"New York State of Mind" Painting Continued and More Donuts

"New York State of Mind" work in progress, 40"h x 30"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2010

Pictures first. I'll type more later if I have a chance.

First up ... "New York State of Mind", another rainy day in New York City painting was up on my easel today after an extended break. I made some progress.

Next, a quick painting of some really vibrant donuts. I painted them with the lid closed ... thus the shadow at the top and part of the pink lid showing at the bottom.

"Half Dozen Donuts", oil on linen, 14"h x 11"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010

 

 

 

 

 Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I was, personally turkey-challenged. But, I don't think that's what the holiday is all about, do you? We had a great visit with family from in and out of town and then went yesterday to a wonderful wedding shower for Michelle (our soon-to-be daughter-in-law) in Richmond ... held by her cousin and sister. 

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

Painting Magnolia Leaves, Seeds and Gourds

For today's Still Life class today, one of my students brought in these beautiful magnolia leaves and seed pods ... and gourds ...  and tomatoes to paint and to share. It wasn't until the class had ended that this setup sucked me in ... and made me pull out my paints. (The class keeps me hopping from beginning to end, anyway.)

This is definitely a complicated scene to paint. The work in progress, today's start, probably doesn't look all that exciting to you, but I'm liking it. What I'm drawn to in this setup is its three-dimensionality. It is filled with movement and spikes in height, roundness and striking shadows, plus beautifully open spaces of abstract shapes. So that's what I have to get at. I'm not sure how the objects will change each day. Pretty sure the tomato doesn't have long so I tried to develop it a bit more. Lots and lots to do, plus this canvas is pretty large -- 30"h x 24"w -- so I'll have to "paint like the wind."

The McLean Artfest this weekend was really nice. Lots of very enthusiastic visitors who stayed, chatted, worked on figuring out what to buy, oohed and aahed, etc. Two drawings (real favorites) "View from the Pantheon Steps" and "Barrel" plus "Stacked," a brand new donut painting sold, plus I believe more will sell during Studio Tour (October 16&17) as a result of this weekend's show. Get more info on the Great Falls Annual Studios Tour at www.GreatFallsStudios.com. I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA for this terrific self-guided, free, art tour event.

"Magnolia Leaves and Gourds" work in progress day one, 30"h x 24"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2010.
"Stacked," 10"h x 8"w, oil, copyright Jill Banks 2010, SOLD.



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

"Chocolate with Sprinkles" Debuts at the Farmer's Market

Since I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment, only some of my artwork is loaded in the van for my Saturday's (today -- September 25) Farmer's Market booth (9am-1pm at the Great Falls Village Centre, near the intersection of Walker Road and Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, VA). Let's call it a sneak preview for the big upcoming events: MPA Artfest one week + one day away on Sunday, October 3, 10:30am-4:30pm in McLean Central Park (McLean, VA) and the Great Falls Annual Studio Tour on Saturday and Sunday, October 16&17, 10am-5pm where I'll be in my studio at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA. Find out more about Studio Tour at www.GreatFallsStudios.com and more about Artfest at www.mpaart.org. Lots of other stuff going on too in October, personal and art-wise. More exhibit info is listed on the home page of my web site: www.JillBanks.com.

Anyway, my donut painting "Chocolate with Sprinkles", once named "On the Edge Donut"will be making its first public appearance at the Farmer's Market. Perhaps it will be gobbled up. I used a palette knife on this little one... and the texture of the paint is, well, pretty cool. I have absolutely no "official" idea how to use a palette knife but it seems full of possibilities. More experiments to follow.

I hope to see you soon!

"Chocolate with Sprinkles", 5"h x 5"w, oil on canvas, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

Donut Painting

After a few days of struggling, I returned to something easier. No pressure. Another donut painting. (See the still life section in the gallery pages at www.jillbanks.com to see more paintings of food, among other things.)

Last year I went on a binge of donut painting ... creating a whole series of little depictions of donuts, cupcakes, candies and the like. They are great for changing gears, easing tensions,  and just having fun.

This one's called "On the Edge Donut." In the last post, I talked about going big. Large canvases. This latest one's 5"x5". How's that for consistency?

If you're near Alexandria, VA ... I hope you make it a point to stop in to see the 'Scapes Annual Landscape Exhibit at the Art League Gallery in the Torpedo Factory. My painting "Rainy Day in NYC" won Best in Show and is hanging in a very nice spot waiting for you to take a look. The show continues until September 6 at 105 No. Union Street, Alexandria, VA.

Register for Fall classes. I'm teaching "Still Life Painting in Oils" and "Portrait Drawing and Painting" through the Great Falls School of Art. Go to my Classes page on my web site for more info. 


I'll write more soon. I painted another little one ... of my sister-in-law Cindy ... today. So maybe you'll see it tomorrow.

"On the Edge Donut", oil on canvas, 5"h x 5"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

Beautiful Day at the Great Falls Farmers' Market Today

I couldn't have asked for a better day ... perfect weather, plenty of appreciative visitors, a painting purchased, plus lots of people interested in one thing or another. It's always hard work -- figuring out what to bring and hang and setting up the tent and display. Four hours later, we're breaking it back down.

The painting that sold, "The Donut Line-Up," was one of my favorites. (I do have quite a few of those.) But, this painting brings a smile to my face every time I think about it. "The Donut Line-Up's" purchaser had seen it at my booth last year -- and had really wanted it. It, for her, is tied to childhood memories, the Dunkin' Donut days. She decided today that she'd make it hers. Yea!

The other fun thing about today was directing people to my show "Painting the Town" at the Old Brogue, right around the corner from the Farmers' Market. (See the show, "Painting the Town" online here.) Plus, I was getting tremendous feedback from people who saw it already. How wonderful is that?

I'm proud of this show. There are only 13 pieces in it because that's what fit into the space ... but each one is special. They are the cream of the crop.

Plus, the Old Brogue is the place everyone gathers in Great Falls. Like "Cheers." Everybody knows your name. They're always glad you came. If the town had a mayor, the Old Brogue's proprietor, Mike Kearney, would be it.

The show hangs from July 1-July 31. The reception is Sunday, July 25, 2-5pm at (Katie's Coffee at) the Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Two photos: one of my booth and one of (husband) Randy resting on the grass. (We loaned our lawn chairs out to son Sam and his fiancé Michelle for the weekend.)

"The Donut Line-up", oil, 4"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009. Sold. See more of my still life paintings of food (among other things) in the still life section of the gallery on my web site: www.jillbanks.com.

Happy 4th of July!!!

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

"Me O My! Donut": Latest Painting of the Day

More food paintings. I'm still on a diet. There's another painting, of four donuts including one of these strawberry sprinkled kinds in an earlier post. For this one, I stood it upright on a sculptor's stand that sits next to my easel. The "O" I kept staring at suggested its name: "Me O My!". 5" x 5", oil on stretched canvas.

These are great little paintings to group together -- and a nice comforting visual for difficult times.