"The Snuggery" Start

"The Snuggery" underpainting, oil, 18"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

Another start for my upcoming solo show in February at Katie's Coffee (the Snuggery at night) at the Old Brogue (Irish Pub in Great Falls, VA) ... a view of the room where my paintings will hang.

Tonight we ate in this room, and Mike Kearney, the Brogue's owner, shown somewhere in "The Snuggery" came over to visit. 

I'll keep up with a couple more starts ... then finish some. That's the plan.

The underpainting is done in oils (like the rest of the painting). I used yellow ochre as my ground and the darks are painted with a mixture of French Ultramarine Blue and Transparent Earth Red.  The more blue in the mixture, the darker it gets.

I love this stage of the painting... because it shows so clearly the abstract shapes. It's always so surprising how much just value (darks and likes) convey.

Great Falls School of Art Student Exhibition Reception and Awards is Friday, January 10, 7-9pm at the Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Come one, come all. At 7:30pm-ish, Lori Goll, the juror will announce awards in both the Youth and Adult category and talk about her choices. As she said today ... there is something so appealing about all the art in the exhibition, she would love to give awards to all. The exhibit continues through the end of the month ... view during open hours, Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm.

"The Brogue," oil, 30"h x 40"h, ©Jill Banks 2008, private collection -- a previous painting of this same subject. Obviously I like the place.

Some views of the Great Falls School of Art Annual Student Exhibition. Great, right? Photos courtesy of Terri Parent. Thanks!

Think about signing up... for classes that start in just two days
My portrait class starts this coming Sunday (January 12). I'd love to have a couple more of you join the class. There's something extraordinary about capturing people. Come share the experience. Go to my web site, Classes page. It's not too late, but email me if you are registering for the class.

Price Increases on February 1
February 1, prices on all my pieces are heading up. Take a look at the website and if one of those works is on your list ... consider purchasing it at pre-February 1 prices. More specifics coming up here and on my site.

Sign Up for Classes and Workshops that Start January
Still Life in Oils -- Tuesdays, 10am-1pm (Full with wait list)
Portrait Painting -- Sundays, 1:30pm-5:30pm -- please join us.
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
January 10-28: Great Falls School of Art Student Exhibition, Gallery in the Artists Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Reception/Awards: Friday, January 10, 7-9pm. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon-4pm.

February: Flowers and Chocolates, Gallery in the Artists Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. One of our best exhibits of the year. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon-4pm. Receptions, events to be announced

February: Jill Banks Solo Exhibit at Katie's Coffee in the Old Brogue, Great Falls, VA

More to come.