City Sidewalks

City Sparkle, oil on linen, 30x40 inches, ©2018 Jill Banks

I'm truly sorry for my extended absence from blogging and posting new work. Even with the best intentions, paintings don't always cooperate in and out of the studio.  Since my last post, we traveled to Fredericksburg Texas for the first of a series of First Friday Art Walks at RS Hanna for the Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase.  What a beautiful gallery ... filled with fine art, and warm, welcoming people.  You will see what I painted while there.  Just like me ... I had to attempt two paintings during the hours leading up to the Art Walk reception time.  That left at least one of them in rough shape but it's a good idea so it will survive in one form or another.

About City Sparkle

Randy and I were in NYC for two consecutive weekends this January, enjoying the extraordinary Michelangelo exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Museum and taking in receptions at the National Arts Club where a painting I created of the two of us was on exhibit.  It was an inspiring and wonderful trip ... and City Sparkle was our view en route from one wonderful art venue to another.

While I've spent a whole lot of time studying color over the years, I'm really digging in and experimenting in this still relatively new year. Here are some new blues ... and yellows created from tubes of paint that I've rarely used in the past.  One of the amazing aspects of painting is that the potential discoveries are endless.

See more urban streetscapes, interiors and landscapes in the Places Gallery on my website. 

Out and About Finished ... Too

Out and About, oil on linen, 36x24 inches, ©2018 Jill Banks

I painted my way through parts of Italy last Summer ... but with many of the narrow streets prohibiting setting up right here. But the rhythms and magic of those days were clearly with me in the studio painting Out and About. The painting will be navigating its way to the Artists' Atelier after I enjoy having it in my house for a few days.  The Atelier (756 Walker Road, Great Falls VA 22066)is open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm (I'll be there on February 28 for open hours), Saturdays, 10am to 2pm ... and anytime an artist is in working or by appointment.  I'd always be happy to meet you there! Email me at jill@jillbanks.com.

Right near this spot was the inspiration for the Old Market, a painting of the same size but different orientation that is currently available through RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg TX for the Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase. Check it out here.

Both of these paintings took awhile to spring to life ... but both seem to have been worth the investment. Hope you enjoy them!

 Events

• February 2-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with five pieces at one time ("Old Market," "Day at the Ranch," "Cactus Corner," "Fiddlin' Around" and "Chicken Chat" are all heading to Texas) over this four month period.  First Friday Art Walk openings at RS Hanna from 6-8pm on February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4 and June 1.  Plus see the work any time until June 3.

Press ... Coming Up

Keep an eye out for the March/April issues of Fine Art Connoisseur and Art of the West Magazines. My work will be published in both. Cool.

Thank you for reading!

Jill Banks

Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com

Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

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Read the Article: Southwest Art Artist to Watch,  July 2017
Here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola. 

A New York City Street

"Street Lights," oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©2015 Jill Banks

I figure that someone could map my brain cells to determine what will be next on my easel. This is the path I think those thoughts took.

• We've been passing back and forth through New York City for multiple shows -- Wickford, Westport, Mystic -- so its calling my name. 
• A favorite painting "Crosswalk" of another NYC street recently went to its new digs and I miss it.  
• There's a John Singer Sargent exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (in NYC) that's also on my mind (as in, why didn't I stop there on the last six times passing through?).

That means I've got to paint a New York City street scene, right?

So here's the result.

What do you think?

See more like it in the Places Gallery under Works on my web site.

I'm finalizing plans for September art classes. Think Tuesdays (day and evening) and Thursdays (day). More news soon.

And, postcards arrived today for my September solo show ("Along the Way") in Great Falls, VA. I love them! Hope you do, too.  Since 2005, whenever I'm the one in charge of ordering postcards, my vendor of choice has been Modern Postcard. I know they aren't the least expensive option but the result is well worth it.

And, one more bit of really good news.  Randy and I had the happy good fortune to have lunch with my Mom and Dad -- en route home from "staple removal" at the doctor's office after Dad's back surgery. This was his first meal out since surgery.  Quite an occasion!

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 1-30: Along the Way, Solo Show, Great Falls, VA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA

October 16-18:  Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 50-60 Great Falls artists.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

"New York Yellow and Blues" Rainy Street Painting

"New York Yellow and Blues" almost done, oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

What I was working on today. See yesterday's post or my web site for current and upcoming events.

Word from the new owner of "Missing Mary Beth": "And the new home LOVES "Missing Mary Beth" which is already hung and looks very classy." That's great! Happy news.

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.)

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.

See Current  and Upcoming Exhibits/Events 

Other New York City and urban street paintings can be found in the Places Gallery under Works on my web site: www.JillBanks.com. Please take a look.

Wet NYC Street Painting in Progress

"Don't Walk" (rainy NYC street painting) work in progress, oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

You should see my studio.

I've been on a honing my art tools kick for the past week ... because it was past time as in: dirty brushes, paints not where I expected them, wanting to take care of some untended to tasks.

Lots of discoveries were made this week.  Paints are categorized by colors spread out all over the studio floor. It looks like an art supply store in there. Three new color charts were made (I'll tell you about that tomorrow). Some paintings were finished.

And this one, "Don't Walk," was started.

"Cabs in NYC," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©Jill Banks 2012, private collection

I'm not sure if the title will stay. Suggestions welcome. A few of the rainy scenes that have preceded this one (all sold), included "Five Umbrellas," "Rainy Day in NYC" (shown below right) and "New York State of Mind." Take a look at those on my website, click on Works and go to the Places collection. And, I may add them here on the post but if you get it via email (as a subscriber), you'll have to go to my blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com.

Thanks for visiting.

Jill

"Rainy Day in NYC," oil, 18"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks, private collection

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com  
Paint in Italy Workshop: August 3 - 10, 2014: Info

EXHIBITS AND WORKSHOP 

February 26-March 31: Spring Fever, Gallery in the Artists Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon-4pm.  I'll have one to four pieces in that exhibit. 

Sign up for Spring classes. Go to my Classes page for more info.

Paint with Me in Italy, August 3-10. See my Workshop page for details. I hope you can join us for one fantastic trip!

Lost in the Land of Flowers...

"Two Kittens" -- Name and Painting in Progress, oil, 30"h x 40"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

Today brought me back to working on the large-scale still life set up by my Dad.  A week in ... the fruit and flowers are definitely the worse for wear, but not quite as bad as you might think.  Replacements will be hitting the table for some of the subjects, but not the flowers.  Those were what I worked diligently to capture today before soon turning to the foreground.

"Traffic Patterns," oil, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

When I look at this setup and the recent one for "Garden Girl," I get the sense of walking into a storybook.  The kittens are checking each other out under a bower of lilies. It's some sort of land of enchantment.

I'd like some help on a name.  Right now it's "Two Kittens" which is fine, but I've thought of "The Encounter," and wondered whether there was something else that evokes the magic of it. Your ideas are most certainly welcome.

Yesterday, I finished up "Traffic Patterns." (Husband) Randy has no idea why I named that one ... that ... so maybe he caused my naming indecisiveness. Seems obvious enough to me.

Yesterday, too, we had the wonderful privilege of helping Oscar Haynes (who became Face #13 on January 13, 2011 in my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project) celebrate his 97th birthday.  Most people might say when encountering someone of that age is I hope to look like/be like that at his/her age. Heck. In Oscar's case, I hope to look like/be like him at this age.

"Oscar Haynes" as Face #13, oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Quite an incredible man and we (Randy, Oscar, his wife Joan and I) enjoyed a really great lunch.

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

Events and Exhibits
Student Exhibit of the Great Falls School of Art in the Artists' Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon - 4pm.  Through the end of January.

Back to the NYC Street Painting

"Traffic Patterns" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

I was in the studio (the Artists' Atelier, the space I share with 13 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA) today after a long hiatus. I love being there ... combining comraderie and the chance to paint.  There were many of us in there painting, plus some visitors including a family from Italy who came to the studio chatting in Italian with Michela Mansuino (my studiomate). That, along with an afternoon filled with opera coming through the afternoon made it a cultured sort of day indeed.

While more is left to do, the afternoon was spent working on "Traffic Patterns."  A pleasure.  The pigeon appeared today.

Last night's reception for the Great Falls School of Art Student Exhibition was fantastic.  It really is my favorite art opening of the year -- particularly because the artists are of all ages -- and they get the chance to show what they've been working at and toward during the year. I thought that most of this post would be about that ... but one of my students, Christine Flack-Blazier, put up a blog post of her own that is a better report than any I might add. So go to hers at: http://cfblazier.wordpress.com/2013/01/12/student-art-show/.

Winners were chosen in both Youth and Adult categories by guest juror, award-winning painter Vicki Vidal Blum. The winners are:

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Youth Category

1^st Place Amrita Sahu for “Yellow Flower”  Super Sculpy and Acrylic Paint

2^nd Place Mary Jones for “Flying in the Meadow”  Paper Collage & Watercolor 

3^rd Place Maryam Bade for “Sugar Pot”  Acrylic on Paper 

Honorable Mention Grace Kugler for “Ducky in the Pond”  Acrylic & Watercolor on Paper

Honorable Mention Maryam Bade for “American Girl Doll”  Charcoal & Pencil on Paper

Honorable Mention Grace Kugler for “Seafood”  Watercolor on Paper



Adult Category

1^st Place Nancy Keane for “Still Life with Ball Jar and Red Onion”  Oil on Canvas

2^nd Place Amy Zavrel for "Cove Point"  Oil on Canvas

3^rd Place Mary Beth Gaiarin for “Treasures from Italy”  Oil on Canvas

Honorable Mention Henry Haigler for “Carolina Lady”  Oil on Canvas

Honorable Mention Nancy Keane for “Lilia”  Oil on Canvas

Honorable Mention Barbara Marhoefer for “Onion with Mason Jar”  Oil on Canvas

I may put some photos up from the evening ... but on another day. Currently, there seems to be more to do than hours in the day.

Classes start next week! There are lots of great offerings with new classes and new teachers. It's always difficult to get new classes going -- the best way to help is to sign up. The Great Falls School of Art is a great place to learn, with excellent teachers, and supportive, fun fellow students. Plus, parking is easy and convenient and your art could be in the gallery next January. Come join us!  Go to my web site's classes page for more info on my offerings and a link to the school.

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

Events and Exhibits
Register now for Winter classes.  See my web site: www.JillBanks.com, Classes page for Still Life Painting in Oils and Draw, Paint, Sculpt the Portrait -- offered through the Great Falls School of Art, Great Falls, VA. Still Life is now full with a wait list. Sign up for the Portrait class -- it's going to be a great one! 

 

"Traffic Patterns" Work in Progress

"Traffic Patterns" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

"Cabs in NYC," oil, 8"h x 10"w, private collection

The NYC street scene with fruit stand continues.  Each painting is somehow a combination of so many more that came before it.  "Traffic Patterns" at this point reminds me of three past favorites: "Cabs in NYC," "Venezia Market" and "Rainy Day Market."  That's a good thing.

The similarities are 1) action, 2) color and 3) abstraction.

All that's missing is the rain (or water).  Bearing that in mind,  some of that fun contrast between color and cool can be accentuated here.

I'll add photos of those three shortly.  Check back on the blog if you get this by email -- with no extra paintings.

"Venezia Market," oil, 18"h x 24"w, private collection

In addition to painting, today included a field trip to Framemasters (my framer) to help pick out the right moulding for one of 2012's portrait commissions.  Assistance in framing, if wanted, is part of the "package." Anyway, this was fun and after helping choose the frame for the portrait, my client did a heck of job selecting a frame for "Garden Girl." Quite a collaboration. It will be exciting to see the paintings in their new surrounds. The showroom at Framemasters looked a little different between our coming and going. Hopefully, they forgive us.

"Rainy Day Market," oil, 30"h x 24"w, private collection

Tomorrow is receiving for the Student Show (Great Falls School of Art, Great Falls, VA).  I love seeing back in one place some of the highlights of the year.  There's a reception and awards presentation for that show (fun to attend) next Friday, January 11, 7-9pm in the gallery at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.

Randy and I took five paintings yesterday to the Vienna Arts Center, 115 Pleasant Drive, Vienna, VA to be part of the Winner's Wall of work by the top prize and "people's choice" winners from last November in the Annual Treasury of Art Show.  (I was one of those) The show is up until February 4 and there's a reception on Sunday, January 13.  My

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

Events and Exhibits
Register now for Winter classes.  See my web site: www.JillBanks.com, Classes page for Still Life Painting in Oils and Draw, Paint, Sculpt the Portrait -- offered through the Great Falls School of Art, Great Falls, VA. Still Life is now full with a wait list. Sign up for the Portrait class -- it's going to be a great one! 

What a Difference a Varnish (and a Supportive Spouse) Make...

Not necessarily in that order.

The newly varnished "NYC Street" on our mantel

Yea for Spouses!
For any of you who follow my blog or attend my art events, you already know I lucked out in the supportive spouse category. My husband Randy has an awful lot to do with my success as a professional artist. He's my framer, picture hanger, packager, agent, mailer, money guy, bookkeeper and more. Thank goodness! All his work leaves me the time I need to paint, teach, blog and market my work.

Perhaps spurred on by collectors turning October into a very financially successful month and upcoming art sales events, Randy's helping out in new ways. He's now in the push-me-to-finish business, meaning Randy is:

• collecting unframed drawings (a big job)
• looking for paintings that are missing my signature (and getting me to sign them)
• figuring out which paintings need to be varnished (and varnishing them)
• figuring out which paintings need to be framed and checking the frame inventory to see what we need to order/select

These are all tasks that need to be done to turn this artwork into purchasable/ready-to-hang art. And yet, they are all exceedingly difficult to get around to doing, i.e., my most procrastination-prone pile of "stuff to do."

Yea for Varnish!
I'd told you that on Sunday, one collector purchased two of my paintings -- one of which is "Lots of Peppers" and the other is one of my two large-scale New York City street scenes. She couldn't decide which one yet -- but that will happen this week. Both of those paintings needed a final varnish. Randy took care of that -- and they look fantastic! Varnishing brings out the true colors and contrasts of a painting -- bringing it back to its wet-paint finish. Before the varnish, darks in particular look lighter, a little milky. By varnishing "NYC Street," all the colors in the light pop, the image looks crisper and the painting is more interesting. I figured I'd let you see it, propped on my mantel, just in case its the one to go. (I use Gamvar Final Picture Varnish.)

Saturday

I plan to be in the Artists' Atelier for open hours this coming Saturday, November 5 from noon-4pm before heading to the reception for the Expressions Portrait Exhibit at ArtSpace Herndon. The Atelier still looks pretty terrific from Studio Tour in case you want to stop by at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. And, because I'll be there, I'll miss all the activities going on at the Phillips Collection on that day in honor of their 90th Anniversary. Here's the scoop on that:

The Phillips Collection

90th Anniversary Birthday Bash

Saturday, November 5

10am-8pn

Free admission

On the day D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray has proclaimed "Phillips Collection Day," celebrate the museum's 90th anniversary with a day of free activities, gallery talks, and live music. Highlights include:

• Free admission to Degas's Dancers at the Barre: Point and Counterpoint
• Cupcake party favors while supplies last (10am-noon)
• Hands-on art-making inspired by Will Ryman's outdoor sculpture of colossal pink roses (10am-noon)
• Hourly gallery talks on Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party and European Masterworks (11am-6pm)
• "Happy Birthday" sing-along led by Ben Eisler from ABC7/WJLA-TV (noon)
• Ballet students from the Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington D.C. practicing in the Degas exhibition (12:30-3:00pm)
• Interactive self-guide to the collection by illustrator Elizabeth Graeber
• Musical performances throughout the day, featuring Parisian-inspired accordionist Manny Bobenrieth, the Capital Hearings a cappella group, Teiber Trio, Tommy Cecil Quartet, Yvonne Johnson Trio and DJ Neville C.
• Cash bar with wine, beer, champagne, and light snacks (4:15-8:00pm)

Sponsored by AON Huntington Block Insurance. Media partner ABC7/WJLA-TV.

Exhibits & Events

Expressions Portrait Exhibit at ArtSpace Herndon, November 1 through 27. Reception and awards, November 5, 7pm. "Tranquility" was chosen as one of the finalists. 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA.

The Art League's October All-Media Membership Exhibit,  105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA. My charcoal drawing of "Oscar" was juried in and will be on view through November 7. "Cubanelle and Roses" is in the Bin Gallery.

American Artists Professional League 83rd Grand National,Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC, Nov. 1-11. "Alan" was juried into the show.

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

"NYC Street" Painting Finished?

"NYC Street," oil on linen, 30"h x 40"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

I'm not positive about this ... thus the question mark. I'll look at it with fresh eyes tomorrow and let you know.

In any case this painting took some major twists and turns today. It sat pretty dormant for about a year. Today, I replaced its main characters and like it a whole lot better. It's so drastically different ... I'm not even going to direct you to its previous version. I had started it before I painted "Rainy Day in NYC," "Birds of a Feather," and "Five Umbrellas." It was a new direction, exploring the abstract qualities of urban streets.

See more of my work at my web site's gallery pages ...

Tomorrow I'll look again to see if there's a way to strengthen it.  Take things out? Look at the paint application and textures.

My head is still wrapped around my 100 Faces project. The exhibit is up until May 31 at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. I'll be giving a demo, artist's talk on Saturday, 2-5pm there. I hope you'll join me. The price is definitely right. Free. And fun.

I keep thinking about how to tell this story. I definitely have plans to put together a book, ... but now I have multiple ideas about how that might take shape. I want to show the paintings and my sitter's story excerpts in one. But I'd like to explore the journey in another... the whole story. My life's fuller because of it. I want to share it better than I have so far.

And for the artists out there who want to get serious about their art careers, register for my "Mastering the Business of Art" workshop that I'm giving May 25 & 26. Get information on my web site (www.jillbanks.com), classes page. Please register by May 18.

100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibits

All 100 faces will be on view two times this Spring/Summer.  Come see!

May 3-31 at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA

Demo/Artist’s Talk: Saturday, May 21, 2-5pm

August 1-31 at the Gallery in the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm

Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm

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

"NYC Street" Continues and Great Falls Sketch

After any disturbances of my regular painting and drawing routines, I have to retrain myself for a bit. One of the benefits of experience is knowing how to ease back in to more serious work. I grant myself a break ... knowing that my first painting session just won't go smoothly. On Saturday, I worked on a commission I'm doing ... all day ... only to wipe out most of that effort at the end of the day. That's okay.  It helped that I thought of the day as a warm-up ... I wasn't frustrated by "wasting" that time. It wasn't wasted because just painting put me in better shape for yesterday's painting and what I'll work on today. (And tomorrow.) Attitude matters.

Yesterday, I started the day sketching on a bench in the Great Falls Village Centre (Great Falls, Virginia ... near where my studio, the Artists' Atelier, is located). Eventually the bugs drove me back to the studio.

At the studio, I returned to "NYC Street." I'd been working on this one right before I had to stop to pack and concentrate on our house move. This is a large one (30"h x 40"w) ... and the greater size creates its own hurdles. It is so much harder to finish a big painting. There's always an area that needs work. (This one still does.) Changes you make to one part of the painting dictate more changes to other parts. Quite a cycle.

Both pieces would fit into my "Painting the Town" show at the Brogue. It's honestly just my state of mind at the moment. Street scenes, New York, Great Falls, home and adventure. Yet, I think the next painting "up" is a beautiful vase of sunflowers that's my ray of sunshine amidst the moving mess in our new abode.

Come to the reception for "Painting the Town" this Sunday, July 25, 2-5pm, at Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. The exhibit runs through July 31.

Also, my painting "Rainy Day in NYC" is in the Salmagundi's Club Annual Painting and Sculpture Exhibition which closes this Friday, July 23 after the awards reception, 6-8pm. I'll be there, receiving an award (yea!) at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003.

From top: "NYC Street" work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 40"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.
"Totte Bean Shop in Great Falls", sketch & wash pencil with wash on Zecchi's paper (from Florence, Italy), approximately 8.5"h x 5.5"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010. If you're interested in learning this technique, sign up for my August workshops. Get more info on my web site: www.JillBanks.com, go to my classes page.

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

Another New York City Street Painting

I'm on a roll ... but it takes a break tomorrow. I started this scene today.  I get quizzed (by husband Randy) about why I paint a particular scene. That's probably a good thing. I liked the shapes. The protagonist -- the pidgeon in the center of the streeet -- was in the painting's sweet spot. And, I feel the wonderful rhythms and movements of New York in it.

My goal is to take my "free" days -- those not already committed with commissions and teaching to create a series of "like" paintings -- first streets, then maybe cafes, then interiors (restaurants and home, etc.). I always (!!!!!) want to pursue different directions because so much interests me. Focus.

"Birds of a Feather" work in progress, 18"h x 24"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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