The Old Brogue's Mike Kearney Is Face #66

"Mike Kearney: Face #66", oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Mike Kearney is Great Falls best-known face ... and personality. As owner of the Old Brogue Irish Pub (the neighborhood gathering spot in Great Falls, VA), he's met/talked to almost everyone in town. He's completely immersed in the community and works diligently to make our town a better place to live. (Go to celebrategreatfalls.org/index.html for more info.)

I was happy he wanted to sit for my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project.

His reasoning: The project sounded interesting. He'd never sat for a painting before. He figured I'd be good company. (I try.) It would be nice to do something different.

Today was another case of realizing that my sitter didn't know exactly what he had agreed to ... time-wise. Since this was the second time this has happened (in 66 sittings), I was cool as a cucumber and kind of sneaked reality in there. Mike adapted. (Sittings are for 3-4 hours. You do not need to stay still except very rarely. We just talk and I paint.)

While we've had many conversations in the many, many, many times Randy and I have eaten at the Brogue (over the last 23 years), I got to know him so much better this afternoon. His bio and road traveled make for a very interesting story. It was fun, too, to combine his experiences as restaurant owner with all the people I'm getting to know better through this project ... and it feels a lot like the six-degrees-of-separation thing.

When asked how it was going, I responded that I hadn't addressed his ears yet. Then I found out that Mike can wiggle his ears. Strange and not particularly useful but amusing talent.

We talked about having him hold up a pint next to his head. I suggested putting a Guinness sign back behind him. That actually would be a neat effect ... but painting a head a day is enough of a challenge.

Painting today was not a piece of cake. (Okay, it never really is ... but some days are harder than others.) I wasn't sure I had captured him but it was pretty close. Then what do I do? The painting falls and I try to catch it ... wearing a good bit of his face. It was funny, but it did take half of his eye off plus misplace a few parts.

Aiming for a solution, I pulled the mirror trick. Looked at the painting with Mike side by side in the mirror. He had to squat because he was too tall to appear in the mirror. Then tried to mimic the pose I chose by turning his head. Then squinted his eye so the half eye on my canvas matched the mirror image. I wish someone was in my studio to photograph that!

It was time to take a few photos and send Mike out the door. I gave him two full eyes. Fixed most of my mess. So here you have it.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Mike Pahner Is Face #65

"Mike Pahner: Face #65," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Mike Pahner came to sit to become today's face. #65 in my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. Mike and I met ... a number of years ago when I was in charge of exhibits for Great Falls Studios and we hung a show for the opening of the RE/MAX Gateway office in Great Falls. I remember Mike introducing himself and then asking me to take him on a tour of the exhibit. From that point on, he's come to see countless exhibits and just generally been there to support the local arts.

He took a few of my Still Life painting classes and credits me with getting him into painting and opening his eyes to what it takes to produce a beautiful piece of art. Hopefully, at some point he'll take from me again. (He was one of my best recruiters for new students and a pleasure to have in class.)

Only Mike...

We talked some about business careers, his pets (a new puppy Stonewall Jackson and a sweet cat who passed away), wild days, art, painting ...

Mike's most endearing quality (to me) is that he really is "in love" with his wife Pam. I witnessed phone calls during today's sittings (and formerly during class or other times) and they just take such great care of each other. He loves talking about her. Just beams. If I ever painted a portrait of the two of them ... that's what you'd see. (In my painting "Randy and Me," of my husband and me ... I made sure Randy was looking adoredly right at me.)

"Through the Window" Accepted in the Art League Show

"Through the Window," oil on linen, 30"h x 40"w, copyright Jill Banks 2007

Randy and I made the trip last night to the Art League to submit artwork for this month's juried show "Carnivale." Almost every month, artist members from the Washington DC area can bring in up to two paintings for possible inclusion in the exhibit. Over the years, my work has been accepted regularly (each month by a different, rather stellar juror), won Best in Show three times, and Honorable Mentions quite a few times. I thought "Through the Window" fit the theme in its celebration of life and vibrant colors ... but I'd love to have already seen and painted Venice's Carnivale celebration and entered that. That would be right up my alley. Someday.

"Through the Window" was based on a photo taken while in Florence, Italy in 2006. (My first trip to Italy.) I loved the contrasts of the ancient dulled buildings and windows of stores and restaurants overflowing with vibrant colors and warmth. I showed this painting during my solo show "Place Settings" at the Art League, January 2008.

I updated my web site's 100 Faces in 100 Days Project page yesterday so go take a look at 64 of my faces with links from each photo to the blog post about my sitters. 

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Peter Elinsky Is Face #64 Today

"Peter Elinsky: Face #64," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

First, Peter Elinsky is best known with a smirk and a smile ... but this is my easier to paint version of him.

He agreed to sit for me last minute as I made my first double-booking error ... lining up two sitters for tomorrow and none for today. Yea for Peter!

Peter's wife, Elaine Elinsky is my studiomate and Face #58. I've known both of them for a long time now and have wanted to paint the two of them (actually together) for just as long. They are a great pair ... fun and interesting to talk to and hang out with.

At the beginning of the sitting today, Peter was sans hat ... but I think this hat was calling to me. I've only painted one other face with a hat on ... my Dad (Face #11) ... and you know I love that one! Right after I started painting Peter (while he was still hatless), I ran down to my studio in Suite D to grab a couple of paintings to check scale (the size and way I was placing Face #64 on the panel). One of those happened to be my painting of my Dad. Decision made. The hat had to go on.

We had a great time talking. I had a great time painting.

Taking a look

Peter's retired from KPMG ... and is one of those people who really makes the most out of each day. He's an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law; docent at the Holocaust Museum and tutors elementary school kids. He's passionate about each.

At the end of his sitting, after I photographed him with the painting, he wanted to see the painting of Elaine alongside his. He thought that someone looking at the paintings would figure that the pair of them were good people. Indeed they are. 

Oh ... and ... I just updated my web site's 100 Faces in 100 Days Project page so go take a look at all 64 faces with links from each photo to the blog post about my sitters. 

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Toren, Age 7, Becomes Face #63

"Toren: Face #63," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Toren, my seven-year-old sitter today, has undoubtedly gotten more exercise during his "sitting" than the rest of my "Faces" subjects. He started out drawing comic strips on an easel in front of him ... as I worked on deciding what angle to draw his face. He almost became my first profile (in my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project). Then maybe a three-quarter view. Then this. What was clear is that I had a few more challenges ahead but I would just do the best I could.

After comic strips, Toren moved onto a skill game that I'd bought for (husband) Randy at Brookstone's a long time ago. That kept both Toren and his dad busy competing for the highest score. (Dad won.)

More time was spent with our slot machine (no money involved). Spying and sneaking up on us. Tickling. Laughing. Striking crazy poses and faces. Circling the studio.

One of the quieter moments...

So I'm happy to have found a semblance of Toren's face. I am relying more and more on my impressions, memory, glimpses.

Oh, I almost forgot. Toren came to the door equipped with an ice cream cone "gun". When he shot it the ice cream scoop would fly into the air until it reached the end of the string that attached scoop to cone. Shooting ice cream may have been the favorite activity.

Scene from my studio

So. Funny and fun day. Toren and his dad sure enjoyed each other's company. I'm even happy with the result and non-perfectionist Toren thought the painting was okay.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Ted Slafsky Is Face #62: Painting the Whole Family

"Ted Slafsky: Face #62," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

This is a first for my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. I've now painted the entire Slafsky family: mom (Diane, Face #46), dad (Ted, Face #62), daughter (Rachel, Face #2), and son (Adam, Face #32). It's been great to get to know each of them.

So even though I'd never met Ted before, by the time he arrived today I knew an awful lot about him and his life ... just through the words of the rest of the family. During Rachel's sitting, I learned that if I set up a TV in my studio with the game on, Ted could sit there forever. And although I didn't comply with the suggestion, Ted confirmed their hunch. Since I'm trying to discover a bit about each person, not just render their face ... I want/need the interaction.

The sitting did go well. We took some extra breaks (which is good for me, too), and Ted saw the painting in many different stages and it passed in each. In the end, he loved it. That made me happy!

We had really interesting conversations. Ted talked about his mom who had worked at the Rhode Island School of Design ... and who had helped with fundraising to support WaterFire Providence (copyright) (an award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans) as a community-pride-worthy spectacular arts event in Providence, Rhode Island. That's my poor explanation of something I'm now dying to see for myself. Barnaby Evans has constructed (with support from the community) 100 bonfires on the river at Waterplace Park. Go to the website: www.waterfire.org for more info and pictures. Providence was already someplace I wanted to visit. (Because of its thriving art community and beautiful light.) Now, I know I need to schedule a visit during WaterFire season.

Ted and I had been talking about where I might exhibit/what I can do to promote my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project ... and Ted figured that his mom would be a very good person to talk to for brilliant ideas. I'm all for that. My brilliant ideas are dimmed a bit by a tight schedule and consuming (but great) project.

One of those thoughts that do keep running through my brain with this project is how much we benefit from talking to other people. Again, not surface ... weather talk ... but more about their general outlook. We just have a lot to learn from each other. Just this part -- having long discussions with people I know and strangers -- has enriched my life. Really. Truly. I work at giving as much as I get. In other words, I've learned a lot in life that can help others and I offer that. With this project, many times I'm passing on the wisdom of some of my sitters. A big circle.

This is one really neat family... I'm so glad I've gotten to know.

I'm planning on bringing my web site up to date in the next couple of days on my project page. Coming soon.

Tomorrow I'm painting one of my face's seven-year-old son. Looking forward to it. I have two four year old "volunteers" out on the horizon ... and I keep wondering how to handle those sittings. One's a girl. One's a boy. Two different families. Any ideas?  Anyone who's tried to paint/draw something this age from life? What activity would keep them engaged for a good length of time?

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435 

Tamara Gribach Is Face #61: Funny Day Today

"Tamara Gribach: Face #61," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Tamara is part of the Gribach family, my parents' Russian friends. Her husband, Vladimir, and daughter, Zoya will also be part of my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project.

The day started with my wondering where Tamara was. I had sent her an email yesterday about where I'd be painting her (I have multiple studios and I don't know far in advance where I'll want to be). She didn't get my email so she was looking everywhere around the Artists' Atelier (my studio in Great Falls, VA) while I was hanging out in my home studio. Soon I get the phone call with Tamara's Russian accent, "Jill, where are you?" She had gone into fellow artist and former studiomate Adrienne Kralick's gallery and had asked about me in there ... and a bunch of folks there asked if she was today's "face." Pretty funny. A bunch of them have already been painted and others are scheduled to sit for my project. Tamara must have wondered how all of them knew.

She did make it to my door. My goal was getting her to relax and get down to this painting business.

Tamara makes it to almost all of my art "events" -- exhibits, studio tours, outdoor shows, you name it. A tradition is that she brings me a chocolate bar as a present. Today she brought two. Pretty cute.

We make it into my studio and I point to the chair for Tamara to sit in and I go over to my easel to set up. Tamara wants to switch the easel and the chair -- because I look much more beautiful standing at the easel than I would sitting in the chair. It was all about the light. I'd never had someone contest where I'd asked them to sit before. New territory. I did agree to play along to compare Tamara standing behind the easel and her sitting in the designated chair. Behind the easel, there were hardly any shadows (something she liked) and that made her skin tone more beautiful. But, that crammed me into a corner with my easel so I couldn't back up and those shadows help (a lot) in drawing/blocking in the portrait. I accepted those two challenges and proceeded, i.e., we switched places. I'm not usually that pliable.

Hmmm....

We spent four hours having fun talking and trying to figure out what the other one was saying. Someone should have taped us.

Despite the language challenges, we really had a very deep and beautiful conversation.

Tamara was working hard to convince me that as much laughing as she was doing, that I should show her not so serious. But I'm seeing a lot of potential paintings of each person who sits for me. We have many facets to our personality and I have to pick one view in. Since portraying my sitters laughing or showing a huge smile is about three times the work for me and requires I work from photos versus life, I rarely choose that expression. More time is spent with sitters thinking. Pensive, talking, relaxed. I paint that. It brings you closer, I believe, to that soul in front of me.

Tamara did say she thought that (my painting) was probably how she looked when she was working to find a translation for a Russian phrase or seeking an English word. And, she did a lot of that.

What a treat today was. I cherish it.

The show at the Artists' Atelier (the studio I share with 16 other artists) looks terrific. Since you missed tonight's First Friday, visit on Saturday open hours, noon to 4pm at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066 throughout March. (I'll be painting at home in the morning tomorrow but will make it for part of the afternoon.)

As wonderful as my 100 Faces Project is ... it wreaks havoc on the rest of my schedule. I was talking tonight to artist Claudia Samper about wanting to paint tulips ... and she said something about "why not, with the two minutes of time you're wasting." Pretty accurate.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Brenda Drake Is Face #60 Today: 40 More To Go!

"Brenda Drake: Face #60," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

If you read yesterday's post, you know I hadn't lined up a sitter for today until last night. The problem was solved when Randy and I went to dinner at the Old Brogue Irish Pub (Great Falls, VA) and ate in the Snuggery to see Brenda Drake's new exhibit. Guess who we ran into and who I grabbed for today's sitting? Not a tough puzzle. Brenda was already on my list of potential 100 Faces volunteer ... but she's been really busy getting ready for this exhibit ... so elusive as to scheduling until last night. Desperation helps ... plus I figured she could use a little rest and sitting for an alla prima portrait is pretty restful.

Brenda Drake is a fellow artist, studiomate, buddy of mine. We haven't been spending much time together in the studio for awhile, so this was a nice chance to catch up ... and one on one is the best way to do that.

We talked about family, painting, a book she's reading on de Kooning (about his life story), lots of stuff. Painting was easy and fun. A new, more relaxed person (me) arrived at the easel today. My sitters (especially Laura Nichols (Face #57), Elaine Elinsky (Face #58) and Christine Flack (Face #51)) have been teaching me my own lesson. That this project is about spending time with my sitters -- enjoying each other's company, enjoying painting from life, and potentially teaching myself something in the process. I've been taking the end result way too seriously and agonizing over painting if it doesn't turn out the way I want it to. I don't really think I can turn that off completely (personal pride, wanting to pay tribute to these very special people who come sit for me, etc gets in the way) ... but if I can look at it like I'm breaking the "deal" I've made with my sitters and myself about this project, maybe I can "move on" better. Each sitter is doing me a favor by sitting for me. It's not a very nice thank you if I appear to have been tortured by them.

One of the destructive aspects of trying too hard to end up with a more satisfactory result is that I spend lots of extra hours "fixing" and wear myself out for the next session. That appears not to do anyone any good.

Today I feel refreshed. Everything looks possible again. I'm more together and can manage some catch-up tasks and get ready to conquer tomorrow. Pretty great. Of course ... I'm happy with my painting of Brenda so I haven't had to pass a test today.

"Four By Four" Exhibit at the Atelier

"New York State of Mind", oil, 40"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2010

Featuring four works each by four Atelier artists: Jill Banks (me), Nancy Keane, Michela Mansuino, Mollie Vardell ... new in the gallery for the month of March.
Plus, the Bird Show 
See it First Friday, March 4, 7-9pm for an opening reception and Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in.
1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Works I have in the show include urban interiors and exteriors including:
"New York State of Mind"
"Dining Al Fresco"
"Tea Party" (painting done on location at the Old Brogue)
"Colleen's Boys" (also painted on location at the Old Brogue)

"Dining Al Fresco", oil 24"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009

This mini exhibit is a bit of a conversation with you. There's always a sense of becoming as an artist. I love urban streets and settings and have been working more and more toward capturing those moments from life ... with a little help from photographs and a lot of help from my memory. My Brogue paintings were giant steps in this direction. I hope that my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project is a huge leap to preparing me for this new journey. Come see.




Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"The Tea Party," oil, 20"h x 16"w, Jill Banks 2010

"Colleen's Boys," oil, 16"h x 20"w, Jill Banks 2010

Richard Suib Is Face #59

"Richard Suib: Face #59", oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Richard Suib, digital artist and husband of Mary Suib (Face #56),  came to sit for me today. He'd warned me in advance that he has the tendency to fidget (which I knew before inviting him). We were both correct about that and the process was therefore, definitely more challenging. I was using the session to both enjoy Richard's company, but also to exercise my mental/visual muscles to memorize or freeze a "frame." I think I did remarkably well and call the session a success.

Take a look at Richard's web site to see his work that generally starts with photography as a "jumping off point." See www.richardsuibimages.com.

Our discussions spanned Richard's travels and experiences researching, designing and managing exhibits throughout the world. He's been almost everywhere with only two spots where he'd rather not ever return. I won't fill in the blanks. That can be a question for him.

We talked about not ever wanting to retire. Neither of us would ever want to ... Why would we ever want to stop what we love and seem to need to do? Mary's the same way ... pursuing her dream of acting as much now as when Richard and Mary met ... quite awhile ago.

Richard had no desire to see the painting before it was done, although I did convince him to take a look at it once. All of my sitters are different ... and sometimes it seems to be a good idea to show a work in progress, and other times not. I think for Richard, our session was just about sitting there, helping me out by providing me with a fresh face, and seeing if it turned out looking something like himself.

"Four By Four" Exhibit at the Atelier

Featuring four works each by four Atelier artists: Jill Banks (me), Nancy Keane, Michela Mansuino, Mollie Vardell ... new in the gallery for the month of March.
Plus, the Bird Show 
See it First Friday, March 4, 7-9pm for an opening reception and Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in.
1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Onions and Tomatoes" Painting Today Plus More

A New Still Life Painting

"Onions and Tomatoes," oil on Raymar panel, 10"h x 8"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

I painted a little bit today ... this extra setup I put together for my Still Life painting class. I didn't want to pass it by plus it was a nice mini demo for some of my students who had been finishing up their paintings. (Except I wasn't talking much.)

Just something fun in addition to my 100 Faces Project. It was a little risky painting this before my scheduled sitting with Elaine Elinsky ... because I'm trying to protect my energy level. I probably paid the price today but it was fun anyway.

An Invitation Arrived Today

I've been invited to join the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club (www.clwac.org) as a Full Member ... which is quite a nice honor that I'll be accepting. I need to send them a bio and portfolio ... but the invite is based on having been juried into multiple Annual Juried Exhibitions hosted by the club at the National Art Club in NYC. My first time there I'd won an award for "Tea with Anne", a portrait of Anne Heilman.

New "Four by Four" Exhibit at the Artists' Atelier

Tomorrow, we'll be hanging a special "Four by Four" exhibit, four paintings each by four of the Atelier artists: Nancy Keane, Michela Mansuino, Mollie Vardell and me (Jill Banks). Come to the opening reception during our First Friday, March 4, 7-9pm at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Or see it during regular open hours on Saturdays, noon-4pm.

Lots of my Faces will be on display during this month, too ... and my lease on my downstairs studio space (Suite D) ... where my Faces currently reside ... runs out at the end of March. So, see them now. Otherwise you'll be waiting until my 100 Faces exhibit in May to see many of them together.

So, some very good reasons for you to join us this Friday. Hope to see you there.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435 

Elaine Elinsky is Face #58

"Elaine Elinsky: Face #58", oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Elaine Elinsky, fellow super artist, fellow studiomate and buddy, patiently sat for me today to become face #58 in my 100 Faces in 100 Days project. This isn't exactly the funny, wise, fun, cool Elaine that I know ... but it's a piece of her.

Elaine told me to go home, rest and "do not dare" touch this afterwards and I obeyed. Thank you, Elaine! I needed a "talking to."

Elaine's paintings are beautiful and ethereal. She's been my studiomate for lots of years now and we work catty-corner from each other at the Artists' Atelier in Great Falls. I love painting away knowing she's in her corner doing the same.

It was fun, today, too learning more about Elaine and her family and her story. I look forward to looking up her brother and his stained glass business in London this April. She couldn't be prouder of him ... and I can't wait to witness why for myself.

We had lots of fun. (Despite being pooped.)

I'm coming to the deadline for posting so that's about it for now. I did paint a little painting from still life class today that I'll try to get up here tonight ... so check back. 

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435