"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

Good News! Two Paintings, Two NYC Shows in November

Yesterday, I heard word that my painting of an Italian market, "Arance, Oranges", was accepted into the Allied Artists of America 96th Annual Exhibition that will be held at the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, NYC. Yippee! The exhibit runs November 13 to December 2 with a reception on November 29. This is very exciting. I love the National Arts Club ... and this is my first time being accepted by Allied Artists of America into their exhibit. I also think that "Arance, Oranges" is a powerful painting, so I'll be happy standing next to it at the reception. See more of my market paintings on my web site in the places and still life galleries (I'm not sure where they belong -- so check out both).

Two of my paintings will be in exhibits in New York City in the month of November. "Sunflowers II" was accepted into the American Artists Professional League's 81st Grand National Exhibition 2009 held November 3 to November 13 at the Salmagundi Club with a reception on November 8.

So, on November 13 you could see both in case you want to spend a Jill Banks' Art in NYC day.

I'm busy getting ready for Sunday's MPA Artfest, the juried outdoor arts festival held in McLean Central Park on the corner of Old Dominion Drive and Dolley Madison  Blvd. (Route 123) in McLean, VA. (Actually, I suppose I'm writing my blog post.) I set up some of the screens with artwork in the gallery at the Artists' Atelier last night. It was impossible. There are too many pieces that I really want to include ... that I'm proud of and that someone might want to buy. I probably also needed to take off my "exhibit" hat and put on a "show" hat. Perhaps it's not important how perfectly each piece complements its neighbor ... since people are unlikely to buy the whole display and place it just as I have on their walls. But, I was determined to fret anyway.

Yesterday, too, I selected frames from FrameMasters for 13 new drawings that husband Randy will be framing for Sunday's event. I'll probably give a sneak peek at some of those later today or tomorrow. They're having a sale this weekend (just in time) and we got there about 10 am yesterday to find the lights were out. So the beginning of my massive frame search began with a flashlight. Happily, lights were restored a little later.

Tonight is First Friday at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 15 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA. Come visit us 7-9pm and see the new show in the Gallery.

"Arance, Oranges", 24"h x 36"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2009.
"Sunflowers II", 30"h x 30"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2008.

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