"Rainbow" Peacock Painting on the Farm

Close up of "Rainbow," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

This afternoon, it was back to Kidwell Farm (part of Frying Pan Park, Herndon, VA) for some very quick painting, third round to finish up this painting started over six months ago. This is also the third time this particular peacock has been uncooperative as a subject -- going around back of his "house" when I was in front, and vice versa. If he was in view, his head was buried in feather cleaning. Or he was facing the opposite direction. Little was accomplished this outing other than a good color check. Although there were plenty of colors to check.

Better photo to replace this one tomorrow, I hope.

You can see more feathered and furry friend paintings in the Animal Collection on my web site: www.JillBanks.com.  I hope to get around to some more updates to the site soon. The commute to the Torpedo Factory and working there five days a week has wreaked havoc on all those other tasks that accompany life and art business stuff.

"Cabs in NYC" going to new home

Only seven more days at the Torpedo Factory's Studio #333 (105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA). You can see me there this Thursday through Monday and then Thursday or Friday next week. Although if you wait until Friday, August 31 ... I'll have moved out some of the work on view. See hours below.

"Cabs in NYC" was purchased by someone who has wanted it since first seeing it ... quite awhile ago. That painting has had many potential buyers ... and almost went off to a different home yesterday.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events and Exhibits

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333. See regular hours/days, reception, demo dates on the events page on my web site. 
Still life painting demo: Sunday, August 12, 1 to 5pm
Portrait painting demos: August 19 and August 26, 1 to 5pm.
I'll be in my studio:
Mondays, 10am-5pm
Thursdays, 2-9pm
Friday, noon-6pm
Saturdays, noon to 6pm
Sundays, noon to 6pm
Other events/times will be listed on my event page on my new web site. I hope to see you there!

July 7- August 31, Artists' Atelier, "Water, Water, Everywhere" group exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.  Open Saturdays, noon - 4pm. 

Sunday, October 14, MPA Artfest Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 20&21, Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, 10am-5pm, visit artists in their studios throughout Great Falls on a self-guided tour. I’ll be at the Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

"Peacock Blue" In Progress

"Peacock Blue" work in progress,  oil, 24"h x 18"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

It took me a long time to return to this painting of "Peacock Blue" for its second painting day. With deadlines looming that probably don't involve this peacock, it could be considered an odd choice as what to paint. Still, I've been trying to get back to it for about a week. 

While painting it, I was wondering how peacock blue could ever be considered one color. Look how many blues there are! I haven't captured them all but it was fun trying.

Something accomplished today was to make the peacock stand out as a three-dimensional being. That's one of those magical results possible in paint.

"Peacock Blue" needs a little more fine tuning but today's schedule wouldn't allow it this session.

Today was the last day of Still Life class, but Spring classes at the Great Falls School of Art (1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA) start soon ... and they are filling rapidly. See the link below for more info. I hope you can sign up!


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

Register for Spring 2012 Classes

Portrait Painting and Drawing, Mondays, 10am-1pm, starting April 2
Still Life Painting, Tuesdays, 10am-1pm, starting April 3
See Jill's Web Site, Classes page for more information, supply list and registration form.

Exhibits and Events

March 2-31, “Black and White” Exhibit in the Artists’ Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Visit Saturdays, noon-4pm or by appointment or whenever an artist is in the studio. My entries: “Oscar,” “Quiet”  and “Carpeaux’s Napolitano Fisherboy” charcoal, and “Market Street Bar & Grill” ink wash/pen and ink drawings. Come visit.

March 17-30, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club’s Member Exhibit, Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Award and opening reception, Friday, March 23, 6-8pm. “Hog Wild” and “Dining Alfresco” on exhibit.

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

May 1-31, Solo Show, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, Great Falls, VA. More information to come (when I figure it out).

Upper 60s and More Fun on the Farm

"Peacock Sketch," 12"h x 16"w, oil, ©Jill Banks 2012

February 1 and the temps were 66 or 67℉ in Virginia. Time to head back to the farm (Kidwell Farm, Herndon, VA -- part of Frying Pan Park) for LOTS of fun painting.

Kidwell Farm, on all the sunny days I've visited, is filled with tots and parents and some neighbors out for a stroll. It's a place where you can't help but enjoy yourself. Each time I go, before unloading my easel and considerable gear, I walk around to see what wants to be painted. Today, some ancient horses were out of the barn -- muddy and long-haired. I thought about painting them.

The roosters and hens were hooting and hollering. More contenders.

A big pig was out but I thought I might faint if I set up too close there.

"Kidwell Farm Sketch," oil, 11"h x 14"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

My first set-up was to return to painting a peacock. I started this sketch about a month ago ... but found Mr. Peacock particularly difficult to paint. He spends a lot of time cleaning his considerable feathers. Most of today he was turned the opposite direction of the way he appeared on my painting. I was trying to pretend I was a mirror. Interesting computations going on. This is still a sketch. I may start a studio painting based on this -- for color -- and some photo references. Maybe.

I painted the milk cow. You may see her later.

And, I painted the path back to the parking lot. From the same spot where I was attempting the milk cow.

Tomorrow, we're hanging a new exhibit at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA), "Wet Paint." So, I spent the day -- today -- appropriately.

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