Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Granddaughter Emma at Nine Months

"Emma at Nine Months," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©2017 Jill Banks

I'm going to miss these monthly portraits of this little girl. She's coming to visit this weekend ... in honor of her Yoyo's birthday. Okay, yoyo is a joke. Husband Randy, Emma's granddad, was slow to pick his grandfatherly role name. I have mine. Yaya. If he couldn't come up with it rapidly enough, I'd make him Yoyo.

I'll see if son Sam will grant permission to post a very amusing video of Emma. It's rather incredible ... and fun ... to just watch discoveries happen to an under one-year-old. Dear Emma.

There will be a two-week extension of my portrait class plus Spring classes held in the Washington DC area are up on my website.  Hope you'll join in the fun.

Sedona Art Prize Monthly Finalist: January
Robert Burridge selected "Scene At the Bar" as one of his 12 favorite paintings for the January 2017 Sedona Art Prize Competition. This was my first time entering the competition which offers an interesting twist from other contests. It's part contest/part marketing and with many of the works offered for sale created by many outstanding artists ... it might be worth a regular look.  You may have to dig a little or a lot for pricing. Digging is part of treasure hunting, right?

Here's the page with the 12 Top Paintings for January 2017: http://www.sedonaartprize.com/about-sedona-art-prize/finalist-paintings/finalist-paintings-january-2017
and then travel around the site from there.

Scene at the Bar by Jill Banks. Judge's comment: "Beautiful and striking composition. Overall color tone held my attention. Sweet nod to 'girls' night out.'" - Robert Burridge
Two Art Fairs Officially on the Calendar for 2017 
Acceptances have started to roll in ... Hope you'll mark your calendars.
May 20-21: Northern Virginia Fine Art Festival, Reston, VA
June 2-4: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Festival, Philadelphia, PA

Thank you for reading and your support... Hope to see you soon!

Jill

Best in Show -- BoldBrush Painting Competition September 2016 for "Daily Special" -- Hip Hooray! More info here.  



Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com




  

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Sunday, February 19, 2017

A Peek Into My Portrait Class

Seven painted views of Neal including six "extra" heads and a hand surround today's model, my nephew, Neal Banks

You know it's been a stellar class when we surround the model with easels filled with the work of the day! Now I really wish that I'd taken photos of each painting separately ... but this is pretty darn impressive in the aggregate. Today was week number four in what is scheduled to be a six-week class and there's no comparison between progress made this Sunday and the first week of class.  That's attributed to lots of hard work on each of my seven students' part and an inspiring subject plus perhaps some good instruction thrown in.

Marisol Coy with her portrait of Neal in progress
Our subject was Neal Banks, my nephew -- who actually agreed to sit today for the four-hour class ... with one long pose broken into 20 minute sections with 5 minute breaks. A tough job! Amazingly he was able to return to the pose given just a few taped marks setting a foot and elbows.

What was interesting, too, is how much was captured of him in each painting from beginning to end.  In that, I don't just mean a physical likeness but spirit, expression, personality. All those aspects I care about.

A close-up with three paintings from class with Neal
Anyway, I am SO impressed. Bravo! I hope each student is taking it easy right about now.

It's possible I'll be extending the class by two additional Sundays. No one seems to want it to end and I don't want to be responsible for a a halt in progress.

Classes are taught through the Arts of Great Falls School at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA.  I just put up Spring class listings including Evening Paint, Plein Air Landscape and Still Life Plus on my web site.  It's a little confusing with listings still up there on current classes and upcoming ones ... but dig a little and I bet you'll figure it out. Have any questions, please email me at jill@jillbanks.com.  See my listing of all classes here: https://jillbanks.com/workshops

Sedona Art Prize Monthly Finalist: January
Robert Burridge selected "Scene At the Bar" as one of his 12 favorite paintings for the January 2017 Sedona Art Prize Competition. This was my first time entering the competition which offers an interesting twist from other contests. It's part contest/part marketing and with many of the works offered for sale created by many outstanding artists ... it might be worth a regular look.  You may have to dig a little or a lot for pricing. Digging is part of treasure hunting, right?

Here's the page with the 12 Top Paintings for January 2017: http://www.sedonaartprize.com/about-sedona-art-prize/finalist-paintings/finalist-paintings-january-2017
and then travel around the site from there.
Scene at the Bar by Jill Banks. Judge's comment: "Beautiful and striking composition. Overall color tone held my attention. Sweet nod to 'girls' night out.'" - Robert Burridge    
Two Art Fairs Officially on the Calendar for 2017 
Acceptances have started to roll in ... Hope you'll mark your calendars.
May 20-21: Northern Virginia Fine Art Festival, Reston, VA
June 2-4: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Festival, Philadelphia, PA

Thank you for reading and your support... Hope to see you soon!

Jill

Best in Show -- BoldBrush Painting Competition September 2016 for "Daily Special" -- Hip Hooray! More info here.  


Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com
  
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Friday, February 17, 2017

"Big Oil" and a Grand Opening

Just finished: "Big Oil," oil on linen-lined panel, 12"h x 16"w, ©2017 Jill Banks

I've been painting all day ... just a little on "Big Oil" featuring a very large bottle of Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil ... and now I'm late putting up this post. Hopefully it makes it into your mailbox Friday night.

This was one of the four or five still lifes I install around the classroom for my Tuesday Still Life Plus class. The class keeps me very busy ... so to paint this I had to take advantage of the time between my morning and evening class ... forgoing a usually much-needed nap.

The weird name -- "Big Oil" -- proves that my brain has plenty of time for odd thoughts while standing at the easel. 

Saturday, February 18, 11am to 3pm in Great Falls Virginia
Grand Opening of TD Bank
9901 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, Virginia

"St. Patrick's Day," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks
Two of my pieces: "St. Patrick's Day" and "Moon Glow" are on exhibit for the Grand Opening and through February 27 in their new art wall.  But that's not the big deal. (Apparently, I'm into the word "Big" today.)

The community is invited to come and enjoy festive music, family fun, toasty treats and more in their cozy winter village. Be among the first to preview their Petite Art Gallery featuring original works from local artists in Great Falls Studios. Stop by and join the celebration! FREE

CHARITABLE SUPPORT -- To support their new community, TD Bank has chosen The Arts of Great Falls charitable foundation to donate $150 for every account opened at the Great Falls Branch in the first 30 days.  Those funds will really help make Great Falls an even more artful place.  Please spread the word!      

SWEEPSTAKES -- Enter in the branch for a chance to win an original Begoña Morton Commissioned Oil Painting of “The Great Falls”. Two (2) winners will be selected, drawing will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 and Sunday, March 19, 2017. Approximate retail value: $2,700.00 each. Official sweepstakes rules are available at TD Bank, Great Falls Branch.

Artist Atelier Open Hours on Saturday, September 18, 10am to 2pm.  Come see the show in the Gallery plus lots in my studio space at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA.  All in the Village Centre!
There is  a new show in the Gallery/School. Consider taking a look during open hours in February -- on Saturdays, 10am to 2pm and Wednesdays, noon to 4pm at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA.  Please stop in for a visit!

Two Art Fairs Officially on the Calendar for 2017 
Acceptances have started to roll in ... Hope you'll mark your calendars.
May 20-21: Northern Virginia Fine Art Festival, Reston, VA
June 2-4: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Festival, Philadelphia, PA

Thank you for reading and your support... Hope to see you soon!

Jill

Best in Show -- BoldBrush Painting Competition September 2016 for "Daily Special" -- Hip Hooray! More info here.  


Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com




  

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Wednesday, February 8, 2017

"Fiesta" More Than a Splash of Color

"Fiesta," oil on linen-lined panel, 18"h x 27"w, ©2017 Jill Banks
 www.JillBanks.com

Winter makes me crave color. "Fiesta" is my answer to gray skies, gray ground.  (It was actually wonderful warm out today ... but still gray.)

My subjects were dancers at a Day of the Dead Festival ... sort of.  The littlest girl reminds me of one I haven't painted ... but want to.  The group as a whole reminds me of the rhythms of an earlier NYC painting of mine, "Five Umbrellas." So, color. A subject that is part answer to one that's dancing around in my head. And, shapes and rhythms. All reasons why "Fiesta" made it to my easel. Hope you like it!

There is  a new show in the Gallery/School. Consider taking a look during open hours in February -- on Saturdays, 10am to 2pm and Wednesdays, noon to 4pm at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA.  Please stop in for a visit!

Two Art Fairs Officially on the Calendar for 2017 
Acceptances have started to roll in ... Hope you'll mark your calendars.
May 20-21: Northern Virginia Fine Art Festival, Reston, VA
June 2-4: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Festival, Philadelphia, PA

Thank you for reading and your support... Hope to see you soon!

Jill

Best in Show -- BoldBrush Painting Competition September 2016 for "Daily Special" -- Hip Hooray! More info here.  



Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com




 

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Thursday, February 2, 2017

"Emma at Eight Months" Take Two

"Emma at Eight Months," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©2017 Jill Banks
Emma's eight month portrait got quite a bit of rework today.  I just couldn't see her in my prior attempt and it was definitely an anatomy problem. (And in my previous painting session there were too many other things drawing on my concentration.) Mush better day today.

The proportions of baby's/children's heads are very different than adults. I knew there were errors. Fortunately, I figured them out. On Sunday, I'll share the problem-solving process and steps with my Portrait class students with a series of photos of the work in progress and explanations.

Classes are back in session. I have a great group of students including many eager beginners. So far, so good.

We just hung a new show in the Gallery/School. I'll be there on Saturday, February 4 for open hours from 10am to 2pm (probably plus) at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA.  Please stop in for a visit!

Two Art Fairs Officially on the Calendar for 2017 
Acceptances have started to roll in ... Hope you'll mark your calendars.
May 20-21: Northern Virginia Fine Art Festival, Reston, VA
June 2-4: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Festival, Philadelphia, PA

Thank you for reading and your support... Hope to see you soon!

Jill

Best in Show -- BoldBrush Painting Competition September 2016 for "Daily Special" -- Hip Hooray! More info here.  


Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com




 
(Please like that page if you like it...)




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