"Alba Market" and Let There Be Light

"Alba Market," oil on linen, 36"h x 48"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

Okay, the title of this post could have been that ... and Artfest ... and Studio Tour Ahead and ...

Apparently, I'm dying to write just haven't had the time to do so.

Up on my easel for many days has been the "papa bear" version of "Alba Market" with the oil "sketch" created live on the last full day of my Paint with Me in Italy workshop in Alba, Italy.  I will have to let this one sit a bit to know what else needs attention. I know the photo does.

Let There Be Light
My highest priority for our new abode is fixing the studio so I can paint. That means plenty of light (and a few other things)... just in case daylight hours are short or dim or I'm on a roll past dusk.  (Frequent.) So now the studio is almost fully lit ... wattage is high. I barely know when the sun goes down.  Yea, Randy!!!

I am about a million times happier.

"New York Yellow and Blues" -- another favorite off to a new home

McLean's MPA Artfest ... "I Have to Have It"
I am losing track how many times my work has been under a tent at this juried outdoor arts festival ... but do know that this year was my most successful event yet.  There were plenty of new faces along with familiar friends at Sunday's event. Two new collectors selected "Primary Colors" and "New York Yellow and Blues" -- one at 4:57pm and another in an email that evening. (The event ended at 5pm.)  The first purchaser had decided if "Primary Colors" was in my tent, it was going home with her. The second had gone home after visiting and seeing "New York Yellow and Blues" and then decided that she had to have it.

That day was full of wonderful conversations, great visits ... kind of like my whole year.  A one-day event seemed amazingly short, and easy ... until right after finishing up the day when Randy and I were feeling well worn, yet again. 

Part of the Gallery decked out for the Great Falls Studio Tour 2014

Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, October 17-19, 10am-5pm each Day
Come visit me in the studio I share with 13 other artists at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA, Friday through Sunday, October 17-19, 10am to 5pm each day.  There are about 50 artists participating in this free self-guided tour through Great Falls to see home and group studios open to the public for its 11th year.

Randy and I hung art in the Atelier gallery for Studio Tour.  More to come as we spiff up our working spaces for three days -- hoping you'll come by. This is a great family event, super way to entertain guests, get inspired and perhaps, find an original piece or two to enjoy for a lifetime. For a guide to the whole tour, go to www.GreatFallsStudios.com. I'm in Studio #19 near the intersection of Walker Road and Colvin Run Road in Great Falls.

View Two of the Gallery set for Studio Tour

One collector wrote to ask if I'd have a specific piece in my studio during the Tour. Smart move!  Each time I select work ... whether for an arts festival or tour, some favorite pieces are not selected due to limited space. So ... if you want to take a closer look at a painting in particular, please let me know.

Events and Exhibits

• Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
• Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
• November 1&2: Chastain Park Arts Festival, Atlanta GA
• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
• Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA
• See the Events page for more info/updates

"Warm Studio," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

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"Pick-a-Peck Peppers" Painting in Progress

"Pick-a-Peck Peppers" work in progress, oil on linen, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010

I've been working on this for days. The photo isn't great ... and this (obviously) needs lots more work ... but, ta-da, here it is. A whole lot of peppers!!!!

This is another large-scale market painting. Most of my other market paintings went off to new homes, far and wide. (You can still view them on my web site, see the gallery page, market series gallery.)

I'll be updating my web site very soon ... so stay tuned. Classes start January 10&11. Check my classes page on my web site for info on my classes.

"Pick-a-Peck Peppers" work in progress, oil on linen, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

Paintings of Fruit Continued...

I spent the whole day painting fruit.



This afternoon ... I was buried in oranges, continuing on with "Arance, Oranges", a painting of a fruit market in Florence, Italy. Still more to go but when I finally needed a break from oranges I headed downstairs to work a bit on "An Apple Arrangement". In all, I've spent very little time on the latter, trying not to interfere with the official enrollees in Michela Mansuino's workshop (who work late) and keeping on track with my other projects. This particular painting shows just how abstractly I see ... and paint. I think in value (light and darks) and then color blocks, from large to increasingly smaller shapes. It's an interesting way to see the world.



"Arance, Orange" work in progress, 24"h x 36"w, oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2009.
"An Apple Arrangement" work in progress, 24"h x 30"w, oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Before Randy took me to dinner tonight he wiped off yellow, then green, then orange, then some red I'd managed to end up wearing.

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

"Arance, Oranges" Painting Continued

This shows Day 4 on my "Arance, Oranges" painting of a Florence, Italy fruit market. I'm working on adding a three-dimensional feel to the fruits. I've already gotten the comment (many times) that viewers think they can just reach in there and pick up the fruit. When I'm done, I'll think I can do that. My goal is to achieve that with as little detail as possible -- making you do some of the work in grasping the scene.

One of my favorite parts of these market scenes are the signs. Signs of people, the human touch, the artistry of the market folks. See more of my market scenes on this blog (look back through older posts) and on my web site.

Registrations are going on now for Fall 2009 classes at the Great Falls School of Art (part of the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts). My Monday night drawing class and Tuesday morning painting classes are now full. I'm still considering adding a third class on Tuesday afternoons, 2:15-5:15 pm if there's enough interest. That class would start Tuesday, September 15 and run for nine weeks. Email me at jillbanks1@aol.com or call 703.403.7435 if you're interested.

This is the last week to view my "On the Bright Side" solo show at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA (comes down August 31) and works in the "Still Life Poetry" show at ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA (comes down August 30). See my web site for more details.

"Arance, Oranges" work in progress, oil, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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

"Arance, Oranges" New Painting in Progress

This is Day Two on this painting of oranges and lemons from a market in Florence, Italy -- the latest work in my Market series. This is one of those paintings that looked phenomenal just in the underpainting stage -- when I first lay in the darks with Burnt Sienna and French Ultramarine Blue to "deign" the painting. You can see some of that underpainting on the parts of the painting I haven't touched yet.

I'm definitely having fun. Large forms, generous scale, loose brushstrokes, intense color, happy painting -- the perfect formula for me. It's hard not to love it.

My son Sam turned 21 today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAM!

His birthday present from Randy and me was "Michelle II". See yesterday's post.

I'm not sure "Arance, Oranges" will be the final title on this, but it will do for now.
"Arance, Oranges" work in progress, 24"h x 36"w, oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

By the way, Randy and I had dinner tonight at the Old Brogue in Great Falls where my painting "Lemon Yellow" hangs as part of the Great Falls Studios group show through the end of August. Check it out and these other exhibits before they close at the end of this month.

"On the Bright Side" solo show of 23 paintings and drawings at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA through August 31. See my web site for more information about that show.

and "Still Life Poetry", a group invitational (fantastic) exhibit at ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA -- where I have four still lifes -- on exhibit through August 30.

And, come see me at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA. Open Saturdays, noon-4pm and the First Friday of every month, 7-9pm. Plus, by appointment -- call 703.403.7435.

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

"Venezia Market" Painting in Progress

I spent Friday and Sunday working on this painting of a Venetian produce market. That's husband Randy silhouetted in the left corner. What do I love about this one? Everything! It has some of the qualities of "Rainy Day Market" -- the reflections in the stainless steel counter and ground, mystery and mood, plus the juxtaposition of cool and warm colors.

It will become part of my "On the Bright Side" solo exhibition that I'll be hanging on July 1. The exhibit runs July 2-August 31 at the Great Falls Library in Great Falls, VA. I'm returning to the venue where I made my first real debut with my "Feast For the Eyes" solo show in November 2005. I hope you can join me! Email me (jillbanks1@aol.com) your mailing address and I'll send you a postcard for the show. Who knows? It may be a collector's item some day!

On the Bright Side
Jill Banks oil paintings

Opening Reception
Saturday, July 18, 3-6pm

Painting Demonstration
Saturday, July 11, 1-4pm (Please rsvp for this event by email)

Great Falls Library Meeting Room
9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10am-9pm; Fridays, 10am-6pm; Saturdays, 10am-5pm. Closed Sundays.

"Venezia Market" work in progress, oil on linen, 18"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009. See more scenes from Venice, Murano and Burano on my Thursday, June 11 post "Pizza and Pesce".

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

"Food and Wine" Painting of Burano Market Continued

After teaching today's Still Life class, I continued to work on this latest Market Series painting all day today. I still can't believe how many oranges there are to paint! It can be a bit overwhelming.

It's been a busy and funny week. Lots of different activities (photo shoot for a major portrait commission, attending openings of fellow artists Tricia Ratliff and Chris Rollins, missing an opening of my own at Chelsea 32 Art Gallery on Thursday (where Elaine Elinsky, Jennifer Duncan and I are represented in NYC), picking up paintings in Millwood, VA from the Art at the Mill show, going to my framer -- Framemasters -- to catch up on framing and painting lots of works in progress) -- none of which seemed like proper posts.

I did paint two ink washes yesterday that I think will make it in a future post.

This coming Saturday, I'll be exhibiting at the Great Falls Farmers' Market. I'm not sure exactly what I'll be showing there -- but it will certainly include some paintings from my Market Series. Seems apropos. Come see some paintings before I take them down to Chasen Galleries, my gallery in Richmond, VA next week. I'll be at the Farmers' Market, Saturday, May 16, 9am-1pm. It's in the parking lot in the Village Centre near the intersection of Walker Road and Georgetown Pike.

"Food and Wine" work in progress continued, oil on Senso linen, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Burano Market "Fruit and Wine" Painting Continues

I've spent two or three additional painting sessions since the last look I gave you of "Fruit and Wine". I suppose it's obvious I'm working from left to right on the canvas. The main reason I do that is practical ... I'm trying to wear a little less wet paint in the process. I inevitably put a digit or two on the canvas.

I've got a lot of work left to do. Lots of oranges to paint and I need to straighten up the stand and boxes.

Lately I've been working on portrait commissions. Tomorrow is my first photo shoot for a new portrait project. Plus, I'll be painting some and getting ready for my Tuesday class.

"Fruit and Wine" work in progress, oil on linen, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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

New Market Series Painting Start Today: "Fruit and Wine"

I started "Fruit and Wine" today -- the latest painting in my new Market series. This last week I've been working on a portrait commission and it was time to let it rest for a few days. Later I'll be able to return to it with a fresh perspective. Always a good thing!

"Fruit and Wine" depicts a fruit stand in Burano, Italy ... a fishing village near Venice. All of the buildings are painted unbelievably bright, beautiful colors to help the fishermen find their way back home. Arriving there on the ferry, you pass one impossibly vibrant building after another. Randy and I went there during Easter week last year on Robert Liberace's art historical tour. Artist friend Linda Wharton missed the ferry the rest of the group took because she got engrossed in a painting done on the spot. That happens. She rejoined the group many worried hours later.

For day one, I wanted to get the base, loose drawing in place and roughly block in the colors. The blue of the walls will get knocked down in intensity later ... to make it drift back in space. It's interesting that I'll have to do that, as blues are the most difficult colors to keep bright. They look bright and intense on the palette, and as soon as you mix them with another color, they immediately dull. An exception I've found is Winsor Blue (made by Winsor and Newton). To dull it, I will probably use a glaze made with Gamblin's Neomegilp and Transparent Earth Orange (a complementary color). We'll see if that works.

"Fruit and Wine" work in progress (day one), oil on Senso linen, 24"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

See more of my Market paintings ("Limoni", "Rialto Market", and "Rainy Day Market") on my web site, www.jillbanks.com in the gallery pages. Since I can't figure out whether they are "still lifes" or "places", you'll have to look at them both. Or, better yet, stop by this weekend at my new upstairs, downstairs studios at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D & G, Great Falls, VA. I'll be participating in the Spring Arts Festival sponsored by Great Falls Studios, a membership organization of 84 artists who live or work in Great Falls. 30 of those 84 will be taking part in the Festival that occurs in two locations near the intersection of Walker Road and Colvin Run Road. That's this Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm. I'll give more details in another post.

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

Painting "Rainy Day Market" on a Rainy Day

Today I worked on the flowers and more on the baskets and fruit. This is one of those paintings that I could keep painting on indefinitely... but I won't. These market paintings ("Limoni", "Rialto Market" and "Rainy Day Market") are a real joy for me. There's something so generous, abundant and hopeful about them. It's my personal antidote for the current economy and difficult times.

See more of my still lifes, market and street scenes in the gallery section of my web site: www.jillbanks.com and right here, on my blog.

This one's not quite done, but almost.

"Rainy Day Market" work in progress, oil on Senso linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"Rainy Day Market" Painting in Progress

I was having so much fun today ... working on this painting of a market husband Randy and I ducked into in order to get out of the rain. Sometimes it's almost impossible to put down my paintbrushes. Today was one of those days.

I do have a few paintings that I want to tweak before Tuesday when Greg Staley comes in to photograph some recent work. Tweaking is a whole lot less fun than starting and moving around lots of wet paint. So, it will be a struggle to keep away from this one. Watch what happens.

Greg Staley has been photographing my art for a couple of years now. While I take my own photography for the purposes of this blog ... his are so much better and are what I rely on for publications, entering competitions, etc. His client list includes the Phillips Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art ... to name a few.

"Rainy Day Market" work in progress, oil on Senso linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.