Paint a "Peacock Blue" Today

"Peacock Blue," oil on Raymar panel, 24"h x 18"w, © Jill Banks 2012

Quick, late post. I was having troubles ... for the last three days with a painting I was trying to bring to completion. My solution for today was to paint something completely different ... a peacock I tried to paint from life last week. So, I had the urge to paint him. I'd tried it from life and observed the guy. I tackled it again from a photo and those memory cells. This is one cool dude. Thinks he's handsome, too.

I may show you the sketch from life sometime soon. Or ... I may head back to the farm, when this has dried and see how I should adjust it. The peacock has the answers, I bet.

"Peacock Blue" is part of my Feathered and Furry Friends series. Some favorites. See my web site for others and this blog for my "Here's Looking at You, Kid" -- of a goat from the same farm -- Kidwell Farm, part of Frying Pan Park in Herndon, VA.

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 Menagerie, So Far ... And Why I'm Painting Animals

"Portrait of Zoe," oil on linen, 14"h x 11"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

I mentioned a few days ago that I would post my animal/bird paintings here ... to show the growing menagerie. So here it is.

"Moo," 12"h x 9"w, oil on gessoboard

A fellow artist asked me what the source of inspiration was for this new turn. As always, there are a few sources. One strong source of inspiration is husband Randy and my recent trip to London. The bar in our hotel, the Chesterfield Mayfair, was beautiful, with pillows embroidered with dogs on the banquettes, porcelain dogs, paintings of dogs all around. The place, as you'd expect, was also dog friendly ... with a woman coming there with her dog ... who was offered treats and water from an elegant dish. Other artwork in the hotel and in many of the places we visited included animals. My favorite purchase we made during the trip were the many pillow covers we bought at the Portobello Road Market of dogs representing various members of past royalty. I look at and enjoy those every day.

"Pretty Girl Hen," 14"h x 11"w, oil on linen, ©Jill Banks 2011

A major, second source of inspiration was looking at a friend's gorgeous art collection. Not all of the pieces were of animals ... but a lot were and they were beautiful. Perhaps my favorite that I saw was of sheep. Beautifully painted. The animals in art made her home cozier and gave a distinct personality to each room. They were like friends surrounding you.

The fact that I don't usually paint animals makes it appealing as well. I like to keep trying different approaches. I want to experiment and that's easier to do if you are painting something out of the ordinary.

"Blue" won Best in Show

Even though I haven't painted very many, I've won awards/honors with three of them. The second dog I painted, "Max," was a finalist in Artist's Magazine's Annual Art Competition in the Animal/Wildlife Category in 2008. "Blue," my painting of an Eastern Bluebird won Best in Show in the Great Falls Studios Bird Show this month. (The show is up until June 30 at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA.) And, "Turkey Gone Wild" won an Honorable Mention as best Wild Turkey.

But, the greatest inspiration has come from painting each one. It's just fun and challenging, different and an opportunity to pay attention to these creatures. Get to know them better.

"Turkey Gone Wild," 12"h x 12"w, oil on linen

Baa. Moo. Cockle-doodle-doo.

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

"Max," 12"h x 12"w, oil on canvas placed as finalist in Artist's Magazine's Annual Art Competition in 2008. Private collection.

"Murano Cat," 12"h x 12"w, oil on canvas, ©Jill Banks 2008

"Il Gatto," oil on Raymar panel, 14"h x 11"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

Frank Gugino Becomes Face #33: One-Third of the Way!

"Frank Gugino: Face #33", oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

My eye is on the journey for my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project -- not on getting through. Still, in the last 33 days, I painted 33 faces and got to know 33 people better. So, a special occasion today. Another milestone.

Frank Gugino (Face #33) is Patti Chisholm's (Face #17) husband. Frank is now officially added to the list of people who commented that time flew by.  We talked about a whole bunch of things ... family, cooking, background, work, art (Patti is a professional artist), interests, travel, and a little bit of history (one of Frank's passions). Plus, I got a recap of Frank and Patti's adventures in Italy when Frank was able to get acquainted to some relatives in the town his grandparents had emigrated from to the U.S. I'm listening and talking while I paint -- but I miss parts of the discussion, and repetition helps.

Photo time.

We talked about artists going off in all sorts of new directions ... constantly. Always trying new things. Spouses often encourage a continuation in one direction ... creating more of those pieces that appeal most strongly to them ... or others. That makes an awful lot of sense to all non-artists. If we stuck to one thing (a subject matter, media, process), we are apt to get better at it. (I'm improving through my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project.) But, we need to be thrilled by what we're doing. There needs to be variety and change, too.

The last time that I really stuck closely to one theme (subject matter or idea) was in preparing for my solo show at the Art League, "Place Settings" in January 2008 of people (friends, family, strangers) enjoying each others' company over a meal (restaurant and cafe scenes). If I hadn't had to present a proposal, get juried in and be held "accountable" by the Art League gallery staff, I wouldn't have pursued such a defined focus. The paintings in that show still remain as some of my favorites. My best. So the discipline paid off for me -- but it was difficult and I was dying to pursue other genres in the end.

We're tough to herd. We can learn by sticking to something. We thrive on variety, challenge and change.

My 100 Faces in 100 Days is "herding" me  (I'm accountable to you by resolving to do this and these daily posts). I am learning by painting one face after another. And, I'm challenged everyday with a brand new face and person to get to know.

Adam's Art Class Tunes into the Blog

When Adam's (Face #32) mom offered to show Adam the blog post starring him earlier today, he told her he'd already seen it. Adam told his Art class teacher about sitting for my Faces Project and she pulled up my blog. It was a hit ... and fun for him.

The Bird Show

"Wild Turkey", oil on linen, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Today, Randy and I hung the rest of the Bird Show at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Atelier artists painted/photographed/created artwork that spotlights seven bird candidates for the official town bird. Candidates include the pileated woodpecker, Great Blue Heron, Eastern bluebird, wild turkey, red-shouldered hawk, American goldfinch and a ruby-throated hummingbird. Studiomate Jennifer Duncan created a piece with all seven of the birds hanging out together ... in a way. Got to see it. An opening reception is this coming Friday, February 4, 7-9pm. The Atelier is also open Saturdays, noon-4pm. Stop in and see the birds ... and my wall of, now, 33 faces.

"Eastern Bluebird", oil on linen, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

I put two paintings into the show ... so far. My thought is that we would keep adding to it. Great Falls Studios and the National Audobon Society are behind this search and vote for an official town bird. There are many art-related activities up Great Falls Studios' sleeves. Check out their web site: www.GreatFallsStudios.com for more info on the Wings Over Great Falls project.

See you tomorrow with a fresh Face!

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

Something Different: "Eastern Bluebird" Painting Today

 Today I seemed to have trouble getting started. An odd problem for me. Usually I'm torturing myself over which of the dozen or so pieces I want to paint are going to get my attention. On my way to the Atelier I stopped to get something for lunch, thinking I could also pick up some pretty food item (like a frosted donut) to do a quick, little painting before an afternoon meeting. No luck. The baker hadn't baked.
 
I did work a little on my demo painting "Made in China" because the setup was there (leftover from my Still Life class) and the classroom was free for awhile.

Went to my meeting and came back looking for inspiration. The classroom wasn't available any longer and the view outside beckoned. Interesting sky today. But, it was going to take time to set up and the sun was going to disappear soon. So, I scrapped that idea.

So, finally I decided to tackle a painting of one of seven birds that Great Falls Studios artists are busy painting, photographing, quilting, sculpting, etc. for some events coming up in February. (The Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 16 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA are also planning a special exhibit of our bird paintings for December's First Friday ... info to come.)

After much deliberation, I chose the Eastern Bluebird to paint. I'm thinking of adding some other elements to this ... like nest objects, an Eastern Bluebird egg or a feather. Anyone have one of any of these they can loan me? Seems like they could be interesting additions.

Enjoy. Something different.

"Eastern Bluebird" work in progress, oil on Senso linen, 12"x12", copyright Jill Banks 2010

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