Painting, "Peonies In June"

"Peonies in June" work in progress, oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

There's a toss-up between my favorite flowers ... sunflowers, peonies, sunflowers, peonies. Lots of  others bring a smile to my face, but these two touch my heart somehow. With the peony season lasting about two seconds, it seems I've missed out on them ... at their peak often.

So, a visit to Trader Joe's today raked in a big-time bonus. Peonies in June. I figured that was just the inspiration I needed for some time at the easel after an extended recuperatory break.

Here's my good start on them. Hopefully, more tomorrow. I know they won't wait for me.

My start for "Peonies in June"

Exhibits and Events

May 20-June 30, Wayne Plein Air Exhibition 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA (May 15-19). Gala Preview and Artists' Reception, Saturday, May 19, 6-10pm at the Wayne Art Center. Exhibition to follow May 20-June 23 at the Wayne Art Center.  Eight pieces for purchase/on exhibit.

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333

August 1-10, "Quiet" in Salmagundi Club's Annual Photography and Graphics Exhibition held at Denise Bibro Fine Art, Chelsea, NYC.

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

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

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Peaches And Cream Peonies" Painting Today

"Peaches and Cream Peonies," oil, 16"h x 8"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

Francie Johnson brought in a profusion of peonies for Still Life class today. I love a lot of different flowers ... but peonies and sunflowers head the list. Peonies for their generosity of form, size, everything.

So in between teaching and working on the commissioned portrait, there were peonies.

Painting at the Brogue
Tomorrow, (Wednesday, May 9) from 1-4pm, I'll be painting somewhere in the Old Brogue, maybe in Katie's Coffee, maybe on the front patio. I scoped out some potential spots to set up the easel today. The Old Brogue is located at 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. You're welcome to come watch ... whatever/whoever it is ... develop on my canvas.

Exhibits and Events

May 1-31, "Out and About" Solo Show, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Painting on site: Wednesday, May 9, 1-4pm and Wednesday, May 23, 1-4pm.  Check back here before coming in case times change or dates/times are added. Thanks! Preview the exhibit here.
 

May 15-19, Wayne Plein Air Festival 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA. Gala Preview and Artists' Reception, Saturday, May 19, 6-10pm at the Wayne Art Center. Exhibition to follow May 20-June 23 at the Wayne Art Center. 

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

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

"A Dozen Roses" Get Another Day

 Today was the sixth day of my Winter Term Still Life class ... and day two with the three setups. Mostly I taught today, painting only toward the end of class and then for a few hours after everyone left.  Since today's roses are "cousins" of last week's now dead version ... I adjusted those a bit.

The next session of classes start the week of April 11. I'll be teaching on Tuesdays with more details to come. Classes are taught through the Great Falls School of Art, part of the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts. I'll post information here and on my web site: www.jillbanks.com.

I also added Terra Rosa to my palette today. What a great color!!! Two reasons for the addition. I've been rereading parts of Richard Schmid's Alla Prima book (my favorite, information-packed book) and he used Terra Rosa and Venetian Red in a wash-like grisaille portrait that I loved. It reminds me of the effects I've gotten with my burnt sienna watercolor washes. Reason two is that when I peeked at fellow artist's Adrienne Kralick's palette she had a beautiful purplish fairly deep red that she mixed with Alizarin Crimson and Terra Rosa. It was just what I needed and used for the top surface of the velvet cloth (where the light shines on it). Love it!

So, today my life as an artist consisted of:
Arranging the roses "cousins" in the vase looking at photos of their predecessors on my laptop
Fixing lunch since my class runs from 11am-3pm
Teaching, critiquing, painting
Assembling easel number seven of the new, highly cherished easels for the Great Falls School of Art (purchased on sale from Plaza, Mabef lyre easels made in Italy)
Photographing this painting and the setups from today so that I can get stuff back in place next week
 (Now) blogging
(Next) marking the setups with masking tape and cleaning up
Heading home

"A Dozen Roses", oil on linen, 12"h x 9"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

Pink Flower Painting: A Valentine Bouquet

I know Valentine's Day is 11 days away ... but something seems to happen automatically to my painting subjects right about now. (Check out my posts from last February to see that it's a definite trend.) Or see Monday's post of the "Red Velvet Cupcake".

I started this during my Still Life class (see my web site, click on classes) yesterday and finished it up this afternoon as a "warm up" before working on a portrait commission. This Spring bouquet is in great contrast to the dreary, snowy world outside the window.

My guess is this will also be newly hung in my studio for our open house for First Friday ... this Friday, February 5 at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066 ... from 7-9pm. Check this blog first, though. There may be a brand new snowstorm heading our way.

"In the Pink", oil on linen, 12"h x 9"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

Latest Work, New Name

I just finished what used to be (as in the last two weeks) called "Seeing Red" today ... and a not so subtle shift earned it a new name: "Give Me Liberty...". I added the daisy in the bottom left, the one that was willing to die for its freedom, and it stole the show. Hmmm. Patrick Henry, this daisy and I share the same philosophy.

"Give Me Liberty...", oil on Senso linen, 20"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Ongoing and Upcoming Shows:
"On the Bright Side" solo show at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066 through August 31. See web site for preview and open hours.

"Still Life Poetry" group invitational show at ArtSpace Herndon, August 4-30. Reception: August 8, 7-9pm, 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA.

McLean Artfest, juried outdoor show, Sunday, October 4, 10am-5pm.

And, my studio at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, open Saturdays, noon-4pm and the First Friday of every month, 7-9pm ... plus any time I'm in there working or by appointment. Call 703.403.7435.

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

"Sunflowers and Gladioli" Painting in Progress

My Dad created two beautiful flower arrangements for my painting demo day this past Saturday (as part of my "On the Bright Side" show) ... and this one of sunflowers and gladioli might just be my all-time favorite. I hated to see its beauty go to waste, i.e., remain unpainted. So, I went to work today getting as far as I could while there still was daylight. I have it set up in my downstairs studio at the Atelier, and will work on it again after my Still Life class tomorrow.

My plan for this week is to finish this and work a bit more on the two Michelles from my demo. Saturday's my reception, July 18, 3-6pm at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. I hope to see you there.

I didn't really tell you that much about my demo. I felt so good about that day that I don't think I've come down from the clouds since. What I loved about it is how wonderfully people react to my art. The room was overflowing with enthusiasm and good cheer. The "On the Bright Side" exhibit seems aptly named. I'm thankful to have so many enthusiastic supporters -- my parents, students, collectors, fellow artists, family and friends. I love creating art, and my enjoyment increases exponentially through the joy it brings to others, too.

"Sunflowers and Gladioli" work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 24"h, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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

"Peonies" Painting: Fresh Out of the Yard and Off the Easel

I painted "Peonies" during and after my Still Life class today... plus gave a private lesson ... plus took a painting to a potential purchaser (maybe more on that later). Busy and fun day. As usual.

The Summer Classes and Workshops bulletin can now be downloaded at the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts web site (www.greatfallsfoundationforarts.org, click on Great Falls School of Art). I'll be teaching a six-week (once a week) Still Life class and a Portrait workshop. Registration is going on now. Email me with any questions or just to let me know you're signing up. Email: jillbanks1@aol.com.

If you're a new blog reader, click on Older Posts at the bottom of the page to see more. If you're looking for a more organized way to view my artwork, go to my web site, www.jillbanks.com.

"Peonies", oil on Senso linen, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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