John Smith Is Face #53; 47 Alla Prima Portraits To Paint

"John Smith: Face #53", oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

John Smith was one of my very early volunteers and he picked ... a good while ago ... this particular date to sit for me. We had an excellent time from beginning to end, and although I didn't bring out his inner George Clooney, he approved of both the process and the painting.

This is actually the third time he's been painted because he hangs out in artist circles. (Watch out for that. We're always on the lookout for faces.) His previous two painting sessions were caused by Tricia Ratliff, an artist friend of mine.

John's painting took exactly three hours with breaks and a leisurely stroll down to my home studio. The painting came together naturally, comfortably. I wish I could figure out why that is some days and not others and package that knowledge up. But, no. The secret remains with the painting gods.

My grisaille sketch. This is how the painting started.

John Smith with the painting of Face #53

I really am working at doing something different with this 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. I'm in training to be able to paint the subjects I want to paint ... from life. My goal is to be able to paint groups of people ... in comfortable settings ... without anyone posing or staying still for me so I can capture "real" life. Maybe that can work? Should be fun trying.

John and tomorrow's sitter, Janet, are a couple. John told Janet to prepare to have fun sitting and told me to be prepared for Janet to try to usurp my kitchen. She loves to cook and doesn't have enough space at her place. (Ours is pretty darn nice.)

Okay, time to wash brushes. Slow down. Take it easy. Get ready for tomorrow.

Read more about my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project on earlier blog posts (there are 52 of them starting January 1) and on my web site: www.JillBanks.com on my 100 Faces Project Page (link to it from my home page). 

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

A Day in the Life

Today touches on all aspects of my life as an artist. This morning I took over a painting to try it out in a spot in a collector's (and friend's) home. "Fruit and Wine", my painting of a Burano market, is now sold, although I plan on helping reframe the piece to better fit its designated spot. It will be fun to live with there. I also got a kick out of my friend realizing where it should go in her house after seeing it among other paintings on my wall at the studio.

Other parts of my typical day in the life of an artist ... may or may not happen. I planned on being in the studio for open studio hours but instead had brunch with husband Randy to celebrate my third surprise sale of 2010. In between posting my blog, I'm struggling to put the final touches on "Tranquility" before photographing it. That's my top priority. Assuming I finish it, I'll be heading to the open life session at the McLean Community Center (from 4 to 7:30pm). Right after that, I head to an Art Jam at fellow artist friend Tricia Ratliff's house ... for lots of talk of art.

The Art Jam is not every day ... but my social life is centered around art, friends (often art friends) and family. And, I'm going there figuring that I'll know a lot of people through multiple art circles and those I don't know, will easily become new friends. It's an interesting phenomenon based on a solid common ground.

So, today included a sale, the trials of finishing a painting, the hopes of starting a new one (open life) and sharing stories and ideas with a bunch of art friends. Pretty wonderful life.

By the way, this sale marks the third painting of my market series ... of the four paintings in my market cards pack (for those of you who have those) ... to have sold. There's only one left, "Rialto Market", a great painting offered for sale through Chasen Galleries in Richmond, VA.  See more of my market paintings on my web site's gallery pages (places and still life, I believe).

From top to bottom:  "Fruit and Wine" painting of a Burano market, 24"h x 36"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2009. Sold.
"Rialto Market" painting of a Venice market, 24"h x 36"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2009. Offered through Chasen Galleries.

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