"Little Soul Red" and a Look Back at Dolls

"Little Soul Red," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

I've never been a doll collector -- instead convinced by brother Phil to invest my vast sums in parts for fly-tying, or coin collecting, or tropical fish and giant tomes to identify those species or racetrack cars ... etc.

However, my Mom did collect these floppy folk with Dad commemorating special occasions with charming characters that found their homes on benches, tiny chairs, shelves and spots all around their home.

Through a few moves, the collection has become more concentrated with only her favorites maintaining their residence there.

Right before beginning my Winter classes, I raided Mom and Dad's condo for the "stuff" to turn into multiple still lifes placed around the room to -- hopefully -- inspire students.

"Little Soul Red" began as my painting demonstration on day one of the class. In working to pose her, I tried to re-cross her legs. No such luck. She's been sitting the same way for so long that all attempts to teach her a "new trick" led to her swiftly sliding to the floor.

"All Dolled Up and No Place to Go," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©2011 Jill Banks. The doll painting that started it all. Private collection.

"Clown Girl and Kisses," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©2011 Jill Banks. Private collection.

"Ride 'Em Cowgirl," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©2012 Jill Banks. Private collection.

"Garden Girl," oil, 42"h x 36"w, ©2013 Jill Banks. My Dad set this up for me in the studio and I literally could not stop painting because it was such a beautiful sight (and fun to recreate)! I brought it to the Armonk Art Show and there met someone who used to work at Little Souls -- the company that created the dolls. Interesting and totally unexpected connection.  This painting is available for purchase -- although generally "Garden Girl" is hanging out with me in my home.

 "Mademoiselle," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©2013 Jill Banks. Private collection.

"Little Soul Red" is one of many Little Souls dolls in my Mom's collection -- and quite a few of them have wound their way to my canvas.

A sampling of those paintings include  dolls (with some of those Little Souls) as subjects are "All Dolled Up and No Place to Go," "Clown Girl and Kisses," "Ride 'Em Cowgirl," "Mademoiselle" and "Garden Girl." There are more.

They have made super subjects over the past five years and do seem to fill the room with their own particular spirit.

In preparing this post, I did a little research of my own on the creators of these dolls.  For all of those doll enthusiasts out there -- check out the web site of GretchenWilsonDesigns.com -- where you can find out more about the next evolution of Little Souls. All those creations are truly amazing!

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

See the Events page for more info/updates

"The Hunt" Finished ... Phew!

"The Hunt," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

This wasn't easy.  I also will work to replace the photo with a better one ... come daylight.

Another still life waits in the wings to be finished while happily, warmly we're stuck inside ... thanks to Snowstorm Jonas.  Not the slightest twinge of cabin fever yet.

Oh, and that still life might wait a little longer if the white scene outside beckons. Got to stay flexible.

I did see a couple of kids this evening try out their sleds only to keep sinking, sled and all into the mounds of waist deep -- for them -- snow.

Hope you are staying safe and warm ... and happy inside, too!

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

See the Events page for more info/updates

Portrait Class Day One, Student Exhibition Reception

"Jim McConnell, Portrait Study: Day One" work in progress, oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Somehow I left what should be a longer post to the last minute. Visit jillbanks.blogspot.com tomorrow for more on today and the opening of the student exhibit. Thanks!

Today was the first day of my Portrait class for the Winter term. Our subject, Jim McConnell, was terrific and inspired some wonderful portrait starts throughout the room. I started with a one-and-a-half-hour demo (this is it) and then had students set up to paint.

It's amazing the difference in how well they get started when they watch the demo and can immediately apply what they learned/witnessed. Great, great starts!

The Awards and Opening reception for the Arts of Great Falls Annual Student Exhibition was last night. More photos, news from this great night to follow tomorrow.

Grace DeLuca accepting her award at the Student Exhibition 2016

An Inspiring Exhibit
Looking at the artwork on the walls and the smiling faces of all those who attended the Saturday reception for the Arts of Great Falls Annual Student Exhibition -- provides stunning confirmation that this school of art, for youth and adults, is one heck of a place.

Each of the exhibitors took the leap of faith to join a class, try their hand, learn, create ... and then present their work to families, friends, strangers.

Artists Lori Goll and Jay Pigeon judged the entries ... a formidable feat ... and here are the results:

YOUTH RECOGNITION
Beginner Class

Teacher Michaela Mansuino with Lilyrose Golden next to here drawing "Looking Pretty"

First Place: "Looking Pretty," Lilyrose Golden, age 8
Second Place: "Colors of the Night," Elliott Dell'Atti, age 9
Honorable Mention: "Question Mark," William Wu, age 12

Intermediate Class

First Place: "Look Into My Eyes," Olivia Fox, age 13
Second Place: "Color Study," Grace DeLuca, age 16
Honorable Mention: "Skulls and Roses," Miriam Burch, age 12

ADULT RECOGNITION

First Place: "Fall Meadow," Cindi Berry
Second Place: "Reflections of a Peach," Erin Moore Thiebert
Third Place: "Kitty," Linda Garden
Honorable Mention: "Deep Down," Gwendolyn Cohen
Honorable Mention: "Pop," Robin Rosner

More photos of individual work and the festivities to come tomorrow.


Student Exhibition
The Annual Student Exhibition for the Arts of Great Falls School is on view.  Annual Student Art Show January 16-30th in the Gallery at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA click here for details , exhibit hours, etc.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

See the Events page for more info/updates

"The Hunt" Continues

Okay. Winter is just starting and for some reason I'm thinking about Spring.

"The Hunt" work in progress Day 3, oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Two bunnies. Tulips and daisies. Eggs. Easter-egg-colored macarons.

Hmmm.

This set up, concocted solely by me -- has been a bear to paint.

And there's certainly more to do. I've loved watching the yellow tulips minute-by-minute contortions. Probably next time I see them they'll have wandered their way into the next room.

I will definitely be toning down all my additive propensities while concocting set ups for the first day of my Still Life Plus and Evening Paint classes on Tuesday, January 12.

Student Exhibition
The Annual Student Exhibition for the Arts of Great Falls School is coming up. If you've taken classes from me or others at the Arts of Great Falls School in 2015 -- I hope you'll submit work for the gallery. Annual Student Art Show January 16-30th in the Gallery at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA-- Opening and Awards Reception, January 16th 6:30-8:30pm click here for details for submissions, exhibit hours, etc.

Classes Start This Week
My Tuesday Evening Paint class that starts on January 12 is the only one of the three offered with room for additional students (although each student will get extra guidance with a slightly smaller class size). Still, send me an email if you'd like to join last minute. I'll do what I can to help. Classes are taught at the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA. See below for links to classes.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

See the Events page for more info/updates

Winter classes are up on my web site. Take a look!  I'll be teaching a Portrait Painting/Drawing class this January (full with wait list) on
Sunday afternoons, Still Life Plus (Personal Painting Projects on Tuesdays - 10:30am to 1:30pm  (Class Full with wait list) and Evening Paint on Tuesday nights - 6:30 to 9:30pm (still room!)through the Arts of Great Falls School in Great Falls, VA. Classes are filling. I hope you'll sign up soon and start the New Year 2016 off right -- with art.

Through Homer's Eyes

"After Winslow Homer's 'Long Branch, NJ,'" oil, 18"h x 24"w, by Jill Banks

Today I finished up an unusual commission -- for me -- a copy of Winslow Homer's "Long Branch, New Jersey" painting for a top collector of mine. She knew that had I seen that beach ... lived when Homer did ... I'd have been compelled to paint the scene much like he captured it.

Still, it isn't easy copying another painting. This one had far more detail than I'd even consider today ... yet it works. What a spot.

Student Exhibition
The Annual Student Exhibition for the Arts of Great Falls School is coming up. If you've taken classes from me or others at the Arts of Great Falls School in 2015 -- I hope you'll submit work for the gallery. Annual Student Art Show January 16-30th in the Gallery at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA-- Opening and Awards Reception, January 16th 6:30-8:30pm click here for details for submissions, exhibit hours, etc.

Classes Start Soon
I  am still hoping that more students enroll in my Tuesday Evening Paint class that starts on January 12. (It sure would be great if you could join us!)  Classes are taught at the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA. See below for links to classes.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

See the Events page for more info/updates

Winter classes are up on my web site. Take a look!  I'll be teaching a Portrait Painting/Drawing class this January (full with wait list) on
Sunday afternoons, Still Life Plus (Personal Painting Projects on Tuesdays - 10:30am to 1:30pm  (Only 1 spot left!) and Evening Paint on Tuesday nights - 6:30 to 9:30pm (still room!)through the Arts of Great Falls School in Great Falls, VA. Classes are filling. I hope you'll sign up soon and start the New Year 2016 off right -- with art.

"Back Story" Cityscape - First of 2016

"Back Story," oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Happy New Year!

As I mull over my plans -- artistically, art business, life in general -- for 2016, this is what was on my easel. (Thinking and painting do go together -- particularly when you're thinking about painting.)

The title for my first painting of 2016 is inspired by conversations with two writers at a wonderful New Year's Eve party I was happy to attend.

What struck me is the interesting way artists of different ilks observe and participate in life. Their view of movies and life focuses on the story line. My view ... is the cinematography, the play of light and shadows and movement in and out of the theatre.
 
Classes Start Soon
I  am still hoping that more students enroll in my Tuesday Evening Paint class that starts on January 12. (We need you!)  Classes are taught at the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA. See below for links to classes.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

See the Events page for more info/updates

Winter classes are up on my web site. Take a look!  I'll be teaching a Portrait Painting/Drawing class this January (full with wait list) on
Sunday afternoons, Still Life Plus (Personal Painting Projects on Tuesdays - 10:30am to 1:30pm  (Only 1 spot left!) and Evening Paint on Tuesday nights - 6:30 to 9:30pm (still room!)through the Arts of Great Falls School in Great Falls, VA. Classes are filling. I hope you'll sign up soon and start the New Year 2016 off right -- with art.