"Morning Rooftops in NYC"

"Morning Rooftops in NYC," oil, 18"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

"Morning Rooftops in NYC" was started at daybreak last month from my hotel room in Chelsea. Only one morning to work on it ... since a busy October meant no extended stays.

It did become part of that pile of paintings I've been working to finish these last two weeks.  I loved the idea of this one and really wanted to work on the water towers in the morning light.  Pretty stunning.

Just started in my kitchen: "Thanksgiving," oil, 24"h x 30"w

What's Cooking In My Kitchen Tonight
For some reason, the closer turkey dinner approaches, the greater the urge to set up my easel in the kitchen. Of course it's in the way.

Yet, I've got a really interesting still life perched on the kitchen island. I was playing with the setup all afternoon -- trying to find the right view and have room to step back from the easel and see.  I liked this from so many different angles. It could be painted from at least four different views ... creating strikingly unique works.  I chose this view ... but had to move all the objects multiple times to accommodate both the view and my working space.

Wish me luck ... progress ... so that the counters are cleared come Thanksgiving Day.

Sign Up for Classes and Workshops that Start January
Mastering the Business of Art -- two-day workshop January 4 & 5
Still Life in Oils -- Tuesdays, 10am-1pm
Portrait Painting -- Sundays, 1:30pm-5:30pm
All taught through the Great Falls School of Art (1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA).  See the Classes page on my Web site: www.JillBanks.com. Don't wait! (Please. I don't want you to miss out.)

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com 

Events
See the events page on my website.  Thanks!

The Artists' Atelier Group Show in the Gallery

See me at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm and whenever an artist is in. Exhibit from Studio Tour up in the gallery through November 20.

 

Great Falls Studios Holiday Art Show and Sale

Saturday and Sunday, December 14 & 15, 10am - 5pm both days. 35 artists exhibiting at a new location: Wolftrap's Education Hall, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182.  I'll be there! No refreshments this time ... but plenty of art and good cheer!  Please help spread the word!

"Hudson River Morn" Finally Finished

"Hudson River Morn," oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©Jill Banks 2013

"Hudson River Morn" is the "papa bear" version of a painting created looking out the floor-to-ceiling window of my NYC hotel room March 2012.  It was in what I thought to be almost-finished state several times but given the marathon painting work done today -- it seems I thought wrong.

Last year, I took advantage of the fantastic views in two directions from that glass shower. I painted in there for three days -- sunrise to sunset.  The wee morning hours were spent enjoying the view of the Hudson with the city awakening.  In the afternoon, I turned 90º and painted "Sunset in NYC" (a favorite purchased last year).

"Hudson River Morn" is one more painting to be included in my "Serendipity" exhibit. See info below and on my web site: www.JillBanks.com (under events). I've started to build a preview of work that most likely be in that exhibit. Go to the web site, click on works and then the Serendipity exhibit. More to come.

"Sunset in NYC," oil, 24"h x 36"w, ©Jill Banks 2012. Private collection.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events
On Location
Exhibit of Artwork created by students in my Spring Plein Air Landscape painting class taught through the Great Falls School of Art.  Come see some great work done under challenging conditions. Reception: Friday, June 14, 6-8pm at the Artists' Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA .

Serendipity
Solo show at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. July 1 through August 31. Over 20 original oils. Reception: Saturday, July 20, 1-4pm. Demo days, too. Check web site for more details.
 

Solo Show at Greenberry's Coffee & Tea

6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA 22101
(703) 821-9501
Exhibit of six paintings including "Two Kittens," "Traffic Patterns," "Primary Colors," "Spanish Steps," "Second & Pine Streets," and "Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange." Through June 30.

"Sunset in NYC" Work in Progress: Scene from the Shower

"Sunset in NYC" work in progress, oil, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

This was yesterday's project. As I've been doing the last few days, my painting time was spent at the easel set up in our hotel room shower, replete with floor to ceiling windows. From the beginning, my plan was to get ready for sunset, when I knew the shadows and light would be the most exciting. That meant hours of preparation and speedy color application when the time was right.

At 24"h x 36"w, it is the largest of my "shower" pieces. "Sunset in NYC," my easel and I were crowded in there. Randy would hand in those objects left outside the shower. Times outside the glass enclosure were limited.

There was no way to finish it on site. It's now back home where it will be worked on with photo references as a guide, but maintaining the color and shadow effects set here.

Three other paintings were started in the hotel. None are finished yet ... though I spent another morning today at sunrise to work on the painting shown last post.

It was an amazing stay. So much fun and more will come from inspiration gathered these three days.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
 Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Register for Spring 2012 Classes

Portrait Painting and Drawing, Mondays, 10am-1pm, starting April 2
Still Life Painting, Tuesdays, 10am-1pm, starting April 3
See Jill's Web Site, Classes page for more information, supply list and registration form. Classes are filling. Sign up now!!!

Exhibits and Events

March 2-31, “Black and White” Exhibit in the Artists’ Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Visit Saturdays, noon-4pm or by appointment or whenever an artist is in the studio. My entries: “Oscar,” “Quiet”  and “Carpeaux’s Napolitano Fisherboy” charcoal, and “Market Street Bar & Grill” ink wash/pen and ink drawings. Come visit. 

March 17-30, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club’s Member Exhibit, Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Award and opening reception, Friday, March 23, 6-8pm. “Hog Wild” and “Dining Alfresco” on exhibit.

April 14-May 4, Salon International 2012, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX. Opening Reception: Saturday, April 14, 10am-8pm. “Contrapposto”

May 15-19, Wayne Plein Air Festival 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA. Gala Preview and Artists' Reception, Saturday, May 19, 6-10pm at the Wayne Art Center. Exhibition to follow May 20-June 23 at the Wayne Art Center. 

May 1-31, Solo Show, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Sunday, May 6, 2-5pm. More information to come (when I figure it out).