A Detour: Drawing at the National Gallery of Art

"Girl with Water Lilies," b&w charcoal, ©Jill Banks 2011

A Detour

Randy and I were headed for lunch today before I went off to spend the afternoon at the Atelier ... except on the way I was trying to figure out his schedule ... and when in the week he might want to accompany me for a trip to the National Gallery of Art. Turns out, he was free today, so I might as well take advantage of it. He made a u-turn to head back home to pack up (art supplies and paintings for receiving this evening at the Art League). And, off we headed for a nice lunch and day at the National Gallery.

Lunch and Drawing
"Girl with Water Lilies" is a black&white charcoal drawing of the bronze by the same name by Herbert Adams (American, 1858-1945). This bronze graces the Garden Cafe at the National Gallery of Art -- where Randy and I enjoyed a leisurely, wonderful lunch today. I could have drawn the plate of food Randy put together at the buffet. It was that pretty. But, I could tell it was subject to change. This drawing consumed most of my attention for a couple of hours. What a great way to hang out.

Then we headed to the Armand Hammer room of drawings that held some surprises ... and inspiration. Van Gogh's drawings were hanging out with a Rembrandt and a couple of Gauguin's.

We were on our way to the exhibit of Italian Drawings. One of many highlights of today's trip. There was a Canaletto, a Tintoretto, many Tiepolos and beautiful work from many names I didn't know. I would have loved to have gotten some photos there ... but it was a no photos allowed spot. Some of the pieces in the exhibition are apparently not owned by the National Gallery ... which places the whole exhibit off limits. There's a lot to be learned from this collection. It's always interesting to see the effects of different media on the drawings ... like gouache (opaque watercolor used as a heightener), ink washes in warm and cool colors, charcoal and crayon.

"Cherub Playing with a Swan," three-color chalk, ©Jill Banks 2011

Finally, I made it to the second floor to finish up a drawing I started last year in the same spot. "Cherub Playing with a Swan" is a three-color chalk drawing created on treated paper of the lead, with traces of gilding sculpture by Jean-Baptiste Tuby I (French, 1635-1700) from the Andrew W. Mellon Collection. The gallery closes at 5:00 and we headed out of there about 5 minutes to 5pm to catch a few minutes at the Freer/Sackler (The Smithsonian's Museums of Asian Art). There's so much to see in the National Gallery (and National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum), that I haven't taken the opportunity to explore the rest of the museums here in my own backyard.

At the Freer/Sackler
I didn't explore the Asian Art -- but enjoyed many rooms of Whistlers and saw one of my favorite John Singer Sargent painting -- that I didn't know was housed here.

Wow, wow, wow! I'll be back.

John Singer Sargent's (American) "Breakfast in the Loggia" (1910) at the Freer

All day long, I thought that we really live in a beautiful city. I forget how gorgeous it really is. We walked by gorgeous gardens, listened to fountains, peeked at the Sculpture Garden, enjoyed the architecture and kids jumping in puddles. Visited museums with beautiful treasures. Ate in an idyllic spot. The rain fell and the umbrellas were pretty. And a mist fell about the monuments.  There's a lot of angst inside some of those buildings -- but outside, it's pretty darned great.

Events
August 31 - September 21: "100 Faces in 100 Days" on exhibit at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesday, August 31, 12:30 to 6:00pm, Saturdays, Noon-4pm. Additional hours will be posted on my blog.

Thursday, September 8, 7:30pm: Demo for the Vienna Arts Society, Vienna, VA. More details to come.

My Still Life and Portrait Painting & Drawing Classes are both full. See the Classes page on my web site for more information on those classes. Send me an email if you would like to receive notification of other class/workshop offerings -- what kind of courses you would be interested in, days of the week and times.

Sunday, October 2, 10am-5pm: MPA McLean Artfest, juried outdoor arts festival, McLean Community Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 15&16, 10am-5pm: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour. Major weekend long event with 47 artists from Great Falls Studios participating in a self-guided tour. I'll be in the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls. Last year, the tour drew 7200+ visitors from throughout the DC area. Don't miss it!

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 

"Becky" Three-Color Chalk Drawing Wins Award

"Becky", three-color chalk drawing by Jill Banks,  $300

I just got word that "Becky", a three-color chalk drawing has won Third Prize in the 41st Annual Treasury of Art Juried Show and Sale sponsored by the Vienna Arts Society. What's especially exciting about that award is who awarded it: juror William Woodward, a mentor of my teacher, Robert Liberace, who studied under William Woodward at GWU. I learned this three-color chalk drawing technique from Rob.

William Woodward is Professor Emeritus of Fine Art at The George Washington University where he taught and directed the painting program for graduate students.  Woodward grew up in Washington D.C., and earned his B.A. and M.A. from American University. He studied at the Corcoran College of Art and Design, and at the Accademia di Belli Arti in Florence, Italy on a Fellowship from The Leopold Shepp Foundation.

William Woodward had some very nice things to say about "Becky", too. His comments were read to me over the phone -- so I don't remember all but they will be printed in the catalog for the Show. I do remember hearing "Renaissance" and that the drawing of Becky "isn't on the paper, it's in the paper." Okay, that made me feel great!

"The Writer," oil on linen, 24"h x 20"w, $2400

This is my first time participating in the Treasury of Art show that is taking place at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street NW, Vienna, Virginia this Friday, November 19 through Sunday, November 21. Hours are: Friday, 10am-9pm; Saturday, 10am-9pm; and Sunday, noon to 4pm. There's a reception Friday night, 7-9pm with the awards being given out around 8pm. I, unfortunately, won't be there because I'm scheduled to demo at the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts "Art Night Out" fundraising gala from 7-10pm the same night. I will go by and see the show to take a look at the treasury of art.

I have two other framed pieces in the show (you could submit up to three) and two matted drawings in the bin (one from Williamsburg and one from Rome). So I hope you can stop by and take a look. Maybe take something home with you.

"Rachel," oil on linen, 14"h x 11"w, $950

"Becky", three-color chalk drawing on treated paper, and I can't remember what size -- oops, copyright Jill Banks.
"The Writer," oil on linen, 24"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks.
"Rachel," oil on linen, 14"h x 11"w, copyright Jill Banks.

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

The Best Parents

My mom and dad, Shonnie and Ken Johnson, are my best and most enthusiastic supporters. They pop in at all my many, many art events; pass on news to everyone they know (lots of people); and just clearly show how proud they are of me, of what I've done and how I've gotten here on a daily basis. They've decorated art spaces, helped hang shows, booth sat, chauffered models to and from my class, picked up and delivered paintings to shows, carried around photos of my work, catered show openings, purchased my paintings, set up still lifes (my dad's special role), and on and on. They pass on all the positive messages they receive from people who admire my work. I have a team promoting what I do -- and my parents are the head cheerleaders. It feels really good.

There have been lots of hurdles, rejections, hard times, questioning moments, etc. on the road toward establishing myself as an artist. Having my parents' unwavering support has helped me put all those things in perspective and to celebrate each accomplishment as it's occurred.

Thanks Mom and Dad!!! I love you.

The image shown above is a red and white chalk drawing on treated paper that I did of my dad. I definitely need to paint the two of them together.