Other Tasks Today

Despite the impression my photo gives, the photos in the magazine look great!

Prompted by necessity and a very amusing article on Fine Art Views Online newsletter (yesterday's by Carolyn Henderson titled "Goat Hooves," I've been taking care of some of my mounting "to do's" today. I actually know a lot more this evening than I did when I woke up ... about book publishing, converting files, etc. Not exciting stuff, but it helps in the long run.

So no creative juices flowing today, but I have been thinking a lot about my 100 Faces book and working on re-photographing my 100 Faces. Given that, I suppose the fact that I just shot two awful photos of the spread about my project in élan Magazine's July 2011 issue ... might just scare you. But here the photos are anyway. I dropped my magazine while photographing it. Thus, the wrinkles.

The article on my 100 Faces project in July 2011 issue of élan Magazine

Oh well.


August Exhibit of the 100 Faces in 100 Days Project at the Artists' Atelier
I'll soon be hanging the second exhibit of these 100 Faces (or 101) at the Artists' Atelier to be on view from August 1-31. You are cordially invited to visit (I'll establish open hours and post those on my web site and here on the blog) and especially invited for the two main events.

Jill Banks' 100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibit -- August 1-31, 2011
Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm

Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm
At the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Read more about the 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

"July Peaches" In Progress, Perseverance and More

"July Peaches" work in progress, oil on linen, 18"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

I get the feeling I'm posting this ... just to avoid for a bit longer the ridiculous to do list I typed up for myself today. (I did tackle a bit of it.)

Peaches and Perseverance
"July Peaches" are in progress. Day three today. Day one, painted on July 2 was full of promise. Day two, which happened to be July 3rd was an absolute disaster of proportions I haven't witnessed in awhile. Thus, there are no photos -- or evidence of day two. Phew.

It was on that infamous day two that I decided to completely change everything I had "accomplished" on day one ... and add in the flag as a compositional tool and a nod to July 4th. It created a different form of fireworks. I went home with my head down, accepting that day was a defeat. A smarter me would have left that painting after day one, let it dry for a few days and resume work when ... if I got in trouble, I could "erase" the new day's work. Okay. Next time.

 So I let it sit. And worked at it today with replacement models in a different studio. I have more work to do ... as in stars on the flag, the second peach ... and painting the heck out of those dangling peach leaves. But, I'm not doing it tomorrow.

"Conversations: 100 Faces in 100 Days" Article in élan Magazine 

The July 2011 issue of élan Magazine includes my first-person article about my 100 Faces in 100 Days project. It's beautifully laid out by Art Director Jean Davis ... and I was very relieved to see that my photos -- of so many of my faces -- turned out well in print. I've been working on improving my skills, and equipment for photographing my own art particularly for this project -- so I can have all the images I need -- for the web, book, press, etc. But, it's a scary leap. And doing your own photography can go terribly wrong. So, phew again.

I'll get permission first -- but hopefully will put the article up on my web site ... so those that don't get elan have a chance to get a peek. For my 100 Faces volunteers, the following of you have your paintings pictured ... in some way accompanying the article:

8-year-old Jack
Nancy Keane
Mollie Vardell
Anjanette Murphy
Walt Lawrence
Jim Devine
Trish Gaitan
Danni Lougee
Scott Anger
Diane Slafsky
Ben
Jack Platt
Richard Kelly
Barbara Marhofer
John Smith
Doris Leadbetter
Christine Flack
Janet Armour
Stephen Klagholz
Marlene Grim
Pamela Grim
Sue Bennett
8-year old Adam
Frank Gugino
Joan Devine
Trina Myers
Jane Anne Houser
Robert (Bob) Simon
Drate Banks (my father-in-law)
Ken Johnson (my dad)
Joan Haynes (my parents' pastor)
Oscar Haynes
Anne Guerin
Judith St. Ledger-Roty (my former studio mate)
Six-and-a-half-month old Bailey
Patti Chisholm
Jon Fisher
Laura Nichols
Vladimir Gribach
Sam Banks (my son)
... and Sally Simms

Plus face #101, David Reynolds, publisher of élan Magazine who sat during my demo day for the first 100 Faces exhibit in May at the Great Falls Library. He's pictured on the Word from the Editor section, p. 14. The article starts on p. 28.

I'll soon be hanging the second exhibit of these 100 Faces (or 101) at the Artists' Atelier to be on view from August 1-31. You are cordially invited to visit (I'll establish open hours and post those on my web site and here on the blog) and especially invited for the two main events.

Jill Banks' 100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibit -- August 1-31, 2011
Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm

Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm
At the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066

Read more about the 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

"The Olive Seller" Painting Continues

Day two on "The Olive Seller" work in progress, oil on linen, 18"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

This one ("The Olive Seller" from the Portabello Road Market in London) will take a bit ... but I enjoyed spending the day painting olives and spoons. I could think of worse ways to spend the afternoon. There's more detail in the foreground than I normally put in, but it's subtle. I added in a few pimentos. First time for that.

The real news of the day ... for me ... is that Mary Beth Gaiarin, one of my star students, moved to Italy and started a blog about paintings and other adventures in a small vineyard in Italy. My whole class, including me, have separation anxiety, and while this isn't as good as having Mary Beth right in front of us ... it's great to have a chance to keep up with her through her writing and art. You can follow along with me at www.gaiarin.com.

 She wrote to me that she wishes I was there. Well, I wish I was there. (Who wouldn't?)

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

Painting on the Waterfront in Old Town Alexandria

"On the Waterfront," oil on panel, 10"h x 8"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

I spent a great morning and early afternoon hanging out in and around one of my favorite spots ... outside the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria. It was one of what I hope to be many get-togethers of the Plein Air Painters of the Art League. There were four of us there today ... Jean Schwartz, Jack Dyer, Vicki Blum and me. Visitors seemed to enjoy having us there and to check out the paintings in progress.

For a little while, my painting starts look crazy ... where I hardly know what it is that I'm painting. It's a little unnerving that people get to see that but I hope they check back when each one is starting to actually look like something. If some of the passerbys were wondering about my abilities, they were nice enough not to question it out loud.

The painting "On the Waterfront" was my first of the day. It was done when the boat at the forefront left the scene. There's always something like that happening. The car moves. The shadows change. Clouds enter the scene. I think it was time to move on anyway ... and I happen to like this one the way it is.

"To the Bike Shop," oil on panel, 10"h x 8"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

I picked my spot to set up because of it was a nice, consistently shaded area ... relatively cool on this hot day. I sure wasn't giving it up, so the second painting required just a 90° turn of the easel. Scene II. "To the Bike Shop" is of the bright yellow store that marks the path between the Art League/Torpedo Factory and Chadwick's. I've walked that alley plenty of times.

Plus, I stopped in to see this month's show at the Art League Gallery (Alexandria, VA). It's really pretty wonderful. "Tranquility" has a great spot ... too. There was an emphasis on sculpture for this exhibit ... and they, in particular, really added some excitement to the gallery. The exhibit is up until August 1.

There I am.

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

Portabello Road Market Painting Start Today

"The Olive Seller" work in progress, oil on linen, 18"h x 24"w, Jill Banks 2011

One of my favorite adventures during our recent London trip was visiting the Portabello Road Market. It was the biggest, noisiest, most varied market I've ever been to -- and that was just what I loved most about it. Everything ... and it seemed like everyone ... was there.

This is just a big, sloppy start to "The Olive Seller." I was putting paint on there a la my plein air session yesterday. Olives are a favorite food. They're right up there with pickles.

What I like (already) about this one are the diagonals, the spoons and cards identifying each variety in the foreground.

See more in my market series on my web site: www.jillbanks.com, go to the gallery page and click on Market Series. Or click here to go directly to the market series gallery.

Tomorrow morning I head down to Alexandria to paint the waterfront. I imagine I'll have a few to show you tomorrow night. And, I imagine they'll be just as messy.

Time to clean my brushes and pack stuff up.

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

"Herndon Station" Plein Air Painting and Peonies...

"Herndon Station," oil on panel, 8"h x 10"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

I did have my paintbrush in my hand today. Yea! But this will be a short post since son Sam and daughter-in-law Michelle just arrived at the house.

So, here's a plein air post from Herndon that was this early afternoon's  undertaking. That was fun and I stayed out there until it started to drizzle.

It was practice for Sunday's planned outing at the waterfront in Alexandria with the Art League Plein Air Group.

And, I returned to a painting from earlier of impossibly pink peonies. I perhaps want to work more with both paintings.

"Impossibly Pink Peonies" continued, oil on board, 12"h x 18"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

And, maybe I'll show you a pic later of my easel in Herndon. Although, that might not thrill your socks off.













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

"Lunch at Jasmine's" Sketch Today

I spent almost all my day on art-related -- but not art-making -- stuff. I currently have an awful lot in my "to do" column and each of those tasks are major and important and terribly time-consuming. They relate to my 100 Faces in 100 Days project and include:

1. photographing each of the faces -- again -- for consistency and quality
2. promotion/press releases for my second local exhibit of those 100 Faces in August at the Artists' Atelier
3. writing a book on the project (to include those photographs)
4. research and contact other art venues, galleries, museums for the exhibit

I was working on #4 today -- and made some progress.

This means that today's "art of the day" is a little less thrilling. My husband, Randy, and I had lunch today at Jasmine Cafe at Lake Anne in Reston (VA) and he had to leave partway through lunch to take care of a favor for our son and daughter-in-law. That left me with some alone time inside ... with air conditioning ... to sketch those diners outside. (In my defense, these folks weren't modeling for me ... ) I would have preferred to using ink and pen&ink but figured that Eduardo, the chef/owner, wouldn't appreciate my risking a spill.

I do want to get there to paint -- on the Plaza -- but have a hard time tolerating the heat. Tough to pick a day to do that.

Joined the Art League Plein Air Painters

There was a new opportunity listed in the Art League's July Tidings Newsletter -- with a call for artists who would like to paint on the waterfront some Sunday's throughout the summer. Guess what? I signed up and plan to be there this coming Sunday morning with three or four other painters. It should be fun. I know my painting is bound to be entertaining. I'm looking forward to meeting the other painters in the group and being out in that great spot. And, I'm hoping for a cool breeze.

Put Up Some Photos from the First 100 Faces in 100 Days Reception

Perhaps I should have done this sooner -- but in order to pursue task #4 above -- I added some photos from my May library show reception to a new page on my web site. I have many more ... that I may put up somewhere ... but was a little worried about file size. There are lots of technical challenges in my life. Anyway, take a peek.

Photo from my May reception of the 100 Faces in 100 Days exhibit

And this ... to do one thing you have to do ten more tasks ... reminds me of the story "if you give a mouse a cookie..." Isn't that the truth?

Here's a photo you won't see there. See? There's more.

Hopefully, there will be a paintbrush in my hand tomorrow.



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

Back to "Tomatoes and Onions" Painting...

Earlier version

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

I've been away a few days. On Sunday -- I was painting, continuing on with my peaches and cantaloupe painting, and managed to make a total mess. I'll post it at some point ... if I can resurrect it.

I suppose that I didn't need to confess my difficult day ... but reality is, bad painting days strike sometimes. I did know enough to quit ... when it was clear there was no fixing it that day.

And Monday and Tuesday were dedicated to doing stuff to help celebrate my daughter's birthday. Lots of labor of loves.

"Benched," oil, 9"h x 12"w (I think), ©Jill Banks 2009

And today, I took two paintings to the Art League (in the Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA) for receiving for this month's show. One was destined for the bin gallery wall: my painting, "Benched" painted during a workshop in Easton, MD awhile ago. And, I entered "Tranquility" for jurying. It was accepted ... so you can see both there until August 1.

It's always fun to go down to the Art League... and I miss being there on a regular basis. Lots of great friends, great people there around every corner.

This afternoon, I painted, returning to "Tomatoes and Onions" with lots of fresh, new paint. It needed strengthening ... adding more drama to the paint surface and lights/shadows. Plus, I rethought the relationship between the front tomato and onion below. Much better.

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

"Fresh Peaches and Cantaloupe" Painting in Progress and Artfest

"Fresh Peaches and Cantaloupe" work in progress, 18"h x 24"w, oil on linen, ©Jill Banks 2011

First, I found out today that I was juried into McLean Artfest 2011 (sponsored by McLean Project for the Arts). Yea! This will be my fourth year participating in this one-day outdoor arts festival that's one of my favorite events. This year's Artfest will be on Sunday, October 2 ... and you'll definitely get more news closer to the date. October is jam-packed with lots happening ... starting with Artfest, then a demo to give at the Vienna Arts Society on Thursday, October 13, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Benefit Reception for Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club at the National Arts Club in NYC on Friday, October 14 ... and the Great Falls Studio Tour on Saturday and Sunday, October 15 & 16. Many days to look forward to!

On to the painting I started today. For the last week or two, there's been a handwritten sign saying "produce" on my way into the studio. I like that it's handwritten. Seems appropriate. And the stand is just right around the corner from my studio. I had to stop and take a look. (And pick out some subjects.) Two nice young ladies were working the stand ... and the place smelled of fruit. I thought (momentarily) of taking my easel out to paint the stand or some portion of it. That may happen some day soon ... but it was a warm day and air conditioning beckoned instead.

The peaches and cantaloupe were chosen ... and this still needs LOTS of work, but it was fun! This is pretty large -- so just covering the surface with paint takes time. The seeds on the cantaloupe and fuzz on the peach will be my challenges for tomorrow. 

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

Back to My "Piazza Di Michelangelo" Painting

"Piazza Di Michelangelo," (Florence, Italy), 30"h x 24"w, © Jill Banks 2011

I'm going to post this and run ... with maybe more later ... but I have indeed been painting all day. I think I last worked on/posted this on December 31, 2010 ... in case you want to take a look at the painting in progress.

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