plus, the still lifes and flowers strewn all over the studio gave me new inspiration  -- and the blue pitcher with tulips from studiomate Judith St. Ledger-Roty replaced their earlier placeholders. Such an improvement although I've spent many hours chasing the very fickle tulips.

If you didn't make it this weekend, consider joining us for open hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm throughout the month. You'll want to see this show.

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

Events and Exhibits

February 1 - February 28: "Flowers and Chocolate" Exhibit at the Artists'Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon - 4pm. 

An Artful Weekend Ahead

See my latest still life in progress at the Artists' Atelier

You're Invited ....

My Studio is freshly hung. There's a still life in progress. Taste some chocolates (while they last) while taking look at Spring anticipated in this month's gallery show "Flowers and Chocolates" at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.

Show Receptions
Saturday and Sunday, February 9 & 10, noon to 4pm, open both days
Still life demos, chocolates on Saturday, a chocolate and tea pairing seminar by Laurie Bell on Sunday (cost of the seminar $30, 1-3pm, for reservations call (703) 757-6209.

Or see the show, Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm throughout February. Less chocolate then, though.

My studio area newly hung: come take a look. I spruced it up for you!

The Patrons Show at the Art League
Today was spent volunteering hanging lots and lots of paintings in the Art League Gallery for this month's Patrons Show. Don't quote me on this ... but I believe 600 paintings have already been donated for the Luck of the Draw event held later this month.  See www.theartleague.org for more info. While I was there, many ticket holders were starting to make their list of favorites ... but they better come back again, as the work keeps flooding in. I can't imagine choosing!

"Garden Girl" Featured in elan Magazine
February's elan Magazine Calendar page features "Garden Girl" and the Artists' Atelier "Flowers and Chocolates" exhibit on page 18. Yea! You'd never guess that the photo was taken on my iPhone ... in a hurry ... would you? (Sorry about that.)

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

Events and Exhibits

February 1 - February 28: "Flowers and Chocolate" Exhibit at the Artists'Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon - 4pm.  Receptions: Saturday and Sunday, February 9 & 10, noon - 4pm.

Painting with the Seasons

Frog and Parakeet painting work in progress, day four or five, oil, 36"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

During a busy still life class today, some took a little break to look upstairs at the Artists' Atelier "Flowers and Chocolates" show in the gallery and this still life with set-up in progress. One comment is that "You've been painting a lot of fruits and vegetables lately." That's true. I have.

"Two Kittens," 30"h x 40"w is one of three of my paintings in the "Flowers and Chocolates" show.

That's got a lot to do with trying to paint from life as much as possible. So for lack of a freakish mid-winter heat wave, still life setups (or models) in the warmth of the studio fill these days.  The fruits and veggies, unless they are in a market, will likewise be on hiatus in the Summer.

Please join the Atelier artists this weekend for the reception of the "Flowers and Chocolates" exhibit on Saturday, February 9, noon to 4pm (with chocolate tastings while they last, still life setups to try your hand at drawing or painting -- but bring your own supplies of choice, some demos and fun). 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. See the events page on my web site for more info.

Or come Sunday, February 10, noon to 4pm with a special presentation by Laurie Bell from 1-3pm featuring tea and chocolate pairings. Please call Terri Parent at 703-433-5358 to
reserve a spot for the Sunday tea seminar event. Tickets are $30 per person. I will be there both days. I hope you can stop by!

P.S. The book in my current still life in progress is Ross King's "The Judgment of Paris." I love including books as they are one way to introduce typography and theme/topic to a painting. And, most of my books are art-related. (I'm sure that's a surprise.) But, it does mean that they generally have some interesting paintings or images on the front. Better painting subjects.


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

Events and Exhibits

February 1 - February 28: "Flowers and Chocolate" Exhibit at the Artists'Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon - 4pm.  Receptions: Saturday and Sunday, February 9 & 10, noon - 4pm.

So I Set Up a Still Life

New Still Life with Frog and Parakeet in Progress, oil, 36"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

Even though this is the first day of painting this still life, it's the second day being consumed with it. Yesterday, I spent about an hour in each ... the Home Depot (shopping for orchids, calla lilies, African violets -- most of which you can't see yet) and the grocery store (figuring out what fruits and veggies to buy -- while still being tempted by more flowers).  The rest of the day was spent arranging, a task I repeated at the Artists' Atelier again this afternoon.

I don't know if you can tell, but it's going to be a lot of fun.  Many additional details of the setup are worked out while the painting is in progress.

There were some funny comments by my studiomates about the plethora of stuff.  Michela Mansuino said, "My, somebody is ambitious."

Right before I was ready to put paintbrush to canvas, I sort of realized how daunting the task ahead could be. But what the heck. Away I went.

It looks pretty crazy at the moment. It will get better.

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

Events and Exhibits

February 1 - February 28: "Flowers and Chocolate" Exhibit at the Artists'Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon - 4pm.  Receptions: Saturday and Sunday, February 9 & 10, noon - 4pm.