"Rope of Garlic" Painting: Done

Well, except for my signature.

I finished "Rope of Garlic" a little after midnight ... so, I guess today. I still have to sign it but I had other work to do at my studio, The Artists' Atelier, today.

I went to work on a commission and had so much fun. Every day that I get to start a painting is a happy one. There are many artists who start and finish a painting in the same day -- that's their regular routine. (They must always have a smile on their faces.) They decide on their subject matter and canvas size to allow for an alla prima (all at once) painting. Too complicated or too large won't work. I love this idea, conceptually. I enjoy working wet into wet. Quickly. Starting paintings. Keeping things fresh.

I can do these alla prima paintings if I follow the same guidelines as these other artists: stay relatively small, keep the design/objects simple.

But, generally, there's something of interest to me that requires more careful, studied work. Not all over, but in parts. I find I need a few sessions to get that richness of color, strength of contrast, true brights that I love.

I'm teaching five single-day workshops this summer on "Painting (and Sketching) the Town". Obviously, whatever's done in these workshops is painted alla prima. I've attended similar workshops and created studies myself ... but I follow those days up with work in the studio to strengthen my impressions into paintings. Find out more and sign up ... on the classes page ... on my web site: www.jillbanks.com. Part of what I'll teach in the workshops is how to go from sketch to paintings.

Back to "Rope of Garlic." It's Italian garlic ... on display, for sale, at the Campo dei Fiori market in Rome that I visited in April of this year. "Rope of Garlic" will be part of my "Painting the Town" exhibit at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, Great Falls, VA from July 1-July 31. Reception: Sunday, July 25, 2-5pm. See a preview of the show on my web site. Attendees to the reception get a complimentary pack of my NEW urbanscapes (townscapes) note cards. (They look great.)

"Rope of Garlic", oil on Raymar panel, 16"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Fresh Produce" Finished? And Exhibit Schedule

Still that same old question mark. But, let's say ... I strongly believe that this is done.

My "model" for "Fresh Produce" was the produce seller at the Campo dei Fiori market in Rome, Italy ... where I went on an art historical trip (with side trips to markets and all around town) this past April.


Enjoy!


On Exhibit Now:
"On High", Best of Show winner at artReston held at the Lake Anne Reston Community Center in Lake Anne, Reston, VA, through July 6. (Also view "Nigerian Beauty" and "Sunflowers and Gladioli".)

"Black, White and Red All Over", paintings and drawings at the Market Cellars Wine Shop, attached to the Hyatt at Reston Town Center, Reston, VA. I just hung "Lemon Yellow" and "Young Woman" there ... with plans to change out the rest after my "Painting the Town" exhibit concludes July 31.

Plenty of art in the gallery spaces at my studio: 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA. Coming up in July: "Summer Landscapes". I'll have to think about that one.

En Route:
"The Nutcracker" and "Sarah" are fed-exing their way to the Salmagundi Club (47 Fifth Avenue) in NYC for the Annual Open Photography and Graphics Exhibition. The show runs Monday, June 28 through Friday, July 9.

Coming Up:
Salmagundi Club Non-Member Photography and Graphics Exhibition, June 28-July 9 ("The Nutcracker" and "Sarah" accepted, see above.)
Salmagundi Club Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, July 12-July 23 ("Rainy Day in NYC" accepted)
"Painting the Town" solo exhibit at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, Great Falls, VA, July 1-31. Reception: Sunday, July 25, 2-5pm. See preview on my web site.
Great Falls Farmer's Market, Great Falls Village Centre, Saturday, July 3 ... visit me at the market and then see my new show at the Old Brogue ... right around the corner!

"Fresh Produce", 20"h x 16"w, oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2010. This will definitely be part of my "Painting the Town" show.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Back to "The Produce Seller"

Quick post ... because I'm starving. Type ... then eat.

I've been working on this one the past two days, trying to finish it up. It's not easy.

I'll put it aside and see what I think tomorrow a.m. Actually, I swear it doesn't look that much different than two days ago's version. What's up with that? Hmmm.

"The Produce Seller" (it used to be named "Fresh Produce" ... which do you like better?, oil on Senso linen, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Rope of Garlic" Painting: Good Day Today

Whenever I run into "trying" days painting, I figure out a way to shake the bad painting demons loose. Returning to my "Rope of Garlic" painting was the cure I was looking for. It is just ridiculously fun to paint. No angst. Just happy. It's in the 99 to 100% done category, I believe. In any case I'll let it rest for a few days.

This painting is of a scene at the Campo dei Fiori market in Rome, Italy. I became fascinated with the equipment and inner workings of the market there. Loved the scales. Check out an earlier post for this painting as a work in progress.

With so few days left in this house, I hope to get around to finishing some of my interiors and perhaps getting through a few more new ones. We'll see. Could be just wishful thinking. Maybe I'll be up to going back to my dining room painting tonight.

I've re-expanded my palette of colors since taking the Sherrie McGraw workshop. Color restraint was okay for awhile ... but I really relish some favorites and love the possibilities that some of those tubes of Winsor & Newton (and Gamblin) paints hold. Life wasn't the same without them. Back on the palette are Permanent Rose and Perylene Red, Cobalt Turquoise Light, Cerulean Blue and Pthalo Green ... to name a subset of the add-back-ins.

A full palette of colors was first adopted in Danni Dawson's class ... then expanded at Studio Incamminati (the school founded by Nelson Shanks, Danni's teacher). The following years have seen little modification. I think that's a positive. It's allowed me to get to "know" my colors.

My regular palette, in order is:
Burnt Sienna
Permanent Alizarin Crimson
Permanent Rose
Perylene Red
Cadmium Red
Cadmium Scarlet (sometimes)
Cadmium Orange or Cadmium Yellow Deep
Raw Sienna
Indian Yellow
Cadmium Yellow (Medium)
Cadmium Yellow Pale (or Light)
Cadmium Lemon (or Winsor Lemon) sometimes
Cadmium Green Pale
Permanent Green Light
Sap Green (sometimes)
Viridian
Pthalo Green (Gamblin)
Cobalt Turquoise Light
Cerulean Blue
French Ultramarine Blue
Pthalo Blue (sometimes)
Titanium White

"Rope of Garlic", oil on Raymar panel, 16"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Painting Garlic: New in My Market Series

Tonight (any moment now), Randy and I are heading out for a wonderful Rome post-trip reunion party. Can't wait. Carciofi alla Romana (Artichokes Roman Style) is simmering on the stove. With Rome on my mind, I painted "Rope of Garlic" in the studio today. This garlic was hanging in the Campo dei Fiori market in Rome. That's the same market that inspired my "Fresh Produce" painting. Apropos, no?

See more of my market series on my web site in the places and still life galleries: www.jillbanks.com.

Tomorrow ... early ... I'm off to New York to paint/draw and see some Joaquin Sorolla (my favorite artist) murals for inspiration at the Hispanic Society of America. I'm really excited. I'll let you know what I think.

"Rope of Garlic" work in progress, oil on Raymar panel, 16"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Fresh Produce" Painting Continues

This painting was calling to me today... and I didn't want to stop, but have to pay attention to some other duties, too. Alas. I believe this is day three on this painting of a produce seller from Rome's Campo dei Fiori market. There's still more to do but I do like the way it's turning out.

In case you're looking at this photo of it and comparing it to day two's version -- you'll probably notice the change in color cast. The previous photo was warmer, more yellow and this one's cooler and more blue. The painting hasn't shifted. I photographed today's progress outside (cool light) and the earlier photo in my studio at night (yellow tungsten light).

Tomorrow's class day. I need to go gather my thoughts and my stuff.

Plus, I have some stiff, unhappy brushes that need a very good cleaning.

Life as an artist.

"Fresh Produce" work in progress, oil on Senso linen, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Fresh Produce": New Market Painting Start Today

Actually I started two paintings today ... regaining my painting muscles after a little break, and reliving this month's visit to Rome's Campo dei Fiori market. What a beautiful, bustling place. Expect some Italian artichoke paintings to come. They were abundant in a variety of colors and sizes.

As interesting as the produce was, the stall vendors definitely had the veggies beat. The star of this painting start is the Roman produce vendor ... not the leafy greens. He will be getting handsomer. Just need a smaller brush. (This is just the start of the block-in.)

See more of my Market Series in the Places and Still Life Galleries on my web page: www.jillbanks.com. This one may be slated for my upcoming (July) solo show at Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls. Or maybe for my booth at the Great Falls Farmer's Market this Spring and Summer. Undecided.

I don't normally promote this, but I do offer a set of notecards from my Market Series. One each of these four designs for $12 plus shipping. They make great hostess gifts ... plus make writing notes that much more fun. Each notecard is 4-1/4" x 5-1/2". The four designs include close-ups of "Venezia Market", "Rainy Day Market", "Rialto Market" (original available through Chasen Galleries in Richmond, VA) and "Fruit and Wine." I'll snap a picture of the card pack tomorrow and add it to this post. If you're interested in purchasing, send me an email to jillbanks1@aol.com.

"Fresh Produce" work in progress (top photo), oil on Senso linen, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.
"Rialto Market" (shown left), oil on Senso, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009 -- available through Chasen Galleries, Richmond, VA.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435