"Florentine Dolphin" Drawing of the Day

I don't know if this one will be framed by our First Friday opening tonight ... but I hope so. This is the second drawing I've done of this subject -- a dolphin fountain in a museum in Florence, Italy. The inspiration for this morning's drawing came from having returned to the painting "Standing By" of husband Randy in Florence yesterday and enthusiasm over teaching a drawing class in the Fall through the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts (Great Falls, VA).

This drawing was started with General's Sketch and Wash pencils: drawn then washed. I added a burnt umber watercolor wash and then charcoal. Actually, this was also inspired by some beautiful acrylic and charcoal landscape paintings that fellow studiomate Elaine Elinsky is creating right now. Come see hers and mine tonight at First Friday at the Artists' Atelier, 7-9pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066.

"Florentine Dolphin, Sketch & Wash pencil, watercolor and charcoal on Fabriano Artistico paper; 7.5"h x 9.5"w inside mat dimension framed in 11"h x 14"w frame; copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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Phone: 703.403.7435

Great Falls Foundation for the Arts Gala This Friday

About 60 pieces of artwork were received, hung and arranged in the Artists' Atelier -- where my studio is -- in anticipation of Great Falls Foundation for the Arts (GFFFTA) Gala being held this coming Friday, November 21, 7pm to 10pm. All the work was donated by regional and local artists and collectors to benefit the newly founded Great Falls School of Art.

As a teacher (and student) of the School, I can attest that we need a suitable space and equipment, supplies and materials to make the school work and really benefit the community. I donated the three pieces shown above.
"Horse and Carriage", 5.5"h x 8.5"w (I think), pen & ink and ink wash, graphite and sketch & wash pencils; "Full House" (painting of three lemons and two plums), 16"h x 20"w, oil on linen; "On the Chopping Block", 30" x 30", oil on linen. The pieces will be sold at a silent auction Friday night. I believe the starting bids for the three pieces are as follows, in order, $112.50, $600, and $2450 versus retail of $225, $1200 and $3500. Tickets for the gala are $75 per person and may possibly be purchased at the door (number of guests total is limited to 300)-- but notify GFFFTA that you plan to attend. See the GFFFTA web site for more information. The Artists' Atelier is located at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066