Elaine Elinsky is Face #58

"Elaine Elinsky: Face #58", oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Elaine Elinsky, fellow super artist, fellow studiomate and buddy, patiently sat for me today to become face #58 in my 100 Faces in 100 Days project. This isn't exactly the funny, wise, fun, cool Elaine that I know ... but it's a piece of her.

Elaine told me to go home, rest and "do not dare" touch this afterwards and I obeyed. Thank you, Elaine! I needed a "talking to."

Elaine's paintings are beautiful and ethereal. She's been my studiomate for lots of years now and we work catty-corner from each other at the Artists' Atelier in Great Falls. I love painting away knowing she's in her corner doing the same.

It was fun, today, too learning more about Elaine and her family and her story. I look forward to looking up her brother and his stained glass business in London this April. She couldn't be prouder of him ... and I can't wait to witness why for myself.

We had lots of fun. (Despite being pooped.)

I'm coming to the deadline for posting so that's about it for now. I did paint a little painting from still life class today that I'll try to get up here tonight ... so check 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

Jane Anne Houser is Face #36 Today

"Jane Anne Houser: Face #36", oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Jane Anne Houser became Face #36 today for my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. Jane Anne is Bob Gilbert's sister-in-law. Directly after Bob sat for me, he went out for a family dinner with all the in-laws and talked about my project and Jane Anne was immediately intrigued ... and wanted to sign up. She's beginning a new chapter, studying art, after retiring from teaching Middle School at Longfellow and Cooper. Studying art is just one of her pursuits. Enjoying her 7-month-old grandson is another. (There's plenty more.)

Jane Anne sat for me upstairs at the Artists' Atelier (where I share studio space with sixteen other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA) ... which happened to be a pretty busy place today with many of us (Walt Lawrence, Elaine Elinsky, Jennifer Duncan and Michela Mansuino) in working away and quite a few visitors coming in to check out all the work, our birds exhibit (artwork related to choosing the official Great Falls bird), and visit. My sitter fit right in and enjoyed the working studio environment.

Jane Anne viewing the finished painting of Face #36

I showed her the painting at various stages ... even at about 15 minutes in. Just because it was developing so naturally. She is easy to paint. (Not all of us are.) Plus, she came to enjoy the process and very pleasantly surprised with the results.

Jane Anne commented that she was amazed at how calm I seemed painting. By now, I've had plenty of practice to get rid of any potential jitters and I really love talking, painting, enjoying my sitter's company. Everyone seems happy to sit ... encouraging me to take as much time as I need. I'm pretty confident everything will turn out just fine. I hope it will. I also figure that both sitter and painter (me) are in this together. If the painting doesn't turn out, we'll have shared a very nice, different experience.

Wall of Faces Day 36. My husband's face is the one missing. Still getting operated on.

In the end today, Jane Anne loved the experience and the painting. Really loved it! It made her feel really good about herself. That's the ultimate reward for me. (Not that I need one.)

Very, very nice day indeed.

One more thing. I painted on "Pick-a-Peck Peppers" this afternoon ... a painting I started before this project. Sorry, no photos of it because my camera card is full. I'm not done ... but it was fun to paint something other than a face, too. A treat. And, I applied some knowledge learned from my faces project to this new market scene. Very cool.

Randy and I went out to dinner tonight at the Old Brogue Irish Pub to enjoy studiomate Elaine Elinsky's solo show there. It looks wonderful, and we weren't the only guests enjoying the view. Check it out throughout the month of February.

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

"Gourds and Turnip" Painting Yesterday and Today

Mainly I taught yesterday ... with a bit of painting in the afternoon working on this little one. Plus a little time today. My studiomate Elaine Elinsky brought in a beautiful centerpiece from her daughter Rachel's wedding this weekend.  She thought my Still Life class students or I might want to paint them. A wonderful treat. Those are the flowers peeking over the top of the gourd. (They hadn't arrived until after I started this piece ... so they are members of the supporting cast.)

I did want to take some photos in Tuesday's Still Life class... but I left my camera card plugged into the computer at home. One of the lessons was how to sign a painting. (Two were done with theirs.) I sign mine with the canvas on the floor as opposed to up on the easel ... so much easier for me. So there were some potential fun photo opportunities. Oh well.

Separate note. I entered the "Small Works" and "Large Works" shows at the Art League this month. No awards that I know of, but "Corner Seat" was juried into the "Small Works" show and "Arance, Oranges" was accepted in the "Large Works" show. You can see them both at 105 North Union Street, Alexandria, VA in the Art League gallery through the month of November.

I'll give you a break today. Not too much writing.

"Gourds and Turnip", oil on canvas, 12"h x 6"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.
"Corner Seat", oil on canvas, 8"h x 6"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

"Rooster and Geraniums" Painting, Chelsea 32 Gallery and More

"Rooster and Geraniums" is today's painting. In a way, this is a "street series" painting since I spotted this rooster when walking along the streets of Carmel. Both roosters and geraniums make me happy ... so this seemed like a natural scene to capture in paint. Teeny, tiny touches are left ... which I'll take care of tomorrow.

"Rooster and Geraniums", oil on Senso linen, 14"h x 11"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

As to my Bethesda Painting Awards entries, I finally decided on submitting "Dining Al Fresco," "Randy and Me", "Italian Men", "Cabaret", and "Bellydancer II". Based on previous years' winners, it seems that my work is unlikely to be recognized in this particular competition -- but you never know.

Galleries Representing my work:
See Chasen Galleries at 3554 West Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23221 for many of my restaurant scenes and still life painints. Phone is (800) 524-2736. Please visit!

I'm one of 16 artists represented by Chelsea 32 gallery in NYC. Address: 2 W 32nd Street, New York, NY 10001. Phone is (646) 548-7991. Check out their newly update web site to see my donut paintings, Canal watercolor, "Boscs and Business Cards", "Cupcake" and "The Celebration". Fellow artists (and friends) represented by Chelsea 32 include fellow Atelier artists Elaine Elinsky and Jennifer Duncan; Karen Bateman, Tricia Ratliff and Trisha Adams.

Chasen Galleries

Today, I visited Chasen Galleries for the second time this week after I chose them -- and they chose me -- to represent them in their Richmond, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina galleries. What a great place this is! Andrew, Marc and Deborah -- the people that make the gallery tick -- clearly know and appreciate art.

They already have sold a painting of mine, "After the Party" -- a still life.

Chasen's web site has a great section on their artists. I'm not on there yet -- but imagine I will be soon.

Why did I choose this gallery to represent my work? I was on the Internet and came across the gallery. Their web site is terrific and exuded professionalism, a love of art, and an openness that was refreshing. See their page on artist submissions and you'll understand what I mean.

I thought the artwork was terrific, across the board, which rarely if ever happens. I also thought my artwork fit well with the mix represented. My visit there today reinforced that opinion.

Chasen Galleries also represents Elaine Elinsky and Trisha Adams. See their work on the Artists page of the galleries' site. Great company I keep!

Photos: Chasen Galleries in Richmond; "Food and Games," 16"h x 20"w, oil (contact the Richmond gallery for more info.)

Chasen Galleries of Fine Art - Richmond, Virginia
3554 West Cary Street
Richmond, Virginia 23221
art@chasengalleries.com
800-524-2736 (US)
804-204-1048 (International)

Chasen Galleries of Fine Art - Charlotte, North Carolina
2850 Selwyn Avenue
Charlotte, North Carolina 28209
704-376-0066 phone
Gallery Director: Elaine DeBerry