Life as an Artist- Jill Banks: July 2015

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

"Spanish Dancer" Back on My Easel

"Spanish Dancer," oil, 36"h x 36"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

When I last posted "Spanish Dancer" as being finished ... here on my blog and web site and latest email newsletter, it was received really well ... shown lots of love.

So I felt a little guilty working on it after calling it done. I watched videos of this flamenco dance from my Madrid trip this past Spring ... over and over ... and decided to make the change bringing the dancer more into the light. Tomorrow morning other slight tweaks might follow and then in the afternoon "Spanish Dancer" will be professionally photographed by Greg Staley ... along with many others that are lining the walls of my home studio waiting for him.

Hope you still like it!

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

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean, VA

October 16-18: Great Falls Studio Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA)

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

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

"Field Days" More Horses

"Field Days," oil, 24"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2015

Two nice days spent painting horses and experimenting. What do you think?

This same group of horses have been "captured" previously in "Sticking Together" and "Green Pastures." Great models.

See more of my horses and animals in the Animals, Bird and Wildlife section of my website under Works. This one will be added momentarily.

Thanks for reading!

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean, VA

October 16-18: Great Falls Studio Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA)

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

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Don Juncal in the Studio

"Don Juncal," oil, 14"h x 11"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

One of Don's questions to me, a concern, was how supportive the Great Falls community has been of my and my fellow artists work. The answer is: amazing!

He's one of the reasons it is amazing.

After having visited with me at many of our art shows, at the Spring art fair, we talked about my painting his portrait. He'd become aware of my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project (January 1 to April 10, 2011) too late to participate ... but we mutually decided that shouldn't stop us from figuring out a way to capture his very nice face and spirit.

So he sat for me at the Artists' Atelier for a few hours yesterday afternoon and this is the result.

For those of you not aware of my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project, please take a look back to the first four months of 2011. Volunteers came and filled my studio, seven days a week for 100 days with their stories, introducing me to their lives. I loved every minute of it. Yesterday was a strong reminder of those days. Don talked about how he met his wife, Lucy. His enjoyment in being a part of his grandkids lives. Lessons learned. Excellent luck.

He was also the kind purveyor of those sunflowers in "Wild Bunch."

Many thanks!!!

The three of us?

Thanks, too, to you... for reading!

July 18-19: Westport Fine Art Festival, Westport, CT. Booth #60

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean, VA

October 16-18: Great Falls Studio Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA)

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

Thursday, July 23, 2015

"Seaside Sunset" with Rocks

"Seaside Sunset," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

Okay, "Seaside Sunset" is a scene from Carmel, California ... looking at the lookers instead of what they are looking at.

It's also one of my "Rock Stars" (a Great Falls Studios September juried exhibit) entries to be. It isn't easy selecting pieces for that show when it coincides with a solo show and Alexandria's King Street Festival AND keeping my studio space at the Atelier looking good. Figuring out what goes where is a bit of a juggling act.

And, by the way the Artists' Atelier looks great. Loads of beautiful, new art to see. Stop by for a visit at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA during regular open hours, Wednesdays, 1 to 5pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm ... or whenever an artist is in working. I hope to see you there.

For Those Who Know Me Personally ... An Update on My Dad
This week's been a tense one, with my Dad, Ken Johnson, undergoing major back surgery on Monday. The surgery, an over 5-hour intensive one, went well. The nurse in the post-op area told us the second day was the tough one. (Day One wasn't exactly a piece of cake.) The nurse was right according to my Mom's reports (she didn't want my Dad trying to fake feeling okay if we were to visit). Truly scary. Lots of pain. Lots of pain medication. Day three was the positive turning point and while there will be plenty of recovering to do we are all feeling thankful, grateful, truly blessed. During yesterday's visit, he was sitting in a chair (not imaginable a couple of days prior), joking, happy, himself. Today he moved to the rehab center at Ashby Ponds, the retirement community my parents have been calling home since the beginning of April. Life is good.

Thanks for reading!

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean, VA

October 16-18: Great Falls Studio Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA)

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

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Wild Bunch

"Wild Bunch" work in progress, oil, 20"h x 16"w,©Jill Banks 2015

Quickly, since time's running out before this posts...

There's a significant threat to the livelihood of artists in the making with a proposed change to copyright law. Letters need to be sent to the Copyright Office by Friday, July 24 to be considered. Here's the scoop. Please add your voice to the discussion.

Join me for Pop In and Paint on Friday, July 24 and July 31 in Great Falls, Virginia, 5 to 8pm at 756 Walker Road. $30 for each session. I'll be painting alongside you ... so it's not a class but you're welcome to ask questions, seek suggestions. Will you be there? Email me at jillbanks1@aol.com.

There's more ... but time's up.

Thanks for reading!

July 18-19: Westport Fine Art Festival, Westport, CT. Booth #60

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean, VA

October 16-18: Great Falls Studio Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA)

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

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Little Paintings

Although there were many paintings crossing my easel today, here are two, freshly but not so expertly photographed.

Hope you enjoy, regardless.


"Chicken Dance," oil, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2015. A Giverny chicken.


"Baa," oil, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2015. A pregnant ewe from Wayne.

Amazingly fun. So many scenes I wanted to paint crossed my path lately. Today was indulgence time.

Thanks for reading!

July 18-19: Westport Fine Art Festival, Westport, CT. Booth #60

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean, VA

October 16-18: Great Falls Studio Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA)

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

Saturday, July 11, 2015

"The Blue Hour" Painting at Wickford, RI

"The Blue Hour," (painting of Wickford Bay RI), oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

Right after setting up my tent at the Wickford Art Festival, I painted at the harbor for a couple of hours. It was this blue.

The show is going well. I'm looking forward to day two.

This might be my shortest post ever. Long day, though.

Thanks for reading!

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

July 18-19: Westport Fine Art Festival, Westport, CT

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean, VA

October 16-18: Great Falls Studio Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA)

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

Thursday, July 9, 2015

"Spanish Dance" and Sneak Peek at Wickford

"Spanish Dancer," oil, 36"h x 36"w, ©Jill Banks 2015. At least one wet painting is heading up to Wickford with me.

Coming up are two back-to-back fine art festivals in New England ... with the

Wickford Art Festival in Wickford Historic Village in North Kingstown, Rhode Island on July 11 & 12

and

Westport Fine Art Festival in Westport, Connecticut is on July 18 & 19.

In Wickford, you'll find me (and my art) in Booth #84 on Elam Street. In Westport, I'll be in Booth #60. Both festivals run Saturday, 10am to 6pm and Sunday, 10am to 5pm. (Just on different weekends.)

I hope to see you ... or your loved ones, friends, distant relatives, slight acquaintances ... there!

Here's a mock layout of my Wickford booth ... for a sneak peek. Still want to see you in person, though!

Thanks for reading!

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

July 18-19: Westport Fine Art Festival, Westport, CT

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean, VA

October 16-18: Great Falls Studio Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA)

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

And more.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Heading Home

"The Butcher and the Baker," (Telluride, CO), oil, 8"h x 10"w, copyright Jill Banks 2015

Really ... in just a few minutes from Telluride Plein Air. A more fitting recap will come sometime over the next couple days via my email newsletter. If you haven't yet subscribed to my News from the Easel, now's the perfect chance. Just go to www.JillBanks.com and click on newsletter. Hope you do!

"Night at the Bistro," (Telluride, CO), oil, 8"h x 10"w, copyright Jill Banks 2015

But for the Cliff Notes:
Four of my paintings are now off or hanging in new homes including: "Little Red," "Mountain Market," "Popular Alley" and "Sheridan Stage Door." Thank You, Collectors!"

Two paintings you haven't seen yet were painted on Friday night. Here's your first peek at them.

I loved it here. Greatly missed will be the waterfalls, people, the grilled cheese cart, gorgeous mountains, gondolas, cool clouds.

The Wickford Fine Art Festival in Rhode Island is coming up next weekend. I'm looking forward to catching up with some of you there.

Thanks for reading!

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

July 18-19: Westport Fine Art Festival, Westport, CT

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean, VA

October 16-18: Great Falls Studio Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA)

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

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Happy Fourth of July from Telluride!

I realize that most of you will be reading this after the fireworks ... but hopefully you enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July celebrating this great country of ours.

My corner in Telluride. Nice shade and people, a little dark for perfect painting viewing.

I'm currently heading into town to set up my "booth" for the art sale component of Telluride Plein Air for the second day in a row. Approximately 20,000 people are headed there as well for the parade. Hard to imagine what that will look like in this small town.

Got to rush ... but here are a few images that didn't make it onto the blog sooner. There are more for another post.

Happy 4th!!!!

"Popular Alley," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©Jill Banks 2015 was my Quick Draw painting purchased by the artist captured in the scene. That was nice!

Thanks for reading!

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

July 18-19: Westport Fine Art Festival, Westport, CT

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean, VA

October 16-18: Great Falls Studio Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA)

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

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Lots of Painting!

This is the last day of painting before we deliver our one Artist's Choice painting for judging by our peers tomorrow. Each artist chooses their favorite painting of the week to submit. Sometime today/tonight, I'll line them all up and hopefully pick the "right one." (Any of you willing -- I'd love to know your picks from all those posted here from Telluride.)

Tomorrow (Thursday) night there's a gala at which I think they auction off the artists' choice paintings. And on Thursday morning (June 2), from 10am to noon, all 32 of us will be competing in the Quick Draw near the Sheridan Opera House. Full day ahead .

I painted "Parks and Recreation" this morning, then headed down Colorado Avenue to start a street scene that's about 1/3 to 1/2 complete at the moment. Maybe two or three hours to go on that.

Then, assuming I'm still standing ... there might be a nice nocturne awaiting post a little rest. Or, I'll call it a day.

Off to paint.

Talk to you soon!

Thanks for reading!

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

July 18-19: Westport Fine Art Festival, Westport, CT

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean, VA

October 16-18: Great Falls Studio Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA)

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

Pages

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Monday, July 6, 2015

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Wednesday, July 1, 2015