Ballerina Painting in Progress

"White Swans" in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Right before heading to California on a painting trip, I had the pleasure to watch a couple of dance classes and then two full length rehearsals for the Summer Recital for the School of Theatrical Dance of Great Falls. The whole experience was thrilling. I loved watching the youngest ballerinas looking on seeing their older counterparts rehearse.

I want to extend a huge thank you to the dancers who inspired me and Theresa D'Allesandro, the owner and director of the School of Theatrical Dance who welcomed me to classes and the rehearsals.  I loved being there!!!!

Witnessing the progress, the beautiful choreography, huge amount of work, sense of pride and love of dance throughout each age group made such an impression.  Each dance was so complicated. I originally planned to sketch but with constant movement, complicated dances, and many dancers ... I realized my goal needed to be to watch and take in as much as possible -- to enjoy.

"White Swans" is the first of a series of works that will stem from these practices and rehearsals. There is much work left to do and directions to explore. Let's see where this goes.

"Fresh Fare": New Solo Exhibit in Great Falls
Click on the link to see the 14 paintings for my "Fresh Fare" solo exhibit on view through August 15, 2016 at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls, VA.

First Friday at the Atelier, July 1, 6-9pm
Many of my California paintings and maybe even the new ballerinas will be debuting on Friday, July 1 at the Artists' Atelier for First Friday on July 1 from 6-9pm. Make a night of it ... we're located at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. I'd love to see you and I WILL be there! Will you?

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Fresh Fare: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls.

July 9-10: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford Historic Village in North Kingstowne, RI.

July 18-29: Salmagundi Club's Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, 47 Fifth Ave, NYC. "Heart of Telluride" accepted into exhibit on view in the Upper Gallery.

July 23-24: Loveladies Fine Art Festival, Loveladies, NJ (on Long Beach Island)

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

September 24-25: Armonk 55th Annual Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, NY