Dinner With the Poker Club Times Two

My Dad's poker club buddies (and me, to the left) in front of "The Poker Club"

Tonight, my Dad's poker club buddies came to the Old Brogue to see the painting of them "The Poker Club" for the first time finished ... and to have dinner where it's being displayed all month. It was fun watching them stream in the room with big smiles on their faces. In the painting, they are all pretty animated. Same is true in real life. What intrigued me was the interaction between all of them.  A sign of friendship is giving each other a hard time. There always seems to be plenty of that.

"The Poker Club," oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

My "Out & About" exhibit of twelve paintings,  is on display in Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, May 1-31 at 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Reception: Sunday, May 6, 2-5pm ... plus I'll be painting there on Wednesday, May 9 and Wednesday, May 23. Check back here or my web site for those times.

There were other special parts of the day ... including delivery and installation of two of my NYC paintings to a collector. They look gorgeous there. Photos and text to come some time soon. It's been a long day... and another adventure awaits tomorrow.

Exhibits and Events

April 14-May 4, Salon International 2012, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX.  “Contrapposto”

May 1-31, "Out and About" Solo Show, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Sunday, May 6, 2-5pm.  
 

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. 

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

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

"The Poker Club"

"The Poker Club," oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

Today was a scheduled, have Greg Staley photograph our art day at the Artist's Atelier (the studio I share with 12 other artists). Because this was on the calendar, and the fact my show "Out & About" is just around the corner, I've been painting like mad. Yesterday was marathon, elbows in paint day. My goal was to finish "The Poker Club."

It was interesting and productive to put in one long session to finish. I moved from face to face, and grew to be happy with my poker players, one by one, although I'd spent days on each before. In a shorter session, there wouldn't have been the opportunity to work on multiple subjects. This was the right way to pull it all together.

I'd started this painting last Fall when seven members of my dad's poker club agreed to two special poker sessions to let me paint them. Four of these seven members had sat for my 100 Faces in 100 Days project last year and part of the conversations we had revolved around the poker club. What was intriguing to me is how important these Wednesday night gatherings were to them.  It seemed to me that I could witness the dynamics of male friendships just by showing up.

This is a guys only poker club, and that also made me want to come paint and listen. Wearing a smock and holding a paintbrush gained me admittance. What I hoped for was a glimpse into a world that wasn't my own. My dad messed with that a little on me when he insisted on a few rules for my painting nights. The worst was "no swearing" which probably made them considerably quieter and definitely mindful that I was in the room. (I'm pretty sure I could have handled it.)

Thanks to Dad, Russ, Walt, Pepper, Wade, Stan and Frank for letting me paint you!

"The Poker Club" will be included in my solo show "Out & About" in May at Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. A reception is on Sunday, May 6, 2-5pm.

Exhibits and Events

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

See "Classical Painting Atelier" in the April Art League Exhibit

April 3-30, "Classical Painting Atelier" was accepted for the April All-Media Membership Exhibit at the Art League in Alexandria. "Torpedo Factory Dock" is in the Bin Gallery. Both can be seen this month at the Torpedo Factory, Art League Gallery, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA.

April 2 -30, "Sunflowers and Gladioli" and "Cup of Tea" are on exhibit as part of the Great Falls Studios group exhibit at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA throughout the month.

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, "Out and About" Solo Show, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Sunday, May 6, 2-5pm.
 
Web: www.jillbanks.com
 Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

"The Poker Club" Continued

"The Poker Club" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

I've lost track of how many days have been spent on this painting ... and that's a pretty good sign that it's been many. The deadline for completion approaches, as it is one of those twelve canvases planned for my May solo show "Out & About." With so much time invested, the pressure builds to get it all right. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I'm hoping to finish it with two more days invested...

Today's work added a smile to one of the players in my dad's Poker Club. I generally try to avoid teeth at all costs ... but one of the reasons for tackling this painting was to capture the friendships/comraderie between the Club's members. My dad, whose back is to you, tends to make it difficult to keep a straight face. There are other factors weighing in on my approach overall. Let's see where it goes from here.

Tomorrow's the second day of my portrait class. Time to see my students paint. During breaks in last week's demo, I was warned by one of my students to keep an eye on him. So that's part of the plan.

Exhibits and Events

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

See "Classical Painting Atelier" in the April Art League Exhibit

April 3-30, "Classical Painting Atelier" was accepted for the April All-Media Membership Exhibit at the Art League in Alexandria. "Torpedo Factory Dock" is in the Bin Gallery. Both can be seen this month at the Torpedo Factory, Art League Gallery, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA.

April 2 -30, "Sunflowers and Gladioli" and "Cup of Tea" are on exhibit as part of the Great Falls Studios group exhibit at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA throughout the month.

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, "Out and About" Solo Show, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Sunday, May 6, 2-5pm.
 
Web: www.jillbanks.com
 Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

The "Black and White" Exhibit and "The Poker Club" Continues

"The Poker Club" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

Part of the March Black & White Exhibit at the Artists' Atelier

It's been a long while (or at least it feels like it) since I worked on "The Poker Club," the painting of seven members of my dad's card-playing club. You never pick up where you left off. All those brilliant conclusions about where you were going to go from here ... need to be replaced with today's assessment and plans. I spent the first four hours in just one little spot. Then, I started to see the whole, how it will all work together. Although I didn't get too far (I'm still hovering around the left side of the painting), it was a good painting day. There's a light at the end of that tunnel even though it may take lots of days to reach it.

View of my charcoal portrait, one of four entries for the show

The "Black and White" exhibit at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA) is stunning. Group shows often seem like a haphazard assortment, with pieces vying for attention versus enhancing one another. The cohesion of the "black and white" theme lets each piece shine. Many of my studiomates created work specifically for this show, enjoying the stretch outside of their comfort zones of color.

Since we don't want to be the only ones to enjoy it, there's talk of a St. Patrick's Day opening. I'll let you know more details once someone tells me. Green beer, anyone? (not me.)

I've got more show photos around here somewhere, but it appears my desktop felt like having them as a snack. (Can't find 'em.)

On Exhibit:
"Black and White" is on exhibit at the  Artists' Atelier March 3-31, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

March 17-30: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition. "Hog Wild" and "Dining Alfresco" at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Awards Reception, Friday, March 23, 6-8pm.

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
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"The Poker Club" Continued

"The Poker Club" work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

I have no idea how many days of painting on this one ... today is. But, it was fun. There's such a difference between the first hour or two in a painting session and the rest of them. Perhaps I'll never figure out why. Too bad I can't "start" with those two hours behind me.

I was working on the left third of the painting today. Sorry to those on the right. Soon.

On Exhibit:
"Drama Queens" and "Classical Painting Atelier" are on view at the Artists' Atelier "Wet Paint!" February Exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

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

Back to the "The Poker Club"

"The Poker Club" work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

My agenda for the day ... including putting together two new additional easels for classes that start this Monday and attending fellow studiomate Terri Parent's reception for her "Multiples" exhibit ... was to spend some enjoyable hours continuing painting on "The Poker Club." When I do get done with this (I still have a good way to go), I'm going to miss it. In some strange way, I find I build a relationship, or just enjoy, the opportunity to work on some paintings. When I've finished a piece, I don't get to go back to it any more. I'm no longer figuring out what to do next.

There's an excitement joy in watching it develop and satisfaction when it's complete. Two different things.

Tomorrow's a funny day ... with a meeting, hopefully a date lunch/brunch with my husband, and a reception for the "Quilts" show at Herndon ArtSpace. And... getting ready for the first week of classes. Lately, I've been spending lots of time toting my paints and gear from place to place (like my parents' condo, my studio in Great Falls, my home studio, and Kidwell Farm). My painting "luggage" has fallen to an all-time low. Most of it is now in a slippery, huge, black, heavy-duty trash bag. I'm going to need to pull a fast switcheroo before the first days of classes (this Monday and Tuesday) ... or I fear that my students will be less than impressed. Time to look serious.

On Exhibit:

"Dining Alfresco" Juried into the Art League January Show

On view at the Art League Gallery in the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA for the month of January. Take a look!

"Ostrich and Polka Dots," "Ramsey" and "Half Dozen Donuts" are on view in Great Falls Studios' January Virtual (online) Gallery Exhibit "Patterns"

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
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"The Poker Club" Continued

The Poker Club work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

Today's painting project of choice was a return to The Poker Club albeit without my Dad's poker buddies present. Yesterday's trip to the Phillips Collection inspired me to pick it back up ... with William Merritt Chase's Hide and Seek in my head. Duncan Phillips referred to his museum as an experiment, wanting the works to build a conversation with visitors and each other. Art does that. One spark leads to another.

The Poker Club is also a prototype of sorts for the work I want to do in 2012. The end of the year is time for reflection. Time for plans. My best way to figure it all is transition through paint. Look soon for a few treatises here. I blog plan.

This painting was on view in my house during the Home Studio Open House ... at the urging of my Dad's poker club clan. With so much left to do, revealing an undone canvas is nerve-wracking. Canvases take so many twists and turns in creation that I don't want anyone to get too attached in progress. I want to keep my own vision in my head ... unaccompanied.

Read more about the painting in progress in an earlier post.
 
Current Exhibitions
Mainly ... my home is filled with lots of art from my December Home Studio Open House. Want a tour?





Sign up for Winter classes. Now, my Still Life class is full (but you could join a wait list) and the Portrait class has one spot left. See my web site: www.JillBanks.com, click on the classes page.

Richeson 75 Animals, Birds and Wildlife Online Exhibition, November 7- December 15, 2011. "Pretty Girl Hen" was selected as one of 75 finalists viewable online at www.richeson75.com/wildlife/index.html and in a full-color catalog.

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
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