"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

"Herndon Station" Plein Air Painting and Peonies...

"Herndon Station," oil on panel, 8"h x 10"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

I did have my paintbrush in my hand today. Yea! But this will be a short post since son Sam and daughter-in-law Michelle just arrived at the house.

So, here's a plein air post from Herndon that was this early afternoon's  undertaking. That was fun and I stayed out there until it started to drizzle.

It was practice for Sunday's planned outing at the waterfront in Alexandria with the Art League Plein Air Group.

And, I returned to a painting from earlier of impossibly pink peonies. I perhaps want to work more with both paintings.

"Impossibly Pink Peonies" continued, oil on board, 12"h x 18"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

And, maybe I'll show you a pic later of my easel in Herndon. Although, that might not thrill your socks off.













Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Painting "Francie's Peonies" and Still Life Class

"Francie's Peonies," oil on Raymar panel, 12"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

I'm easily influenced. Today I taught my Still Life class and there were flowers everywhere. Nancy Keane and Francie Johnson both brought in peonies ... and we had hydrangeas to boot. After class (and lunch), I worked at finishing up the painting I'd started three weeks ago as a demo. I believe this one's done and it's of the first batch of peonies that Francie had brought in... thus, the name.

While I was painting this, the vase of peonies that Francie was painting today was in the floor of my studio ... saying "Paint me. Paint me!" I'm hoping that they are saying the same thing tomorrow.

Francie Johnson with her painting of today's flowers ... and her palette knife

Class was terrific today. Lots of happy painters in there. Nancy and Mary Beth learned how to tackle a blue & white porcelain vase with great results. A challenge, conquered.

Francie Johnson was having a blast wielding her palette knife and painting the new vase of flowers she'd brought in. That's the same vase that I hope to be painting tomorrow.

Demo and Artist's Talk This Saturday
I'm giving a demo and artist's talk (that should be interesting!) this Saturday, May 21, 2-5pm at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA in conjunction with my 100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibit. I hope you can come. Come anytime between 2 and 5pm and stay as long as you like. I'll have armed my sitter with some questions about the project ... in case you don't have any. That way, I have a better chance of telling you a bunch of the amazing stories that surround my 100 Faces.
 
Also, my "Mastering the Business of Art" workshop is coming up soon (May 25 & 26). If you're interested, please sign up now. Take a look at my web site: www.JillBanks.com, Classes page.

100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibits

Mark your calendars for the 100 Faces exhibit events. All 100 faces will be on view two times this Spring/Summer. These will be WONDERFUL, not to be missed exhibits. Come see everyone!

May 3-31 at the Great Falls Library, Great Falls, VA

Reception: Saturday, May 7, 2:30-5:30pm

Demo/Artist’s Talk: Saturday, May 21, 2-5pm

August at the Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA

Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm

Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

A Little Painting Time on "Francie's Peonies" and Lots of Labels

Almost done. "Francie's Peonies" work in progress day two, oil on Raymar panel, 12"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Just a quick post ... because I only had a little time to paint today. Mainly I'm putting together signs/labels for all my 100 Faces ... which is taking FOREVER. Amazing. So when I needed a break, I worked more on my demo painting from yesterday. It's getting there. I am again at the point that all I want to do is paint, paint, paint. I'm inspired. Excited. Dying to just see what can happen.

You know the reception for my 100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibit is coming up this Saturday, May 7, 2:30-5:30pm at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066. You and your friends and family are cordially invited. I hope to see you there! I wrote a blog post about each and every one of my great volunteers. Have fun reading up on blog posts from January 1 to April 10 or take the easier approach by checking out my 100 Faces pages at www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html (there are two of them) on my web site. You can link to each person's blog post by clicking on photos of their paintings.

Also, my "Mastering the Business of Art" workshop is coming up soon (May 25 & 26). If you're interested, please sign up now. Take a look at my web site: www.JillBanks.com, Classes page.

100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibits

Mark your calendars for the 100 Faces exhibit events. All 100 faces will be on view two times this Spring/Summer. These will be WONDERFUL, not to be missed exhibits. Come see everyone!

May 3-31 at the Great Falls Library, Great Falls, VA

Reception: Saturday, May 7, 2:30-5:30pm

Demo/Artist’s Talk: Saturday, May 21, 2-5pm

August at the Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA

Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm

Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Francie's Peonies" Demo and Hanging the 100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibit

"Francie's Peonies" work in progress, oil on Raymar panel, 12"h x 16"w, by Jill Banks

Today was the start of my Still Life class which was ... wonderful. There are a couple of newcomers to the class, all well welcomed, and for the last two days all the "regulars" have walked through the classroom doors "oohing and aahing" the newly expanded, painted classroom. It really is great.

Francie Johnson, a member of the class, brought in these beautiful peonies to paint. To which, I added a vibrant green long pepper and plum. I had tons of stuff bought and brought to set up and another really exciting still life to paint (that sat lonely in the corner). But what could beat peonies, and lilacs from Francie's garden? So that was my demo. I hope to go back tomorrow to work on this some more. Don't know what shape the arrangement will be in ... but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

In art, and probably a whole lot of other areas, there's often a disconnect between expectations and one's ability to meet them. At this point my expectations are really, really, really high for my work. I want it to be almost painfully beautiful. For that to happen, I have to reach, stretch, work, think. There's a dilemma when the subject matter for a painting is gorgeous. How do you make it better than that? My work is cut out for me.

There's also a secret unveiling itself. Quick, immediate paintings rarely soar. With my 100 Faces, I wish I had more time with almost all because beauty doesn't often appear on schedule. I want to explore what's possible. Think about it. Try out other ideas. Consider everything.

Randy and I hung my 100 Faces in 100 Days show at the Great Falls Library. He did an incredible job designing the panels, putting them together, and showcasing all 100 people and paintings. I still need to put together signage, labels, etc. but today was filled enough. To the brim. I will rely on tomorrow.

Randy reading (emails) at the Great Falls Library with some of the 100 Faces in the background. Pretty cool.

While we were hanging half of the show yesterday ... one visitor mentioned that the panels (there are nine faces on each panel) reminded her of the Brady Bunch. She thought it would have been funny to have some of them looking up, down, diagonally, at one another. Now, why hadn't I thought of that?

It did make me think about what happens with all my faces when the library closes. There could be a ruckus in there. At least a fun party.

I will be hanging additional art ... and add names, info on my sitters ... by Friday. I'd be quicker if there were two of me.

More faces. Come see ... and visit at the reception this Saturday, May 7, 2:30-5:30pm

100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibits

Mark your calendars for the 100 Faces exhibit events. All 100 faces will be on view two times this Spring/Summer. These will be WONDERFUL, not to be missed exhibits. Come see everyone!

May 3-31 at the Great Falls Library, Great Falls, VA

Reception: Saturday, May 7, 2:30-5:30pm

Demo/Artist’s Talk: Saturday, May 21, 2-5pm

August at the Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA

Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm

Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"White Peonies" Painting Finished

I've been "missing" from blogging for the past week. Randy and I finalized selling our house yesterday ... something we knew was imminent ... and in addition to lots of showings, etc. we are now figuring out just where we're going to live next. It cut into my painting time.

Today, after checking out the Northern Virginia Arts Festival in Reston and touring open houses, I finished "White Peonies" -- the painting I started in Sherrie McGraw's workshop. It's such a quiet, moody painting -- but I'm happy with it, too. The strong contrasts and shapes, though, make it reach out across the room to pull you in for a closer look.

There are so many directions I want to go in ... it's hard to decide. Peonies got attention first because my peony models were looking very tired. Perhaps next will be to finish my dining room interior before my dining room turns into someone else's. Sounds like a plan.

One more thing. In my last blog I mentioned getting ready for class the next day. I need to do that again soon ... but classes are going so well. I love watching the progress being made in both my Drawing 101 and Oil Painting Atelier program. The Drawing 101 students are experiencing lots of "aha" moments and it shows. So interesting! The ability to draw really boils down to allowing yourself to see in a new and different way.  I will posting info on my new Summer workshops on my web site shortly.

"White Peonies", oil on Raymar panel, 20"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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