"Sitting with Statues" Inside the Loggia, Piazza della Signoria, Florence

"Sitting with Statues" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

When strolling the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy during my first visit in 2006, I marveled over everyday life spent dining surrounded by the gorgeous, storied sculptures that were almost as numerous as cafe tables. Imagine!

One of my painting spots during visit three, the last day this April in Florence, was the steps inside the loggia, right near the Uffizi. There, I painted a 12"x 16" plein air piece. There's no way the guards were going to let me paint a larger piece as the loggia is considered museum grounds. A larger version of it was planned though ... once home. Like now.

I've been working on it for the last few days ... using my plein air painting as principal reference along with photos and memory. Such a great experience to relive.

See the post from my day there at the Loggia ... live here.

"Punta della Dogana, Venice, Italy," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2014, private collection

New Home for a Venice Painting
Today I spent a little time bringing and trying out paintings in a collector's home. (I'd be glad to bring work to yours ... assuming you're relatively close.) And, a new Venetian plein air painting found its perfect spot ... accompanying the "Place des Vosges" Paris painting purchased earlier this year.

I'd previously misnamed it ... but that didn't stop it from looking stunning in its new home.  A dinner party was taking place there just a short time after Randy hung it in the dining room. Perfect timing!

This is the second painting from the April trip to Italy to find a new home. Yea!

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
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May 27-May 31: Mountain Maryland Plein Air I join 29 other artists juried from around the country to capture Cumberland MD and surrounding areas in this plein air competition and exhibition. Second time around.

May 31 & June 1: Great Falls Studios Spring Outdoor Art on the Green Festival  Two days with my work under a tent in the Great Falls Village Centre, corner of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road,  Great Falls, VA. Husband Randy will hold down “the Fort” on Saturday while I finish up at Mountain Maryland and then I hope to see you on Sunday, June 1!
 
March 5 - December: Richeson75 Still Life and Floral 2014  Two of my paintings: "Honey Bunny" and "Garden Girl" were chosen as finalists in this online competition and exhibition. 75 total works were selected for this exhibition from entries/artists worldwide. See the exhibit at http://richeson75.com/stilllife/index.html

Paint with Me in Italy: August 3 to 10, 2014. For more info, itinerary and links to register, see the classes page on my web site. Great folks are signing up to join me on this wonderful adventure. I hope you can, too!  

Pitti Palace and the Lion Fountain

Easter Sunday in Italy

"Courtyard Garden," oil, approx. 8"h x 6"w, copyright Jill Banks 2014

Since the group’s rendezvous time was set for 12:45 in the lobby – breakfast was leisurely and I was able to get a painting of the hotel courtyard in before heading off for the Pitti Palace.

Even in this contained scene, the view in front of me changed – considerably – between contemplation/sketch to the moment of setting up to paint. So much so that my choice of subject moved right … to catch the sun’s patterns.

Although this morning’s efforts were done quickly, I’m happy with the results.

The Pitti Palace
This was Randy and my second visit to the Pitti Palace under the tutelage of Rob Liberace on his art historical trips.  What an amazing collection that improves with my age. The museum is divided into two parts -- the Gallery of Modern Art and the Palatino. Both are terrific ... and really different from one another.  

I found the greatest inspiration from the Gallery of Modern Art -- loving the portraits, the complex and interesting work by Antonio Mancini, and seeing Florence through more recent artists' eyes. My personal favorite piece was by Giorgio Belloni (1861-1945): "Stutilo" painted in 1941. (There were LOTS of runners up and a case full of small painting gems -- not to be missed.) I can't find a photo of that painting -- so again I pass the research onto you.

But here are two fantastic paintings from the collection whose photos I could find:

 John Singer Sargent: Ritratto di Ambrogio Raffaele, c. 1911, Olio su tela, cm 56 x 70, Firenze, Galleria d'Arte Moderna di Palazzo Pitti

Antonio Ciseri
Ecce Homo - Pilate presenting a scourged Jesus to the people of Jerusalem
1871, photo from the Gallery of Modern Art web site

 Antonio Ciseri's "Ecce Homo" was a show-stopper, with every inch of this huge canvas well-considered and painted. Phenomenal.

As the museum shut down, I still wanted to paint. Boboli Gardens were closed, but right outside the Pitti Palace is a fountain of a lion that attracts an awful lot of attention. So that was my subject until the light faded away.

"Fontana Del Leone," oil, 16"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2014

Ciao! Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel (This link takes you to the subscription page.)

 

April 5 - April 27: Fine Art Professionals of Northern Virginia at Delaplaine, Frederick, MD  Reception on Saturday, April 5, 3 to 5pm at the Delaplaine Art Center, 40 Carroll Street, Frederick, MD. On exhibit: "Main Street USA," "Tony" and "Ice Cold Lemonade."

May 3 & 4: Fairfax Fine Art Festival  I'll be under a tent in Fairfax Corners ... surrounded by artwork. Come visit/shop for original art. More details to come on my web site's Events page.

May 27-May 31: Mountain Maryland Plein Air I join 29 other artists juried from around the country to capture Cumberland MD and surrounding areas in this plein air competition and exhibition. Second time around.

May 31 & June 1: Great Falls Studios Spring Outdoor Art Festival  Two days with my work under a tent in the Great Falls Village Centre, corner of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road,  Great Falls, VA. Husband Randy will hold down “the Fort” on Saturday while I finish up at Mountain Maryland and then I hope to see you on Sunday, June 1!
 
March 5 - December: Richeson75 Still Life and Floral 2014  Two of my paintings: "Honey Bunny" and "Garden Girl" were chosen as finalists in this online competition and exhibition. 75 total works were selected for this exhibition from entries/artists worldwide. See the exhibit at http://richeson75.com/stilllife/index.html
 

Paint with Me in Italy: August 3 to 10, 2014. For more info, itinerary and links to register, see the classes page on my web site. Great folks are signing up to join me on this wonderful adventure. I hope you can, too!

Back to My "Piazza Di Michelangelo" Painting

"Piazza Di Michelangelo," (Florence, Italy), 30"h x 24"w, © Jill Banks 2011

I'm going to post this and run ... with maybe more later ... but I have indeed been painting all day. I think I last worked on/posted this on December 31, 2010 ... in case you want to take a look at the painting in progress.

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

Happy New Year!!! and "Piazza Di Michelangelo" Painting in Progress

"Piazza Di Michelangelo" work in progress by Jill Banks

Here's to a wondrous, happy, healthy, prosperous New Year! Thank you for all your tremendous support in 2010. You're wonderful!

I  couldn't let the last day of 2010 go without a post. I still want to sum up the year but I don't have my facts straight yet. Too busy getting ready and planning for 2011.

Practicing for Tomorrow
Today I was practicing painting faces for tomorrow's launch of my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project on a handsome face I know exceedingly well. Husband Randy's. That was nice but it gave me a sneak peek into just what I'm getting myself into. Tomorrow you'll see my real Face #1 who comes to sit for me tomorrow morning. I'm asking for volunteers to come to sit, let me paint from life and just enjoy the experience of being painted. For my practice today, I painted for four hours with a few breaks. I could have used more time but I hope to get the process down a bit. I ran into some troubles. Parts I like, parts I don't.

Want to Sit for Me?
I really need volunteers for sitting next week (starting Monday) and beyond. Read my earlier posts and email me if you're interested. Thanks!

At least one result I can imagine from my project is gaining the ability to teach one heck of an "Alla Prima Portrait Workshop". Think of all the lessons I'll have in my back pocket by my 100th portrait in a row.

"Piazza Di Michelangelo" and That Italian Light
So, the "Piazza Di Michelangelo" painting in progress shown here isn't what I worked on today ... but it is what I worked on the last three days. I'm really pleased with the way it's turning out. It recalls all the beauty I remember from visiting Florence. The place is so full of life. People just cherish the everyday. Here we are standing near one of the city's Davids, looking out over the red roofs beyond with the Arno clearing a path to the sky. My focus will be on the young boy on the far right. You can't tell yet ... but that's what's in my head.

What I love about this one is the quality of light. It reminds me of my "Italian Men", "Boats in Burano" and "Pizza and Pesce." So what is that, Italian light? I'm using the lessons learned in a Kim English workshop in Easton Maryland. 

This painting might get a new name. Don't know. But I'm thinking about it.

"Piazza Di Michelangelo" work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010?

I think 2011 is going to be AMAZING for all of us. Good amazing.

Oh and for those of you who want to be inspired, listen to Rose Frantzen's awesome talk at the National Portrait Gallery (58 minutes long -- be prepared) about her portrait project along similar lines to my 100 Faces in 100 Days project. She's inspiring. She's walking on cloud nine and I know she has really touched at least the 180 lives (her subjects in Iowa).

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

Florence Italy Painting and So Much Snow!

I worked on this little landscape painting last night and this afternoon. I'm not thrilled with it at the moment ... but I'm enjoying thinking about Florence as I paint. In March, Randy and I head to Italy ... to visit Florence for a few days and then go on to Rome for an art historical trip with Rob Liberace. I can't wait!!!
 

Some other Florence, Italy paintings available include:
"Through the Window", 30"h x 40"w, shown left. On exhibit at my studio gallery at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA.
"Friends in Florence", 11"h x 14"w, currently on exhibit at Market Cellars in Reston, VA. Shown below.
"Standing By", 12"h x 9"w, currently on exhibit at Market Cellars in Reston, VA
"Italian Men", 24"h x 18"w, currently in the 7th Biennial National Exhibit in Punta Gorda, FL.
Last time we were in Florence, Randy climbed to the top of the Campanile and took photos ... this one looking out at the Palazzo Vecchio and beyond. There's this soft fog enveloping so much of Florence. I'll keep working until I capture it. If not on this one, then another.

I'm trying to figure out just what I have to see and do in Florence for the few days there. So far, I know I need to go to the Piazza Michelangelo and then climb the hill further to visit the monk's shop. I want to visit the markets that first inspired my market series (see my web site gallery pages, then places gallery: www.jillbanks.com). I want to see David again. Eat at the Yellow Bar. Sketch in the piazzas. Visit Boboli Gardens. Shop for art supplies at Zecchi's. Eat lots of gelato.

I'm thinking of all this while home, definitely stranded by an unbelievable snowstorm that's taken up residence in the D.C. area. It's hard to imagine getting out of here. Maybe in March.

I had to share two views outside the window. One of husband Randy shoveling and another of the table on the back patio. Can you believe it? I can't. And it's still snowing!

"Tuscan Spires" work in progress, oil on Senso linen, 8"h x 10"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

"Arance, Oranges" Painting Continued

This shows Day 4 on my "Arance, Oranges" painting of a Florence, Italy fruit market. I'm working on adding a three-dimensional feel to the fruits. I've already gotten the comment (many times) that viewers think they can just reach in there and pick up the fruit. When I'm done, I'll think I can do that. My goal is to achieve that with as little detail as possible -- making you do some of the work in grasping the scene.

One of my favorite parts of these market scenes are the signs. Signs of people, the human touch, the artistry of the market folks. See more of my market scenes on this blog (look back through older posts) and on my web site.

Registrations are going on now for Fall 2009 classes at the Great Falls School of Art (part of the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts). My Monday night drawing class and Tuesday morning painting classes are now full. I'm still considering adding a third class on Tuesday afternoons, 2:15-5:15 pm if there's enough interest. That class would start Tuesday, September 15 and run for nine weeks. Email me at jillbanks1@aol.com or call 703.403.7435 if you're interested.

This is the last week to view my "On the Bright Side" solo show at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA (comes down August 31) and works in the "Still Life Poetry" show at ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA (comes down August 30). See my web site for more details.

"Arance, Oranges" work in progress, oil, 24"h x 36"w, 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