"Rainbow" Peacock Painting on the Farm

Close up of "Rainbow," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

This afternoon, it was back to Kidwell Farm (part of Frying Pan Park, Herndon, VA) for some very quick painting, third round to finish up this painting started over six months ago. This is also the third time this particular peacock has been uncooperative as a subject -- going around back of his "house" when I was in front, and vice versa. If he was in view, his head was buried in feather cleaning. Or he was facing the opposite direction. Little was accomplished this outing other than a good color check. Although there were plenty of colors to check.

Better photo to replace this one tomorrow, I hope.

You can see more feathered and furry friend paintings in the Animal Collection on my web site: www.JillBanks.com.  I hope to get around to some more updates to the site soon. The commute to the Torpedo Factory and working there five days a week has wreaked havoc on all those other tasks that accompany life and art business stuff.

"Cabs in NYC" going to new home

Only seven more days at the Torpedo Factory's Studio #333 (105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA). You can see me there this Thursday through Monday and then Thursday or Friday next week. Although if you wait until Friday, August 31 ... I'll have moved out some of the work on view. See hours below.

"Cabs in NYC" was purchased by someone who has wanted it since first seeing it ... quite awhile ago. That painting has had many potential buyers ... and almost went off to a different home yesterday.

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

Events and Exhibits

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333. See regular hours/days, reception, demo dates on the events page on my web site. 
Still life painting demo: Sunday, August 12, 1 to 5pm
Portrait painting demos: August 19 and August 26, 1 to 5pm.
I'll be in my studio:
Mondays, 10am-5pm
Thursdays, 2-9pm
Friday, noon-6pm
Saturdays, noon to 6pm
Sundays, noon to 6pm
Other events/times will be listed on my event page on my new web site. I hope to see you there!

July 7- August 31, Artists' Atelier, "Water, Water, Everywhere" group exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.  Open Saturdays, noon - 4pm. 

Sunday, October 14, MPA Artfest Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 20&21, Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, 10am-5pm, visit artists in their studios throughout Great Falls on a self-guided tour. I’ll be at the Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Back to "NYC Street" Painting and Progress

"NYC Street" work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

I think this has been the longest time a painting has been in progress. I declared it perhaps done the last time I put up a post about it ... but it still had problems I needed to wrestle with.

"A New York State of Mind," oil on linen, 40"h x 30"w

"Cabs in New York," 8"h x 10"w, oil,© Jill Banks 2011

Plus of course I had to work on a whole lot more.

In any case, I am really starting to like it. Hopefully, I can return to this one tomorrow in my studio. Assuming the paint doesn't feel like arguing with me.

"Rainy Day in NYC" won Best in Show at the Art League and a Certificate of Merit in Oils at the Salmagundi Club. Sold.

Today I also used a very limited palette. I took all the extra paints from my usually full rainbow palette, mixed them together to form a neutral pile to use as necessary. Then I had huge piles of permanent alizarin crimson, French ultramarine blue, a Winsor Lemon/cadmium yellow medium mix and titanium zinc white. That's it. And it was nice for a change.

I've painted a number of New York City paintings. Today's page will be a tribute to them. There are more. Take a look at the Places page, in the gallery pages of my web site: www.JillBanks.com.

 

 

 

"Pretzel Stand," oil, 24"h x 18"w

Coming up:

Sunday, August 7: Painting on the Waterfront with the Art League's Plein Air Painters, behind the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA, in the morning.

August 8 to August 19: Three of my drawings will be on exhibit as part of the Salmagundi Club's Annual Photography and Graphics Non-Members Exhibit in NYC. This prestigious, 140-year-old arts club is located in a beautiful brownstone at 47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. Through the years, the Salmagundi Club has been the gathering spot of such luminaries as Childe Hassam, William Merrit Chase, N.C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and many others. It's a pretty incredible spot. So ... if you're in NYC any time soon ...

August 1-31: "100 Faces in 100 Days" Exhibit #2 in the Gallery at the Artists' Atelier
Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm
Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm
RSVP helpful for both events ... but please come anyway if you don't get around to it.

Sunday, August 14: Painting on the Waterfront with the Art League's Plein Air Painters, behind the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA, in the morning.

NEW! Sunday, August 21: At the Registration Pavilion for the Reston Century Ride, Reston Town Center, Reston, VA -- with prints of "W&OD BBQ", the first place winner in the T-Shirt competition.

August 26-August 29: Four-day intensive, still life workshop: "A Painting A Day" offered through the Great Falls School of Art. Space is limited. Details coming soon on my web site: www.JillBanks.com.

To read more about the 100 Faces in 100 Days project on my web site (www.jillbanks.com), go to the 100 Faces Project Pages 1 and 2 where you can see all 100 of my volunteers. Click on the paintings, and go to my blog post for that person's sitting.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435 

Brenda Drake Is Face #60 Today: 40 More To Go!

"Brenda Drake: Face #60," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

If you read yesterday's post, you know I hadn't lined up a sitter for today until last night. The problem was solved when Randy and I went to dinner at the Old Brogue Irish Pub (Great Falls, VA) and ate in the Snuggery to see Brenda Drake's new exhibit. Guess who we ran into and who I grabbed for today's sitting? Not a tough puzzle. Brenda was already on my list of potential 100 Faces volunteer ... but she's been really busy getting ready for this exhibit ... so elusive as to scheduling until last night. Desperation helps ... plus I figured she could use a little rest and sitting for an alla prima portrait is pretty restful.

Brenda Drake is a fellow artist, studiomate, buddy of mine. We haven't been spending much time together in the studio for awhile, so this was a nice chance to catch up ... and one on one is the best way to do that.

We talked about family, painting, a book she's reading on de Kooning (about his life story), lots of stuff. Painting was easy and fun. A new, more relaxed person (me) arrived at the easel today. My sitters (especially Laura Nichols (Face #57), Elaine Elinsky (Face #58) and Christine Flack (Face #51)) have been teaching me my own lesson. That this project is about spending time with my sitters -- enjoying each other's company, enjoying painting from life, and potentially teaching myself something in the process. I've been taking the end result way too seriously and agonizing over painting if it doesn't turn out the way I want it to. I don't really think I can turn that off completely (personal pride, wanting to pay tribute to these very special people who come sit for me, etc gets in the way) ... but if I can look at it like I'm breaking the "deal" I've made with my sitters and myself about this project, maybe I can "move on" better. Each sitter is doing me a favor by sitting for me. It's not a very nice thank you if I appear to have been tortured by them.

One of the destructive aspects of trying too hard to end up with a more satisfactory result is that I spend lots of extra hours "fixing" and wear myself out for the next session. That appears not to do anyone any good.

Today I feel refreshed. Everything looks possible again. I'm more together and can manage some catch-up tasks and get ready to conquer tomorrow. Pretty great. Of course ... I'm happy with my painting of Brenda so I haven't had to pass a test today.

"Four By Four" Exhibit at the Atelier

"New York State of Mind", oil, 40"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010

Featuring four works each by four Atelier artists: Jill Banks (me), Nancy Keane, Michela Mansuino, Mollie Vardell ... new in the gallery for the month of March.
Plus, the Bird Show 
See it First Friday, March 4, 7-9pm for an opening reception and Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in.
1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Works I have in the show include urban interiors and exteriors including:
"New York State of Mind"
"Dining Al Fresco"
"Tea Party" (painting done on location at the Old Brogue)
"Colleen's Boys" (also painted on location at the Old Brogue)

"Dining Al Fresco", oil 24"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009

This mini exhibit is a bit of a conversation with you. There's always a sense of becoming as an artist. I love urban streets and settings and have been working more and more toward capturing those moments from life ... with a little help from photographs and a lot of help from my memory. My Brogue paintings were giant steps in this direction. I hope that my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project is a huge leap to preparing me for this new journey. Come see.




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

"The Tea Party," oil, 20"h x 16"w, Jill Banks 2010

"Colleen's Boys," oil, 16"h x 20"w, Jill Banks 2010

"Cabs in New York City" Painting Today

"Cabs in New York City" oil on Raymar panel by Jill Banks

Sam and Michelle ... my son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law graduated from Virginia Tech yesterday. Yea!!!!! We took some extra cap and gown photos today on the snow-covered campus before heading back.

Part of the drive back I sketched. Sort of an ongoing, what does the road look like ahead and beside me. (Fortunately, I wasn't driving.) I decided I don't know what a cow looks like. Note: I'll have to work on that. But, I sketched a lot of cars from behind. Some trucks. A curving road. Trees and shrubs. Houses in the distance.

Came home and decided to paint this sketch. It reminded me of our drive home. Just urban vs. rural.

I've created many wet NYC street paintings ... but they were all purchased recently. Amazingly, my collectors purchased 29 of my paintings in the last month. Again, yikes. So. Here's a new one. Still on the easel.

"Cabs in New York City", oil on Raymar panel, 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

"New York State of Mind" Painting Continued and More Donuts

"New York State of Mind" work in progress, 40"h x 30"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2010

Pictures first. I'll type more later if I have a chance.

First up ... "New York State of Mind", another rainy day in New York City painting was up on my easel today after an extended break. I made some progress.

Next, a quick painting of some really vibrant donuts. I painted them with the lid closed ... thus the shadow at the top and part of the pink lid showing at the bottom.

"Half Dozen Donuts", oil on linen, 14"h x 11"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010

 

 

 

 

 Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I was, personally turkey-challenged. But, I don't think that's what the holiday is all about, do you? We had a great visit with family from in and out of town and then went yesterday to a wonderful wedding shower for Michelle (our soon-to-be daughter-in-law) in Richmond ... held by her cousin and sister. 

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

"A New York State of Mind" Rainy Street Scene 1 Day Older

Really quick. This was my project for today. Lots of paint landed on linen today ... but it's a big painting. I spent some time using a palette knife, in honor of studiomate Elaine Elinsky's new best friend. (A palette knife.) See yesterday's post to compare.

"A New York State of Mind" work in progress, oil on linen, 40"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

A Lemon and Wet NYC Street Paintings

I enjoyed just painting today. Spent a short time this morning painting in my home studio this lemon and mint plant. Those two items were just part of my nesting-instincts-on-overdrive grocery shopping trip. I didn't know they were going to be models, too. I was painting on a super-smooth Ampersand board. Hence, all the paint strokes show as they sit on top of the surface. No absorption. This is one of my mini paintings. Five inches by five inches. Perhaps I chose this subject and size because I have art-empty soffits in my kitchen that might look better with a lemon painting. (How do you spell soffit?)

This afternoon, I returned to "A New York State of Mind" ... one I've been wanting to get back to for awhile. Take a trip back through my older posts to see this as a work in progress and start. By the way, this one's a large canvas -- 40" x 30" to be exact. Quite a contrast from my painting from this morning.

I had a number of pieces that were works in progress during last weekend's Studio Tour. Tourgoers loved them and were curious how I was going to finish them. This one ("New York State of Mind") still needs a lot of work ... but I guess I'm trying to answer the question by painting. I'll be working on this some more tomorrow during open studio hours at the Artists' Atelier, noon to 4pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066.

"Lemon Below", oil on Ampersand board, 5" x 5", copyright Jill Banks 2010
"A New York State of Mind" work in progress, oil on Senso linen, 40" x 30", copyright Jill Banks 2010

See my web site: www.JillBanks.com for more still lifes and city street paintings on the gallery pages.

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

"New York State of Mind" Painting Continues ... Plus Courses/Workshop

Busy day today.  I worked on some changes to a commission of mine in the morning before heading off to the Artists' Atelier (the studio I share with 15 or so other artists in Great Falls) for our scheduled open hours. (The studio at: 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066 is open every Saturday, noon to 4pm and the First Friday of every month, 7-9pm.)

I decided that "New York State of Mind" (see an earlier post about this painting's development on day one) would be my project of choice for noon to 4, and swore to myself that as soon as 4 o'clock rolled around ... I'd pack up and get back to my home studio to work more on the commission. Four o'clock came and went. I ended up literally tearing myself away from the studio, and this painting at about 6:45. Knowing how much I really wanted to keep on painting, I left it there so it wouldn't lure me back to it tonight. I'd end up working on it all night long.

It is so hard to stop painting for lots of reasons.

The biggest reason for me is that even though the painting develops/evolves as I paint it, I know what it's going to look like finished from the very beginning. I have a vision of it perched in my head. I'm excited about getting there. Can't wait to see it ... on canvas ... and share it with the rest of you. I think that if I just keep painting...

It's also hard to stop because ... 1) it's so much fun and 2) as soon as I put my paintbrush down, I see something I need to change or fix.

Tomorrow: Join me for a "Sketching the Town" single-day workshop in Reston Town Center from 10am-3pm for $95 (check made out to Great Falls Foundation for the Arts and filled out registration form). Get more information on my web site on the Classes page -- but you have to send me an email at jillbanks1@aol.com to confirm that you're coming and to get the exact location.

And ... I'll be teaching two classes this Fall through the Great Falls School of Art: "Painting and Drawing the Portrait" on Mondays, 10am-1pm starting September 13 and "Still Life Painting in Oils" on Tuesdays, 10am-1pm starting September 14. Both classes cost $300 each (plus supply fee for still life objects for the still life class and model fees for the portrait class -- to be paid directly to me at the start of class) for a nine-week session. Class size is limited but there's currently room. I hope you sign up!! For the portrait class in particular, sign up in the next few days. This helps me a lot in planning for the class and hiring models. I'm looking for models for this class (and in general) ... all sorts of people ... anyone capable of holding a pose for three hours with pretty frequent breaks. Male and female, young and not-so-young, all races and ethnicity. If you happen to be a puppeteer, gardener, guitar player, writer, avid reader, bellydancer, storyteller, etc., let me know, too. I want students to paint and draw you as you.

Get more information about both classes on my web site on the Classes page. There's a link to my supply list and registration form there, too. In both courses, I teach to the student's individual level. One of the benefits of my classes for the intermediate and advanced student is I gladly pass on information on contests, workshops and learning opportunities, exhibit opportunities and practical "how to's" such as marketing ideas, framing, varnishing, studio setup, etc.

"New York State of Mind" work in progress - day two, oil on Senso linen, 40"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

Rainy NYC Street Painting Start Today

The paintings I'm working toward finishing needed a break today. And, I'm so entrenched in this "painting the town" groove that I started a new, rainy, New York City, street scene. The three paintings lining the floor in my home studio that require more attention are all small, all 16"h x 20"w. (That's just this studio ... I have many, many more in progress ... that are waiting to call me back to business.) And, for the last few days I've been staring, intermittently, at the gigantic (currently empty) mantel and two-story fireplace in our new house's family room. Time to go big.

I feel like doing that in general.

In honor, too, of my painting "Rainy Day in NYC" winning the top prize and selling at the Art League's 'scapes show this month ... I returned to the rainy day, New York City theme. The award reception is Thursday night, August 12, 6:30-8:00pm in the Art League Gallery (at the Torpedo Factory), 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA.

This one is perhaps temporarily called "New York State of Mind". It's 40"h x 30"w. Here you're seeing it in three different stages, painting day one, about six hours of straight painting time. (Add about two hours of thinking, composing time before I started painting.)

I started with a thin application of Burnt Sienna and French Ultramarine Blue to lay in my darks and rough in the sketch. I'm working on a Senso clear acrylic-primed linen canvas that has a medium tooth. By thin application, I just don't load the brush with too much paint and I let the tooth of the canvas keep it from getting too thick. I also don't draw (with paint) any more than I have to. This is a guideline for myself only ... and I'll be making decisions later about how far to develop each section of the painting ... so no use putting in too much "stuff" now. By the way, that gray rectangle at the top of the photo for Step One is the shadow cast from my easel. Oops. No going back at this stage.

Step two I start putting in some of the lights in thicker, opaque paint. This is when I start grasping how large this canvas really is. I keep mixing pretty large puddles of paint... and they keep disappearing. This is actually a bit different than what I normally do. I'm going to start this painting with more solid shapes with little variation in hue, temperature and value within each area. Subtleties will come later as I need/want them.

Step 3: I just keep adding more paint. I don't allow myself to get bogged down in any one area of the painting. No details!!! Throughout I keep looking for abstract, simple, interesting shapes. Those shapes are what correct the drawing.

See more of my urban street scenes in the Places section, Gallery Pages on my web site: www.JillBanks.com.

I've been painting this in my newly expanded studio space downstairs in my massively under renovation house. No matter what problems the rest of the house has -- this is wonderful space to paint in. I've taken over two areas that flow into each other with fantastic light (and ventilation) from windows on three sides, tall ceilings so I can paint tall paintings, and tons of room so I can back up and really get a good look at my painting as it progresses. It doesn't get any better than this.

I'm probably done painting for today. My feet hurt and I have other art business to attend to. But, it's been a fun day in the "office."

"New York State of Mind" work in progress - day one, oil on Senso linen, 40"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

Award at Salmagundi's Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

Yip-di-do! A highlight (big one) amidst boxes and cleaning and lugging and stairs (moving locally!) was a phone call I received yesterday from the Salmagundi Club. My painting "Rainy Day in NYC" won a Certificate of Merit in Oils in this really prestigious show. Welcome to Cloud Nine.

I'd honestly been thinking that given how hard I've been working on this move, I really ought to win some sort of award in this show. It wasn't a logical thought. I know (deep, deep down) that toiling at carrying and packing boxes does not directly translate to winning over a juror's heart at an art show. Still...

The awards reception is next Friday, July 23, 6-8pm at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003. (212) 255-7740.

This has been a great art summer -- in terms of recognition. (A better art summer if I had more time for painting, too!) In June, I won Best in Show for "On High" at artReston Annual Fine Arts Exhibition (sponsored by the League of Reston Artists). Last week, I heard that "Birds of a Feather" was a finalist in The Artist's Magazine's Annual Fine Art Competition ... and now "Rainy Day in NYC" wins the Certificate of Merit from the Salmagundi Club. By the way, I didn't win an award (at all) in 2009 ... so it was a long "dry spell" ... that I'm glad to have broken. I have, as a major goal, winning Best in Show, or First Prize, or whatever exhibitions call their top prize ... in competitions like this. Each accomplishment is an additional encouragement to improve. Reach higher. Paint, paint, paint.

Sunday, July 25, 2-5pm is the reception for my "Painting the Town" exhibit at Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. I hope you can come to the reception ... but if not, my solo show of 13 paintings and drawings of urban life in Italy and the U.S. is on exhibit through July 31. The space is a busy coffee shop by day and restaurant by night. Hours are long -- early and late -- so drop by when you can. I'd also love to show you around if you want a "private" tour. Just call me: 703.403.7435 or email me. Or take a look at the show online on my web site. Less fun but perhaps more practical if you live in Timbuktu.
 
"Rainy Day in NYC", 18"h x 24"w, oil on Raymar panel, copyright Jill Banks 2010: awarded  Certificate of Merit in Oils, Salmagundi Club's Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition (and FAV 15 in the BoldBrush Online Competition sponsored by Fine Art Studio Online in April 2010.)

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

"Five Umbrellas" Finished?

I worked on this one ... "Five Umbrellas" of a NYC Chelsea street scene, yesterday and today. I'm working toward getting all pieces ready to hang July 1 in my "Painting the Town" solo show at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls, VA.

It takes me awhile to know if I'm really done. I approached this painting with the constant question ... if I do "x" will it improve the painting or not? That's not exactly the recipe for speed.

I concentrated on what appealed to me about the scene and eliminated details to build a stronger piece. Did it really matter if one brick was a different color than another? To me it was about the rhythm of the light and shadows ... figures and umbrellas. I put detail in ... only to take it out. It's probably a lot easier to avoid putting it in in the first place.

I even thought more than usual about brushstroke direction to pull your eye around the painting.

Thinking and painting.

You can view earlier versions of this painting on my post: More Work on Rainy NYC Scene, and this painting's start: "Five Umbrellas" New NYC Street Scene Today.

I said I'd write about what's in store for the painters for my "Painting (or Sketching) the Town" one-day workshops. I will. Just not today. I'm pooped. In the meantime, check out the Classes page on my web site: www.jillbanks.com.

"Five Umbrellas", oil on Senso linen, 18"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010. See more of my restaurant and street scenes in the Places Gallery on my site.

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

More Work on Rainy NYC Scene

I'm struggling a bit ... but wanted to get a quick post (really quick) before heading off to a special party this evening.

In between house hunting and negotiating I've been working on this painting "Five Umbrellas" as well as the Great Falls Farmer's Market scene, il Gatto, etc. Just can't seem to finish anything at the moment.

I am preparing for my solo show at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls coming July 1. "Painting the Town" is the theme with street and market scenes from close to home (Great Falls, Virginia) as well as Easton, MD, New York City, and Florence, Venice and Rome, Italy. Hopefully "Five Umbrellas" will be one of the 12 or so paintings in the show.

Lots to do!

A reception is planned for Sunday, July 25, 2 to 5pm. Save the date!

"Five Umbrellas" work in progress, oil on Senso linen, 18"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

"Five Umbrellas" New NYC Street Scene Today

I've been painting away ... this week ... in addition to house hunting, but this is the first I've wanted to show you. While this is a work in progress (like all the rest I've touched this week), I'm pleased with it at this stage. (I will add in my warm brights: yellows and reds. Coming soon.)

My inspiration for this one? "Rainy Day in NYC" getting accepted into the Salmagundi Club's Annual Painting and Sculpture Exhibition ... that coincides with my July solo show at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls, VA. I really wanted "Rainy Day in NYC" to be part of that show (though I'm very excited about it getting accepted to the Salmagundi Club!). The only solution was to paint another rainy New York City street scene.

I'm sure I was also inspired by last weekend's trip to the city and the fact I was discouraged with my progress on other paintings. I just read an article about staying productive and the author shared her method. She allows herself to procrastinate ... put off one art task ... but only by substituting it with another art task. Brilliant!

A confession. I did use Photoshop Elements to touch up this work in progress since the photo I took (at dusk) looked, well, dusky. I "despeckled" it and then "unsharp masked" it. So, this isn't completely true to the painting at this stage but I like it. Now I know a bit more of what I want to do with this next painting session.

I did hear today that three of my paintings were accepted into artReston, the League of Reston Artists Annual Juried Open Exhibition. The exhibit runs from Monday, June 7 to July 6th at the JoAnn Rose Gallery. Lake Anne Reston Community Center, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190. A reception is being held Sunday, June 13th, 2-4pm. Daniel Wise is the juror.

"Five Umbrellas" work in progress scene from Chelsea in NYC, 18"h x 24"w, oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2010.


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

Back to "Rainy Day in NYC" Painting ... Fun!

After working ALL day yesterday on my portrait commission ... until, again, my arm felt like it was going to fall off ... I took a break to return to one of my latest street scenes. Considering that my works in progress (i.e. not finished paintings) are really piling up, it seemed wiser to work toward finishing than to start something new. Plus, I've been dying to get back to this one.

This one's not about color (I understated it, at least for me). It's about contrast, mood and movement.

This is day three. I'll set it aside again and see what I think it might still need.

To read prior posts about this painting, see:
"Rainy Day in NYC" Painting, Day Two
Rainy Day NYC Street Painting Just Started

More street paintings can also be seen in the places section, gallery pages of my web site: www.jillbanks.com.

"Rainy Day in NYC" work in progress day 3, oil on Raymar panel, 18"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

"Rainy Day in NYC" Painting, Day Two

Quick post -- here's what I worked on today. More to be done ... but hopefully not too much. I do remember making a similar statement about "Tranquility" -- and look where that got me!

Take a look back to my earlier post about this painting's start.

Actually in looking back, I love the burnt sienna, reddish undertones. I'll try to bring some of those out as I move forward.

See? Trouble already.

But I did have lots of fun today.

"Rainy Day in NYC" work in progress, oil on Raymar panel, 18"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

Rainy Day NYC Street Painting Just Started

Finally! I started my first new painting of 2010. I have to admit that it seemed more important than I think it really is ... what my first painting of the New Year would be. I have a LOT of paintings I'm dying to create. I'll just have to start them one at a time. One right after another.

This painting is barely started ... I just wanted to take a photo of it before the light fades. It is inspired by two of my favorite paintings of 2009: "Rainy Day Market" and "Venezia Market", both sold and hanging in new clients' homes. What's most appealing to me about those two paintings are the reflections and sense of depth. When in New York City in November for the Allied Artists of America show (my market piece "Arance, Oranges" was in the exhibit at the National Arts Club), I loved what I was seeing and experiencing on this rainy day. I will be adding my characteristic bright colors, oranges and reds, but wanted to start this one with a really limited palette.

More to come!

"Rainy Day in NYC" work in progress, oil on Raymar panel, 18"h x 24" wide, copyright Jill Banks 2010.
Shown below: "Rainy Day Market", oil on linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009 and "Venezia Market", oil on linen, 18"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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