Face 9 Today, 91 Faces to Go

"Bob Gilbert", 12"h x 12"w, oil on board, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Bob Gilbert, my first painter of my faces, sat for me today as Face #9. It wasn't all smooth sailing and my biggest concern was when he was talking about a conversation he had about my project with his wife. Nancy was asking him all sorts of questions ... and one was "how is she going to complete a portrait in one or two hours"? Uh-oh.

These sittings are anywhere from two-and-a-half hours (rarely) to four hours (pretty common). When I originally listed what I planned to do, my resolutions for 2011, I thought sittings would be from one to two hours. You've got to be careful what you type.

So, Bob sat for about two hours and forty minutes and I wasn't quite done. I then worked a good while from a photo before shooing myself home to fix dinner and get ready for my first day of portrait class tomorrow. (And to post this blog.)

Bob's another fellow member of Great Falls Studios. He's drawn to painting cityscapes, particularly of NYC ... like I am. You can catch his solo show this month (January 2011) at the Great Falls Library (Great Falls, VA).

These sittings really afford the opportunity to get to know each person in a way we rarely do. Bob talked about his career in the Air Force (I didn't even know he had been in the military) and what he enjoyed about it. We had funny discussions about fixing things around the house. All sorts of topics.

What's fascinating is how easily the conversations flow.

Tomorrow my father-in-law, Drate Banks becomes Face #10 as he models for the first day of my Portrait class. I always give a demo on the first day. This time it will be a continuation of my Faces project. Future weeks I will have someone sit for me right after class so I don't miss a day.

The big question lately is who's going to be Face #100. I hadn't thought of that ... but it's sort of like being the 1000th customer. It's hard to imagine my 100th day at the moment.

Thanks, Bob, for sitting today.

"Bob Gilbert," Face #9, oil on Raphael linen-lined board, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011.

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

Mom is Face 8, 100 Faces in 100 Days Project

"Mom", Face #8 of 100, oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Today was fun! Okay, you've heard that before.

Face #8 is none other than my Mom, Shonnie Johnson, numero uno Mom, art agent, friend, wife (to Dad), Nana (to lucky grandkids), neighbor (to all those Stratford House folks) ... and awfully cute, to boot. The hardest critic for my paintings of Mom is my Dad who thinks she's so beautiful that nothing I can create in paint can hold a candle to her. That's probably true.

But I tried.

She sat super still. She's had training as a model for one of my previous Portrait classes. This is NOT a requirement for my 100 Faces in 100 Days project, but she did it anyway. I did take a little lunch break sitting in the chair I set up for her ... and I admit that it was awfully comfy.

Mom walking around the Artists' Atelier, my shared studio

It was great to have some extended visiting time. It's impossible to get enough. 

Dad is going to be Face #11. He agreed to model for me after my Still Life class next week. What he doesn't know (even though my Mom and I are both telling him), is that he's going to enjoy this just as much as I am. It's a reprieve from all those things he has to do ... and some nice time making his daughter happy.

I'm filling up my Faces calendar a little at a time  and have a schedule opening for this coming Friday, January 14 in the afternoon and Sunday, January 16, also in the afternoon, both probably at 2pm. I've had lots of volunteers that I just need to assign to a particular day.

My Mom sat for me for about four hours. The range has been between 2-1/2 to 4 hours. I've been asked whether I think I'll speed up the more I do ... and I just don't know but my guess is that it will stay about the same. The span of time required seems to be less about the model than about me. I have been using the full time lately, though, because I spend more time in the Open Grisaille stage ... laying in the darks only (in a mix of transparent oxide red and French ultramarine blue) to nail my drawing. As soon as the darks are put down, it matters very little how much my sitter moves. After that, I am just looking for the colors of her/his skin tones and clothing in the light.

Open Grisaille stage ... just starting to add in the lights

I did take a shot of my painting of Mom as I was just beginning to lay in the lights. I keep my darks thin paint (just less of it -- I don't use any medium) and use thicker paint on my lights.

All of these paintings are being done on 12" x 12" Raphael oil-primed, linen-lined boards. They are a bit tricky, but I like them. The trickiness comes from their smooth, oil-primed texture. Paint is not absorbed at all and the hard, smooth surface makes every single brushstroke show. There's an upside to this, too. Brushstrokes are pretty beautiful in and of themselves ... and I think the "craziness" of them just adds energy and life to each of these paintings.

There are two more openings in my Portrait Painting and Drawing class that starts this coming Monday, January 10. The class is weekly from 10am-1pm for nine weeks and I give a demo in the first session. (The demo will be of Face #10: my Father-in-Law, Drate Banks.) See my web site's Classes page for more info and email me if you're interested. Classes are held through the Great Falls School of Art at 1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA 22066. I hope you can join us!

Learn more about my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project on earlier blog posts or on my web site. I'm adding links to each day's Face back to the blog post for their day. Interesting. A bit of work but a great way to get to know more about them. My mom's not on there yet, but she will be.

I'm curious, too, what you see (those of you following this project). I know it's only the beginning of week two ... but is there a change? A common thread? Something you want to know more or less about?

Thanks, MOM for ALL you do ... including sitting for me!

"Mom", Face #8 in my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project, oil on Raphael board, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011.

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

Face 7 Today, 93 Faces To Go

"Will Tuthill", Face #7 of My 100 Faces Project, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Today's "Face" (in my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project -- read more about this in earlier posts and on my web site) is Will Tuthill, an incredibly talented lithographer who also happens to be a fascinating person. Both of us are probably hoarse today (I know I am), because we're not used to talking this much.

Will actually has two eyes. Nice ones. But this shadowed side lends a bit of mystery (there is that about Will) and I like the lack of detail in the shadows. Just one interesting shape and every time I added a detail there ... it felt wrong and I took it out.

Sometimes I don't want to finish too soon, because I'm enjoying the process, the conversation, just painting. That was true today but I also had to get ready (sort of) for our First Friday Student Exhibit and Awards Ceremony that took place tonight. It was GREAT!!!

My New Faces Wall in My Studio

My New Faces Wall

Yesterday, Randy constructed some shallow shelves in my downstairs studio at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA) as a perch for my 100 Faces Project. Having just completed my seventh face in time for our studio's First Friday opening, it was I nice premiere of sorts. I can only fit 21 faces at one time ... so three weeks' worth but they are so much more powerful in person, and keeping each other company.

Recognize Dorry (Face #1)?

Two of my "faces" came to the party tonight: Dorry (Face #1) and Tina (Face #5 and fellow studiomate). How neat!

Student Show Awards Reception

The Great Falls School of Art's Student Show opened tonight with awards given in both the youth and adult categories. Our juror was Suzanne Twyford, an accomplished, award-winning artist who carefully considered her selections. Nancy Keane won 1st with her "Armillary and Peaches" painting and Begona Morton won 3rd with her painting "Waiting for Tea" -- both from my Still Life class. Both of these paintings are outstanding. Tough subjects. Big challenges. Huge lessons and a great payoff. (Two beautiful paintings and pushing themselves toward being better painters.) Congratulations!!! And congratulations to all the students who submitted work, took a class, and exhibited in this show.

Nancy Keane and family with her 1st Prize winner

Not to be pushy or anything, but my classes start next week (Monday, January 10 is the first day of my portrait class and Tuesday, January 11 is the first day of my Still Life class). There's still room in my portrait class. Get more info on my web site ... on the classes page.

Begona Morton and family with her award-winning painting

Honorable Mention in This Month's Art League All-Media Membership Exhibit

My painting, "Sunflowers in My Studio," (24"h x 18"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2010) won an honorable mention in the Art League show this month. My first award for 2011!!! Think that's a sign? I haven't seen the show yet, but I hear "Sunflowers" are hanging in a prime spot. There's an award reception next Thursday, January 13, 6:30-8:30pm that I may attend. We'll see. I feel a little bit like I'm running in a marathon with my Faces Project and am very protective of my energy level. I'm hoping that this will become more and more routine and easier for those paintings to just be one part of what I do each day. It's even been tough to grocery shop, cook, think ahead.


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

Face 6, Day 6: 100 Faces in 100 Days

"Jan Heginbotham", Face #6 of my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project

A quicker post than usual ... but I've still got oodles to do today and not oodles of time. Hopefully, I'll add more later today.

Jan Heginbotham, a sculptor in my Great Falls Studios group, sat for me today ... and became my Face #6. I'm thinking that it was about 3 hours total ... but we chatted for a good while just because we've traveled a number of the same roads. (House renovation, time in Philadelphia, comparing sculpting -- which I've done some of -- to painting -- which Jan has done some of.)

See Jan's work on her web site.

She did an outstanding job sitting. Tina (Face #5) was there to tell Jan I say that to everyone. Thanks, Tina.

Two Jan's: The painting looks bigger than it is from this view.

I took this photo with the easel right next to Jan (not where I was painting from). The camera view is misleading making my painting seem huge. Each one is 12"h x 12"w. Randy's in the studio right now installing shelves that I can lean these on as I go along.

Come take a look tomorrow for First Friday, 7-9pm at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA. We've hung the Great Falls School of Art Student Show in the upstairs gallery and there's an award reception for it. Plus you'll see my first week's worth of faces, including tomorrow's model. Wet paint warning.

"Jan Heginbotham," Face #6, oil on Raphael linen-lined panel, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011.

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

What I Learned on Day 5 of My 100 Faces in 100 Days Project

"Tina Learned" is Face #5 of my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project

Well, today was a blast!!! I may soon be on fun overload.

Tina Learned, a fellow artist, buddy, studiomate sat for me today. She made the mistake of sending me an email yesterday (last night) saying she'd be willing to sit and asked when I would like her to come. I chose today. Volunteers get hired rapidly around here.

She was worried about being able to sit still and I think awfully glad that sitting still wasn't a requirement. (But she ended up being pretty calm and comfortable by Tina standards.)

This time I set up in my studio at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA) because I figured that was more convenient for Tina and we were doing receiving for the Student Show  from the Great Falls School of Art today -- and then hanging the show at the Atelier.  So, a change in venue was in order. There we had the added dynamics of numerous visitors, lots of artists in the Atelier, etc. It was a bustling place and Tina and I were still enjoying our own little world as a microcosm of that.

Two Tina's ... I don't remember her looking that demure.

So, what I learned today was:

• I want to get a copy of "Real Simple" magazine and make the recipe for Chicken with White Beans and Tomatoes.  (Tina had a copy and was oohing and aahing about that one.)
• This project gives me purpose and simply demands discipline. I know exactly what (actually who in this case) I'm painting the next day. I know when I need to have a clean paintbrush, prepared palette and canvas set up at my easel, ready to go. Once my painting session starts, I keep going until that painting is complete (with breaks for my models and me, as needed). There's no being sucked into a phone conversation, emails, social media, etc. I'm accountable to someone else and myself. Pretty wonderful, right???
• I'm suddenly decisive. Any questions about what to wear or how's the hair or should I add a scarf -- I now know the answers. My instincts are taking over.

This alla prima (painted all at once, in one sitting) portrait was completed in two hours and forty-five minutes. It was easy, fun, no angst.

I'm getting fantastic comments on these posts plus a boatload of emails. You have no idea how excited I am to get my portrait volunteer emails. I have so many wonderful faces I get to look forward to paint!!!!! Thank you, all. I heard from Rachel's mom that Rachel (Face #2) is following my blog and progress and Rachel's mom is thrilled. Dorry's sister, Kerry, thinks I've captured Dorry (Face #1) to a tee and would be happy to sit except she lives 8000 miles away. Cindy Grisdela (Face #4) wrote a wonderful post about her sitting experience that you have to read. (Cindy's web site.) (Dorry did, too ... in case you missed it.)

I have tomorrow and Friday scheduled ... and have to schedule the rest of the 93 days ... although I'll do those a little at a time. I believe that I have around 32 volunteers (including the 5 faces I already painted) ... assuming that daughters, sons, husbands of those I talked to really agree to sit. Maybe more. But, there are 100 Faces ... so obviously I still need plenty more. I get the feeling that the more I do, the more volunteers will pop forward. This is just too much fun to pass up.

Read more about my project on my web site and on previous blog posts.

By the way ... I did do more today. I fit in many hours of painting on my "Piazza di Michelangelo" painting in progress and I may post again later today. I'm simply loving it and it makes me want to go back there (Florence, Italy) so much!!!!!! It's enchanting.

Or, I might just concentrate on my scheduling duties or some art business ... or fixing dinner and eating.

"Tina Learned: Face #5", oil on Raphael oil-primed linen-lined board, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
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

100 Faces in 100 Days: Day Four "Cindy"

"Cindy," 100 Faces in 100 Days, Day Four, 12"h x 12"w, oil on panel

Today's volunteer for my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project is Cindy Grisdela, fellow artist, friend and oftentimes cohort in Great Falls Studios art shows and other regional shows in the DC area. Cindy's award-winning work ... she creates art quilts ... is stunning. We've had many booths side by side which is a joy. First, we're friends. Second, her work shows beautifully and our work looks great together. You'll need to go to her web site and blog and just see for yourself.

This is another one that I painted and worked on a bit after our session. We talked and laughed enough during the session, I just couldn't "commit" to Cindy's mouth. A serious expression wouldn't do. So, here it is. A good depiction of today's visit.

Not like you can tell, but this is me painting Cindy. Time to straighten up the studio.

Two comments. One, I asked Cindy what made her volunteer to sit for my project ... and the answer was that one of her New Year's resolutions was to try something new this year. (That's one part. There's more.) I know I'm only in Day Four and son Sam was told he had to sit for me ... but this is a common thought. This is a different experience and most who know me or my work figure that I won't screw up the task completely...  I think, on day four, no one regrets their decision yet. (So email me to volunteer. I need 100!!!)

Second, Cindy and I sat down for a snack after the painting session and I put placemats on the table. Cindy was examining them carefully. They were quilted! My observation: artists look at everything in the world with such a different eye. It's just that much more fascinating. When was the last time you looked at the stitching on a placemat?

Read more about my project on earlier posts. (I also just added a page to my web site about it ... which I'll update from time to time with new faces and info. See a link from my home page.) Still looking for plenty of volunteers. Interested? Email me. Also, my classes (portrait and still life) start this coming Monday and Tuesday, January 10 & 11. See more info on my web site, classes page.

"Cindy", 12"h x 12"w, oil on Raphael lined board, copyright Jill Banks 2011.

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

100 Faces in 100 Days: Sam

I've got to run ... to clean up and head to the Art League for receiving. My palette needs cleaning as do my brushes ... as do I before tomorrow's session.

Here's my son Sam. Face #3. Sam's avoided being painted for about 8 years. I don't know how he did it. But, he couldn't escape this time.

Read more about my project in earlier posts.

"Sam", oil on Raphael linen-lined board, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011.

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

100 Faces in 100 Days: Day Two

"Rachel", 100 Faces in 100 Days: Day Two, oil on board, 12"h x 12"w

Wow. Today was wonderful. I chose my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project as one of my goals for this year because I spent time thinking about those moments/days/times that I felt most alive and energized as a painter. Guess when those were?  Answer: Whenever I had the great privilege to paint someone who was sitting right in front of me. My chances to do so came in classes I took in portraiture and figure or when I'd hire a model to give a demo or teach class. A few times, a group of us from my studio (the Artists' Atelier, working studios of 17 artists located at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA) would hire a professional model to come sit for us for five or six sessions, once a week. But, it's been awhile and I missed it!!! Painting from life is awfully close to what I hope heaven is like. So much fun. So inspiring. A chance to talk and really get to know someone else in such an easy, comfortable setting.

Rachel with "Rachel"

Today's model for Face #2 is Rachel, a ten-year-old who sat for me for about two-and-a-half hours. She serenaded her mom and me with the clarinet at the end of the sitting ... which was great. Rachel and her mom (Diane) and I talked about who else in the family might be good candidates for my faces project. I know that Diane will sit (sometime soon) and that maybe I'll see Rachel's brother (age 8) and possibly her dad.

It was fun to witness Diane and Rachel's discussions. Just easygoing, interesting, fun, full of good humor. I have a mirror set up behind my easel so both of them could see me working away and the canvas in progress. I stop and show what I'm doing and explain the process or how I break down lights and darks, etc. But mainly I share my joy at having them there to paint.

Another view. The shorter chair was for Rachel's clarinet concert.

I did have an a-ha moment last night ... and the night before that.

My a-ha moment last night (while I was half asleep) was that I need to get back to the way I developed alla prima (painted all at once, in one sitting) portraits previously (as in Robert Liberace and Danni Dawson's classes at the Art League and workshops taken at Studio Incamminati) versus a do-everything-at-once approach I'd adopted briefly ... perhaps in panic. Today I laid in the darks, all in one shade (a mix of transparent red oxide and French ultramarine blue) and solidified my drawing in this simple step. When I was satisfied, I moved on to my lights. That's exactly how I've approached the portrait for almost-countless demos. Do what you know. So, my a-ha moment is sort of a ... duh.

Yet it worked.

So much easier.  By the way, I am happy with my portrait of Dorry as Face #1 yesterday -- it was just harder to get there. That's how I learn, though. Even if learning is re-learning.

I'm getting volunteers ... not enough yet ... so contact me. The hardest times to fill will be toward the beginning of this project because I've had so little time to get the word "out." All ages, shapes, sizes, personalities, ethnicities, energies ... I want you. (Email me ... call.)

This project is about the process. The time we get to spend together letting each other into the other's lives. An exciting time for me as a painter.

While I have no immediate plans (or venues) ... I'm sure I will exhibit these as a whole somewhere. I'll post each day my Face of the Day on my blog. I'll most likely publish a book. (Can't imagine not doing that.)

So, I'm not sure who I'm painting tomorrow ... or the next day ... but I imagine a grand time. Can't wait to get up in the morning. Can't wait to get started.

Thanks, Rachel!!! Thanks, Diane!!!!

Take a look at earlier posts for more info on my project.

"Rachel", 100 Faces in 100 Days: Day 2, oil on Raphael linen-lined panel, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011. (All portraits will be on the same support; same size; similar proportions. And, by the way, don't sweat what to wear -- just a little will show -- or looking photo-perfect. I'm not taking a photo and I don't see "perfectly.")

And, in case you missed it ... here's Dorry's account of providing Face #1... Dorry writes a blog as well and wrote about today's events as providing my First Face on the first day of the New Year. It provides an interesting perspective of just how much torture I'll subject you to.  Check it out here. Warning. I've been captured in my painter's smock. Several times.

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

100 Faces in 100 Days: Day One

"Dorry", 12"h x 12"w, oil on Raphael linen-lined board

 1/1/11

Kindly, Dorry became Face #1 today, sitting for me for over four hours. (Yea, Dorry!!!) I'm looking to paint whoever will agree to sit for me for the pleasure of doing something a bit different and talk art and life in the meanwhile. This project is one of my resolutions for 2011, a project that lets me enjoy painting people from life ... the most fun I get to have as a painter.

Yet, this is hard work. I did continue working on this after Dorry had left ... something I really don't want to do ... but I simply had to. I'm still a bit rusty having not been in a regular painting routine from holidays, house fixing-up, etc. It's funny how you have to relearn your own process and regain your painting "muscles" after a break. Okay, it's not really funny.

Dorry and I had an interesting conversation. Conversations flow easily when you're creating art. How many times do you spend four hours doing nothing but talk??? I swear that it's very, very good for the soul.

I am definitely looking for volunteers to fill in my calendar for 2011. A mom and daughter are coming tomorrow to sit and come Monday I have a chair to fill. Please email me if you're interested. Thanks!!!

I will be working on these alla prima (painted all at once, in one sitting) portraits and my other regular paintings -- so the portraits won't stop me from painting still lifes, NYC and Italian street scenes, etc. But, first I have to get this project well underway and manageable.

So, not yet.

"Dorry", 12"h x 12"w, oil on Raphael linen-lined board, copyright Jill Banks 2011.

And this just in... Dorry writes a blog as well and wrote about today's events as providing my First Face on the first day of the New Year. It provides an interesting perspective of just how much torture I'll subject you to.  Check it out here. Warning. I've been captured in my painter's smock. Several times.

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