Paint with Me in Italy -- Take Two

"Alta Quality," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Summer Workshop in Italy

Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! Plein air painting workshop June 26 to July 3, 2016 in the Piemonte wine region in the Italian countryside. Please join me! Get more information on this trip of a lifetime here.

Solo Show in Great Falls in March 2016
This latest painting, "Alta Quality" -- just finished may make it into my solo exhibition titled "Witness" on view throughout March 2016 at Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. (I'm having a VERY difficult time choosing only nine paintings that can make up the show.

See what makes the cut at Katie's Coffee on March 1 and see what might be on view  online here. See more info on the exhibit, special events, hours, etc. here.

And...

Sign up Now for Spring 2016 Classes Taught through the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA

Painting the Plein Air Landscape: Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm starting April 21.

Still Life Plus: Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm starting April 5. ( first class only: demo starting at 9am)

Evening Paint: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30pm starting April 5.
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

"Pink Rose Tea" Still Life Painting

"Pink Rose Tea," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Some surviving pink roses from Valentine's Day kept calling my name ... and made it into a painting after collecting a few friends (crossword puzzle, extra set of reading glasses, hydrangeas, soft green roses and a spot of tea). Awfully civilized looking.

On Saturday, Randy and I delivered two paintings to a collector's home ... finding the perfect spots, hanging them with care.  In the process, we also rehung other pieces they had collected of mine.  Two points ... We LOVE delivering and hanging the art you purchase. And, artwork does not need to stay in that perfect spot forever.

I move artwork in my home often and love how it greets me in each space. Play.

See more Still Life paintings on my web site here.

Coming Up
March 1-31: Solo Show at Katie's Coffee in the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls, VA. More info to come.

Spring Classes -- Open for Registration
This term's line-up includes Evening Paint, Still Life Plus and Plein Air Landscape Painting offered through the Arts of Great Falls in Great Falls, VA. As usual, class size is limited and spaces fill rapidly. Tuesday classes start on April 5. Plein Air on Thursdays starts on April 21.  Hope you'll sign up!

"Apple, Tea and Tulips," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©2015 Jill Banks. Available.

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

Painting Connections

"Alta Quality" work in progress, oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Why Did I Paint That?

As I make the rounds around the classroom, a frequent question posed is "What drew you to this scene?"  I've set up multiple still lifes for students to choose from. They choose the still life that most appeals to them then concentrate on some aspect, select a composition from there. Why? Colors, pattern, subject material, contrast, drama, tension, light?

In just starting "Alta Quality" -- which has a ways to go -- I knew my answer was my most common one. I paint (mainly) human connections/relationships. Subject material does matter. In this case, my subject was a scene from a market day in San Gimignano, Italy. I like the idea of a routine that brings people together. This woman was a regular in a town drawing droves of tourists. Casual and intimate connections at the same time.

In painting it, I also realized what draws me to Italy in general.  No matter where I've gone there, a constant are the conversations struck among the regulars ... on the street, in the markets, in cafés. Time is not money. Time is time.

Update on My Dad
Wednesday was back surgery day ... and it went well.  At 85, with five surgeries in eight months, he's doing remarkably well. There's pain, the fog of medicines and surgery and a recovery ahead ... again ... but with a huge loving, cheerleading, praying squad on his side, Dad's counting his blessings. He's one of mine!

Coming Up
March 1-31: Solo Show at Katie's Coffee in the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls, VA. More info to come.

Spring Classes -- Open for Registration
This term's line-up includes Evening Paint, Still Life Plus and Plein Air Landscape Painting offered through the Arts of Great Falls in Great Falls, VA. As usual, class size is limited and spaces fill rapidly. Tuesday classes start on April 5. Plein Air on Thursdays starts on April 21.  Hope you'll sign up!

"Back Story," oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©2016 Jill Banks chosen for the FAV15 in the BoldBrush competition.

"Back Story" Chosen as FAV15 in the January BoldBrush Painting Contest

Each month, the Fine Art Views Jury chooses their favorite entries from the hundreds submitted. Glad to have "Back Story" make the list.

To see it on the contest site, go to :
http://faso.com/boldbrush/fav/100644 

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

"Market Day in San Gimignano" and Our Valentines

"Market Day in San Gimignano," oil, 24"h x 18"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Days have been full.

Saturday we celebrated the upcoming birth of son Sam and daughter-in-law Michelle's baby girl with a Baby Shower.  With some extraordinary ladies present ... including great friends, Michelle, daughter Sarah and my Mom ... we had a joyous, beautiful time.

The setting was my parents condo in a retirement community ... the home Mom and Dad returned to  from Dad's very extended stay at rehab in the same complex but not HOME.  Dad is going into surgery on Wednesday -- as a healthy, strong patient -- after a very rough road. Now the doctors buoyed with a whole boatload of prayers (more always welcome) need to return him in the same great shape and spirits minus some hardware.

Mom and Dad's journey -- in life and in these long months -- sure show exactly what love should aspire to be. I'm so ridiculously proud of them and all their lessons (to Do what they Do) are most firmly ingrained.

I celebrated being married to a wonderful man -- yesterday -- for Valentine's Day. That celebration to be multiplied by 365 days (or 366 occasionally) -- every year.  I count my blessings!

That's him, Randy --  in the orange shirt, with my rolling studio plein air suitcase in front of him -- waiting for me to figure out where/what I want to paint.

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day celebrating those you love!

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

That same guy managed to make it into another painting of mine today.

"Scene At the Bar" Latest Painting

"Scene At the Bar," oil, 24"h x 18"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

There were two main impetuses behind starting and finishing "Scene At a Bar."

I'd read the news of artist Ken Auster's passing. He was known for capturing many different subjects, but I identified with his works set in cafés and bars.  When delivering paintings to a collector who purchased "Seat by the Window: Montmartre" (among others), I found out that "Seat By the Window" was headed to another home to keep company with his collection of Ken Auster's works. It's final destination, apparently was the "Bar" House.

The second nudge/shove to start this canvas was the painting that just wouldn't "behave." The only hope to save that attempt is to set it aside for awhile. Perhaps the next string of paintings will suddenly guide me in how to proceed.  I at least know where my trouble began. Look for that lesson when/if I finally call that one finished.


"Scene At the Bar" is worth seeing.  I'm difficult to please lately ... but this passes the test. Not without persistence, though.

"Late Night Saloon," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©2015 Jill Banks. Private collection

See more interiors/urban landscapes including bar and cafe paintings on my web site's Places Gallery.

Threaded With Green Biannual Quilt Show at ArtSpace Herndon
Do go see the fiber/quilt exhibit at ArtSpace Herndon at 105 Center Street, Herndon, Virginia before it concludes on February 14.  Randy and I took a long look this past week and it is wonderful. Get more info on ArtSpace Herndon's web site here: http://artspaceherndon.org/

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