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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"Black and White" Exhibit in the Gallery

"Market Street Bar and Grill," ink wash & pen and ink, ©Jill Banks 2011

Today we hung the "Black and White" exhibit in the gallery at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Studiomate Roberta (Bobbie) Beasley (the instructor of last weekend's printmaking workshop) just took over the responsibility of managing the gallery ... and its calendar. She's the wise woman who thought up the "Black and White" theme, and although almost all of us are painting in full color, the gallery was brimming with black and white entries to be hung.

I may write more in a minute ... but ... it's time to get this up. "Market Street Bar & Grill" and "Oscar" are two of the four pieces I have in the "Black & White" exhibit. Both of them were juried into the Salmagundi Club's Annual Open Exhibition ... just different years. Come take a look!

"Carpeaux's Fisherboy," charcoal, ©Jill Banks 2006?

Okay, more ... I've also included "Carpeaux's Fisherboy," a drawing I did sitting on the marble floor at the National Gallery of Art staring up at Carpeaux's sculpture, next to a friend, Susan O'Neill. It was one of those days when I reveled in how magical life can be as an artist. Who gets to sit, in good company, in a place full of wonders, seeing what you can make of the inspiration in front of you? How ridiculously wonderful is that? We happened upon a young companion that day, a girl who had come with her mom to the museum. She wanted to draw with us and Susan lent her some paper and a pencil. The three of us were happy as clams.

There's one more drawing of mine in the show. No photo, though.

"Oscar," charcoal, ©Jill Banks 2009

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
Email