"Jardin de Montmartre" Finished

"Jardin de Montmartre," oil, 24"h x 36"w, ©Jill Banks 2013

I've had the sneaking suspicion that my pile of unfinished canvases has grown larger than ever. To check out the premise, I lined the walls of our downstairs foyer with pieces to complete.  I wasn't even doing any heavy digging -- just collecting those pieces relatively recently begun that held promise.  Guess how many lined the walls?

20.

Yikes.

"Jardin de Montmartre" wasn't in the hallway -- but it was the first piece to be finished (two days ago).  Many more await. Another was finished today.

Young Fan
Last week, I was in the classroom getting ready to teach my Portrait Painting Workshop. A young student walked in -- there for her class (taught by another instructor) that had been canceled that day.  While sorting out whether or not class really was canceled -- and contacting her parents for pick-up, we shared a fun conversation. She offered to help me set up.

We went upstairs to the Atelier to get a vase for the roses I brought in ... and while there, she picked up some brochures from the gallery. One of them was mine.

She asked my name. She LOVES my work!!! She's a huge fan. That was about as nice a surprise as possible. 

Sign Up Now
I'm offering two classes and a workshop come January. The holidays turn us into messes.  Before they take over all your energies, take a look at my classes page. Follow the links to sign up.

Choose from "Portrait Painting" taught on Sundays, 1:30 to 5:30pm (I'm looking for models, too), "Still Life Painting in Oils" taught on Tuesdays, 10am to 1pm and a special workshop "Mastering the Business of Art" on January 4 & 5 (Saturday and Sunday), 2 to 5pm both days.

Young Super Star
There's nothing like getting an email notification from Ben Gaiarin -- cool young guy (16) whose a culinary superstar -- to remind me that I got to my life's passion a bit later.  Ben (who sat for my 100 Faces in 100 Days project) just launched BenGusto Dining -- a catering company founded and run by the under 18 set. His blog is amazing. Incredible recipes, writing, photography. Food Network? Catch him NOW if you can.

Big congrats to Ben!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com 

Events
See the events page on my website.  Thanks!

The Artists' Atelier Group Show in the Gallery

See me at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm and whenever an artist is in. Exhibit from Studio Tour up in the gallery through November 20.

 

Great Falls Studios Holiday Art Show and Sale

Saturday and Sunday, December 14 & 15, 10am - 5pm both days. 35 artists exhibiting at a new location: Wolftrap's Education Hall, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182.  I'll be there! No refreshments this time ... but plenty of art and good cheer!  Please help spread the word!

Paris Day 5: Painting in the Park

"Fountain at Place Des Vosges" plein air study, oil, 12"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

The sun shined today ... but it is still REALLY cold.  Despite that, and not believing it will get any better, this afternoon we (Randy and I) headed over to Place Des Vosges, a place where many famous artists have lived -- including Victor Hugo. The neighborhood leading to this spot is beautiful, with fun, interesting, elegant shops (like a silver store, clothing boutiques, great shoes, flower shops, produce grocers) lining our path.  The park was filled with kids and families playing everywhere.

I had to call it quits due to frozen fingers and fading light.  But, hey, at least I made it out there.  The park was a nice spot, too, because it felt less conspicuous. The afternoons here -- the time I'm more free to paint or do something on my own -- are the most crowded times on the streets where I might choose to set up. That just feels a little too crazy to me at the moment.

This morning we were at the Louvre ... admiring the Italian Masters including da Vinci, Veronese, Tintoretto and Titian.  We caught glimpses of the Mona Lisa from the back of the crowd.  We may return at night to have a chance to see it without quite as much competition.

It's off to a late dinner -- by U.S., not Paris standards. Matter of fact, next time I'm eating on a nutty schedule (regularly), I'll just say I'm on Paris Time.

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

Events and Exhibits
"Rainy Day in NYC" was chosen as one of 15 finalists in the "You Be the Judge" Online Art Contest #3.  You can vote for it: #13 at: http://www.brianneher.com/you_be_the_judge_art_contest_2013_voting_page.aspx to cast your vote ... until March 31, 11:59pm EST. It's easy and free. Enough votes cast and it will be part of the Grand Prize round eligible for over $10,000 in prizes. Judging closes SOON -- vote now!

Don't miss out. Sign up now for Spring Classes that start April 9 (Still Life in Oils -- but you can work on your own projects from reference materials in this class as well, Tuesdays, 9:30am-1:30pm, $375) and April 10 (Painting the Landscape, Wednesdays, 9:30am-1:30pm, $375 -- full of plein air adventures) offered through the Great Falls School of Art, Great Falls, VA.  Go to my web site: www.JillBanks.com, click on Classes for supply list and registration info.  You need to be pre-registered for classes -- especially for landscape -- to know where each class will be held. Class size is limited.  I hope you can join us!

More events and exhibit info available through my web site.