"L'Auberge Chez Francois" Restaurant Painting Finished

Today I revisited a painting of the Great Falls restaurant, L'Auberge Chez Francois. I'm glad I did. This isn't the greatest photo because the camera caught some of the glare from the medium I used (Gamblin's Neomegilp), but I think you can tell the difference between this version and the one shown in an earlier post. As mentioned in that post, this is the third painting I've done of the interior of this restaurant.

"L'Auberge Chez Francois", oil on Senso linen, 16"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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"Pretzel Stand" Painting On the Easel

This painting is definitely not done yet... but it is what I was working on yesterday and today. I'm painting it on a linen-lined panel (a Raymar panel) and by tonight the paint was just sliding around and not obeying me at all. I'll get back to it in a few days to finish it up.

I first thought my pretzel stand was a hot dog stand. Maybe it's both. Even though this is a bit of a stretch, I figure this fits into my restaurant series.

You should see my space at the Artists' Atelier, my studio in Great Falls. I have been painting like crazy lately and it looks like it! As soon as some of the almost done ones are really done, I'll move some of them out of there. I am getting ready for my library solo show this summer, but also want to be ready to approach more galleries or restock work at Chasen Galleries (in Richmond, VA and Charlotte, NC) and Chelsea 32 (NYC).

"Pretzel Stand" Work in Progress, oil on Raymar panel, 24"h x 18"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Love Is In the Air!

"L'Auberge Chez Francois" is the third painting of this Great Falls restaurant I've created. L'Auberge Chez Francois is rated as one of the most romantic restaurants in the DC area, and I agree! I still need to sign it ... but I think it's done. Enjoy your Valentine's Day!

"L'Auberge Chez Francois", oil on Senso linen, 16"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"Dining Al Fresco" Finished

Here's the final for "Dining Al Fresco". As soon as I post this, it's on to the next painting.

By the way, First Friday at the Artists' Atelier was great last night. I know that I had a great time visiting with our visitors.

"Dining Al Fresco", oil on Senso linen, 24"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

"Dining Al Fresco" Painting

This one's just about done ... it might get a few tweaks tomorrow. It's another painting in my restaurant or "Place Settings" series. I wanted you to feel the sunshine on the pavement.

"Dining Al Fresco", oil on Senso linen, 24"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

L'Auberge Chez Francois Paintings

Yesterday, Randy and I went to L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls, VA to celebrate my birthday. We had a great dinner as usual, finished with a chocolate souffle. I collected plenty of ideas for new restaurant paintings -- but thought I'd share two I've already painted of this spot. The first, "The Celebration", 30"h x 40"w, depicts friends and fellow artist (photographer) Walt Lawrence, his wife Maria and sister-in-law Bernie enjoying an anniversary and birthday celebration themselves. This painting is in Walt and Maria's collection (so not for sale), but it is a good example of the non-traditional portraits I'm doing. The second painting is another scene from L'Auberge. It will be included in my display this weekend at the Great Falls Studios Annual Holiday Art Show and Sale at 10201 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls, VA. The Show is on Saturday and Sunday, December 13 & 14, 10am-5pm both days.

New in My Restaurant Series

As promised, here are two new pieces in my restaurant series that I've been working on. Both are getting finishing touches and I photographed them at just the wrong time -- when some of the paint is sopping wet and some of the painting is dry. So, these are ... and will be ... better looking than you can tell here.

"Night Lights", 20"h x 16"w, oil on linen.



"L'Auberge Chez Francois", 12"h x 9"w, oil on linen. "L'Auberge" depicts a scene in a favorite Great Falls restaurant -- a place husband Randy and I have celebrated plenty of anniversaries.

All images are protected by copyright. Jill Banks, 2008.