Ballerina Painting in Progress

"White Swans" in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Right before heading to California on a painting trip, I had the pleasure to watch a couple of dance classes and then two full length rehearsals for the Summer Recital for the School of Theatrical Dance of Great Falls. The whole experience was thrilling. I loved watching the youngest ballerinas looking on seeing their older counterparts rehearse.

I want to extend a huge thank you to the dancers who inspired me and Theresa D'Allesandro, the owner and director of the School of Theatrical Dance who welcomed me to classes and the rehearsals.  I loved being there!!!!

Witnessing the progress, the beautiful choreography, huge amount of work, sense of pride and love of dance throughout each age group made such an impression.  Each dance was so complicated. I originally planned to sketch but with constant movement, complicated dances, and many dancers ... I realized my goal needed to be to watch and take in as much as possible -- to enjoy.

"White Swans" is the first of a series of works that will stem from these practices and rehearsals. There is much work left to do and directions to explore. Let's see where this goes.

"Fresh Fare": New Solo Exhibit in Great Falls
Click on the link to see the 14 paintings for my "Fresh Fare" solo exhibit on view through August 15, 2016 at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls, VA.

First Friday at the Atelier, July 1, 6-9pm
Many of my California paintings and maybe even the new ballerinas will be debuting on Friday, July 1 at the Artists' Atelier for First Friday on July 1 from 6-9pm. Make a night of it ... we're located at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. I'd love to see you and I WILL be there! Will you?

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Fresh Fare: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls.

July 9-10: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford Historic Village in North Kingstowne, RI.

July 18-29: Salmagundi Club's Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, 47 Fifth Ave, NYC. "Heart of Telluride" accepted into exhibit on view in the Upper Gallery.

July 23-24: Loveladies Fine Art Festival, Loveladies, NJ (on Long Beach Island)

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

September 24-25: Armonk 55th Annual Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, NY

"Ballerinas II" Painting, Take Two

"Ballerinas II," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2013

Even though it's been awhile since posting, I'm going to try to keep this short.  Lots to write, pictures to post, but no time to do it.

"Ballerinas II" was what I worked on today ... returning to a painting started in Franklin, Tennessee at the Imagine Gallery when there for the Women Painters of the Southeast juried show.  These beautiful models are dancers in the Nashville Ballet Company.

I also hung the "On Location" exhibit in the Artists' Atelier Gallery -- of plein air pieces from farms around the area, the Village Centre in Great Falls done by students in my Landscape class. The reception for that show is on Friday, June 14, 6-8pm at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Come join us!

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

Events

Mountain Maryland Plein Air
Participating as one of 30 juried artists from around the country to paint Allegheny and Garrett Counties in Maryland, May 29 to June 1. Exhibit of Artwork from Mountain Maryland Plein Air continues June 1 through June 16 at Saville Gallery in Cumberland, MD

Solo Show at Greenberry's Coffee & Tea

6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA 22101
(703) 821-9501
Exhibit of six paintings including "Two Kittens," "Traffic Patterns," "Primary Colors," "Spanish Steps," "Second & Pine Streets," and "Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange." Through June 30.

Spring Blooms and Ballerinas

"Wisteria Way," oil, 14"h x 11"W, copyright Jill Banks 2013

Quick post because my current to do list looks a lot like it did this morning. Oh well.

I worked for a bit on "Ballerinas I" -- the painting created last Saturday afternoon at Imagine Gallery in Franklin, Tennessee.

And, I revived a very strange looking 30-minute demo painting from yesterday's Landscape class.  We were invited to come paint at another beautiful property in Great Falls, VA -- this one with wisteria in bloom.  While these classes are exhausting, just being in these special spots is so peaceful. So inspiring.

Happy Spring!

"Ballerinas I," oil, 16"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

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

Events
Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Members Exhibit and Sale
Imagine Gallery, 230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064
"Sunflowers in the Studio II" juried into the exhibit that runs April 19 to May 20.

"Windows and Doors" Exhibit: the Artists' Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm through April 30. On view in the gallery: "Red Church Doors," "Spanish Steps" and "Pie in the Sky Pizzeria."

Day with the Ballerinas

"Ballerinas I," oil on Raymar panel, 16"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

Quick post because in a minute or two Randy and I are heading off to Reception #2 for the Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition at the Imagine Gallery in Franklin, TN. This morning I

"Ballerinas II," oil on Raymar panel, 12"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

attended a demo given by Lori Putnam, who is gracious, humble and extremely talented. Her demo was fantastic. I learned a lot and am anxious to use some of what Lori taught in teaching my landscape class last week.  Again, super!

This afternoon, many of us painted two beautiful ballerinas from the Nashville Ballet Company in the gallery.  An, even bigger treat. So here they are, times two and that's it for today.

Maybe I'll post some photos of the receptions tomorrow.

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

Events
Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Members Exhibit and Sale
Imagine Gallery, 230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064
"Sunflowers in the Studio II" juried into the exhibit that runs April 19 to May 20.
Receptions: Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20, 6:00pm to 8:30pm.

"Windows and Doors" Exhibit: the Artists' Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm through April 30. On view in the gallery: "Red Church Doors," "Spanish Steps" and "Pie in the Sky Pizzeria."