"White Peonies" Painting

This is "White Peonies" continued ... from the painting I started last week in Sherrie McGraw's workshop held in Herndon. I absolutely love peonies, but struggled with these in the workshop. I was trying to take in too many new concepts at once that all together paralyzed my painting activities. It reminded me of when my husband tried to give me a golfing lesson (long, long ago). When you're thinking about your shoulders, your hips, your wrists, where you're lining up, how full a swing, etc. ... you're sure to miss the ball. My paralysis and difficulty wasn't  due to Sherrie ... I was just trying too hard.

I'm liking this painting now. I will be looking for some stand-in peonies to replace the originals to finish this up.

This Friday, May 7 is First Friday at the Artists' Atelier, the working studios and gallery space I share with 15 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Join us from 7-9pm for the opening reception of the "School Spirit" show of works by students of the Great Falls School of Art -- where I teach. The Artists' Atelier is also open every Saturday, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in.

Coming soon is information on Summer classes and workshops. I'm going to be teaching five single day workshops on "Painting (or Drawing) the Town" -- capturing the urban scene in plein air with and without models. Students can sign up for a single day or several or all and join me in various locations around the metro area (Great Falls, Reston, Herndon, maybe more) for demos and individual instruction. I'll also be teaching a three-day still life intensive workshop. Class listings will be posted on my web site.

Still on my to-do list is to update my web site. All I can say is it can get complicated. Life as an artist is a lot like playing in a one-man band. Or being a one-armed paper hanger. You get the drift. Still ... check my site for more paintings of flowers (including peonies) in the still life section of the gallery.

"White Peonies" work in progress, oil on Raymar panel, 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

The Figure Show and a Bit of a Snag

The Figure Show at the Artists' Atelier was hung today ... with the official opening this Friday, March 5 from 7-9pm. Come visit the gallery and studio spaces I share with 15 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA. And, this is unusual ... I won't be there this First Friday or April's First Friday ... but enjoy the show and great company for me! The studio is also open on Saturdays, noon to 4pm for open hours or whenever an artist is in.

My contributions to the show are "Caffe Bar" and "Corner Couple". They join 20 other pieces in the show. Plus, because the First Friday opening for last month's show was canceled due to our mammoth DC snowstorm ... we held over the Still Life show in the gallery ... so BONUS! Two shows in one.

See more of my street and restaurant scenes in the gallery section of my web site: www.jillbanks.com.

The Snag: My camera's dead. Amazing how critical that particular tool is to me. So far, (as in since yesterday afternoon) I haven't been able to:

• photograph a still life set-up so that I can put it back together for class next week.
• photograph a little new painting I started yesterday.
• photograph the new show at the Artists' Atelier to post here -- as an enticement to come to First Friday this Friday, March 5, 7-9pm at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA. (I won't be there this First Friday or next month -- but my paintings and fellow artists will be -- so come!)
• you get the idea.

Randy's researching the camera purchase online so I should be back in business soon.

P.S. I'll be posting info about Spring classes at the Great Falls School of Art in the next day or two.

"Caffe Bar", oil on linen, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.
"Corner Couple", oil on Raymar panel, 24"h x 18"w, copyright Jill Banks 2007.

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

Snow! First Friday and Saturday's Open Hours Cancelled

I'll post something new later today (after I've painted it) ... but First Friday and Saturday open hours at the Artists' Atelier are cancelled (tonight and tomorrow, February 6). We might try another day this month ... stay tuned.

Off to paint!

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

Pink Flower Painting: A Valentine Bouquet

I know Valentine's Day is 11 days away ... but something seems to happen automatically to my painting subjects right about now. (Check out my posts from last February to see that it's a definite trend.) Or see Monday's post of the "Red Velvet Cupcake".

I started this during my Still Life class (see my web site, click on classes) yesterday and finished it up this afternoon as a "warm up" before working on a portrait commission. This Spring bouquet is in great contrast to the dreary, snowy world outside the window.

My guess is this will also be newly hung in my studio for our open house for First Friday ... this Friday, February 5 at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066 ... from 7-9pm. Check this blog first, though. There may be a brand new snowstorm heading our way.

"In the Pink", oil on linen, 12"h x 9"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

"Red Velvet Cupcake" Painting Today

After teaching my portrait class today, I wanted to create something quickly. This one's perfect for Valentine's Day ... a "Red Velvet Cupcake" painting with red sprinkles. This one came from the Canteen, part of Mon Ami Gabi that has a great Sunday jazz brunch. I bought this to paint ... honestly.

"Red Velvet Cupcake", oil on canvas, 5"h x 5"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

Come see it in person at our First Friday regular event at the Artists' Atelier, Friday, February 5, 7-9pm. 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066.

A new still life show will be hanging in the gallery.

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

Happy Portrait Delivery and First Friday at the Artists' Atelier Tonight

I've fallen behind in blogging land ... but hopefully will catch up. Quick Note: First Friday at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 15 other artists, is tonight, December 4, 7-9pm at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066. There's a new show of Small Works by Great Falls Studios artists hanging in the GFFFTA (Great Falls Foundation for the Arts) gallery.

Now, onto the real news. Last Sunday, I received a great email and pictures from one of my commission clients. They had commissioned me to paint a portrait of John's parents ... to be presented as a (surprise) gift to his mom when the family gathered over Thanksgiving. A beautiful gift, to be sure!

Portrait deliveries are special days. I love to watch/experience the reactions of the recipients. Since this one was being presented at a family gathering in Florida (I live in McLean, VA), I wasn't there to witness it. But, my kind client was sure to take some pictures to help me share the moment. She captured a pretty wonderful reaction and happy presenters.

And here's the note that I received along with the pics:

She LOVES it. And so does everybody else. Just beautiful likenesses, beautiful painting. "How does she do it!" You have a family of new fans.

Painting portraits is hard, but rewarding work. I love the process of getting to know the subjects -- sometimes in person, sometimes through the words and emotions of the person who is introducing me to my subjects. John's dad had passed away, and I've never met his mom, but got to know them both through pictures and stories -- as told by John.

So, happily, this portrait was another success story. Yea!!! I know it's touched many lives and for that I am grateful.

I'm working on another portrait commission in my home studio ... to keep it under wraps until its official delivery. This one's going to keep me very busy for quite awhile. It's exciting, though!

For more information on commissioning a portrait, take a look at my web site's commission page and gallery pages for more examples of my portrait work. Or, give me a call at 703.403.7435.

Photos, top to bottom:
"Simms Portrait", oil on linen, approx. 39"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009; John's Mom seeing the portrait for the first time; and Jack and John setting up the portrait for the surprise.

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

"Michelle I" Finished and Day 4 for "Tranquility"

It was a good painting day today. This morning was day 4 for a live modeling session for the Artists' Atelier painters. (I share studio space with 15 other artists at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066.) I made a lot of progress on "Tranquility", working during the first few sittings on the model's face, then her leg and shoe and more on her outfit. I also started sketching in the background ... a scene from the studio.

Then, I finished up working on "Michelle I" -- a painting I started in preparation for the public demo I gave as part of my "On the Bright Side" solo show this summer. "Michelle I" is a portrait of Michelle Anonick, my son Sam's girlfriend. It's a fitting portrait -- I can see "her" in the painting -- and that's a good thing.  She's a natural beauty, inside and out.

This coming Friday, November 6, is First Friday at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066), 7-9pm. Art donated for the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts Gala (November 20, 7:30-10pm, see the GFFFTA web site for more info) will be hanging in the gallery  and on our moveable walls. Come take a look and pick your favorites for silent auction on the 20th.

Then on Saturday, I'm off to NYC for a reception of the American Artists' Professional League's Grand National 2009 being held on Sunday at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue in NYC, 2-5pm. My painting "Sunflowers II" was juried into that show that is on exhibit at this esteemed arts club from November 3 to November 13. So, I won't be in the Atelier for regular open hours this Saturday ... but you can still visit from noon-4pm.

"Tranquility" work in progress day 4, oil on linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.
"Michelle I", oil on linen, 24"h x 18"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009

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

Food and Wine Paintings and First Friday Recap

I could kick myself (that wouldn't be easy) for not taking photos at last night's First Friday opening at the Artists' Atelier (the studio and gallery space that I share with 15 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G in Great Falls). Despite my predictions, we had a fantastic crowd ... who appeared to be having a fantastic time. Lots of enthusiastic art lookers and conversations. Michela Mansuino and I were hosting the event and many of the Atelier artists were out of town ... so we were very busy. My legs are sore from going up and down the stairs.

The next First Friday will be on Friday, October 2, 7-9pm. Two days later, I'll be participating in the MPA Artfest ... so I'll fix up my studio gallery for First Friday and then mess it up for a day ... and then fix it up again before the Great Falls Studio Tour 2009 on October 17&18. We will hang a new show in October that will feature the Atelier artists who are participating in the Studio Tour. The gallery is always different -- and we keep creating -- so keep coming to visit.

Anyway, the show "Back to School" with a faculty show downstairs in Suite D and student show upstairs in Suite G is up for the remainder of this month. Make sure you check it out. My Fall session class "Oil Painting from Life" starts this coming Tuesday (September 8) and runs for nine weeks. There's still room in the class, but contact me at 703.403.7435 or email at jillbanks1@aol.com if you're interested in signing up. Get more info on my web site: www.jillbanks.com -- see classes.

Since being in charge of the party last night ... and because food and wine has been combined frequently in my paintings, I decided to spotlight a few of those paintings on today's post. Contact me if you are interested in getting more information on any of them.



My food and wine paintings, from top to bottom are:
"After Grace", 24"h x 18"w, oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2009.
"The Toast", 40"h x 30"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2007.
"Sunflowers II", 30"h x 30"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2008.
"The Celebration", (a painting of L'Auberge Chez Francois), 12"h x 9"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.
"Corner Couple", 24"h x 18"w, oil on board, copyright Jill Banks 2007.
"Food and Wine", (a market in Burano, Italy) 24"h x 36"w, oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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

"Oil Painting from Life" Class Opening

There's suddenly room for one more student in my "Oil Painting from Life" class that starts this coming Tuesday, September 8. The class runs for 9 weeks, 9:30am-1:30pm ... and it's a great class for students of all levels. Get more info on my web site: www.jillbanks.com and click on classes. It's not possible to have more fun. If you'd like to register, please give me a call at 703.403.7435 or email me at jillbanks1@aol.com

I'm getting my studio ready for First Friday. It's a mess at the moment ... but come tomorrow night, 7-9pm ... it will be beeeee-autiful. At least, that's the plan.

Come see. Friday, September 4, 7-9pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA.

"Caffe Bar", 20"x16", oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2009 is one of the paintings that I'll have on view during First Friday at the Artists' Atelier. It's one of my many restaurant/street scenes you'll see that night. This one's from a recent trip to Venice, Italy.

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

"An Apple Arrangement" Continues and First Friday at the Atelier

First Friday is this Friday, September 4, 7-9pm at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D & G, Great Falls, VA. We're hanging a new show tomorrow "Back to School" in the upstairs and downstairs gallery. Downstairs, in Suite D, is a faculty show (I'm one of the faculty) of teachers' work at the Great Falls School of Art. Upstairs in the GFFFTA gallery, we'll be hanging students work. Plus, many of my fellow studiomates hang a whole new array of work in our individual galleries.

Having just gotten back unsold work from my solo show "On the Bright Side" and ArtSpace Herndon's "Still Life Poetry" exhibit plus "Lemon Yellow" from the Old Brogue "Food" exhibit, I have plenty to choose from for my walls. They should be beautiful! Come see.

Today I worked on "An Apple Arrangement" and visited one of my portrait commission clients to get approval on my sketch and decide on a size for the painting. I had fun painting and I had fun showing the sketch. Life is good. I'm really looking forward to getting started on the commission ... it's ridiculously interesting, great family, just what I like to paint.

"An Apple Arrangement" is going well, too. The apples are fading a bit (in real life) so it's time to wrap this one up. I'll paint on it again tomorrow -- around the show installation. I love paint. It's properties are amazing and it was showing off a bit on some of the apples. It can glow and mimic just about any surface.



I know my photos aren't the best -- I was a bit lazy taking them so you get all the glare from the wet, thick paint -- but I figured I had to at least let you peek.

"An Apple Arrangement" work in progress, 24"h x 30"w, oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2009. Plus, a close-up of the pitcher.

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

"Florentine Dolphin" Drawing of the Day

I don't know if this one will be framed by our First Friday opening tonight ... but I hope so. This is the second drawing I've done of this subject -- a dolphin fountain in a museum in Florence, Italy. The inspiration for this morning's drawing came from having returned to the painting "Standing By" of husband Randy in Florence yesterday and enthusiasm over teaching a drawing class in the Fall through the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts (Great Falls, VA).

This drawing was started with General's Sketch and Wash pencils: drawn then washed. I added a burnt umber watercolor wash and then charcoal. Actually, this was also inspired by some beautiful acrylic and charcoal landscape paintings that fellow studiomate Elaine Elinsky is creating right now. Come see hers and mine tonight at First Friday at the Artists' Atelier, 7-9pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066.

"Florentine Dolphin, Sketch & Wash pencil, watercolor and charcoal on Fabriano Artistico paper; 7.5"h x 9.5"w inside mat dimension framed in 11"h x 14"w frame; copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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

"Standing By" Painting of Randy -- Just Finished!

I returned today to a little painting I started maybe two years ago. That's husband Randy standing in the courtyard of what I think was the Bargello in Florence, Italy. I might have titled it "Handsome", but instead am calling it "Standing By" ... because that's what he does ... for me and everyone else in his life.

"Standing By", oil on Raymar panel, 12"h x 9"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

This painting will be hung for First Friday at the Artists' Atelier, tomorrow night, August 8, 7-9pm at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066. I hope to see you there!

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

Come to the Artists' Atelier "Go Figure" Exhibit Friday, June 5

Tomorrow we're hanging a new exhibit "Go Figure" in the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts (GFFFTA) Gallery ... that's located at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA ... the Artists' Atelier working studios and gallery spaces. This exhibit includes nudes and not-so-nudes, paintings, photographs and drawings. The exhibit runs throughout the month of June. Come see it and other new works by the Atelier artists during First Friday, June 5, 7-9pm (we're open the First Friday of every month, 7-9pm), or on Saturdays, noon to 4pm. You're also welcome to call and I'll show you around. (703) 403-7435.

Two of my paintings that will be on view are shown above. I'll also have many drawings (charcoal, ink washes, watercolor washes, chalk drawings). "Standing Nude", oil, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2007. "Reclining Nude", oil, 20"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2007.

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

Pear Painting of the Day

I love painting pears ... with their sinuous form. Here's today's painting. I started it thinking I might do just a modified grisaille (monochromatic painting) to concentrate on form rather than color. I held to that approach (using just a combination of burnt sienna/french ultramarine blue/titanium white) for all of about 15 minutes. Then I started adding in colors to the pear only, some cadmiums -- yellows, green light, oranges. I guess I couldn't help myself. I also added in the produce section sticker -- something that used to be a trademark of my early still life paintings. So, no, I didn't forget to take it off.

This is painted alla prima -- or all at once -- wet into sopping wet.

"Pear", oil on Raymar panel, 8"h x 6"w, copyright Jill Banks 2008.

Also ... start the New Year out right. We will be holding the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 13 other artists, open for First Friday, this Friday, January 2, 2009 from 7-9pm. Stop in to look at the art, and enjoy light refreshments and a glass of wine or sparkling water. The Artists' Atelier is located at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. We are also open for regular open hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm -- except for Saturday, January 10. (The studio will be acting as host for a special workshop that weekend.)

Holiday Art Show at the Historic Schoolhouse

I thought you might enjoy a peek inside this year's Great Falls Studios Holiday Show. The show takes place each year in the Colvin Run Historic Schoolhouse in Great Falls, VA. Some highlights of the show for me are visiting with fellow artists, and seeing people share their appreciation of art with loved ones by shopping together or for each other. Husbands and wives, mothers and daughters, whole families, and friends come together to really spend some time enjoying the experience of picking out the perfect gift. It's a joy, too, to know that my work is making some people extremely happy on Christmas Day and beyond!

I'm always glad to meet with you at my Great Falls or home studio for private presentations of my work. Please contact me at jillbanks1@aol.com or (703) 403-7435 to discuss your interests. Or you can stop by during Open Studio hours. The studio I share with 13 other artists in Great Falls, The Artists' Atelier at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 12-4pm. Plus we are there on First Fridays, 7-9pm, each month.

First Friday Open House at the Artists' Atelier

You're cordially invited this Friday, December 5, 2008, 7-9pm to attend our first "First Friday" Open House at the working studios and gallery space I share with 13 other artists. 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Contact me at (703) 403-7435 or jillbanks1@aol.com for more info. Very light refreshments will be served -- and this is a great time to stop by and see some art fresh off (and on) the easel.


See more Artists' Atelier artists' work on our sites:
Jill Banks: web site and blog
Jennifer Duncan
Elaine Elinsky
Frances Vecchi
Heidi Mraz
Adrienne Kralick
John Francis McCabe
Brenda Drake

Other artist members of the Atelier are:
Margaret Power, Diane Falconer, Mehrnaz Moussavi, Mary Orr, Mollie Vardell and Judith St. Ledger-Roty.

In case you can't make it to see us this Friday night, our new open hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays from noon-4pm. That doesn't mean we'll all be there then -- but some of us will be. I hope to see you soon!

Jill Banks