"Daisies, Daisies" New Still Life with Gerberas

"Daisies, Daisies," oil, 24"h x12"w, ©2015 Jill Banks

This was one of the still lifes beckoning in my "Still Life Plus" class I teach through the Great Falls School of Art. The class is on Tuesday, meaning I'm shopping in the grocery on Monday with almost all of the flowers ready to expire. So this was painting under pressure.

I thought of naming this "Good Book" because hidden behind the Gerbera's is Richard Schmid's "Alla Prima" book -- my favorite art book, hands down.

Hope you enjoy. The photo's not great but still wanted to share this.

In case you were planning to visit me at McLean's MPA artfest this weekend ... it has been rescheduled to Monday, October 12, 10am to 5pm in McLean Central Park at the corner of Old Dominion Drive and Dolley Madison Boulevard  in McLean, Virginia. With the last minute change of dates and the move to a Monday holiday, we will be very lucky to get a good turnout. If you can make it, I know you'll get a big cheer from me!

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

See the Events page for more info/updates

Monday, October 12:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA

October 16-18:  Great Falls 12th 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 44 Great Falls artists.

October 19-25:  Plein Air Brandywine Valley, Juried plein air competition, wet paint show and sale in Delaware.

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

Francie Johnson Is Face #74 in My 100 Faces in 100 Days Project

"Francie Johnson: Face #74," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Francie Johnson, a student of mine, came to sit for me today ... but first she inspired the heck out of me with her wonderful art books. She just recently introduced me to a wonderful artist from Maine, Connie Hayes, and this time I was seeing her work in print. Francie owns a collector edition of Connie's "Borrowed Views" book. Beautiful! And, what a stupendous idea. Connie Hayes asked to "borrow" her Maine neighbors' views. To come and stay in their homes. Paint their views. And, I believe she paid them with one of her paintings. Well, I'm up for that! Really inspiring was to see a photo of the scene side-by-side with Connie's interpretation. Wow! Much, much, much better in paint.

Francie also brought with her a retrospective catalog of Richard Schmid's filled with his beautiful portraits.

And, she brought a beautiful art journal Francie had made of a two-week trip to India. Francie had learned the technique from Susan Abbott who teaches how to construct journals combining textual and visual "memories" of her travels. Susan Abbott offers travel workshops through the Art League. Very cool to see. Inspiring for me before a trip coming up shortly to England.

Actually, Francie was inspirational all day long. Lots of extra ideas running around. She made me get that "I'm dying to paint that" feeling.

It was a little daunting to leave the art books and start painting Francie's face. Who knows how the vision will turn out?

I painted for awhile. We broke for some lunch. And I painted some more. Francie can definitely hold up her end of the conversation. All of it was interesting. I want to see her barn and horse. Her conversation allowed me to concentrate, too, on painting.

"Sunflowers In My Studio" Found a New Home

When Face #74 was done, Francie took an art tour around the house. Something she wanted to do. She purchased "Sunflowers In My Studio" -- the painting that had recently won an Honorable Mention at the Art League's January 2011 All Media Membership Show. (I love that painting and know it will make her very happy to own it.) "Sunflowers In My Studio" had been hanging over the mantel on one side of our master bedroom's two-sided fireplace. "Tranquility," a painting we're in the midst of shipping off to San Antonio for Salon International, was hanging above the mantel on the other side. Right now there are two bare hooks. Better paint.

Thanks, Francie, for a great day!

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

Art at the Mill Show Acceptances

The Art at the Mill Show in Millwood, Virginia is a regular fixture in the exhibit schedule for regional artists. Artists submit up to five pieces, and the jury decides whether the piece is accepted, rejected or placed on reserve. There are two shows a year, one in the Spring and the other in the Fall. These shows are a bit quirky (my opinion) with what I consider a really wide range in quality and prices of the work, but they are well attended and a lot of art is sold each show.

Yesterday, I heard word that of the five pieces that I submitted, three were accepted, one was placed on reserve and one was rejected. I'm making progress! That's my best "score" so far.

The Fall Art at the Mill show will take place at the Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood, VA on October 4-19, Sunday through Friday, 12-5 pm and Saturday, 10am-6pm. There is an admission fee.

Every time I enter a show, I literally torture myself making a decision on what to submit. I try to think about the venue, notice what sells and what has appeared there before, and consider the juror, if that's publicized. Then I try to pick what I think best suits that combination. I still win some and lose some, but my odds seem to be improving.

Above, I included one of my accepted entries. "Striped Skirt" was painted a week and a half ago, alla prima, when Ellie modeled for the portrait painting class I teach. To paint something alla prima means to paint it all at once -- in a single session without layering the paint. This painting is super loose -- a nice respite for me. 20"h x 16"w, oil on Senso linen canvas, copyright Jill Banks 2008.

By the way, Richard Schmid, a favorite painter of mine, wrote a wonderful book titled "Alla Prima: Everything I Know About Painting." This is such a great book for artists of all levels! It's published in both hardback and softcover.