"Sunflowers in My Studio II" Painting Almost Done

"Sunflowers in My Studio II" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

Mondays are quieter days at the Torpedo Factory. At least this one was ... which afforded me the opportunity to work quite a bit on this painting, now renamed "Sunflowers in My Studio II."

This piece transitioned between my home studio ... where it started ... to Studio #333 where I was trying to figure out what work would come from that new space.

One of my struggles for this month was that I was uncomfortable there working from photos on my laptop (if I do work from photos they are shown on a large screen display that can adjust from horizontal to vertical as necessary) and the lighting was actually too strong to control when working from life. I decided to deal with too much light and concentrated on still lifes ... and my one portrait in progress of Jenny. It's actually just different and it's up to me how I paint the scene.

Only two days left there and most of those will be consumed with moving out. This is a lot worse than having to check under the bed for socks when departing a hotel stay. My stuff is now everywhere ... and there's a lot of it.

Visitors today were from: the DC area, Vietnam, Guatemala, Australia, India, California, Florida, and New Jersey.

Events and Exhibits

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333. See regular hours/days, reception, demo dates on the events page on my web site. 
Only two days left there:
Thursday, August 30, 2-9pm
Friday, August 31, noon-6pm
Other events/times will be listed on my event page on my new web site. I hope to see you there!

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

Today at the Torpedo Factory

"Tools of the Trade" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, Jill Banks 2012

Today brought lots of visitors ... all day long. Two very enthusiastic young girls loved looking at my paints and painting ... one said she just loved the way I paint ... as mom looked on from afar. I think they would have stayed there forever.

Two of my visitors were here for the 70th Reunion of the Guadalcanal Campaign -- here with their fathers.

My foreign visitors came from Ukraine, France, Australia and Holland.

U.S. visitors came from Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Colorado, California.

Two interesting portrait demo prospects came at the end of the day. They would be great subjects ... but aren't local and will be gone before the demos. The young woman looked very Bohemian with a guitar by her side. Maybe I'll approach some of the street musicians.

I'm not getting much painting in ... but some. That's my "Hudson River Morn" painting in progress behind "Tools of the Trade."  I may move on to working on the NYC painting tomorrow ... as a break.

Tomorrow's a long day. 10am-5pm at the Torpedo Factory, then receiving for the Art League's 'Scapes show tomorrow night. It's doubtful that I'll be in a typing mood at the end of that.

I'm enjoying my days at the Torpedo Factory. I'm not sure that's getting across. The commute squeezes time away from reflection on the many great parts of the day. But, they are there.

Exhibits and Events (Now look at this on the Events page at www.JillBanks.com)

August, Visiting Resident Studio Artist, Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA, Studio #333. See regular hours/days, reception, demo dates on the events page on my web site.  
Reception: Thursday, August 9, 6-9pm (2nd Thursday Art Night receptions throughout the Torpedo Factory).  
Portrait painting demos: Sunday, August 12 and August 19 and August 26, 1 to 5pm.
I'll be in my studio:
Mondays, 10am-5pm
Thursdays, 2-9pm
Friday, noon-6pm
Saturdays, noon to 6pm
Sundays, noon to 6pm
Other events/times will be listed on my event page on my new web site. I hope to see you there!

July 7- August 31, Artists' Atelier, "Water, Water, Everywhere" group exhibit, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.  Open Saturdays, noon - 4pm. 

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

"Sunflowers In The Studio, Too" Work in Progress and More...

"Sunflowers In My Studio, Too" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

Sunflowers have found their way into my studio many, many times. There is a "Sunflowers in the Studio" ... one of my paintings that I visited just last week in its new-ish home. That painting was the result of my Dad calling me up ... and telling me he had the most beautiful vase of sunflowers ... would I like him to bring them over? My answer was yes.

"Sunflowers In The Studio, Too" is of the flower arrangement Dad made for Sunday's reception for my "Out & About" exhibit. The title includes "Too" instead of "Two" because right behind this painting is a portrait commission that I'm working on now. You'll get a glimpse of the right side of it in it's early stage. On the floor behind it, leaning against the wall is one of the panels of my "100 Faces in 100 Days" project. The red table is a metal cart that my great aunt owned ... that now acts as the well-used taboret in my studio. The sunflowers have plenty of company.

"Sunflowers In My Studio," oil, 24"h x 18"w, private collection

I just started painting the final portrait after lots of preparatory work. What a relief it is to start. Until I put paint to canvas, portrait commission work is daunting. The preparations are incredibly important (sketching, color studies, conceptualizing, composing, determining the size, getting the canvas stretched, selecting source materials, and organizing) ... but also time-consuming ... and I get antsy to paint. It was a joy to have a chance to dig in ... with the initial sketch and then starting to develop one of the four subjects (three humans, one canine) in the painting. Yea!

The photo is poor (of "Sunflowers...") ... lots of reasons for that ... but maybe the photos will improve as the painting progresses.

Painting In the Old Brogue

Wednesday, May 9, 1-4pm
Wednesday, May 23, 1-4pm
Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub
760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066
You're welcome to look on or check in. I'm not sure exactly where my easel will be ... or what I'll be painting.  Two days to figure out some of that. I hope to see you there!
Come see, and you'll be able to take a look at my "Out & About" exhibit, too. Lots of too's today.
See the exhibit online on my web site. "Out & About" continues through May 31.

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

"Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange" Painting Fresh Off the Easel

"Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange," oil on Raymar panel, 24"h x 18"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

Yesterday ... while we were fete-ing the dads in the family ... I asked for some advice about which painting I should choose  for my image promoting the Great Falls Annual Studio Tour (October 15&16). My advisors chose this painting ... which definitely needed work before being ready to photograph and send off. (The deadline is today.)

It's pretty funny that I had to rush to finish a painting ... considering I have so many existing paintings I could have chosen from. I wanted to pick something new ... and many of my latest works (post my 100 Faces in 100 Days project) have been entered into juried shows or competitions ... or purchased ... or won't be in my studio during Studio Tour.

I'm anxious to hear what you think of it. This was a new challenge (at least, I think it was) with the sunlight streaming through the window silhouetting the flowers. It certainly made for bold, large shapes. (Something I like.)

The Benefit of Dirty Brushes and Watching Mary Beth
Amidst a brush crisis last week, I took a trip to Plaza Artist's Supply store to get some I could actually paint with. I decided to get some that I was familiar with and try some other brands and types as well. I usually use Silver Brush Grand Prix Extra Long Filbert bristle brushes in a variety of sizes ... and then have a few smaller sable rounds. Bristle brushes are good for moving paint around but on smooth painting surfaces they produce a scratchy effect ... especially when the painter using them is not taking great care of them. (On a medium to rough texture surface, they work great.)

I recently heard or read that a softer brush works better on a smooth surface. I can't believe I never thought of that!!!! So I got some nylon, synthetic sable (or mongoose) brushes, too. And, thanks to watching Mary Beth Gaiarin paint the week before, I added in some flats which produce a whole different and exciting stroke. I threw in some rounds, too.

"Yellow Tractor"

This has really been an a-ha moment. Brushes matter. Each one is a tool to be fitted to the "job."

"Yellow Tractor" Will Be Moving
She (or he?) is getting a new home. I'm noticing a yellow trend lately. You should see my palette. And hands!

And, I know I said I'd show you my menagerie of animals in paint yesterday ... but I didn't. Not today either. Sometime soon, though. Stay tuned.

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

"Cut Sunflowers" Painting On the Easel

"Cut Sunflowers" work in progress on my easel.

Trina brought in these sunflowers and vase to still life class today and I painted on this a little during class ... and then more after ... and this still needs some work (a little). Long intro, but here it is. I planned on photographing it in stages as a lesson but my card for my camera was at home. I'll do that with the next painting I start.

I've got to go and get some dinner. Check back. There might be some typing left in me.

"Cut Sunflowers" work in progress, 20"h x 16"w, oil on linen, ©Jill Banks 2011.

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