"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

Painting Sunflowers ... And Decisions

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

Yesterday's "Cut Sunflowers" continued today ... with  a full day of painting. So much for doing just a little bit. I can't tell you how many times I take three major paintings into the studio ... requiring hours (or days) of work each ... all the time thinking I will get to them all. That "anything is possible" artist mentality ... does not translate to everything is possible in a single day.

I did enjoy every minute, though. The flowers are droopier today and I let them droop. After many hours of painting, I finally got rid of the clippers. They were actually disruptive and didn't add anything to the composition. Everything made more sense after they took a hike.

I've painted a lot of sunflowers in my time. "Sunflowers," a still life my dad set up for me is part of my permanent collection -- and brightens my day -- every day. That's perhaps why I return to them again and again. We've got the same attitude. Sunflowers are my buds.

Something is interesting about this painting. The sunflowers here remind me of my first painting of sunflowers. More than any other. They are soft and happy and droopy and atmospheric ... just like the "Sunflowers" that hang in my house. Hmmmm. See "Sunflowers" at the bottom of this post and tell me what you think.

"Sunflowers and Gladioli," 30"h x 24"w, oil, ©Jill Banks 2009

To Leap or Not... Revised June 9
Okay, never mind.

I decided against taking a particular "leap" that was tempting but not tempting enough.

I was considering going on a painting trip to the Adirondacks where I'd be staying in a dorm room and going off to beautiful spots to paint in plein air with  some outstanding painters from around the country ... who I don't know personally. It sounded intriguing, and difficult, .. and not exactly up my alley ... but challenging. It is billed as a once in a lifetime opportunity and it is probably that.

I'm going to commit to carving my own adventure out ... exactly right for me ... closer to home. I got an offer from my mom ... that my Dad would like to accompany me to the zoo so I could paint or draw ... and I'll take them up on that. When it cools off. And paint them playing cards at Iceberry's in Reston before it does. Stuff like that. Schedule it and do it. So get out around town. This town.

No bears, fewer bugs, great views, new and old friends closer to home. And a nice bed to snuggle into, my own bathroom, a husband to share dinners with and plenty of privacy. 

"Sunflowers II," oil on linen, 30"h x 30"w, ©Jill Banks 2008

See more of my sunflower and other still life paintings on my web site, gallery section, still life page.

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

"Sunflowers" the First, oil on linen, 30"h x 30"w, collection of the artist

"Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange" Painting Start Today

"Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange" wip, 24"h x 18"w, oil, Jill Banks 2011

This afternoon, after teaching my Portrait class and having a late lunch with husband Randy, I embarked on my first non-demo painting after my 100 Faces project. Over the weekend of receptions, I was asked, often, what was next. Big question. I was, and continue to be, immersed in the power of the last project. It makes it more difficult to move on. I'm going to continue my quest (forever) to become the best painter/artist I can be. I want to take paintings to their "proper" conclusions. Work on them until I'm fully satisfied. I'm working on what to paint.

For today, I struggled with what this first painting would be. I decided to follow with tradition. I painted the beautiful sunflowers that my dad arranged for my reception on Saturday. This weekend, by far, was the most memorable, rewarding, wonderful, ... you  name it... art event for me. I cannot imagine ever feeling better about what I've done. Painting the flowers bring to mind all the great moments enjoyed.

"Sunflowers and Gladioli" is on view at the Great Falls Library in May

So "Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange" is it. This is a slowly developing series. Paintings of flowers from art openings. You can see the painting from my "On the Bright Side" show opening flower arrangement ("Sunflowers and Gladioli") on view with my 100 Faces at the Great Falls Library this month. Do you know that I'm giving a demo/artist's talk there, at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, Va on Saturday, May 21 from 2-5pm? That's a pretty funny combination ... but I hope to give you a bit more of an understanding of my project while painting another "face." What a test.

I'm not done with "Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange" yet. But I like it. I love the idea of the subject in shadow surrounded by strong light. This one will benefit from an additional painting day. It's definitely different. Inspiration took awhile to strike. Perhaps that's another offshoot of my project. Rediscovering the chance to poke around for inspiration. Not going directly to work.

My portrait class is filled with still life students who approached a living, breathing model for the first time around me today. They were really, truly rocking and rolling. Amazing! They realized, and appreciated, the "rush" that comes from painting a subject that's just there for a short period of time. Just for you.

100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibits

All 100 faces will be on view two times this Spring/Summer.  Come see!

May 3-31 at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA

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

August 1-31 at the Gallery in the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm

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

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

"Sunflowers In My Studio" in January 2011 Art League Show

"Sunflowers In My Studio," 24"h x 18"w, oil on linen, Jill Banks

I've not just been consumed with painting faces lately. My short post yesterday (Face #3, son Sam) was due to the need to race out of here to submit paintings for the January All-Media Membership Show at the Art League (105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA in the Torpedo Factory). "Sunflowers In My Studio" was juried into the show.

"Sunflowers In My Studio" is the painting result of my dad calling me on the phone because he had just arranged "the prettiest sunflowers he'd ever seen in his life. Would I like to paint them?" How in the world could I say no to THAT?!?

So, guess what my answer was?

Pretty sharp.

You can view more of my paintings of sunflowers on my web site. Go to the gallery, still life gallery. These happen to be my favorite flowers. One could say I have "sunfloweritis."

The exhibit will be on view at the Art League throughout the month. Check out the Art League's web site for more specifics.

See my post from earlier today for Face 4 of my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. This post is post #2 for today.

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

Painting Like the Wind Today

Great day today. Taught class in the morning to my great portrait class gang. Had a bit of a chance to return to painting our model, Lilia. The result is shown here.

Then my dad brought in these beautiful sunflowers -- perhaps as a setup for my still life class tomorrow. He set them on the floor in my studio right in front of my painting of Lilia. He said they just looked like they needed to be painted. I agreed.

"Costumed (Lilia)", 24"h x 18"w, oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2010.
"Sunflowers in My Studio", 24"h x 18"w, oil on Senso linen, copyright Jill Banks 2010.

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

"Sunflowers" Welcome Me Home

Last night (husband) Randy and I hung our first piece of art (my painting, "Sunflowers") in our still-under-renovation house we closed on July 15. That's a little over three months ago ... for any of you counting. For three months, all I had to look at on the walls were patched over shades of paint transitioning from old owners to new owners (us). I've been unhappy. (Changed from miserable since) I know that there are so many things worse than blank walls and life in boxes waiting to be unpacked. There's been no sign of life here, especially not my own. We've had no time to relax and enjoy our new surroundings. Home wasn't home.

But now, with "Sunflowers" in place, I have one corner of the house -- a hallway seen from the family room couch -- that's smiling at me and welcoming me home. It changes my whole attitude about the house. While the kitchen still shows signs of renovations and unsettledness, I cooked a pot roast and egg noodles there ... then ate with Randy, and (daughter) Sarah at the kitchen table ... with a view of my corner. The kitchen felt like mine. The countertops seemed shinier. I was anxious to enjoy just being home.

I know I have other corners to clean up. Many. But I also now know the rewards. Having art around me, including and maybe especially my own, is really important to my state of mind. We were "camping out" in a house before. Now we're on the path to living in our home.

The power of art.

"Sunflowers" is the first of a series of large-scale still lifes set up by my dad. It features a number of family heirlooms and an antique book that coincidentally was open to a chapter on the "Secret of Making Things Turn Up." The philosophy of the author dovetails that of my dad and my own. That you make "luck" or at least your ability to take advantage of some. This painting hung in the front hallway of our previous home ... and made me smile every time I passed it. Nice. Take a look at it and other still lifes ... including other paintings of sunflowers in the gallery section of my web site.

And since I've been painting yesterday and today ... at home ... there will be another post today.

"Sunflowers", oil on linen, 30"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2005.

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