"The Kitchen Caper"

"The Kitchen Caper," oil, 24"h x 30"w, ©Jill Banks 2013

So this is the painting of the scene on my kitchen island this past week. It needed to be finished before all the Thanksgiving prep could begin. Thus, this past Monday, I painted on it in the morning as the man tiling an upstairs bath squeezed by my easel with supplies (over and over again) and as Greg Staley headed over to the house to photograph the 32 pieces gathering downstairs. Now it's hanging in my kitchen, close to its origins.  "The Kitchen Caper" reminds me of this week -- certainly Thanksgiving with all its bounty, the variety and colors that autumn brings, and the remnants of a party. Sort of like our kitchen last night.

The rooster in the lower right ... a beanie baby ... is making his second appearance in one of my paintings.  Anyone know his first?

Family is still gathered ... in the next room. There is so much to be thankful for ... family, friends, home, good cheer, food lovingly prepared and shared. And I'm thankful for you, for your interest and welcoming my work (and me) into your lives.

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Sign Up for Classes and Workshops that Start January

Mastering the Business of Art -- two-day workshop January 4 & 5
Still Life in Oils -- Tuesdays, 10am-1pm
Portrait Painting -- Sundays, 1:30pm-5:30pm
All taught through the Great Falls School of Art (1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA).  See the Classes page on my Web site: www.JillBanks.com. Don't wait! (Please. I don't want you to miss out.)

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com 

Events
See the events page on my website.  Thanks!

"Garden Girl," oil, 42"h x 36"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

Squares Show in the Gallery

See me at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm and whenever an artist is in. Squares is up until the end of December -- with work in a variety of mediums from members of Great Falls Studios. We had a great turn-out. Come see!

Great Falls Studios Holiday Art Show and Sale

Saturday and Sunday, December 14 & 15, 10am - 5pm both days. 35 artists exhibiting at a new location: Wolftrap's Education Hall, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182.  I'll be there! No refreshments this time ... but plenty of art and good cheer!  Please help spread the word!

Treasury of Art Show

"Ballerinas I," oil, 16"h x 12"w of two dancers from the Nashville Ballet

Three of my pieces ("Ballerinas I," "Cafe Break," and "Garden Girl") were accepted into the 44th Annual Treasury of Art Show taking place this weekend, November 22 to 24 at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Center Street, Vienna, VA.

Friday, November 22: the exhibit is open 10am-9pm with a special reception from 7-9pm.  See my events page for more details.

Hope to see you Friday night.

I've been painting away.  More pictures of finished/in progress/new work someday soon.

"Cafe Break," oil, 24"h x 30"w, ©Jill Banks 2013

Sign Up for Classes and Workshops that Start January

Mastering the Business of Art -- two-day workshop January 4 & 5
Still Life in Oils -- Tuesdays, 10am-1pm
Portrait Painting -- Sundays, 1:30pm-5:30pm
All taught through the Great Falls School of Art (1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA).  See the Classes page on my Web site: www.JillBanks.com. Don't wait! (Please. I don't want you to miss out.)

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com 

Events
See the events page on my website.  Thanks!

"Garden Girl," oil, 42"h x 36"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

Treasury of Art Show -- November 22 to 24

At the Vienna Community Center, 120 Center Street, Vienna. Sale hours: Friday and Saturday, 10am-9pm; Sunday, noon to 4pm.  Reception: Friday, November 22, 7-9pm. See the events page on my web site for more info.

Squares Show in the Gallery

See me at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm and whenever an artist is in. Squares is up until the end of December -- with work in a variety of mediums from members of Great Falls Studios. We had a great turn-out. Come see!

Great Falls Studios Holiday Art Show and Sale

Saturday and Sunday, December 14 & 15, 10am - 5pm both days. 35 artists exhibiting at a new location: Wolftrap's Education Hall, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182.  I'll be there! No refreshments this time ... but plenty of art and good cheer!  Please help spread the word!

"Morning Rooftops in NYC"

"Morning Rooftops in NYC," oil, 18"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

"Morning Rooftops in NYC" was started at daybreak last month from my hotel room in Chelsea. Only one morning to work on it ... since a busy October meant no extended stays.

It did become part of that pile of paintings I've been working to finish these last two weeks.  I loved the idea of this one and really wanted to work on the water towers in the morning light.  Pretty stunning.

Just started in my kitchen: "Thanksgiving," oil, 24"h x 30"w

What's Cooking In My Kitchen Tonight
For some reason, the closer turkey dinner approaches, the greater the urge to set up my easel in the kitchen. Of course it's in the way.

Yet, I've got a really interesting still life perched on the kitchen island. I was playing with the setup all afternoon -- trying to find the right view and have room to step back from the easel and see.  I liked this from so many different angles. It could be painted from at least four different views ... creating strikingly unique works.  I chose this view ... but had to move all the objects multiple times to accommodate both the view and my working space.

Wish me luck ... progress ... so that the counters are cleared come Thanksgiving Day.

Sign Up for Classes and Workshops that Start January
Mastering the Business of Art -- two-day workshop January 4 & 5
Still Life in Oils -- Tuesdays, 10am-1pm
Portrait Painting -- Sundays, 1:30pm-5:30pm
All taught through the Great Falls School of Art (1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA).  See the Classes page on my Web site: www.JillBanks.com. Don't wait! (Please. I don't want you to miss out.)

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com 

Events
See the events page on my website.  Thanks!

The Artists' Atelier Group Show in the Gallery

See me at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm and whenever an artist is in. Exhibit from Studio Tour up in the gallery through November 20.

 

Great Falls Studios Holiday Art Show and Sale

Saturday and Sunday, December 14 & 15, 10am - 5pm both days. 35 artists exhibiting at a new location: Wolftrap's Education Hall, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182.  I'll be there! No refreshments this time ... but plenty of art and good cheer!  Please help spread the word!

"Blue Cats:" The Porcelain Kittens Return

"Blue Cats," oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©Jill Banks 2013

That pile of unfinished paintings are gradually turning into a framed and hung collection of new works ... in time for a Thanksgiving full of family and a collectors home studio show to follow soon after.  All that painting plus infrequent blogging means that I had plenty to choose from for today's post. I picked the one that photographed the best.

Those blue cats appeared before in a much larger painting, "Two Kittens," 30"h x 40"w

Yet, you could have seen another NYC painting started from my hotel room window at sunrise (not in the shower this time -- just a window), or a successful return to the painting started in Paris on a super cold day of "Fountain at Place des Vosges." Or a new street scene started in Warrenton, VA.  Some of those will be appearing here soon. Others will wait to be Collectors Open House surprises.

"Blue Cats" was started as a demo for my Still Life class ... a good while ago. Nice to bring it to fruition.

Come visit me during open hours at the Artists' Atelier,  noon to 4pm, tomorrow (Saturday, November 16) at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.  Hope to see you then!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com 

Events
See the events page on my website.  Thanks!

The Artists' Atelier Group Show in the Gallery

See me at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm and whenever an artist is in. Exhibit from Studio Tour up in the gallery through November 20.

 

Great Falls Studios Holiday Art Show and Sale

Saturday and Sunday, December 14 & 15, 10am - 5pm both days. 35 artists exhibiting at a new location: Wolftrap's Education Hall, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182.  I'll be there! No refreshments this time ... but plenty of art and good cheer!  Please help spread the word!

"Jardin de Montmartre" Finished

"Jardin de Montmartre," oil, 24"h x 36"w, ©Jill Banks 2013

I've had the sneaking suspicion that my pile of unfinished canvases has grown larger than ever. To check out the premise, I lined the walls of our downstairs foyer with pieces to complete.  I wasn't even doing any heavy digging -- just collecting those pieces relatively recently begun that held promise.  Guess how many lined the walls?

20.

Yikes.

"Jardin de Montmartre" wasn't in the hallway -- but it was the first piece to be finished (two days ago).  Many more await. Another was finished today.

Young Fan
Last week, I was in the classroom getting ready to teach my Portrait Painting Workshop. A young student walked in -- there for her class (taught by another instructor) that had been canceled that day.  While sorting out whether or not class really was canceled -- and contacting her parents for pick-up, we shared a fun conversation. She offered to help me set up.

We went upstairs to the Atelier to get a vase for the roses I brought in ... and while there, she picked up some brochures from the gallery. One of them was mine.

She asked my name. She LOVES my work!!! She's a huge fan. That was about as nice a surprise as possible. 

Sign Up Now
I'm offering two classes and a workshop come January. The holidays turn us into messes.  Before they take over all your energies, take a look at my classes page. Follow the links to sign up.

Choose from "Portrait Painting" taught on Sundays, 1:30 to 5:30pm (I'm looking for models, too), "Still Life Painting in Oils" taught on Tuesdays, 10am to 1pm and a special workshop "Mastering the Business of Art" on January 4 & 5 (Saturday and Sunday), 2 to 5pm both days.

Young Super Star
There's nothing like getting an email notification from Ben Gaiarin -- cool young guy (16) whose a culinary superstar -- to remind me that I got to my life's passion a bit later.  Ben (who sat for my 100 Faces in 100 Days project) just launched BenGusto Dining -- a catering company founded and run by the under 18 set. His blog is amazing. Incredible recipes, writing, photography. Food Network? Catch him NOW if you can.

Big congrats to Ben!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com 

Events
See the events page on my website.  Thanks!

The Artists' Atelier Group Show in the Gallery

See me at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm and whenever an artist is in. Exhibit from Studio Tour up in the gallery through November 20.

 

Great Falls Studios Holiday Art Show and Sale

Saturday and Sunday, December 14 & 15, 10am - 5pm both days. 35 artists exhibiting at a new location: Wolftrap's Education Hall, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182.  I'll be there! No refreshments this time ... but plenty of art and good cheer!  Please help spread the word!

"Autumn at the Marina": Wet, Cold Paint

"Autumn at the Marina," oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©Jill Banks 2013

A search for water to paint brought me to the Washington Sailing Marina along the George Washington Parkway today ... to fight the breeze, cool weather, new location (for me).  I can't believe how calm this painting looks.

It belies the fact I was holding it in place on the easel. Juggling gloves. Watching the water ripple.

Sooner or later I did start enjoying the sounds of the marina. Gentle clacking? Can clacking be gentle.  Right after I picked my spot there was a sign that this was the right decision. My alternative view included a boat that went off for a ride ... as far as I could tell -- the only one to be taken out on this cool Thursday afternoon.

Tomorrow I plan to be at the Artists' Atelier for open hours (noon to 4pm at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA). Randy and I unwrapped and rehung my studio area. (Work was under wraps to avoid drywall dust.) Please stop in!

Then it's off to catch two opening receptions: one for the Classical Realism Exhibit at the Great Falls Library and the other for the Artists of Montorno at ArtSpace Herndon.  I'm looking forward to both!

See www.GreatFallsAtelier.com for updated info for the Atelier and Library exhibits. Just updated!

Oh ... and yesterday Randy and I delivered "Seat by the Window: Montmartre" to its new owner in the Richmond, VA area.  While this is the third painting of mine purchased by this collector, I hadn't met him. It was nice to get the chance and to get a glimpse of an amazing collection.  Always interesting!!!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com 

Events
See the events page on my website.  Thanks!

The Artists' Atelier Group Show in the Gallery

See me at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm and whenever an artist is in. Exhibit from Studio Tour up in the gallery through November 20.

 

Great Falls Studios Holiday Art Show and Sale

Saturday and Sunday, December 14 & 15, 10am - 5pm both days. 35 artists exhibiting at a new location: Wolftrap's Education Hall, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182.  I'll be there! No refreshments this time ... but plenty of art and good cheer!  Please help spread the word!

Woven Thoughts

"Camelias and Gourd," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©Jill Banks 2013

But quick.

Today was the last day of still life class for the Winter term.  It was also my sixth day teaching in the last eight days. Tomorrow marks seven in nine. Not the norm. Phew.

For my Portrait Painting Workshop (which was REALLY great!), I purchased some Amazon coupons for G Street Fabrics -- $25 for $50 of fabrics. The result of that shopping trip -- lots of fabrics helped complement our fantastic models and made the scene in front of my hard-working class exciting indeed.

One of those fabrics was this pretty turquoise cloth that wove its way into one of the still life setups today.

Thus, a new painting was born.

"French Horseman" Accepted into the Art League's Small Works Exhibit
That was good news. And, unusually, Randy and I only took one piece down to the Art League for receiving. So -- no picking up the second piece. (Only one can get into the monthly show.) Yea!!!!

"French Horseman," oil, 8"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2013

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com

Portrait Painting Workshop Day 1

Today was the first day of three for my portrait painting workshop. I've got to rest up for the next full days ... but here is the demo I painted this morning. The class rocked and rolled this afternoon, but had to be reminded to breathe. This is tough work ... but totally enjoyable as well.

Can't wait to see what tomorrow holds!

Saturday, November 2 (tomorrow), noon to 4pm are open hours at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. After that we'll be taking down the extra screens full of art that have decorated the studio since Studio Tour setup for the October 19 and 20th weekend. Stop in.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com 

Events
See the events page on my website.  Thanks!

5th Annual Portrait Expressions Regional Juried Exhibition

ArtSpace Herndon 750 Center Street

Herndon, VA  

"Contrapposto" was chosen as a finalist. On exhibit through November 2

 

The Artists' Atelier Group Show in the Gallery

See me at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm and whenever an artist is in. Exhibit from Studio Tour up in the gallery through November 3.