Revisiting My "100 Faces in 100 Days" Project

Diane Scott (Face #99) next to the painting of her ... with me ... on April 9, 2011

On Monday, February 18, from 7 to 9pm, I'll be painting husband Randy (a demo, sort of) while discussing some of the stories, motivation, lessons learned from the crazy "100 Faces in 100 Days" project that brought a volunteer a day to my studio from January 1 to April 10 of 2011 to sit for an alla prima portrait. The presentation/demo will be a little like juggling (trying to paint and give a talk at the same time is almost impossible) -- it should remind me a lot of those very busy and challenging 100 days.

Reston Founder Bob Simon was Face #100 and only had 1 hour 15 minutes to sit

My demo and presentation will follow a short business meeting of the League of Reston Artists taking place at the Parkridge 5 Building, 10780 Parkridge Blvd. in Conference Room 400 on the 4th Floor, Reston, VA.  Non-League of Reston Artist Members are welcome to attend.

I know that some of my 100 Faces will be there. Maybe you'll hear about the project from their perspective.

You can "meet" my 100 Faces on my web site's 100 Faces in 100 Days page (or on this blog through entries from January 1 to April 10, 2011).  Each day during the project, I put up a post introducing the face of the day, what we talked about and learned from each other, funny and touching stuff. Excerpts from the blog post can be found by clicking on each of the faces on the web site.

Visitors at the May 2011 Exhibit in the Great Falls Library ... with some of my faces

Anyway, I hope you can come.










Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

February 1 - February 28: "Flowers and Chocolate" Exhibit at the Artists'Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon - 4pm.

Monday, February 19, 7-9pm, Guest Speaker & Demonstrator, League of Reston Artists, "100 Faces in 100 Days" Project, General business meeting: 7:00 to 7:30pm, Demo/Talk, 7:30-9:00pm, 10780 Parkridge Blvd., (room to be announced -- check back here), Reston, VA 

Other Tasks Today

Despite the impression my photo gives, the photos in the magazine look great!

Prompted by necessity and a very amusing article on Fine Art Views Online newsletter (yesterday's by Carolyn Henderson titled "Goat Hooves," I've been taking care of some of my mounting "to do's" today. I actually know a lot more this evening than I did when I woke up ... about book publishing, converting files, etc. Not exciting stuff, but it helps in the long run.

So no creative juices flowing today, but I have been thinking a lot about my 100 Faces book and working on re-photographing my 100 Faces. Given that, I suppose the fact that I just shot two awful photos of the spread about my project in élan Magazine's July 2011 issue ... might just scare you. But here the photos are anyway. I dropped my magazine while photographing it. Thus, the wrinkles.

The article on my 100 Faces project in July 2011 issue of élan Magazine

Oh well.


August Exhibit of the 100 Faces in 100 Days Project at the Artists' Atelier
I'll soon be hanging the second exhibit of these 100 Faces (or 101) at the Artists' Atelier to be on view from August 1-31. You are cordially invited to visit (I'll establish open hours and post those on my web site and here on the blog) and especially invited for the two main events.

Jill Banks' 100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibit -- August 1-31, 2011
Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm

Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm
At the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Read more about the project on my web site (www.jillbanks.com), go to the 100 Faces Project Pages 1 and 2 where you can see all 100 of my volunteers. Click on the paintings, and go to my blog post for that person's sitting.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Diane Scott Is Face #99; Happy Birthday Spencer; and a Strauss Fellowship Grant!

"Diane Scott: Face #99," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

I'm hovering around on cloud nine. (The good one.) As I approach the end of this incredibly daunting, challenging, wonderful journey ... I'm thankful for the one hundred people who volunteered to become a part of OUR project to paint 100 Faces in 100 Days. I'm proud of myself for thinking up such a challenging and perfect-for-me quest ... and following through. I've been painting 100 Faces in 100 Days. Today, Diane Scott was my 99th "Face." I started on January 1, 2011 with Dorry, Face #1. Today is the 99th day of the year. Guess what happens tomorrow...

Diane Scott is a fellow student and follower of Rob Liberace and she's been on all those art historical trips of his that Randy and I have enjoyed. She's really a beautiful spirit. And, I could listen to her voice for a million years. It's soft, gentle, soothing.

Three cool women

My last two faces have been up in the air lately. I'd planned for Diane to be Face #99 and me to be Face #100. Remaining flexible is a lesson from Art 101. Diane called me two nights ago from the Fauquier County hospital ... where she'd been hanging out the last few days. She was going to be transferred to Fairfax hospital to undergo a procedure and she wasn't certain whether she could make it today. She went through hoops (lots of them) to call me. That's dedication to this volunteer job! She's also gone on almost no sleep for the past few nights (hospitals don't make good hotel rooms), so this took a huge effort ... which is much appreciated.

We had lots of wonderful conversations. We shared funny "horror" stories of trips with our young kids though hers definitely topped mine. I loved hearing Diane talk about taking classes with Rob quite awhile ago and how she loved preparing the paper for drawings. (I love that, too ... but never would  have thought to say that.)

Diane retired from nursing two years ago and now all she wants to do is art. I get that, as does it seem, everybody else I know who really tries their hand at it. It truly is a passion that grows. And grows. And grows.

Happy Birthday Spencer!

Face #87 turned eight today! Congratulations and I hope you had a wonderful day.

Strauss Fellowship Grant

Today, Randy handed me a "fat" envelope from the Arts Council of Fairfax County, received via mail. Chances are a fat envelope's better than a skinny one. I'd applied for a Strauss Fellowship grant  in January ... to help support my 100 Faces in 100 Day project and exhibit. (I won one in 2008 and awardees are eligible after three years to reapply.) I love letters that start with "Congratulations" versus "We received a record number of outstanding entries ...". I was awarded one of eleven individual artist grants for what I believe is a fantastic project to promote the arts in Fairfax County. Thank you to the Arts Council of Fairfax County!

Face #100 is not as planned. Not mine (although I may show up very soon). It's going to be a great day. Great post. You absolutely have to come back .

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Here's a Repeat: You've Got to See the School! Register Now...

Wow! I went to see the classroom that I normally teach in ... now expanded to include my previous second downstairs studio at 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Wow again! I'm so excited about teaching there in May. The expansion made all the difference. It gets great light. There's plenty of room. Such a difference. I'll try to take a photo of the classroom soon and post it here. Yea!

Get info about the classes I'm offering on the Classes page on my web site. Portrait Painting and Drawing. Still Life Painting in Oils. A workshop on "Mastering the Business of Art" on May 25 & 26, 6:30-9:30pm. Sign up. Be happy!!!

Sam Woodward Is Face #98 and Lots of Loose Ends

"Sam Woodward: Face #98," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Sam Woodward came to sit to become Face #98 today. Sam is the husband of one of my studiomates, fellow artist Brenda Drake (Face #54). Each sitting has an interesting rhythm and flow. Sam was working from the beginning to figure out the ground rules. What should he do/shouldn't he do. He had two Blackberries (he has a reason for having two) that he needed to keep close enough in case anything really had to be dealt with ... but he was pretty intent on being a good sitter.

Sam mentioned if he really sat for four hours today that would be the only time in his life he volunteered to sit in the same spot for that long. It seems more daunting than it really is, I think There are breaks. Time to wander around some.

For the first part of the sitting, Sam was interviewing me. Full force. He wanted to get my life story ... figure out just what kind of a person I am. Turns out Sam's worn a bunch of hats but was a clinical psychologist by education/training. My brain was being examined.

See? I did let him out of the chair.

I did suggest to Sam that the tables needed to be turned ... otherwise I'd be writing a blog post about me. That will happen soon enough.

We talked about family -- his roots and relatives. He painted a solid picture of the Woodward clan for me. We talked about work. Schooling. Art and marketing. He worked on getting me to push the boundaries toward greater success/recognition as an artist. On a different scale. I'd like to take him up on that. (I'll let you know what I come up with ... here.) Sam contributed some outstanding ideas that I'll wrap around what I do next. Thanks, Sam!

Trying to Tie Up Loose Ends -- The 100 Faces in 100 Days Project

Life's a tad bit overwhelming at the moment ... I've got to take some photos soon for a peek into the wild world around me. My husband Randy and I are trying to pull together as many loose ends as possible as the painting phase of my 100 Faces in 100 Days project nears a close. Tonight, he'll put together panel #8 of nine of my faces. Putting together a panel means stretching a leather-like, good looking dark gray vinyl over uniformly sized plywood. Attaching two velcro strips per painting to the vinyl-wrapped board and two matching strips to the back of each painting. Then he positions each painting on the large panel in three precise rows of three. Oh, and he's been painting gray gesso on the four sides of the painting so it looks more finished.

Two of the boards, 18 faces ... getting ready for the exhibits

My "details" involve finishing the fronts of the painting. As in parts where the white linen shows and detracts. (That means I have to match the color of that area of the painting.) I'm applying retouch varnish to many -- I'll get to them all -- as the color sinks and drys flat looking. The retouch varnish brings the color back to the vibrancy of wet paint. I'm also rephotographing many of the pieces so they can be used for my postcard images. Postcards are being designed and printed to advertise the two exhibits (May in the Great Falls Library and August in the Artists' Atelier) of my 100 Faces in 100 Days project ... and their related events. And, I need to check with the venues to make sure the times listed will work out fine. (They are subject to tweaking.)

Lots and lots of steps. 

I did update my web site late last night. My 100 Faces in 100 Days Project page has grown into two. The first 54 faces fit onto page one. 46 faces are being fit onto page two. You can click on each of the photos of the paintings and come to the blog post about that person and their sitting.

Anyone want to write a press release and get the word out about the project and the upcoming exhibit?

Make sure you come back to the blog for Faces 99 (tomorrow) and 100 (on Sunday). I'll be up to something!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Here's a Repeat: You've Got to See the School! Register Now...

Wow! I went to see the classroom that I normally teach in ... now expanded to include my previous second downstairs studio at 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Wow again! I'm so excited about teaching there in May. The expansion made all the difference. It gets great light. There's plenty of room. Such a difference. I'll try to take a photo of the classroom soon and post it here. Yea!

Get info about the classes I'm offering on the Classes page on my web site. Portrait Painting and Drawing. Still Life Painting in Oils. A workshop on "Mastering the Business of Art" on May 25 & 26, 6:30-9:30pm. Sign up. Be happy!!!

Alessandro Gaiarin Is Face #94 in My 100 Faces in 100 Days Project

"Alessandro Gaiarin: Face #94," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Alessandro ... what a great name! I did spend all of today's sitting session calling sixteen-year-old Alessando ... Alex, though. Just didn't know the alternative.

Alessandro was happy to sit for me except that: 1) he wished the sitting time wasn't so early (he likes to sleep) and 2) having his "face" painted caused him to get his hair cut (he prefers longer hair and there were some haircut-related difficulties yesterday). Thank you, Alessandro ... on both counts! Because of both 1 & 2, I ended up with a better painting of you. Better, more even light helps and it would have been a shame to just have hair, nose, mouth and chin.

Today's was an enjoyable, fun painting day. Alessandro is the third face in his family to be painted for my project being preceded by his brother Ben and grandmother Barbara Marhoefer. Alessandro's mom, Mary Beth Gaiarin, takes my Still Life painting class ... with her mom, Barbara Marhoefer ... and I just get a kick out of the entire family. Each individual is ... highly individual ... and the relationships between them are fun and interesting to witness. A very dynamic, positive, cool group of people.

Alessandro is a sophomore at South Lakes High School in Reston. He's active in the theatre arts, currently working as a techie (lights, sets) and sometimes acting. He has a job as a tech with the Reston Community Center. Most of his friends are also into theater and we talked about how this interest makes participants more like family than friends. And that it also crosses over age differences. I'd say that happens when a group of people get together who share a common passion must also rely on each other for the success of the whole.

It's an illusion ... the painting's about life-sized, but here it is as a work in progress.

There were lots of things that were fun about today. One was a similarity between Alessandro and his brother Ben. Both had other things (books, projects) that they brought along ... that they thought about doing. Yet, they both were really "there" helping me paint them. They were a part of and interested in the process. Some subjects project themselves. I've seen it in classrooms where I was either student or teacher and everyone painting the model turns out their best work. Paintings become a collaborative effort. I'd say that was true today.

You've Got to See the School! Register Now...

Wow! I went to see the classroom that I normally teach in ... now expanded to include my previous second downstairs studio at 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Wow again! I'm so excited about teaching there in May. The expansion made all the difference. It gets great light. There's plenty of room. Such a difference. I'll try to take a photo of the classroom soon and post it here. Yea!

Get info about the classes I'm offering on the Classes page on my web site. Portrait Painting and Drawing. Still Life Painting in Oils. A workshop on "Mastering the Business of Art" on May 25 & 26, 6:30-9:30pm.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Stas Schaller Is Face #93 and One More Week of Faces

"Stas Schaller: Face #93," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Just seven faces left in my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. Can you believe it?

Today's face is seventeen-year-old Stas Schaller. He's the last member of the Russian family -- that are friends of my parents -- to be included in my 100 Faces Project. His mom, Zoya Schaller was Face #70. Stas's grandparents are Tamara Gribach (Face #61) and Vladimir Gribach (Face #88). For the whole sitting today, I saw Stas's mom in Stas. Nothing like painting a portrait sketch of someone to bring out the family resemblance.

Stas is a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School ... a magnet public school known for its stellar achievements in math and science. Stas's main focus, though, is in the humanities. He's not quite sure what direction to head in (college and career)... but he seems adept at going with the flow and finding his way.

Stas kept the conversation going which helped me paint. He told me about the setup at TJ with eight periods ... the last being for extracurricular groups/activities. He's the master of a role-playing game group. As master, he drives the elements the characters in the game must face ... sets up the scene. He ran through the cast of characters, their backstories, and the progress of the current game to date. What impressed me was the imaginative development of it all. It sounded like a great novel or movie. Ideas that should be captured and shared. I was impressed, too, with how much work Stas must put into running and playing the game ... on top of demanding schoolwork, sports and life.

The bookcase in the background is in focus. Oops!

We talked quite a bit about high school life and perspectives of teenagers. Since that was a very long time ago for me, Stas offered an interesting refresher course. I (really) vaguely remember how important everything seemed. How seriously we took ourselves. How much life teetered-tottered ... lots of extreme emotions and thoughts.  (Stas wasn't telling me that ... he just rekindled those well-buried memories.) Stas again seems to go with the flow. He's easygoing.  Low or no drama.

Last bits ... Favorite food: sushi and he'll try anything. Sports: football (linebacker), track (shotput, discus).

Coming up: My last week of faces. At least for awhile. Find out more about my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project from earlier posts (I started January 1, 2011) and my web site's 100 Faces in 100 Days Project page. All 100 Faces will be exhibited in May at the Great Falls Library in Great Falls, VA and in August at the Artists' Atelier in the Gallery at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Email me to be added to my list to receive reception and event invitations.

The house looks like a hurricane (of 93 faces) hit it. Yikes!!!!

Reminders: Register for Spring classes and workshops that start the beginning of May. Go to my web site and click on classes for info! (Portrait Painting and Drawing (Mondays, 10am-1pm, 8 weeks), Still Life Painting (Tuesdays, 10am-1pm, 8 weeks) and "Mastering the Business of Art" workshop on May 25 and 26, 6:30-9:30pm)

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Jim Kunzler Is Face #90 Today

"Jim Kunzler: Face #90," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

I actually painted two faces today ... but because that's a whole lot of painting and I'm pooped ... you'll have to stay tuned until tomorrow for the write-up and postings for Faces #91 and #92.

Jim's a friend and colleague from career #1 ...running a marketing communications/graphic design/presentation business. Jim is warm, honest, funny, hard-working, friendly ... the most people-est person you could ever meet. To meet him is to love him.

Spending time with him, you're guaranteed to laugh. Lesson of the day: it's impossible to paint someone while doubled over laughing. You can't see!  Plus, when Jim's breaking up, he covers his eyes, changes color, and really ... well, laughs. It's contagious as all get out. We came to the consensus that the stories told could not be that hysterical. Jim said he'd try. He succeeded some of the time.

While working, we spent five days a week together for lotsa, lotsa years. It was good to have time to just talk one on one. (There's nothing better than spending time with one person at a time.) I loved every minute of it.

Jim told me he didn't want to see my painting of him until it was done ... and then changed his mind and said he would be glad to see it before that if I was ready. I wasn't. Each face, I've handled this differently. If I'm really "getting" the person from the very beginning, they can see it in stages. Sometimes, I don't know if my sitter will see what I see in a painting start. I worry if I show it to them with parts still to be worked out (i.e., temporarily wrong) ... they'll see the flaw even when I've fixed it.

Then again, if I don't show it to them in the middle ... they haven't gotten a chance to get used to it along the way. What if they don't like it four hours later?

Actually, all those "worries" are really just thoughts. I play the sessions by ear and do what I think is best on a "face-by-face" basis. It's worked out just fine, ninety times.

One of the many really nice moments of today was when my daughter Sarah (Face #77) came down to the studio -- and visited with Jim and me. She sat down and watched part of the painting take place. Told me she didn't know what else I had to do (it looked finished) and told Jim she thought he was really going to love it.

Jim really did.

My 100 Faces in 100 Days Project
For those of you new to my project, I'm painting 100 Faces in 100 Days. I started January 1, 2011 and today is the 91st day of the year. I painted Face #90 and #91 today ... so I am caught up, painting-wise. My sitters have volunteered to come talk to me and have their faces painted ... to enjoy the experience. The time commitment is generally four hours of not being still ... but being seated, talking, engaged. I've painted all sorts of interesting people along the way and been enriched by each one. Ages of my sitters have ranged from six-and-a-half months' old to 94 years. You can read more about my project on earlier posts and on my web site's 100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page.

All 100 Faces will be exhibited at least two times ... hopefully more ... because the power is in seeing them together and the personalities I've spent time with for the first 100 days of 2011. These are super people I hope you take the opportunity to meet ... on the blog ... and in person at one of the exhibit events.

Exhibits: May 2011 at the Great Falls Public Library (Great Falls, VA). Reception: Saturday, May 7 afternoon. Demo/Talk: Saturday, May 21
August 2011 at the Gallery in the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Details to come.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Russ Augenstein Is Face #89

"Russ Augenstein: Face #89," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Russ Augenstein is a neighbor in my parents' condo building ... and another member of the poker club there. Two of my previously painted faces were anteing up and playing last night, probably coaching the now third to sit (Russ) on the fine art of sitting while shuffling the cards. All three are looking forward to my dad returning to all of his duties related to playing poker ... including egging each of them on. Dad's full of mischief.

Russ and I talked about our past businesses and careers. That started because he said, "you must have been painting all your life." (I've been painting for over eight years -- not really that long.) Russ had a really interesting career working in the food packaging business including working for Swedish company Tetra Pak. Tetra Pak developed a process for packaging liquids to increase their shelf life without requiring refrigeration. Think of containers of juices with straws ... like Capri Sun.

The painting's a little shorter.

Russ and his wife enjoy keeping in great shape. They are regular users of the building's exercise room.  Love jogging and have enjoyed a lifetime of sports. Russ really enjoys golf.

I'm guessing that Russ is in constant motion. Sitting wasn't that easy for him physically. He's on grandkids' duty this weekend. That should tire him out.

My observation about Russ is that he's full of good cheer. There's an easy smile on his face ... a sign of a life well and thoughtfully lived.

And good news, Russ liked his likeness.

Moving Out
Tonight, Randy and I cleaned out my downstairs studio at the Artists' Atelier to make room for the Great Falls School of Art's expansion that starts tomorrow. I will still be maintaining an also-expanded studio upstairs at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 16 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. I've enjoyed my downstairs space but students and teachers (like me) will greatly appreciate the extra space in the classroom!

On the cover of elan Magazine, April 2011

"Dining Al Fresco" On the Cover Celebrates The Artists' Atelier First Road Show

And a surprise today. I went by the offices of elan Magazine to pick up a couple of copies of the April edition ... at the prompting of editor Alice Ross. My painting "Dining Al Fresco" (oil, 24"h x 20"w) graces the cover! This painting will be part of the "Interpretations" exhibit that features the Artists' Atelier at the Caton Merchant Family Gallery at the Center for the Arts in Manassas. (9419 Battle St., Manassas). The exhibit runs May 6 to June 17 with a reception during Old Town Manassas Gallery Walk on May 6, 6-8:30 pm. This is the first exhibit the members of the Artists' Atelier have put together outside of Great Falls. Exciting to be on the cover! Exciting events coming up!

And that makes three magazines showing my artwork in April: elan Magazine, American Art Collector and Fine Art Connoisseur! Pretty cool.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

A Double Faces Day, Take Two: Ivie Szalai Is Face #86!

"Ivie Szalai: Face #86," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

 It's family day. Ivie Szalai is Face #85, Sandor's mom. She's also the daughter of Face #84, Jerry Stocks. Three generations in two days!

Make sure you take a look at both of my posts from today. Two paintings, two sittings to catch up on my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project.

So, Ivie got to be the second face of the day. Her art is as a seamstress, doing embroidery and monogramming. We even talked about how Sandor got his name and it was influenced by her monograms. She wanted the name to start with an "S" ... to match Sandor's older brother Spencer's first initial. I named my kids Sarah and Sam. S's are nice.

Ivie had a day about like mine. She worked hard all morning keeping Sandor focused and paintable ... and then she needed to be painted.

I just liked spending time with her. She has an easy, comfortable energy. Just the fact that she drove up here with her four and seven-year-old sons ... with her mom ... from South Carolina to take part in this project proves her adventurous, go-with-the-flow, think positively spirit. I'm impressed. Sandor and Spencer are lucky ducks.

This is a very special family. I'm a lucky duck, too, to get to paint and meet them.

See you tomorrow!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks

A Double Faces Day: Sandor, Age 4, Is Face #85

"Sandor: Face #85," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Sandor, age 4, was this morning's face. He's Jerry Stocks' (Face #84) grandson and part of the South Carolina contingent that's arrived at my studio to become part of my 100 Faces project.

Make sure you take a look at both of my posts from today. Two paintings, two sittings to catch up on my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project.

I learned more about Sandor from observation than by listening. My hearing isn't perfect and Sandor's voice wasn't coming across loud and clear. His mom did some translating for him. By observation, I know he's crazy about fruit ... consuming fruit snacks, a banana, orange juice, an apple, passionfruit water, and an apple to go while he was here.

Sandor painting

He did end up watching a movie played on my laptop for part of the time ... the time that most helped me get his face on the canvas.

I showed him his face about five scribbles in and asked him what he thought. I don't think he was impressed yet. But, from that point on, when he checked out the painting was progressing ... he clapped. Well, I loved THAT!

What I heard most often from Sandor is "I want to get down," "I want to paint" and "Where are my shoes" because he wanted to go play outside on the playground we don't have. His mom did great ... keeping him together enough to help me out.

"Untitled," watercolor, copyright Sandor and Spencer 2011

I was reasonable with myself today... satisfied with what I could get. Can you imagine dealing with two sittings, two faces any other way?

Once I admitted I was done, I foraged through my art supplies and found some watercolor paints, paper and paintbrushes. Sandor was having a great time and ended up not wanting to leave. (I get that about painting.) His brother Spencer (tomorrow's Face #87) showed up with "Gam," his grandmother Jerry Stocks (Face #84) to go off and leave me to paint Sandor's mom.

So, next up came Sandor's mom, Ivie.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

All the Way from South Carolina: Jerry Stocks Is Face #84

"Jerry Stocks: Face #84," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

While the rest of my volunteers are from the local Washington DC area, Jerry Stocks drove up from Beaufort, South Carolina with her daughter and two grandsons to become Faces #84, 85, 86 and 87 in my 100 Faces in 100 Days project. I'm the painter in their Spring Break adventure.

Jerry found out about my project by reading my blog. She's a regular reader and so followed along as this project was first an idea and just getting started. She volunteered back in January. I think she's up for anything that offers adventure and learning. She's a doer.

Jerry recently has delved into painting, having taken three workshops. Part of this adventure was definitely to talk art. We shared books, artists to look up/find out more about (boy, do I have a lot of homework to do in the next couple of days), ways to learn different facets of the art of painting, etc. She's done a lot of investigating into the art world ... discovering artists left and right through art blogs. Jerry reminds me of me. Nothing like the full immersion program.

Jerry came to art by way of sewing. She developed designs and plates for smocking, ran a wholesale business, wrote a regular column for Sew Beautiful magazine, taught workshops and spoke all over the world. In that business, she became an overnight sensation. A recurring theme is that whenever Jerry found that there was a shortage of something (designs, plates, easy to understand instruction), she took it upon herself to fill the void. The artist as entrepreneur.

 Today, she brought along a knitting project and worked occasionally at that. She found it difficult to talk and keep track of her knitting. Sounds familiar. Tough to keep a painting moving along and think, speak, listen, respond.

At some point, I'll report on all the artists, books, blogs, etc. that Jerry introduced me to today.

Tomorrow I'll be painting Jerry's four-year-old grandson and Jerry's daughter, Ivie. I'm not sure exactly what you'll see on tomorrow's blog post. Keep those fingers crossed.

Fine Art Connoisseur and American Art Collector Magazines, April

American Art Collector, April 2011, page 30

My painting, "Tranquility," that will be on exhibit at Salon International held at Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, Texas ... appears in the April editions of both American Art Collector and Fine Art Connoisseur. View the Salon International exhibit online.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Maxine, Age 10, Is Face #83 Today ... And Painting Was Bumpy

"Maxine: Face #83," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Today's painting of Face #83 in my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project just didn't go smoothly. Soon-to-be 11, Maxine was happy to be the subject of the day and she was good company ... but the artist in me just wasn't cooperating. I figure that at this point, I've painted three Maxine's. One who looked about 20 (this morning). One who looked about six (early afternoon). (Age approximations by Maxine.) And, this one which I believe is a reasonable approximation of Maxine (late afternoon).

There is a potential culprit here ... other than me. I made the error of telling Maxine early in the sitting that a number of my sitters worked at standing out in the crowd of 100. Like wearing a bright different color. A scarf. Fun earrings. Bright color. No color. So, guess what Maxine noticed about the faces I have currently in my studio. No smiles. No teeth. I'm anti-grins with teeth because 1) it's an almost impossible pose to hold; 2) it's hard for it to look natural; and 3) it takes me forever to paint and I end up painting from photos. Maxine did do well actually "holding" her grin in person which was the only reason I attempted it.

I did send Maxine and her dad home when I just couldn't work out the painting. I know that with my younger sitters, the very best time to capture them is right at the beginning because a lot unravels after that. There just was no way I was going to be helped with the real Maxine in front of me for my third attempt on her face. Funny thing was, when I had first sketched her face this morning with just sepia paint ... about five minutes into it, Maxine's mom said she liked it just like that.

Maxine and a Blackberry break

About Maxine: making art is not her thing; she really likes math; loves rollercoasters; plans to be a dermatologist; she enjoys being an individual -- likes to stand out in the crowd; plays the piano; likes swimming more than diving; likes the trampoline; loves sweets; dislikes vegetables; likes bananas and blueberries.

One more note. Maxine wanted to play a game of storytelling with her dad and me. The story gets passed around and added to by each person. I flunked. There was no way I could deal with a difficult painting session and imaginative storytelling. Another time perhaps.

Register for Spring Classes and Workshop
I added info to the Classes page on my web site on my Spring Portrait Painting and Drawing class (Mondays for eight sessions, 10am-1pm starting May 2) and Still Life Painting class (Tuesdays for eight sessions, 10am-1pm starting May 3). I'm also offering my Mastering the Business of Art workshop in May. You can print a registration form also from my site. Space is limited ... but the school space will be expanded starting April 1 ... so more room!!! Classes are beginning to fill. Don't wait.


Faces from South Carolina ... Tomorrow
Tomorrow I'll be painting Jerry Stocks who has traveled from South Carolina with her daugther and two grandsons (age 4 and 7) to become part of my project. I'll be painting the four of them in the next three days ... so I'll be doubling up sittings. I'm feeling the pressure and will have to moderate/quiet that however I can. Tea with honey? Paint in pajamas? Clean brushes?

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Studiomate Jennifer Duncan is Face #82

"Jennifer Duncan: Face #82," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

My title almost read #882 (I'm not much of a typist) ... versus Face #82. Can you imagine? I bet I'd be pretty good by then.

Mixed media artist and fellow studiomate Jennifer Duncan came and sat for me today. (By the way, she just updated her web site ... herself ... so go take a look.) She came armed with a sketchbook and a book she'd purchased at MOMA ... but what we mainly ended up doing is, you guessed it, talked. We've been studiomates for as long as there has been the Artists' Atelier. (Maybe six or seven years?) We're both founding members. Now, our studios are in the corners ... same side of the Atelier. My wall faces her wall. Jennifer loves color like I love color. I'm not sure whether or not I influence her, but she does influence me. Sometimes subliminally.

During these years together, we've seen each other grow as artists. Today, we were talking among other things about teaching. Sharing studio space among artists spurs growth among peers. We learn and inspire each other. We talk about techniques, art, tools, exhibits to see, thoughts about galleries, pricing, teaching, composition, directions ... and philosophies and family.

Jennifer said she didn't know how I could talk and paint. We (including she) do it all the time. Okay, sometimes we're quiet but it's natural to be focusing in on painting and still converse. And, I do say ummm alot during the important parts.

So, for my faces project, I'm still disturbed as I come down to the final days of my project that I cannot tell whether or not I've "got it" with my paintings or not. These alla prima (all at once, painted wet into wet in one sitting) portraits/faces are not going to be dead-on, accurate depictions of any of my sitters. I know that. But I want to know that the essence of that person, that recognizable part is there. Up close ... I just don't know.

I think this is a great painting of Jennifer. But all day, I'd see it. Then, I'd not see it. Up close it looked like someone else. What in the world is up with that?

On the thankful side, I am so appreciative of every person who has agreed to come and sit for me. They've taken a big chunk of their time and donated in this bucket called the 100 Faces in 100 Days project. That's amazing. Awesome. Thank you!!!!

Getting Ready for Exhibiting

It's funny to still be painting while figuring out how to hang my upcoming exhibits, but Randy and I found the perfect leather-like fabric to cover panels that will hold 9 of my faces each. We visited the JoAnn's Fabrics in Leesburg, VA. A great store. My "faces" look terrific on the one sample panel Randy put together.  Can't wait for you to see all of these 100 faces together. (I can't wait myself.)

Register for Spring Classes and Workshop
I added info to the Classes page on my web site on my Spring Portrait Painting and Drawing class (Mondays for eight sessions, 10am-1pm starting May 2) and Still Life Painting class (Tuesdays for eight sessions, 10am-1pm starting May 3). I'm also offering my Mastering the Business of Art workshop in May. You can print a registration form also from my site. Space is limited ... but the school space will be expanded starting April 1 ... so more room!!!


Some very full, challenging days are ahead. Really interesting stories. Stay tuned.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Frank Sagstetter Is Face #80 Today

"Frank Sagstetter: Face #80," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Frank is one of the "alumni" (moved away but keep coming back) from my parents' condo building ... and one of their recruits for my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. (Find out more about this project on earlier posts and on my web site's 100 Faces Project page.) Frank was a great pick for Face #80.

My parents sent out emails about my project ... looking for volunteers back in January. Frank was right on it ... glad to do it. I believe he used the saying ... "you snooze, you lose."

Frank came armed with questions, curiosity, stories, humor. It was a great afternoon.

His duties following sitting to be painted included getting the red cart of sodas, wine, snacks, etc. ready for poker night tonight at the condo. This is really my dad's job, but with my dad out of town, Frank is next in command for this important responsibility. He can't wait for my dad to get back in town.

I took awhile longer to paint this face than normal -- although neither of us seemed to mind. I'd watch as Frank's eyes crinkled up as he laughed and kept making decisions and revisions on just what I wanted to capture. And, then again, maybe I'm just slow.

Frank's known as the "silver fox" among my parents' condo buddies. With a gray wall, silver hair, and white t-shirt -- I didn't need that myriad of colors set up on my palette.

I received this email from Frank the next morning:

Hi Jill:

It's spectacular!!... and thanks again for allowing me to be a part of your wonderful project.

I've already received 5 positive compliments on your work on my face. And they're not from my family!

I'll make sure Stan gets there today!

Thanks again!

Frank 

 McLean Art Club Talk Scheduled for April 29!
I got a call today that the Washington Post and other publicity has listed me as the speaker tomorrow at the McLean Art Club. Oops! I'm scheduled for next month, April 29 to speak from 10:45 to noon about "Building and Growing Your Art Clan." That talk is open to the public and meets at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Drive, McLean, VA. I believe that a calligrapher will be giving a demo tomorrow at that same location. I'll be talking ... again on April 29 ... on ways that I and some of my other fellow artists have been successful at generating enthusiasm and support for our art. Actually, that's got me thinking ... it would be great to share the talk with an artist buddy of mine. I wonder...

Register for Spring Classes and Workshop
I added info to the Classes page on my web site on my Spring Portrait Painting and Drawing class (Mondays for eight sessions, 10am-1pm starting May 2) and Still Life Painting class (Tuesdays for eight sessions, 10am-1pm starting May 3). I'm also offering my Mastering the Business of Art workshop in May. You can print a registration form also from my site. Space is limited ... but the school space will be expanded starting April 1 ... so more room!!!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

My Sister-in-Law, Cindy Banks, Is Face #79 and Still Life Class

"Cindy Banks: Face #79," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Today was Cindy's turn to sit for my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. I knew today was going to be tough (fun but tough) because it was the last day of my Still Life class with a little get-together after class ... and then a very late start on my face of the day at 3pm. Which means I'd be battling the fading light and I was bound to be pooped when I started. (True and true.)

I had a harder time with this one and I may still work on it some. But definitely not tonight. I was much happier with the painting at the end than the whole rest of the time. So that's a victory.

Cindy and I had a great time together and that's a whole lot more important that the painting struggle. She's good, easy company and we don't ever get a chance to just sit down and talk. Well, actually, I got to stand and talk. Whenever we're together we have "jobs" to do ... like cooking or entertaining or visiting with others. This was a welcome change.

Cindy's husband, Vardaman, was enjoying watching her reaction

One of the reasons this isn't clearly Cindy is that she's really quick to smile, talkative and energetic. All that had to pass through my tired paintbrush. So imagine her with a twinkle in her eye and a laugh about to burst. That would be her.







Still Life Class Today ... Register for Spring Classes
Today was a wild day, too, in Still Life class as we were doing some drills (value and color studies) with a bunch of instruction and help needed all class long. For the value studies, students needed to use one color from their palette plus white and mix up four different values to paint their still life. It's tough to see how the value of a slice of a grapefruit in the light compares to the value (how dark/light) of a teal piece of paper in the light. Interesting. I thought the results were great. I wish I had taken photos of some of them to post here.

I added info to the Classes page on my web site on my Spring Portrait Painting and Drawing class (Mondays for eight sessions, 10am-1pm starting May 2) and Still Life Painting class (Tuesdays for eight sessions, 10am-1pm starting May 3). I'm also offering my Mastering the Business of Art workshop in May. You can print a registration form also from my site. Space is limited ... but the school space will be expanded starting April 1 ... so more room!!!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Meredyth Gehrig Is Face #76 and Connections

"Meredyth Gehrig: Face #76," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Meredyth Gehrig (Face #76) is Stephen Klagholtz's (Face #28) girlfriend. Stephen is a good friend of my son Sam's (Face #3). All three of them are recent Virginia Tech grads and Meredyth (and Stephen) majored in biochemistry (they met as lab partners).

There are lots of connections within/among my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. I've thought of connecting strings between those who know each other when I hang the exhibit. Randy and I (though mainly Randy) have been figuring out how to hang the show (at the Great Falls Library in May) and are coming up with a good plan. Though there's a lot of work between this good plan and being ready to put them up. I do think they'll look awesome in the end!

Meredyth in the gallery at the Artists' Atelier

Painting went fine. Stephen came to visit during the session, then Stephen's brother and his girlfriend. It was probably a bit too much for  Meredyth to handle having that many eyes on her ... comparing the painting to its subject. It's probably enough of a stretch just to have me staring at her. 

Again, I guess, I made plenty of weird faces. When I did smile at the end, Meredyth figured that this must be a good sign. Better than a grimace, "oops" look,  question face, etc. My expressions are definitely out of my control.

Tomorrow, I'm painting my daughter, Sarah. I'm looking forward to it! I hope she is, too.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Shirley Nagelschmidt Is Face #75 in My 100 Faces in 100 Days Project

I'm three-quarters of the way through my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. Wow! There have been a ton of lessons learned. My painting "muscles" are in tune. I've thoroughly enjoyed the perspectives and insights of my sitters. They are all dancing around in my head. In turn, I'm pretty sure my sitters have gotten a lot out of their time spent here. Some of that is evident in comments and emails. They've enjoyed sharing their experience with others. A successful ongoing project with lots of win-wins.

"Shirley Nagelschmidt: Face #75," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Shirley Nagelschmidt came and sat for me today. She's one of my parents' neighbors who also is the owner of lots of art including my drawing "After Caravaggio" that I created on a trip back from Rome last year.

Shirley had a painting done of her once before, by her mom, an artist herself. Shirley was about five at the time and remembers staying super still for that sitting. I encouraged her to move more.

I knew some of Shirley's "story" coming into the sitting. She was widowed twice within four years ... and Shirley is writing a book and writes a blog about still being alive. She had originally started writing about her experiences to help her through it. Then she realized that others were interested in what she had to say. Her project is evolving and sooner or later, she'll get her book published. Go to her site: www.WidowedTwiceAndStillAlive.com, A Widow's Journey.

Shirley asked if my knowing part of her story influenced the way that I painted her and I said I didn't think that it did. During our conversation, I witness or seek to learn something about that person and take an objective look. I want to see for myself. Our time together covered the gamut of emotions and thoughts.  One of Shirley's comments on seeing her painting is that "she looks like there are so many facets of her."  I agree.



Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

The Art League Featured My Project on their gallery blog post March 17, 2011. Thanks!

Hannah, Age 2, Is Face #73

"Hannah: Face #73," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

So my home studio today was filled with happiness called Hannah (and her mom, Christine). This is definitely FUN. And, fortunately, Hannah was having a good day. Just like with me, days can go either way.

Hannah's mom came equipped with a sticker project, favorite books, a picnic for her little grazer, a puzzle, crayons and a coloring book and perhaps a zillion other things. Christine was definitely the busiest of the three of us ... deftly shifting between activities and enthusiastically cheering Hannah on from beginning to end.

Not too far into the session, Hannah needed a bathroom break. Hannah and her mom had a conversation in there. Mom asked Hannah what she thought of the painting of herself. Hannah replied that "it was coming along quite nicely."

While I started painting standing up at my easel while Hannah was perched in a high stool, I shifted to sitting on the ground while Hannah enjoyed her picnic and coloring. The up and down that Hannah conquered with ease proved a bit slower and more groan-filled on my end. Older bones.

Hannah warmed up to me and this different place by the end. Matter of fact, she enjoyed hanging out in the family room after our painting session/sitting was through. Turns out lots of my stuff are perfectly suitable as toys. A silver angel, a variety of bunnies (stuffed, ceramic, wood), and a metal horse all were gainfully employed. It was really, really nice.

With all my talk about painting a four-year-old today, oops, Hannah happens to be two. Three in May. Hopefully she'll forgive me.

Thanks, Christine, for everything you did today!!!

And a note, I painted on this more from photos after the sitting although I liked the painting well when she left. It was just fun for me ... and the day danced around in my head.

Hannah checks it out

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Terri Parent Is Face #71 and "Dad" Is Picked As A FAV 15%

"Terri Parent: Face #71," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Terri Parent -- photographer, writer, creative soul and director of the Great Falls School of Art (where I teach) -- sat for me today to become Face #71.

Terri and I have spent quite a bit of time together ... but it was nice for us to spend time together without an agenda other than for me to come up with some semblance of her in paint.

Terri has one of those really expressive faces. I always know what she's thinking. Her mouth goes in a million directions. Her eyes change shapes. I like those kind of faces ... because I want that window into the person. It's part of the conversation. Still, it's interesting to try to paint an animated face.

These conversations are just as important to me as practicing alla prima painting. I love hearing other people's perspectives and their way to navigate life.

Occasionally I hear ... "and don't you dare choose that to blog about."

Here's Terri's email comment to me from today (the next day):

I either photograph beautifully or horribly.  I was prepared for either scenario as Jill painted me.  I am pleased to say this is a good one.

While I do not find it natural to sit still, the 4plus hours flew by.  As Jill layered paint, we peeled layers of ourselves as we learned more about each other, our families and so on.  The time and conversation spent together is the real treasure of being Face #71.

 

Jill, I looked at the blog this morning and I love "me".

Terri

See my web site: www.JillBanks.com and my 100 Faces in 100 Days page there for more info about my project. I updated it a couple of days ago.

"Dad: Face #11" Is Chosen as a FAV 15% in the Fine Art Views February 2011 Online Art Competition

"Dad: Face #11" is chosen as one of the top entries in online contest

I occasionally enter an online competition, Fine Art Views Art Competition, which is juried every month. In February, I entered  my 100 Faces painting of my Dad ... one of the faces I truly love. While the awards haven't been completed, each month the Fine Art Views Staff picks their favorite 15% of the entries for an honor called FAV 15%. So Dad made it for the February 2011 contest. Smart folks. My painting "Rainy Day in NYC" made it into the FAV 15% last year.


Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435