Life as an Artist- Jill Banks: Color Lessons and Duck Soup

Monday, August 25, 2014

Color Lessons and Duck Soup

"Not Picasso," oil, 24"h x 18"w, ©Jill Banks, private collection

"Apple Singer," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2014, private collection

Shadyside was wonderful and exhausting ... with six paintings going to new homes, including:
"Apple Singer"
"Not Picasso"
"Delivery"
"Duck Soup"
"Breakfast Reflections"
"Hoot and Flowers"

(We started setting up the tent at 4am Saturday morning -- opened at 10am -- closed and unloaded around 7:30pm, opened and loaded in on Sunday around 7am, took down the tent and loaded the car at 7:30 or 8pm. Long, challenging and invigorating days.)

Color Lessons
One of the purchases was touch and go -- with the collectors loving the painting but unsure about where it would work in their home given that the purple in it didn't fit with their color scheme. They decided on purchasing it, with the agreement that if it didn't work, I would gladly refund the money (or switch it out with another work if they wanted) as long as they contacted me before I left Pittsburgh for home the next day.

I did get a call Sunday evening -- from the collector -- that in fact, "Hoot and Flowers" worked not only in one, but many places. Later I found out that they moved around furniture, held up lamps upside down, tested it from room to room -- and loved it everywhere. The painting worked and enhanced every spot. That's difficult to know when standing in the middle of a booth filled with nothing but art and none of your things.

The other reason for the phone call is that they wanted to also purchase "Duck Soup." We delivered it -- saw my "kids" happy new home and how great they look in their new spots. Happy day!

There were many spots I wanted to paint in Shadyside and beyond -- once free to roam from Walnut Street. But, I couldn't take advantage of them this trip. Tomorrow, you will find me at my easel -- somewhere in the DC area. No unpacking or other distractions until the painting is done.
I can't wait!

Fall Classes Ahead
Fall classes start in September when I'll be teaching Still Life (8 sessions, Tuesdays, 9:30am to 12:30pm, September 16 to November 4, $325) and the Plein Air Landscape in Oils (6 sessions, Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm, September 18 to October 30 -- no class October 16, $325). For more info, see my web site's classes page. I have yet to update my supply list ... but will catch up shortly. If you are interested in signing up, do so soon. Classes fill very quickly.

Coming Up

Classes are offered through the Great Falls School of Art (Great Falls, VA). More information -- including how to register -- is available on my web site. Still life only has a two spots left!

Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
September 13 & 14: Alexandria (King Street) Art Festival, Alexandria, VA
September 20 & 21: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York
October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA