"Chickens!" Painting Finished

"Chickens!," oil on Raymar panel, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

I figured the title of my post would make husband Randy happy. With so many unfinished paintings, those with the stamp of approval as finished are a relief to both of us.

The subjects of "Chickens!" are one of the roosters and many of the hens from Kidwell Farm in Herndon, VA. Group dynamics is the hen house are really fun to watch. All the characters are moving -- constantly -- and they pay attention to each other while pretending not to notice. My goal was to capture their movement and relationships.

The earlier version of "Chickens!"

The changes aren't that drastic from the last time I showed this to you -- but it did take me another eight hours of work to get to this spot.

See more of my Feathered and Furry Friends Series on my web site: www.JillBanks.com.

So, this is what I was up to yesterday.

Today, I was drawing the main compositional sketch for a portrait commission. Time to show it to the client.

On Exhibit:
"Drama Queens" and "Classical Painting Atelier" are on view at the Artists' Atelier "Wet Paint!" February Exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

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
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"Chickens!" Painting

"Chickens!", oil, 16"h x 20"w , ©Jill Banks 2012

I started this one yesterday and worked on it more this morning. Many of these characters will look familiar from "Barn Dance" -- one of my favorite paintings of 2011. This is from another visit to Kidwell Farm, part of Frying Pan Park. During this weekend's workshop we were working from photos ... and while I'd prefer to do anything but ... when painting something familiar, the photos blur and subjects come to life.

The real challenge for this painting will be how to frame it ... since it frames itself somewhat.

I'm waiting to decide whether I want to add the chicken wire to the front of the chicken coop. I kind of like a clear view into life as a chicken. Hmmm.

Tomorrow I turn up for the fourth day in a row at the classroom in Great Falls at 10am ... this time as the teacher. On Tuesday, it will be the fifth day in a row. Why not put in a cot?

On Exhibit:

"Drama Queens" and "Classical Painting Atelier" are on view at the Artists' Atelier "Wet Paint!" February Exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

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