Thursday, February 22, 2018

City Sidewalks

City Sparkle, oil on linen, 30x40 inches, ©2018 Jill Banks
I'm truly sorry for my extended absence from blogging and posting new work. Even with the best intentions, paintings don't always cooperate in and out of the studio.  Since my last post, we traveled to Fredericksburg Texas for the first of a series of First Friday Art Walks at RS Hanna for the Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase.  What a beautiful gallery ... filled with fine art, and warm, welcoming people.  You will see what I painted while there.  Just like me ... I had to attempt two paintings during the hours leading up to the Art Walk reception time.  That left at least one of them in rough shape but it's a good idea so it will survive in one form or another.

About City Sparkle
Randy and I were in NYC for two consecutive weekends this January, enjoying the extraordinary Michelangelo exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Museum and taking in receptions at the National Arts Club where a painting I created of the two of us was on exhibit.  It was an inspiring and wonderful trip ... and City Sparkle was our view en route from one wonderful art venue to another.

While I've spent a whole lot of time studying color over the years, I'm really digging in and experimenting in this still relatively new year. Here are some new blues ... and yellows created from tubes of paint that I've rarely used in the past.  One of the amazing aspects of painting is that the potential discoveries are endless.

See more urban streetscapes, interiors and landscapes in the Places Gallery on my website. 

Out and About Finished ... Too
Out and About, oil on linen, 36x24 inches, ©2018 Jill Banks
I painted my way through parts of Italy last Summer ... but with many of the narrow streets prohibiting setting up right here. But the rhythms and magic of those days were clearly with me in the studio painting Out and About. The painting will be navigating its way to the Artists' Atelier after I enjoy having it in my house for a few days.  The Atelier (756 Walker Road, Great Falls VA 22066)is open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm (I'll be there on February 28 for open hours), Saturdays, 10am to 2pm ... and anytime an artist is in working or by appointment.  I'd always be happy to meet you there! Email me at jill@jillbanks.com.

Right near this spot was the inspiration for the Old Market, a painting of the same size but different orientation that is currently available through RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg TX for the Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase. Check it out here.

Both of these paintings took awhile to spring to life ... but both seem to have been worth the investment. Hope you enjoy them!

 Events
  • 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.  First Friday Art Walk openings at RS Hanna from 6-8pm on February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4 and June 1.  Plus see the work any time until June 3.
Press ... Coming Up
Keep an eye out for the March/April issues of Fine Art Connoisseur and Art of the West Magazines. My work will be published in both. Cool.
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
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)
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. 
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)