Alla Prima Portrait: "Garrett"

"Garrett," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

Today was the first day of my Spring Portrait Painting and Drawing class, and that meant it was demo time. It's a treat for me (because I get to paint a portrait from life... yea!) but it's an awfully effective learning tool.  Watching other painter's demos is always informative. The more you paint, the more you become ready to see/learn something new when someone else is wielding the paintbrush.

Garrett, boyfriend of my friend/studiomate's (Jennifer Duncan) daughter, was our model today. He did great! I think of the few times filling in for a model who was arriving late ... just how difficult sitting still can be. Garrett's invited back. That's a sign of success.

I'm looking for people to sit for multiple Mondays this term. Sitting still isn't easy, but it's pretty neat to see a number of your faces all around the room. Think about it and contact me if you're interested. Go to the Classes page on my web site: www.jillbanks.com for dates, times.

After class, Randy and I headed to the Art League (Alexandria, VA) to go shopping in the store before it closed (at 4pm) and to hang out around Old Town until receiving for the April Art League Exhibit. Those few hours gave me time to see the studio I'll be occupying in the Torpedo Factory in August (as a visiting resident studio artist). It's beautiful!!! It will be an exciting place to paint, display my work and invite visitors for the month.

We also saw the Art League's "Play" show in the Gallery ... on the last day of the show.

And, visited a couple of galleries. The real stand out in Alexandria is the Principle Gallery. There are pieces ready to be hung for the "Women Painting Women" exhibit that was reviewed in American Art Collector's April edition. I'd seen some of those pieces and work by the regular gallery artist in print and online. But, nothing compares to seeing it in person. Lots of (great) surprises on the wall. Take a look at Larry Preston's still lifes (donuts!), Geoffrey Johnson's moody cityscapes ... and just keep looking.

"Contrapposto" lower right, April edition "American Art Collector"

Fun and full day!

And, not like I'd forgotten ... but my painting "Contrapposto" is in American Art Collector Magazine's April edition since it is part of the Salon International 2012 exhibition at Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, Texas this month. Pick up a copy!

You can view my piece and the other accepted works online on the Greenhouse Gallery's web site. For  a closer look at "Contrapposto," see it online.

See "Contrapposto" online

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

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Phone: 703.403.7435

Register for Spring 2012 Classes

Portrait Painting and Drawing, Mondays, 10am-1pm, starting April 2 (next week!)
Still Life Painting, Tuesdays, 10am-1pm, starting April 3
See Jill's Web Site, Classes page for more information, supply list and registration form. Classes are filling. Sign up now!!!

Exhibits and Events

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

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, Solo Show, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Sunday, May 6, 2-5pm. More information to come (when I figure it out).

"Contrapposto" Juried Into Salon International 2012 and Wet Paint!

"Contrapposto," oil on linen, 24"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks

Today I found out that my painting "Contrapposto" was juried into Salon International, an exhibit sponsored by Greenhouse Gallery (San Antonio, Texas) and the International Museum of Contemporary Masters. The jurying is done from online entries by the gallery owners and staff. This is my third year having work accepted into the show. Work will then be juried for award by Edward Minoff after the show has been hung. Last year, "Tranquility" won an Honorable Mention of Artistic Excellence in Salon International 2011.  We'll see what happens this year.

"Contrapposto" is an Italian term for the Greek sculpture scheme of having the model stand with the weight on one leg which causes the hips, shoulder and head to tilt ... suggesting a more relaxed, natural posture.

It's always interesting selecting work to submit for such shows. Since this is my third time in -- I've gotten a pretty good sense for what is appealing to the Greenhouse Gallery selection jurors. For some shows the selection jurors change from year to year. In those cases, it's just the luck of the draw. For others, like Salon International, the selection jurors stay the same and the awards jurors change. If they liked my work one year, they will probably like it the next. Of course, I don't know what the other work submitted is from year to year. There were many of my 100 Faces in 100 Days that I believe they would have loved ... and "Miriam in Her Gray Beret" but work needed to be for sale ... and none of those are ... so, no.

"Classical Painting Atelier," oil, 24"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

Wet Paint! New Exhibit at the Artists' Atelier
There's a new show hanging in the Artists' Atelier Gallery (1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA) -- "Wet Paint!" of Atelier artists latest work. My two entries definitely qualify. I painted on both of them just three days ago. The studio is open tomorrow (Saturday, February 4) from noon-4pm. Come take a look! I'm participating in a three-day workshop in the school one floor down so it's unlikely you'll see me. But, that shouldn't stop you.

"Drama Queens," oil on linen, 20"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

My two pieces in the exhibit are "Classical Painting Atelier" and "Drama Queens" -- my two latest still life paintings. Remember I told you I was really inspired to paint all sorts of things? I am interested in trying some new still life ideas and Tuesday, after teaching class -- I went fabric shopping for a backdrop and bought another sculpture stand to change around my home studio still life setup. None of these activities has resulted in any new paintings -- yet. But the stage is getting set. The fabrics I bought are gorgeous. I can't wait!

That's exactly the way I want to feel before embarking on any new art adventure. It bodes well.

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 through February 6. Take a look!

"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
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