Some Ups, One Down, and a Beanie Baby

"Come Home Collie," oil, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2012 is the latest in my Beanie Baby Series

It's been a funny day.

One Down
I went down to Alexandria (VA) to pick up my two pieces that were not selected for this month's All-Media Membership Exhibit at the Art League. They are two -- what I consider wonderful -- pieces. Only one can get in each month (a rule I wish they'd change) and most months I go back to the Torpedo Factory to pick up the piece that wasn't chosen. Each exhibit brings a new juror with their own tastes and perspectives.

I usually ask (my husband) Randy to call to find out the results based on a superstitious belief that his calling will help my luck. When he told me that neither pieces were accepted, I thought he was kidding. Not so.

The exhibit is strong with some really striking pieces. But there were very, very few realistic pieces. There are many great realist/representational painters at the Art League and I missed seeing their ... and my own work on the wall.

If I had researched the juror, I would have known that my art work would probably not appeal to him. That would have been a smart move ... and saved me two trips. Next time.

Ups

But that extra trip gave me some nice visiting and exploring time at the Torpedo Factory. I went to see Cindy Packard Richmond and Susan Makara in their respective studios ... and I'm looking forward to spending more time with them in August. My studio for the month will be two studios away from Susan's on the third floor.

"Quiet," charcoal, ©Jill Banks accepted into Salmagundi Club Annual

"Quiet" Accepted into the Salmagundi Graphics Exhibition

Good news arrived in the mailbox. My charcoal drawing "Quiet" was accepted into the Salmagundi Club's Annual Photography and Graphics Exhibition. Because the club is undergoing renovations, the exhibit will be held at a gallery in Chelsea in NYC, Denise Bibro Fine Art, August 1 through August 10.

"Come Home Collie" is the latest painting in my Beanie Baby series. I painted his/her Ty tag on this evening. A full day.

Exhibits and Events

May 20-June 23, Wayne Plein Air Exhibition 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA (May 15-19). 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.  Eight pieces for purchase/on exhibit.

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333

August 1-10, "Quiet" in Salmagundi Club's Annual Photography and Graphics Exhibition held at Denise Bibro Fine Art, Chelsea, NYC.

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

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

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Last of the Beanie Baby Series

"Cuckoo Bird" Beanie Baby #9, oil, 6"x6", ©Jill Banks 2011

So I think this is a Cuckoo bird .. but I know it's Number 9 in my Beanie Baby Painting series. Last one. I may touch it up tomorrow a bit. For now, this is it.

I only had a short time to paint today, since my Still Life class was this morning and I needed to get my thoughts together for a talk I'm giving tomorrow at the Rotary Club of Reston about my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. (Plus I needed to clean out a ... part ... of my car. It's been loaded to the gills forever. I should say ... I need to muck it out. It's that bad.)

I knew that all I could attempt is a little guy ... as much as I also wanted to finish my still life with the Carousel horse. It's pretty wonderful to be choosing between all of these things I'm dying to do. How can I go wrong?

Today's class was great today although I was missing a few of this very nice group. One of my still life students is a thirteen-year-old who signed up at the last minute. He's never painted in oils before and today was his second day in front of the canvas. His mom came to pick him up ... looked at  his painting ... and I believe, her jaw dropped. She told me that it's his first oil painting ... and I told her to keep that a secret. What's amazing to me, with him and my other students, is how carefully they listen and how hard they work to apply the lessons. To say it's rewarding is a HUGE understatement.

A couple of times I sat down on the window's ledge and look around the room. From that vantage point, I could really see the successes ... of Barbara's bottle and Cormac's pear ... or from another angle the three-dimensionality of Anne's leaves. At the easel, you don't always know what you've achieved. From across the room, those paintings are little miracles.

UPCOMING EVENTS

MPA Artfest Outdoor Arts Festival, Sunday, October 2, 10am-5pm

Booth #35, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA

Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Oct. 15&16, 10am-5pm

Artists‘ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA

Out & About Norfolk Plein Air Painting Event, October 20-22 

ON EXHIBIT

Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club’s 115th Annual Open Juried Exhibit

National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, NYC, October 4-28

American Artists Professional League 83rd Grand National

Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC, Nov. 1-11
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
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Cat's Meow" Beanie Baby Painting #8

"Cat's Meow" Beanie Baby Painting #8, oil, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

We have a kitten guest for the weekend, Misa, who accompanied son Sam and daughter-in-law Michelle up from Richmond. This isn't Misa, but Beanie Baby "Purr" closely resembles her. Now it's time to visit. There's one more Beanie Baby to paint to complete the series.

Coming Up
August 1 - September 24: "100 Faces in 100 Days" on exhibit at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Fridays and Saturdays, Noon-4pm.

My Still Life and Portrait Painting & Drawing Both classes are full for Fall sessions. See the Classes page on my web site for more information on those classes. Send me an email if you would like to receive notification of other class/workshop offerings -- what kind of courses you would be interested in, days of the week and times.  
Sunday, October 2, 10am-5pm: MPA McLean Artfest, juried outdoor arts festival, McLean Community Park, McLean, VA


Saturday and Sunday, October 15&16, 10am-5pm: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour. Major weekend long event with 47 artists from Great Falls Studios participating in a self-guided tour. I'll be in the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls. Last year, the tour drew 7200+ visitors from throughout the DC area. Don't miss it!

October 20-22, Out & About Norfolk 2011: Juried Plein Air Event and Wet Paint Sale. I'll be spending three days in Norfolk for this 5th Annual Plein Air Competition ... painting away. I'm excited!

November 1-11, 83rd Grand National Exhibition 2011: "Alan" will be on exhibit at the American Artists Professional League Grand National at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Reception" Sunday, November 6, 2-5pm.

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

"Give Me A Kiss" Beanie Baby Painting #7 Tonight

Beanie Baby #7: "Give Me A Kiss," oil on Raymar panel, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

Just two more to go in my Beanie Baby series. "Give Me A Kiss" is the seventh (out of nine). I ordered  frames for the rest of them today ... just need to paint something to fill them.

Events
August 1 - September 24: "100 Faces in 100 Days" on exhibit at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Fridays and Saturdays, Noon-4pm.

My Still Life and Portrait Painting & Drawing Both classes are full for Fall sessions. See the Classes page on my web site for more information on those classes. Send me an email if you would like to receive notification of other class/workshop offerings -- what kind of courses you would be interested in, days of the week and times.

Sunday, October 2, 10am-5pm: MPA McLean Artfest, juried outdoor arts festival, McLean Community Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 15&16, 10am-5pm: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour. Major weekend long event with 47 artists from Great Falls Studios participating in a self-guided tour. I'll be in the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls. Last year, the tour drew 7200+ visitors from throughout the DC area. Don't miss it!

October 20-22, Out & About Norfolk 2011: Juried Plein Air Event and Wet Paint Sale. I'll be spending three days in Norfolk for this 5th Annual Plein Air Competition ... painting away. I'm excited!

November 1-11, 83rd Grand National Exhibition 2011: "Alan" will be on exhibit at the American Artists Professional League Grand National at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Reception" Sunday, November 6, 2-5pm.

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

"Monkeying Around" Beanie Baby Painting #6 and Visitors

Beanie Baby Painting #6: "Monkeying Around," oil on panel, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

As my exhibit "100 Faces in 100 Days" draws to a close, I've been encouraging people to come in and take a look before it's gone. (Randy and I take it down next Wednesday, August 31.) That worked today ... especially with Hurricane Irene threatening to swipe away tomorrow's hours.

My first visitor (who arrived before I got there) was Jeff Mizell. I met Jeff at last Sunday's Reston Century bike race (I'd won 1st place in the t-shirt art competition so my painting was printed on the back of shirts given out to all the riders). He'd come to see my 100 Faces project a couple of days ago and in addition to talking about the project and art in general, I pointed out the first five paintings in my series of nine Beanie Baby paintings. After purging our house last year (taking all the extra good stuff to places where it could then end up in good, new homes) prior to a move, I found myself short on what we used to be really long on ... i.e. beanie babies.

The Candidates for #6, #7, #8 and #9. Thanks, Jeff!

Today, he arrived with two very large plastic boxes filled to the brim with potential candidates (from his now grown kids' collections) for my last few small panels. He encouraged me not to worry about keeping too many. If I thought I might want to paint it, it went into the keep for now pile. Tonight I took a photo of all the candidates I kept.

Each time I paint there are so many converging influences. For the Beanie Baby Mini Project, I have a stack of fun-colored scrapbooking paper from Michaels that I select to complement my "model." Those are set on my laptop on top of a sculpture stand I can put at various heights. Today, I paid tribute to another of this afternoon's visitors.

Soon after Jeff left with the non-candidates, two of my special faces (Joan Bell-Haynes and Oscar Haynes) entered with friends visiting from Alabama.  We sat and talked and then the door opens again and Christine came in -- one of my faces and mom of two others -- including my youngest subject, then six-and-a-half-month old Bailey. Part of the fun with this project is that visitors get to find the other faces on exhibit... as in, can you find me ... or do you see anyone you know?

Joan, Oscar, and their friends Lou and Carolyn kept us laughing and enjoying time together. Christine mentioned that her cheeks hurt from "too much funny." Mine did, too.

So, my additional influence ... for this one beanie baby is that Christine, for her day, wore a chartreuse shirt and colorful scarf. Chartreuse is a favorite color for both of us ... and we talked about that.

The fact that I had a shorter time to paint -- meant I had to keep it simple. Thus, full circle, beanie baby #6.

See Beanie Baby Painting #5. Beanie Baby #4.

Events
August 3 - 31: "100 Faces in 100 Days" on exhibit at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays, 12:30-6:00pm.

August 3-September 5: 'Scapes Exhibit at the Art League, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA. My entry, "A New York State of Mind," won Honorable Mention.

Thursday, September 8, 7:30pm: Demo for the Vienna Arts Society, Vienna, VA. More details to come.

Sunday, October 2, 10am-5pm: MPA McLean Artfest, juried outdoor arts festival, McLean Community Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 15&16, 10am-5pm: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour. Major weekend long event with 47 artists from Great Falls Studios participating in a self-guided tour. I'll be in the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls. Last year, the tour drew 7200+ visitors from throughout the DC area. Don't miss it!

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

So Whose Idea Were These Polka Dots?

"Ostrich and Polka Dots," oil on Raymar panel, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

It seems the more I have to do, the less I do. The pile is piling. I'm sure I'll have my act together in a week, for the 100 Faces in 100 Days reception on Friday, August 12, 6-9pm  and Ice Cream Social on Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm (at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA)... but it would be nice to have it together right now.

My two big issues (at the moment) are signage for the show and making my studio space look great. I'm sure I'm overcomplicating both tasks. Maybe I should look at the problem abstractly ... as I tell my students to do when they are faced with a complex subject. I stress simplify, simplify, simplify. So all I have to do is take my own advice.

For my studio space, I have many new pieces that I want on view. My 100 Faces show spilled out to part of my studio wall so there's less wall space for displaying additional work. Okay. More than you want to know.

Today I worked on painting my fifth (of nine) Beanie baby. The choice for the day was an ostrich, in honor of my niece's birthday (yesterday). In the morning, I watched a video that my brother Scott put together for Megan's birthday with photos of her growing up and as a mom today. Megan's favorite creature as a young girl was an ostrich. (At least, that's what I recall.) She even had a run-in with an ostrich-ish sort of bird on a round-the-world adventure as a young woman. So, Happy Belated Birthday Megan with an Ostrich in your honor.

I do plan to have the Beanie Baby paintings on view this month at the Atelier. That's one decision down.

Coming Up and Current:

Sunday, August 7: Painting around Old Town Alexandria with the Art League's Plein Air Painters, somewhere shady near the Torpedo Factory, 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.
Open hours for August, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 12:30 - 6:00pm, perhaps with some exceptions. Check my web site for the latest info.

August 3-September 5: 'Scapes Exhibit at the Art League, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA. My entry, "A New York State of Mind," won Honorable Mention.

Thursday, August 11, 6:30-8:00pm: Reception/Awards for 'Scapes exhibit at the Art League.

Friday, August 12, 6:00-9:00pm: Reception, 100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibit, the Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls. RSVP helpful via email. Thanks!

Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm: Ice Cream Social, 100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibit, the Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls. RSVP helpful via email. Thanks!

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.

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

"Ramsey" Is Beanie Baby Painting #4

"Ramsey" Beanie Baby Painting #4, oil on board, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

The march continues with a painting of a beanie baby ram. During Friday's reception, Sam Woodward (Face #98) was talking to me about how art and psychology were closely linked. It has to be, because paintings aren't just a depiction of a thing or event, but a result of what the artist is thinking at the time. He wasn't so sure about the beanie baby series ... but on second thought...

I've realized (and been thankful that) my art is enriched through keen observational skills and a rich imagination. I can't help it. I see life and imagine it. Things and characters come to life in the studio. Velveteen rabbits are everywhere.

So it is with these guys. The three latest were propped on my easel together when I left last night. Who knows what happened.

"Yellow Watermelon and Tamarillos," 16"h x 20"w, oil, ©Jill Banks 2011

In the News

My piece, "Yellow Watermelon and Tamarillos," is featured in the calendar section of the Great Falls Connection, July 20 edition, page 10 for the "Signs of Summer" exhibit at the Artists' Atelier. You can view it online here, click on the Great Falls edition. If you're coming to the page after July 27, check out the archives section. Okay, admittedly, that's a lot of work.

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.

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  

"Who Goes There?" is Beanie Baby Painting #3

"Who Goes There?," oil on gessoboard, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

I got an early painting start this morning. It helped that I'd set this guy up last night and he was just waiting for me to paint him. I just couldn't wait! So, this a.m. reminded me of my 100 Faces in 100 Days project. Anticipation of what lies ahead ... although with less uncertainty. And, this mouse didn't have much to say.

So, "Who Goes There?" is #3 of nine in my Beanie Baby series. See yesterday's post to check out #1 and #2.

Randy and I are heading to Richmond for the afternoon to offer our what-it's-worth housing advice to son Sam and daughter-in-law Michelle. I haven't decided yet whether I'll be reading my new landscape painting books or drawing on the trips down and back. I'm leaning toward drawing. I have (lots of) this wonderful paper Randy ordered and had shipped from Zecchi's art supply store (the BEST) in Florence, Italy. It's been calling to me. The paper holds up beautifully for ink washes, watercolor, graphite ... you name it ... and it has these delicate, tight ridges that add to the drawings. Probably sounds like I like it.

Coming up:

Friday (Tomorrow), July 22, 7-9pm Reception for the "Signs of Summer" Exhibit in the Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA

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.

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 

"Kiwi" Painting of Beanie Baby and Much More

"Kiwi," oil on gessoboard, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

Today I received a package from Amazon with three of the four books I ordered on landscape painting. Yea!!!! I skimmed a good portion of Kevin MacPherson's "Fill Your Oil Painting with Light & Color" and have already learned a lot. I look out for three main blocks of information when in learning situations (workshops or reading):

• What can I glean that will help me better explain concepts of painting to my students?
• How can I apply other things I know about painting to solve new problems?
• What is new and useful here?

In plein air landscape painting, everything is changing. The light changes. The wind blows. The sky changes. The boat moves. And, I kept changing the painting ... trying to keep up. In reading Kevin MacPherson's book, I realized that this was exactly what I was dealing with painting my 100 Faces in 100 Days project. I wasn't asking anyone to sit still. Sitters were talking to me. Changing expressions. Moving around. The light was changing. Yet, I figured out a way to deal with all of that and end up with very "alive" paintings.

The key is to commit to the shadow shapes ... they show you shadow and light and form the drawing. Then, leave them alone... as in don't move the light/shadow demarcation. This way, you can then put down what color the skin (boat, leaves, flower, shirt,...) is in the light. (I'm not sure I explained this that well ... but pictures would help.) In any case it works and it allows the painter to handle change.

I want to put a lot of the ideas I was reading about to work outside today ... but the heat wave kept me in. I guess I could have looked out the window, but chose to paint a mini still life today. There's a reason for that, too.


So, "Kiwi" Took Over a White Canvas Today
Since I can't be outside, I decided on an inside pet to paint today. There will be nine paintings of beanie babies, all painted on 6"x6" panels. "Kiwi," shown at the top is Beanie Baby #2. "Dragon Breath" is Beanie Baby #1.

"Dragon Breath," oil on panel, 6"h x 6"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

My now-grown kids were huge collectors of beanie babies ... and while we've given lots and lots away ... I've used what remains of them as part of the decor many places around the house. They hang out in bookcases, etc. Don't imagine a gigantic menagerie. It's all in good taste.

So I'm creating nine total of these mini Beanie Baby paintings because while I have them, nine will look great together. A limited supply.

I will make one confession, though ... and that is one did show up in a larger, 20"h x 16"w painting "Rooster Ruminations" that's now in a private collection. They will be allowed to show up in larger compositions.

I did approach "Kiwi" with some of the tools recalled today from reading MacPherson's book. I may give you a step-by-step show on tomorrow's blog. We'll see.

Workshop Coming Up: "A Painting A Day"

I was having a heck of a time figuring out what classes or workshops I wanted (and could) teach this Summer. There were a lot of "information coming soon" mentions on this blog. Sorry about that. I wanted to paint animals, paint plein air, do sketching around town ... etc. but for various reasons I want to hold off on those offerings until cooler weather arrives.

"Four Squared Donuts," 5"hx5"w, oil on canvas. Sold

Drum roll please ... I'll be offering a 4-day workshop, "A Painting a Day" Friday through Monday, August 26-29, 10am-5pm with a one-hour break for lunch -- through the Great Falls School of Art (1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA 22066). I know this is a great way to learn, have lots of fun, have a painting or two or three to show for it at the end of each day and get back into painting after summer vacation. So, here's the course description:

Leave your love of detail behind and loosen up. Whether you’re interested in joining the ranks of daily painters  (who complete a painting a day to post and offer for sale on eBay or other sites) or just want to try something new, painting small and regularly will help you rapidly improve your skills and hone your artistic muscles. In this intensive workshop, we will discuss composition, color, value and edges – the basic building blocks for painting. Students will work on multiple small paintings each day of simple still life setups as well as paint drills and exercises to teach them to see as an artist.  Jill will give demos, one-on-one instruction and group critiques at the end of each day. Students are asked to bring in some objects they would like to paint and share with the group. All levels welcome. Email Jill at jillbanks1@aol.com with questions. Information on the instructor can be found at www.jillbanks.com and on her blog at http://jillbanks.blogspot.com.

"Orange Peeled, Jr.," oil on canvas, 5"h x 5"w. Sold

4 Days - Friday through Monday, August 26-29, 10am-5pm with one-hour break for lunch

$460 (to the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts) plus materials fee (materials fee paid directly to instructor)

I'll be putting this up along with info on how to register on my web site sometime tomorrow. But if you're interested, let me know by email. I'll also be adding info about my 9 session, once a week Fall classes: "Portrait Painting and Drawing" to be offered Mondays, 10am-1pm starting September 12 and "Still Life in Oils" to be offered Tuesdays, 10am-1pm starting September 13. Class size is limited for the workshop and regular sessions.

Thinking about the workshop helped make "Kiwi" the subject of the day. Think mini paintings. Single subjects. Fun.

"Signs of Summer" Exhibit Reception This Friday, July 22, 7-9pm

Wear your flip-flops and join us for Sangria and salsa for the Atelier "Signs of Summer" reception at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. 

And ... as an ongoing reminder:
August Exhibit of the 100 Faces in 100 Days Project at the Artists' Atelier
I'll soon be hanging the second exhibit of these 100 Faces (or 101) at the Artists' Atelier to be on view from August 1-31. You are cordially invited to visit (I'll establish open hours and post those on my web site and here on the blog) and especially invited for the two main events.

Jill Banks' 100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibit -- August 1-31, 2011
Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm

Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm
At the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066
Read more about the 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