Getting the Ball "Rolling" in 2018

"Light Traffic," oil, 15"h x 8"w, ©2018 Jill Banks -- my first painting of 2018

At this writing, I've now erased this particular blog post three times. That's similar to what's going on in the studio at the moment.  For some reason, it is tough to get in gear for the New Year. (My first rhyme of 2018.)

This is a familiar pattern. Winter is a time that inspiration is unlikely to fall into my lap.  That means it's going to take WORK to find out what to work on.

So, what are some ways I approach finding inspiration?

• Spending some time at the museum. Check out "Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting: Inspiration and Rivalry" at the National Gallery of Art (Washington DC) -- on exhibit through January 21. We took in that exhibit and then wandered around favorite other National Gallery spaces for even more inspiration.
• Looking through books, magazines, Internet sites and searching -- partly purposefully, partly wandering. This has been fun! Particularly watching a few paintings come to life in short online video tutorials.  I added putting those together to my to do list for this year -- although it involves a steep learning curve in figuring out how to put those together and editing them. (Anyone who knows how to do this is very welcome to offer advice!)
• Contemplating my own work -- what pulls on my heart in the strongest way, what did I love painting, what unfinished works call for finishing or a fresh approach?  (There's a painting I started in Lucca, Italy last summer of the Pollotteria -- the chicken shop. The light/shadows, subject, connections, experience all call for me to do something with it and follow up on aspects of that vision with future projects.)
• Just Painting -- forgetting about creating a masterpiece and putting brush to canvas. One attempt is still a "dud" after much work.  So I set it aside -- spent more time selecting and planning a new piece in progress (that's showing a lot of promise).  Finished "Light Traffic" that was started en plein air in Bologna -- with help from the inspiration found in an online tutorial that sent me figuratively back to this spot. Keep building on what is joyful and the rhythms return.

And when painting isn't feeling right -- I'm spending my time on the computer or planning the Year's calendar or putting together my 2018 bucket list -- all those things I dislike doing when they are interrupting "being in the zone." Being out of "the zone" is the perfect time to tackle them!

There are a few events and the start of the Winter term on the horizon.

"Day at the Ranch," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2016 Jill Banks will be arriving at the RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg TX for the WAOW Spring Showcase February 2 through June 3, 2018

• January 9-26: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Open Juried Exhibition at the National Arts Club in NYC.  ("Randy and Me" included in the exhibit. ) Benefit Reception supporting the Metropolitan Museum of Art: January 19, 5:30 to 8pm at the National Arts Club. 
• February 2-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with five pieces at one time ("Old Market," "Day at the Ranch," "Cactus Corner," "Fiddlin' Around" and "Chicken Chat" are all heading to Texas) over this four month period.  I will be giving a painting demo there on Friday, February 2 and attending the First Friday Art Walk opening at RS Hanna from 6-8pm that day. Hope to see you there! 
• It's Time to Sign Up for Winter Classes --They Start Soon!
  Painting the Portrait in Oils -- Sundays, starting January 28, six sessions (NOTE: start date is January 28)
  Still Life Plus -- Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm starting January 23 (Class is Full with waitlist)
  Evening Paint -- Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30pm (Almost Full - Register Now)
  Taught through the Arts of Great Falls School in Great Falls, VA.  Register now.
  
  
  Perhaps classes or a good dose of art will help you get out of your own Winter doldrums? Try something new, shake up normal, open your eyes...  I'd love to help!
  
  
  Happy New Year!  Thank you for reading!
  
  
  Jill Banks
  
  
  
  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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  Read the Article: Southwest Art Artist to Watch,  July 2017
  Here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola.