"The Snuggery" Start

"The Snuggery" underpainting, oil, 18"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

Another start for my upcoming solo show in February at Katie's Coffee (the Snuggery at night) at the Old Brogue (Irish Pub in Great Falls, VA) ... a view of the room where my paintings will hang.

Tonight we ate in this room, and Mike Kearney, the Brogue's owner, shown somewhere in "The Snuggery" came over to visit. 

I'll keep up with a couple more starts ... then finish some. That's the plan.

The underpainting is done in oils (like the rest of the painting). I used yellow ochre as my ground and the darks are painted with a mixture of French Ultramarine Blue and Transparent Earth Red.  The more blue in the mixture, the darker it gets.

I love this stage of the painting... because it shows so clearly the abstract shapes. It's always so surprising how much just value (darks and likes) convey.

Great Falls School of Art Student Exhibition Reception and Awards is Friday, January 10, 7-9pm at the Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Come one, come all. At 7:30pm-ish, Lori Goll, the juror will announce awards in both the Youth and Adult category and talk about her choices. As she said today ... there is something so appealing about all the art in the exhibition, she would love to give awards to all. The exhibit continues through the end of the month ... view during open hours, Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm.

"The Brogue," oil, 30"h x 40"h, ©Jill Banks 2008, private collection -- a previous painting of this same subject. Obviously I like the place.

Some views of the Great Falls School of Art Annual Student Exhibition. Great, right? Photos courtesy of Terri Parent. Thanks!

Think about signing up... for classes that start in just two days
My portrait class starts this coming Sunday (January 12). I'd love to have a couple more of you join the class. There's something extraordinary about capturing people. Come share the experience. Go to my web site, Classes page. It's not too late, but email me if you are registering for the class.

Price Increases on February 1
February 1, prices on all my pieces are heading up. Take a look at the website and if one of those works is on your list ... consider purchasing it at pre-February 1 prices. More specifics coming up here and on my site.

Sign Up for Classes and Workshops that Start January
Still Life in Oils -- Tuesdays, 10am-1pm (Full with wait list)
Portrait Painting -- Sundays, 1:30pm-5:30pm -- please join us.
All taught through the Great Falls School of Art (1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA).  See the Classes page on my Web site: www.JillBanks.com. Don't wait! (Please. I don't want you to miss out.)

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com

Events
January 10-28: Great Falls School of Art Student Exhibition, Gallery in the Artists Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Reception/Awards: Friday, January 10, 7-9pm. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon-4pm.

February: Flowers and Chocolates, Gallery in the Artists Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. One of our best exhibits of the year. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon-4pm. Receptions, events to be announced

February: Jill Banks Solo Exhibit at Katie's Coffee in the Old Brogue, Great Falls, VA

More to come.

A Day at the Bar, the Old Brogue

"The Bar at the Old Brogue" work in progress, oil on linen, 18"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

After having painted outside the Brogue, in Katie's Coffee, in the Snuggery ... old days, I finally made it to the side of this (extremely) popular Great Falls, VA restaurant that houses the bar. I've always wanted to paint there ... and today was the day.

I spent the entire afternoon, early evening hours glued to my spot. Figuratively, not literally. It was an intense, but REALLY fun day of painting. Not all of the patrons painted in were present at the same time. My painting developed like one of those slow motion videos ... as people came to sit, I added them in.

I was stationed toward the front door ... not the perfect placement if you came to watch me ... but great for people to glance at as they came in. I did feel a bit like I should act as hostess. That was probably a funny scene to happen upon.

What helped make the day special ... besides the challenge and excitement of painting something I've wanted to do for a long time ... were all the great conversations enjoyed with paintbrush in my hand. There is something magical about the ability to create something out of nothing. I love watching it happen -- and lots of others enjoyed it today, too.

One of the treats was meeting a woman who said that her 14-year-old grandson was a talented oil painter. Turns out her grandson is my amazingly talented student, Cormac. Pretty cool!

I'll return to finetune the painting some afternoon next week. This was a ton to accomplish today but it will be good to look at it again with fresh eyes. Hopefully, many of my subjects will return another day.

"Cars and Coffee," oil, 16"h x 20"w

Farmer's Market This Saturday
I'll be displaying my work this coming Saturday, May 26, 9am-1pm at the Great Falls Farmer's Market. So look for me under a tent.

"Cars and Coffee" and "The Olive Seller"

Two of my paintings, "Cars and Coffee" and "The Olive Seller" on view now at the Old Brogue will be going to a new home right after my "Out & About" Exhibit comes down on June 1. I can't believe the month's almost over. There are a few paintings in my "Out & About" exhibit that I know many people would like to take home with them. Someone's going to do it. I hope it's you.

"The Olive Seller," oil, 18"h x 24"w

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: to be announced (the Brogue's closed Monday, May 28).  Check back here before coming in case times change or dates/times are added. Thanks! Preview the exhibit here.
 

May 20-June 23, Wayne Plein Air Exhibition 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA (May 15-19). 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.  Eight pieces for purchase/on exhibit.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
 Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Plein Air Painting in the Great Falls Village Centre: Part One

Great Falls Village Centre work in progress, oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

First of all, Mother Nature delivered one beautiful day here today. So, while I wasn't sure exactly where to paint this morning, I knew my easel would be outside. With holding open hours in the Artists' Atelier from Wednesdays through Saturdays this month, and painting in Alexandria on the waterfront on most Sundays, only Mondays and Tuesdays are available for exploring other spots. I want to pick good ones.

And, today I did. This is my view of the Old Brogue and Deli Italiano from up on a hill in the Great Falls Village Centre (in Great Falls, VA). I'd climbed to this spot sometime last week -- when I couldn't paint it and it came back to mind this morning. I consider this Part One of the painting, to be resumed, hopefully, this weekend when this portion is dry and I can try something I think will be really great. (A secret, sort of, for now.)

My guess is I looked a little unusual up on the hill. The Brogue is a popular spot (the parking lot was loaded with cars all day long) and patrons waved, pointed, posed, joked and a few visited and checked out my progress.

Setting back up after lunch. See the shirt?

I took a break for lunch with (husband) Randy ... and we both wore matching Reston Century t-shirt that sport my winning artwork "W&OD BBQ" on the back. Randy and I don't usually match. Thankfully. So, I felt conspicuous multiple times today.

I'm really happy with this painting in progress. I took a longer view than normal. Thought about what would really capture the place. I studied clouds -- an unusual subject for me. Tackled a couple of cars (I know they're rough right now). A good day.

Each of these outdoor days wear me out though, so much more than days in the studio. There's a good bit to lug around, I'm usually too hot and challenges abound. Even the wind takes its toll. But, I love how the paintings are tied to the experience of the day. The waves and jokes. Shade and sun on the move. Two young girls letting me know how much they appreciated my art. Pretty wonderful.

For those of you who are still hoping to see my "100 Faces in 100 Days" exhibit at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA), the remaining opportunities are few. The show comes down August 31, a week from Wednesday. Open hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays, 12:30 to 6:00pm for this month. (I might be late opening this Wednesday, August 24 ... more like 1pm.) I hope to see you soon!

"A New York State of Mind," 40"h x 30"w, ©Jill Banks, 'Scapes Exhibit

Events
August 3 - 31: "100 Faces in 100 Days" on exhibit at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays, 12:30-6:00pm.

August 3-September 5: 'Scapes Exhibit at the Art League, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA. My entry, "A New York State of Mind," won Honorable Mention.

To read more about the 100 Faces in 100 Days project on my web site (www.jillbanks.com), go to the 100 Faces Project Pages 1 and 2 where you can see all 100 of my volunteers. Click on the paintings, and go to my blog post for that person's sitting.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435