Day at the Prado

"Fraile Mendigando," Mariano Fortuny, watercolor on paper, 268mm h x 155mm w, Prado Museum

Beginning with the Print and Drawing Room.

The biggest treats of all (there are lots!) of the many art historical trips I've taken with Rob Liberace are our visits to the Print and Drawing rooms of the top museums in the World. There, collections of drawing, watercolors, etchings await the scholar, enthusiast who has the know-how to tap into those behind the scenes works for a private viewing.

This morning we looked at drawings by Juan Conchillos y Falcó, Ubaldo Gandolfi,

"Maria Teresa de Madrazo," Mariano Fortuny (1878), watercolor, 143mm h x 110mm w

Giovanni Brocca, Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz, Goya, Mariano Fortuny, Martin Rico y Ortega and José Jiménez Aranda.  The best supporting actors (my opinion) were the Goyas and the Aranda. The stars were two watercolors by Mariano Fortuny.

We viewed many paintings in the Spanish wing in the Prado after leaving the Print and Drawing room. Diego Velasquez's "Las Meninas" got the attention it so richly deserves. A complete and total masterpiece that speaks volumes about the painter.  Lots more, but not enough time to cover it all, sleep and move on to the next adventure.

Getting a late start on a painting in the gardens next to the Palacio Real

I DID paint today ... just late. I don't want all of my paintings from Spain to be nocturnes since this is such a colorful place. Today's venue was in the gardens adjacent to the Palacio Real de Madrid. With little time to work, today's painting is an 8"x10" which may appear later. Although it is small, I may have to return to the same spot for another session. The light disappeared so soon after setting up!

While I know of few palaces at home in Northern Virginia, we will find some beautiful gardens to paint in ... should you decide to sign up for my Painting the Plein Air Landscape that starts late April.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.


Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

People's Plaza: "Shadow of Cervantes" at Plaza de Espana

"Shadow of Cervantes," oil, approx. 16"h x 5.5"w,©Jill Banks 2015

What I loved about today:

Painting in Plaza de Espana ... capturing the statues of Don Quixote and his buddy, Pancho while hordes of people climbed on top of them ... riding the bronze horse and donkey along with the heroes. Policia were there, only caring if dog owners led their pups into the beds of cordoned off pansies, but not if I painted, or folks interacted with the art. My idea of perfect.

I did get a lot of visitors interested in what's happening at my easel.  That's par for the course and I'm glad they care to see.

After painting and lunch, we headed to Fundacion Mapfre for an exhibition of works from the Musee D'Orsay. Wonderful inspiration and I so want to paint a portrait with a nod to Leon Bonnat's "Retrato de Victor Hugo."  There have been many times that painting,  and particularly classical work has been ruled "dead," "passe" due to cinema, photography, "isms." Those declaring it so don't see what I see. The beauty possible when artist meets subject on canvas is extraordinary. We don't see in an instant. We see and a subject is revealed over time. It takes work, patience, skill, openness, thought. Dead or irrelevant? No. Timeless? Yes.

More of what I loved about today:

The group for the Art Historical Tour of Madrid and Beyond led by Rob Liberace arrived today.  Rob's passion for art is infectious/undeniable. His knowledge is encyclopedic ... but more than that he sees works through the eyes of a master artist. The perfect guide and group with which to enjoy this journey! Can't wait!

Painting at Plaza de Espanol

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virginia
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.


Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

Leon Bonnat's "Retrato de Victor Hugo"

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

No Boats, Yet

"Water Parque (de Retiro)," oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

Today's challenge was to paint once again in Madrid's Parque de Retiro. The morning was spent where it should be ... in bed after a late night, tiring day with a bit of Daylight Savings Time switch worked into the mix.

Early this afternoon, we wandered the stalls of El Rastro, a huge flea market held every Sunday. We are lousy shoppers. Not enough practice. There were many pieces for still lifes, colorful cloths for backdrops -- but no decisions forthcoming and our bags are already at the threshold on weight.

Great lunch at el Carboneria on the way back. Lunch was so great, it required a nap. (The nap and sleep-in thing is not the norm back home ... far from it!) Then off to the Parque. 

I knew there was a lake in the park where visitors could rent rowboats. That was my painting "target." I wanted water, boats, reflections.

I had wanted to include the rowboats and they may make it into another paining -- but this (crowds, difficult setup, complicated subject) was already way too much to juggle. Plus, I like the painting as is. 

The crowds were HUGE all day long throughout Madrid, but it seemed everyone was at Parque de Retiro

My set up today at Parque de Retiro: not ideal, but nice spot!

today.

 I was looking for somewhere that gave me a good view AND was safely tucked away from the crowds so my easel would not be in their way. Not an easy combination to find in a public place that was teeming with thousands upon thousands of people. My solution, to cram myself on a small step and set my easel up sideways -- gave me the view, kept my easel out of the way -- and was awkward as all get out. For the last 15 minutes, when crowds had thinned out, I stood up, extended the easel, faced what I was painting. Phew!

The photo for "Water Parque" is off. Since days are long, I'm photographing work late at night under minimal very yellow light.  No tripod. Nothing fancy.  Still, I hope it gives you the idea. And, I did finish up "Water Parque" under the golden glow of a beautiful sunset.

By now, a few people have seen me painting around Madrid, so the conversations are friendlier despite the language barrier. One of the cutest ones tonight was from a young girl who was asking me, I think, "Don't you need the sun?" (Sol, and she was pointing up.) Well, yes! Or, light.

Smart girl.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina and Italy!
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.

And my Paint with Me in Italy workshop in the Piemonte wine region, July 27 to August 2, is filling up.  I hope you'll be there!!!

Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

Paint with Me in Italy Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Join me for a plein air adventure in the Piemonte wine region.

More info and how to sign up ... here!

Unexpected History Lesson at Plaza de Cibeles

"Chariot Fountain at Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

My intentions were to paint in the garden outside the Sorolla Museum after touring the home, studio, and special exhibit of drawings and beach (playa) related work there.  My "olio" painting was not allowed (understandably so) but drawing would be ... and that I did until late afternoon.  I WILL give a review/blog about the museum later in the week. Now, it's enough to attempt to cover tonight's painting expedition. That, with a dinner ending at midnight Madrid time ... plus slow internet puts a crimp on my blogging time (and research). Facts are murky. Check them first.

After leaving the Sorolla Museum, I'd found my subject and a spot that would let me see my canvas, and subject, once darkness came ... which was soon.  There are so many fountains, grand circles, beautiful buildings to choose from ... but this one, in the middle of Plaza de Cibeles ... was calling my name the loudest.

Lights On,  Lights Out

I got set up and started briefly. I was happy to see the lights go on the fountain (a sight to behold) even before the sky turned dark. It was going to be a good night. Because the light had not yet faded, I worked on the drawing (in paint), figuring it could be adjusted in value (lightness vs. darkness) and color once the scene became a nocturne. It turned dark. The fountain was just starting to take shape on my canvas. 8:30pm came. I looked up. The fountain was off. The lights were off. What?

I continued to paint, hoping whatever afflicted my fountain would suddenly find a remedy. Many visitors kindly asked if they could take my photo. One seemed to know a bit of English so I asked him if the lights and fountain would go back on. They would ... at 9:30pm. They were off for an hour in observance of the end of the Spanish Civil War on March 28.  Okay, what are the chances that I would be standing there trying to paint a nocturne of this particular fountain on this evening, at that hour,  in Madrid, Spain?

The lights DID go back on at 9:30pm. The fountain started once again. I finished, packed my traveling studio back up and headed to the restroom, dinner, a place to rest my feet ... and to the hotel to tell you the day's tale.

Tomorrow ... there will be more.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina and Italy!
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.

And my Paint with Me in Italy workshop in the Piemonte wine region, July 27 to August 2, is filling up.  I hope you'll be there!!!

Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.


Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

Paint with Me in Italy Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Join me for a plein air adventure in the Piemonte wine region.

More info and how to sign up ... here!

Hola from Espana!

"Catedral de la Almudena -- Madrid," sepia watercolor, ink pen, layout pencil, approx. 10"h x13"w, copyright Jill Banks 2015

First time in Madrid ... now on day three. What a beautiful day!  While the last two were spent almost unconscious from jet lag, today we "kind of" took it easy -- purchasing a Madrid Bus Tour pass so we could see a good deal of the city from the second level of a double-decker bus (vs. wearing out the tired puppies that are my feet). It led us round the Prado, gardens, Plaza de Mayor, the Royal Palace past which I saw the spot where I wanted to eat lunch ... and our second time around that's where we stopped .. and this was the view.  "Catedral de la Almudena" was sketched in between munching on marinated olives and salad with tuna. Actually, it's impossible to sketch and do anything else. That meant I got 1/4 of the salad but the olives were safe until the drawing was finished ... only because Randy's not fond of them.

Jose Moreno Carbonero (1860-1942), "Prince Carlos de Viama" -- alone without subjects

Tonight I painted in the Plaza de Espana -- an EXTREMELY popular spot in a popular city.  That nocturne looked quite abstract at my last glance. It may appear later here.  Another was painted yesterday in the beautiful Parque del Retiro. That one, my first in Spain, might be a keeper. Or not. I'll have to check it out with fresh eyes soon.  It takes me awhile to get into the groove of painting, and here, I have NO idea what the "rules" are. Am I even allowed to set my easel up an paint? So far, no policio have carried me away ... so hopefully I'm a-ok.

Artwork in the Prado was stunning. Unbelievable. Diego Velasquez "Las Meninas", Joaquin Sorolla's "And They Still Say Fish Are Expensive." A whole room full of Mariani Fortuny paintings that were drop dead gorgeous. And, a painter I must find out more about: Jose Moreno Carbonero (1860-1942) whose portrait of Prince Carlos de Viama was so extraordinary. The prince had been stripped of a kingdom by his father -- left alone to study books, reign his kingdom of one. 

I'm loving Madrid. It's a welcoming, bustling city with beauty in its architecture, spirit, art. Looking up is filled with wonder. Statues, funny odes to the past, trinkets and more adorn the tops of buildings.

I know almost zippo Spanish. That's been made worse with knowing close to zippo Italian. It makes ordering something to eat interesting. I'd like to at least be able to  point to a treat that's tasty looking and ask "what is that?" Maybe tomorrow.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina and Italy!
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.

And my Paint with Me in Italy workshop in the Piemonte wine region, July 27 to August 2, is filling up.  I hope you'll be there!!!

Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.


Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

Paint with Me in Italy Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Join me for a plein air adventure in the Piemonte wine region.

More info and how to sign up ... here!

Day two

Portrait Inspiration

Our last sitter of this session's Portrait class surrounded by student's paintings.  What a great session!

Class in progress

My favorite reaction when students stream through the classroom doors to see what they'll be painting that day happened this past Sunday during the last day of portrait class.  They were wide-eyed and happy. Linda Garden was our model and she was dressed to read some tea leaves.  I was dying to paint but that's as it should be.

The class rocked and rolled!  Linda was amazing and thoroughly enjoyed her time on the stage and the nice company of the class.

Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.

And my Paint with Me in Italy workshop in the Piemonte wine region, July 27 to August 2, is filling up.  I hope you'll be there!!!

Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon. 

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

Paint with Me in Italy Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Join me for a plein air adventure in the Piemonte wine region.

More info and how to sign up ... here!

Learning from the Real Masters

Something a Little Different Ahead

"After Sorolla's Valencia," work in progress, oil, 16"w x 20"h, Jill Banks 2015

Today was spent with me in charge of open hours at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with many fellow artists in Great Falls. There were a lot of us there. We're getting ready for changes ahead. Not all are moving to the new space in the heart of the Village Centre in Great Falls, VA but most are. The space we're in is beautiful, with soaring ceilings, lots of display and gathering space. It's been our "home" for art for five years.  The rent was escalating well beyond anything we were going to consider paying. It was time to move.

Fortunately we found (I'm really loosely included in the we) a new wonderful space. It's missing the soaring ceilings. The display space is not nearly as expansive but because of our soon-to-be, highly visible, fantastic location -- what IS on display might be seen more often, and perhaps by someone who would love to surround themselves with original art.

Every change has come with some trade-off. I'm so happy to be moving, opening this new chapter with nine fellow artists who are dear to my heart. I'll sorely miss those studiomates who are not moving into 756 Walker Road in Great Falls, VA.  I know they have their own new chapters to write and they will come back for visits. Or I'll see them in their new places.

I realized how wonderful the friendships are that formed in the studio. Thank you to each of you!

So there's not much I'm going to say about my work in progress above other than Sorolla was one heck of a painter. Just this little bit -- trying to copy a part of one of his murals "Provinces of Spain" is ridiculously daunting. Yikes.

Okay, back to my thoughts.

Friends, Love and New Chapters

The Goodbye Skit/Songs by the Choir were Fantastic

Last night, Randy and I were guests at the First Friday wine and cheese party at the Stratford House in Reston, VA for a Farewell Party for my Mom and Dad, who after living in and participating -- full throttle -- in all the wonderful doings at this remarkable community for 14 years, are saying goodbye and moving to Ashby Ponds in Ashburn, VA.

"Say it isn't so."  My Mom and Dad are the people you want ALWAYS in your lives, every day. They are a true joy and pretty

Dad and Mom

ridiculously wonderful role models  for how to live, how to love, how to treat friends ... pretty much everything. You want to meet them in the hallways Monday through Sunday.  They are GOOD neighbors.

They're invited back, whenever they'd like to Stratford House.

As my dad said, he wasn't really looking forward to this goodbye party because just like their friends there don't want to see them go, he and my Mom will miss all the neat people who have made living there so wonderful.

Still, they were serenaded, very warmly roasted by the "Choir" you see above. It was such a great tribute.  I am so ridiculously proud of them, I could burst. Just might.

They are moving on to open new chapters. Will make a gadzillion or so new amazing friends because to know them IS to love them.  I think one of the signs of living well is how hard goodbyes are.

Right?

I'm counting my blessings. Hope you are counting yours.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

Learning from a Master

Fellow travelers from the Art League at the Hispanic Society of America in NYC in front of one of Sorolla's mural. Doesn't it look like we fit right into the scene? What's another 29 portraits? Photo courtesy of Susan O'Neill

I've mentioned before that Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida (Spanish, 1863-1923) is my favorite painter and how his murals of the Provinces of Spain at the Hispanic Society of America in NYC simply amazed me.  (Read more about that trip on this previous post.) I'd taken photos on the trip just a few weeks ago with Rob Liberace and a group from the Art League but since the murals soared overhead, my images were distorted.  Today, I wanted to paint a portion of his mural of Valencia and went looking online for a source of high res images.

And found it.

The Media Center for Art History at Columbia University has a resource: A Collection in Context: The Hispanic Society of America where you can tour the museum online, enter each room and in the case of the murals, click on each one for info and to access a high res image. Voila!!! I can visit whenever from the comfort of my studio.

Get started here:
http://learn.columbia.edu/hispanic/monographs/sorolla-spain.php

Then I clicked on the heading "A Collection in Context: The Hispanic Society of America" to come to this page: http://learn.columbia.edu/hispanic/
There you see a photo of the ground level of the museum.
Then you see the floor plans for the first floor and second floor on the right side.

Click on the first floor, the room will show the sweeping blue arc. You can move that around in a circle to see all the murals. 

That's it.  Enjoy! I'll get around to showing my copy of his Valencia painting sometime soon.

Take a look at the Classes page too for Spring registration going on now.

Time to post.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

"After the Party II" Finished.

"After the Party II," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

There were a few too many loose ends in the studio ... and this is one I picked to finish today.

Was a heck of a lot of fun, too.

News since I last put up a blog post: I was accepted to show at the One Of A Kind Show & Sale in Chicago, IL, December 3-6, 2015.  But, I've also put LOTS of upcoming Events up on my web site, so I'll hope you head there.

And, take a look at the Classes page too for Spring registration going on now.

Time to post.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

What Are You Doing Tuesday Nights this Spring?

Calling Working Folks, Teens and You ... for Evening Paint

"The Writer," oil, 24"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks. Private collection

Coming in April: I'll be teaching "Evening Paint," a six-session class focusing on the fundamentals of oil painting on Tuesday nights, 6:30 to 9:30pm at the Great Falls School of Art, newly located at 746 Walker Road, right in the Village Centre in Great Falls, VA. 

Read more about it on my web site here.

As my Sunday Winter portrait class draws to a close, I was feeling guilty about not offering a continuing option for students with day jobs to paint with me ... and so, here's the answer. I've also had a whole lot of requests from earnest young artists who wanted to take my classes but couldn't because they conflicted with school.

"Garden Party," oil, 24"h x 18"w, ©Jill Banks 2014, Private collection

All levels welcome. Teens and adults. A mix of still life, portrait/clothed figure and landscape from photos or right outside the classroom door.

Instruction will be tailored to suit.

Registration is available online now from my classes page. Any questions, please email me at jill@jillbanks.com.

And, then there's:
Plein Air Landscape Painting on Thursdays, 10am to 2pm
Paint with Me in Italy, July 27 to August 2 in the wine region of Piemonte, Italy


In other words, I REALLY want you to come paint with me ... in Italy and/or Virginia!

Events and Exhibits

See the Events page for more info/updates

Other Art Events:

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12 to 4pm
  

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

"Pink Pond" and New Studio

"Pink Pond," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

I headed out today in search of a painting spot. Took a couple of detours. Walked around a lake. Ended here, at the side of a pond that marks the entry to a shopping center in Reston VA (Plaza America).

My family has shared many a meal within view of this pond. My dad shoo'd a family of geese (years ago) who kept crossing the street ... multiple times as it seemed clear they thought it was much better on the other side.

Around the pond are still piles of snow, dirty from the parking lot. A sure sign we're just now on the cusp of Spring. Yea!

So, this is my second plein air painting (I think) of 2015 after a snowbound, cold Winter. 

When I left home, it was dreary gray with cloudy skies. With flowers still waiting below ground and no buds on the tree, I was looking for color somewhere. The site for "Pink Pond" provided a red-orange bridge and eventually a golden light.

New Studio
It will take some time to move in, but the lease is signed, and soon ... I'll join nine of my studiomates from the Atelier in our new studio and gallery space on the green at the Great Falls Village Centre in Great Falls, VA.

New Studio Space at the Great Falls Village Centre. Imagine the walls filled with art. Coming soon!

The spot is what used to be Maison du Vin. We're steps away from the Old Brogue Irish Pub and will be enjoying two porches and beautiful windows, hardwood floors and beams with an easy one or two-step climb for guests.  There will definitely be a Grand Opening -- date to be announced. Plus, you'll see news on the move, get a peek into this wonderful space ... here.

More to come!

Sign Up ... Please
Spring Classes are up on my web site and registration is going on now. Sign up so we can have some plein air and other painting adventures together!
Plein Air Landscape Class Info 
Still Life Painting in Oils Info
and Paint with Me in Italy - July 27 to August 2 (Limited to only 10 students, sign up by March 27 or before to secure your spot!)

Events and Exhibits

See the Events page for more info/updates

Other Art Events:

February-March: The Art of Romance, Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.  In the gallery and around my studio, still lifes with lots of flowers, an indoor picnic, cozy interiors.   See the show through the month of February, Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm.

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

• Paint with Me in Italy Plein Air Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Registration is now open. (This is where "Piemonte Lunch" was "born"!)
• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12 to 4pm
  

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel