Learning from the Real Masters

Something a Little Different Ahead

"After Sorolla's Valencia," work in progress, oil, 16"w x 20"h, Jill Banks 2015

Today was spent with me in charge of open hours at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with many fellow artists in Great Falls. There were a lot of us there. We're getting ready for changes ahead. Not all are moving to the new space in the heart of the Village Centre in Great Falls, VA but most are. The space we're in is beautiful, with soaring ceilings, lots of display and gathering space. It's been our "home" for art for five years.  The rent was escalating well beyond anything we were going to consider paying. It was time to move.

Fortunately we found (I'm really loosely included in the we) a new wonderful space. It's missing the soaring ceilings. The display space is not nearly as expansive but because of our soon-to-be, highly visible, fantastic location -- what IS on display might be seen more often, and perhaps by someone who would love to surround themselves with original art.

Every change has come with some trade-off. I'm so happy to be moving, opening this new chapter with nine fellow artists who are dear to my heart. I'll sorely miss those studiomates who are not moving into 756 Walker Road in Great Falls, VA.  I know they have their own new chapters to write and they will come back for visits. Or I'll see them in their new places.

I realized how wonderful the friendships are that formed in the studio. Thank you to each of you!

So there's not much I'm going to say about my work in progress above other than Sorolla was one heck of a painter. Just this little bit -- trying to copy a part of one of his murals "Provinces of Spain" is ridiculously daunting. Yikes.

Okay, back to my thoughts.

Friends, Love and New Chapters

The Goodbye Skit/Songs by the Choir were Fantastic

Last night, Randy and I were guests at the First Friday wine and cheese party at the Stratford House in Reston, VA for a Farewell Party for my Mom and Dad, who after living in and participating -- full throttle -- in all the wonderful doings at this remarkable community for 14 years, are saying goodbye and moving to Ashby Ponds in Ashburn, VA.

"Say it isn't so."  My Mom and Dad are the people you want ALWAYS in your lives, every day. They are a true joy and pretty

Dad and Mom

ridiculously wonderful role models  for how to live, how to love, how to treat friends ... pretty much everything. You want to meet them in the hallways Monday through Sunday.  They are GOOD neighbors.

They're invited back, whenever they'd like to Stratford House.

As my dad said, he wasn't really looking forward to this goodbye party because just like their friends there don't want to see them go, he and my Mom will miss all the neat people who have made living there so wonderful.

Still, they were serenaded, very warmly roasted by the "Choir" you see above. It was such a great tribute.  I am so ridiculously proud of them, I could burst. Just might.

They are moving on to open new chapters. Will make a gadzillion or so new amazing friends because to know them IS to love them.  I think one of the signs of living well is how hard goodbyes are.

Right?

I'm counting my blessings. Hope you are counting yours.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

Learning from a Master

Fellow travelers from the Art League at the Hispanic Society of America in NYC in front of one of Sorolla's mural. Doesn't it look like we fit right into the scene? What's another 29 portraits? Photo courtesy of Susan O'Neill

I've mentioned before that Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida (Spanish, 1863-1923) is my favorite painter and how his murals of the Provinces of Spain at the Hispanic Society of America in NYC simply amazed me.  (Read more about that trip on this previous post.) I'd taken photos on the trip just a few weeks ago with Rob Liberace and a group from the Art League but since the murals soared overhead, my images were distorted.  Today, I wanted to paint a portion of his mural of Valencia and went looking online for a source of high res images.

And found it.

The Media Center for Art History at Columbia University has a resource: A Collection in Context: The Hispanic Society of America where you can tour the museum online, enter each room and in the case of the murals, click on each one for info and to access a high res image. Voila!!! I can visit whenever from the comfort of my studio.

Get started here:
http://learn.columbia.edu/hispanic/monographs/sorolla-spain.php

Then I clicked on the heading "A Collection in Context: The Hispanic Society of America" to come to this page: http://learn.columbia.edu/hispanic/
There you see a photo of the ground level of the museum.
Then you see the floor plans for the first floor and second floor on the right side.

Click on the first floor, the room will show the sweeping blue arc. You can move that around in a circle to see all the murals. 

That's it.  Enjoy! I'll get around to showing my copy of his Valencia painting sometime soon.

Take a look at the Classes page too for Spring registration going on now.

Time to post.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

"After the Party II" Finished.

"After the Party II," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

There were a few too many loose ends in the studio ... and this is one I picked to finish today.

Was a heck of a lot of fun, too.

News since I last put up a blog post: I was accepted to show at the One Of A Kind Show & Sale in Chicago, IL, December 3-6, 2015.  But, I've also put LOTS of upcoming Events up on my web site, so I'll hope you head there.

And, take a look at the Classes page too for Spring registration going on now.

Time to post.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

See the Events page for more info/updates

April 10 to May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, Great Falls, VA

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

What Are You Doing Tuesday Nights this Spring?

Calling Working Folks, Teens and You ... for Evening Paint

"The Writer," oil, 24"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks. Private collection

Coming in April: I'll be teaching "Evening Paint," a six-session class focusing on the fundamentals of oil painting on Tuesday nights, 6:30 to 9:30pm at the Great Falls School of Art, newly located at 746 Walker Road, right in the Village Centre in Great Falls, VA. 

Read more about it on my web site here.

As my Sunday Winter portrait class draws to a close, I was feeling guilty about not offering a continuing option for students with day jobs to paint with me ... and so, here's the answer. I've also had a whole lot of requests from earnest young artists who wanted to take my classes but couldn't because they conflicted with school.

"Garden Party," oil, 24"h x 18"w, ©Jill Banks 2014, Private collection

All levels welcome. Teens and adults. A mix of still life, portrait/clothed figure and landscape from photos or right outside the classroom door.

Instruction will be tailored to suit.

Registration is available online now from my classes page. Any questions, please email me at jill@jillbanks.com.

And, then there's:
Plein Air Landscape Painting on Thursdays, 10am to 2pm
Paint with Me in Italy, July 27 to August 2 in the wine region of Piemonte, Italy


In other words, I REALLY want you to come paint with me ... in Italy and/or Virginia!

Events and Exhibits

See the Events page for more info/updates

Other Art Events:

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12 to 4pm
  

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

"Pink Pond" and New Studio

"Pink Pond," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

I headed out today in search of a painting spot. Took a couple of detours. Walked around a lake. Ended here, at the side of a pond that marks the entry to a shopping center in Reston VA (Plaza America).

My family has shared many a meal within view of this pond. My dad shoo'd a family of geese (years ago) who kept crossing the street ... multiple times as it seemed clear they thought it was much better on the other side.

Around the pond are still piles of snow, dirty from the parking lot. A sure sign we're just now on the cusp of Spring. Yea!

So, this is my second plein air painting (I think) of 2015 after a snowbound, cold Winter. 

When I left home, it was dreary gray with cloudy skies. With flowers still waiting below ground and no buds on the tree, I was looking for color somewhere. The site for "Pink Pond" provided a red-orange bridge and eventually a golden light.

New Studio
It will take some time to move in, but the lease is signed, and soon ... I'll join nine of my studiomates from the Atelier in our new studio and gallery space on the green at the Great Falls Village Centre in Great Falls, VA.

New Studio Space at the Great Falls Village Centre. Imagine the walls filled with art. Coming soon!

The spot is what used to be Maison du Vin. We're steps away from the Old Brogue Irish Pub and will be enjoying two porches and beautiful windows, hardwood floors and beams with an easy one or two-step climb for guests.  There will definitely be a Grand Opening -- date to be announced. Plus, you'll see news on the move, get a peek into this wonderful space ... here.

More to come!

Sign Up ... Please
Spring Classes are up on my web site and registration is going on now. Sign up so we can have some plein air and other painting adventures together!
Plein Air Landscape Class Info 
Still Life Painting in Oils Info
and Paint with Me in Italy - July 27 to August 2 (Limited to only 10 students, sign up by March 27 or before to secure your spot!)

Events and Exhibits

See the Events page for more info/updates

Other Art Events:

February-March: The Art of Romance, Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.  In the gallery and around my studio, still lifes with lots of flowers, an indoor picnic, cozy interiors.   See the show through the month of February, Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm.

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

• Paint with Me in Italy Plein Air Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Registration is now open. (This is where "Piemonte Lunch" was "born"!)
• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12 to 4pm
  

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

First Plein Air Painting of the Season

"Hot to Trot," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

At least it started en plein air. Yesterday I headed to Kidwell Farm (part of Frying Pan Park in Herndon VA) because the temps were suddenly warm enough to make painting outside a possibility. The quick thaw left the ground full of snow and mud and by the end of my excursion I had wet, frozen feet but had enjoyed the adventure nonetheless.

A young visitor told me "Hot to Trot" was the "most beautiful painting in the whole wide world." She'll make an outstanding art critic some day (I hope).

Sign Up ... Please
Spring Classes are up on my web site and registration is going on now. Sign up so we can have some plein air and other painting adventures together!
Plein Air Landscape Class Info 
Still Life Painting in Oils Info
and Paint with Me in Italy - July 27 to August 2

Events and Exhibits

See the Events page for more info/updates

Other Art Events:

February-March: The Art of Romance, Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.  In the gallery and around my studio, still lifes with lots of flowers, an indoor picnic, cozy interiors.   See the show through the month of February, Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm.

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

• Paint with Me in Italy Plein Air Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Registration is now open. (This is where "Piemonte Lunch" was "born"!)
• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12 to 4pm
  

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

Keeping Warm with "Snow Lilies"

"Snow Lilies," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©Jill Banks 2015 ($650)

Another six or seven inches of snow made it gorgeous outside ... especially because I was viewing it through the window in my dining room.  It took me too long to get started but the easel is set up, ready for whatever scene I'd like to capture tomorrow.

Happy Emails
Soon after I heard of the acceptance to Wayne Plein Air (a top tier plein air competition held in Wayne, PA -- on the Mainline near Philadelphia, PA), another invitation landed in my inbox, this one to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show this summer.  That's a four-day, set up my "gallery under a tent" affair, right on the boardwalk with the backdrop of sand and ocean. Sounds pretty darn exciting. (I know some paintings will come from my time there.)

My booth at a 2014 art show ... looking forward to showing at VA Beach and Rockville and more!

Another email arrived inquiring about my willingness to be the juror for a major exhibition. I definitely would love to ... and will see if that happens. I've been a juror before and selected jurors as well. I take all of my "Jobs" seriously ... whether it is painting, being a good studiomate, applying to shows, putting up an exhibition, marketing, teaching, mentoring, and on and on. Being a conscientious, informed, open juror is SO important. I've been on the receiving end of those who cared a lot, and unfortunately, those who walked in with egos and biases out the wazoo. What a difference.

And One More ... Just In
I've been invited to participate in A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, an exciting outdoor juried fine arts show on Saturday and Sunday, May 2 & 3.  I said YES!  I was #1 on the wait list for painting.  Most of the shows I apply to get tons of applications and work to "build" a balanced show so there isn't a disproportionate number of painters vs. fiber artists (as an example). That means there are a limited number of spots for painters (a VERY popular entry category) and in order to be pulled from the wait list, a painter needs to NOT claim his/her spot.  While the balanced show goal equates to more wait listing or rejections, particularly in a competitive category, it also improves your odds of doing well at the show that offers an invitation. I would guess, too, that it makes for a much more enjoyable experience for visitors as well. Anyway, I'm thrilled to be accepted. This year holds plenty of excitement ahead. Heck, it's already been great! I hope you'll visit me there and on other 2015 art-filled adventures.

Want to Share in the Excitement?
Paint with Me in Italy this Summer!  Now's the time to sign up. Paint with Me in Italy Plein Air Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015.

Events and Exhibits

See the Events page for more info/updates

Other Art Events:

February-March: The Art of Romance, Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.  In the gallery and around my studio, still lifes with lots of flowers, an indoor picnic, cozy interiors.   See the show through the month of February, Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm.

May 2 & 3: A-RTS @ Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.

• Paint with Me in Italy Plein Air Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Registration is now open. (This is where "Piemonte Lunch" was "born"!)
• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12 to 4pm
  

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

Reaping the Rewards of Perseverence

"Wickford Harbor," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2014. One of those paintings I couldn't have done earlier.

"Deer Park Run," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2012. Painted during Wayne Plein Air

Today I received a Congratulations email from the folks from the Wayne Plein Air Festival that I joined 29 other artists invited to participate in this very prestigious, exciting event.

Amazingly, this is my second time being accepted to this top 10 plein air festival. The first was in 2012. Although that was only three years ago, it seems like eons. I was shocked to be invited then. You could say I was in way over my head. My fellow artists had spent a whole lot more time, hours, days, years figuring out how to relate the world out there to something they created on canvas or paper. I hung in there, but vowed to really improve. Perhaps I share a common trait of not wanting to be the person about who they whisper "how they heck did SHE get in here?"

"Rainy Morning Breakfast," oil, 20"h x 16"w painted during Wayne Plein Air 2012

In 2012, I was a strong, capable, committed, experienced, award-winning painter -- but in the arena of the studio. I had worked at mastering portraiture, figure painting, street scenes, still lifes.  I'd painted tons from life ... just not outdoors.  I'd finished my 100 Faces in 100 Days project, conquering rapidly moving, animated subjects bringing their likenesses to the canvas.  Even though working in one subject area can inform another, it doesn't mean you can be at the top of your game, competitive with the best in something new.

Yet, no matter what I'm doing ... I work at the top of my ability at the time. There are paintings from five, ten years ago that still impress me today. A few from my first visit to Wayne were terrific. (I love "Rainy Morning Breakfast" (private collection) and others.)

While there are highlights along the learning path, improving one's odds of producing consistently high quality work (there are still good days and bad days) ... takes time. Practice. Reflection. Desire. Study. Openness to being, again, a novice. A student.

"Campo Santa Maria del Giglio," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2014. Painted in Venice. Really great.

It took figuring out that I had something to say working in plein air. My love for the presence of company (humans and animals) in the landscape, enjoying urban or rural life, just not all nature resonates, too. I'm not a trees only person. Working in plein air has brought new vitality to all I do. It is well worth the learning curve.

Not like I have to remember too far back, but just a few years ago I felt a bit sorry for the souls who visited my plein air work too early. My scribbles didn't look like a thing. They couldn't figure out where it would go from there. I'd hand them a brochure filled with my studio work to show that yes, I had some talent. Perhaps they had the problem.

The Rewards of Perseverance so far have been collectors embracing my work, being stunned by 2014 paintings I've created that there's no way I could have painted earlier, being juried into Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO and Wayne Plein Air, quite a few awards, and the feeling of comfort and joy at my easel no matter where it sits.

My advice: Hang in there. Enjoy the heck out of the Journey.

Events and Exhibits

• February-March: "The Art of Romance," Atelier Group Exhibition, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.Open Wed. and Sat., noon to 4pm
• April 9 - May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Annual Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA
• May 12-16: Wayne Plein Air, Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide chosen to paint in Wayne and Philadelphia, PA.
• June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA.
  June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.
  July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.
   
• Paint with Me in Italy Plein Air Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Registration is now open. (This is where "Piemonte Lunch" was "born"!)
• See the Events page for more info/updates
• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat.,
  12- 4pm

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

Winter Painting: "Pink Tulips Plus" Continued

"Pink Tulips Plus," oil, 36" x 36," ©Jill Banks 2015

The season of snow. This winter has plagued lots of our schedules and plans. It's disrupted many of my portrait and still life classes. There haven't been those sudden bursts of unexpected Spring like weather that offers the treat of days outside at my easel.

My subject material isn't waiting for me just outside. I have to shop for it or schedule visitors to my studio. In the winter, I plan vs. see what the day holds.

I wrote last of my favorite painter Sorolla and how he viewed the studio as a place to store paintings, but not to create them.  While I long for some warm sunshine and new adventures, there's enjoyment to be had indoors ... with an interior that contrasts the coziness of inside vs. out or a beautiful still life with fresh flowers from somewhere else. What other indoor visual treats do you think I should paint? Suggestions are welcome.

My protagonists in "Pink Tulips Plus" sputtered for their last day as subjects in today's still life class. Time to move on.

"Italian Vines," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©Jill Banks 2014 was painted in the Piemonte wine region

Events and Exhibits

• February-March: "The Art of Romance," Atelier Group Exhibition, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.Open Wed. and Sat., noon to 4pm
• April 9 - May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Annual Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA
• June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 
  June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.
  July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.
   
• See the Events page for more info/updates
• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat.,
  12- 4pm

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

Grand Scale Tulips

I couldn't finish the week ... after visiting Joaquin Sorolla's magnificent, expansive murals "Vision of Spain" at the Hispanic Society of America in NYC ... painting anything too dainty. So set up in my studio (which Sorolla says should just be a garage for storing painting vs. a place to paint) is a large scale still life that is tough to ignore.

"Pink Tulips Plus" work in progress, oil, 36"h x 36"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

So here are the stages ... so far:

My favorite stage: scribbling!!! The darks are what I draw with, this time a mix of raw umber (new for me) and French ultramarine blue. I also didn't tone my canvas -- left it white for now mainly because those sunflowers and tulips will be goners in no time.

This isn't much different than what I finished the day with ... but did decide to add in a sense of light falling on a bookcase behind this scene. Once done, it will enhance the feeling of air and depth.

Since the last blog post I put up was about Wednesday's trip to the Hispanic Society of America to see the Sorolla's AND that post did not make it in full to your inboxes, here is a recap. Enjoy!

Sorolla's "Visions of Spain" at the Hispanic Society of America

Part of Joaquin Sorolla's "Vision of Spain" Mural Commission at the Hispanic Society of America in NYC

Yesterday was consumed merrily from pre-dawn to midnight with a visit to Joaquin Sorolla's (1863-1923) masterful mural commission "Visions of Spain" (a 14-mural project representing the Iberian Peninsula) at the Hispanic Society of America in New York City. The tour was led by Rob Liberace, coordinated through the Art League in Old Town Alexandria ... so Randy and I were with friends from previous art historical trips, Rob's drawing classes, and many new acquaintances.

The murals vary from 12 to 14 feet in height and total 227 feet in length (source: Wikipedia) and all but one of these immense paintings were created en plein air.  The physical, logistical, artistic challenges of composing and creating each of these masterpieces with the 1000s of unique characters dressed in local costumes ... is simply unimaginable.  Sorolla finished the first mural in 1913 and last in 1919 ... a commission contracted by his great patron, Archer Milton Huntington ... the founder of the Hispanic Society of America to be hung on permanent display in what is now the Sorolla room.

It's there for you to see, a well-kept secret, but free and open to the public.

Sorolla's grand room-filling mural that greets you on the far wall. He was the true painter of light.

The Hispanic Society of America holds amazing art treasures with a huge concentration of Joaquin Sorolla's work -- my favorite artist.

Sorolla's painting of his birth home of Valencia was my favorite ... although it isn't easy to choose

One of my thoughts on seeing Sorolla's 14 masterpieces circling the room was of all those instances that visitors, young and old would enter my tent at an art fair or studio or other exhibits and ask with amazement, "Are ALL of these yours?".

Imagine what they'd say standing in the midst of these works.

One of our additional treats was to witness the rehanging of Sorolla's portrait of Louis Comfort Tiffany in the upper gallery at the Hispanic Society. One in the crew who hung the work mentioned that the painting was created in Tiffany's garden in Cold Spring Harbor (the North Shore of Long Island).  I lived there and attended Cold Spring Harbor High Laurelton Hall, Tiffany's estate that had sweeping views of the harbor that I enjoyed from a different vantage point for many years.

Sorolla's portrait of Louis Comfort Tiffany being reinstalled at the Hispanic Society

School. A little research marked the spot as

What I love about Joaquin Sorolla's work is the sheer joy that emanates from his paintings. His heart and soul flowed through his paintbrush. He clearly loved to paint, loved the people around him, loved his homeland, adored his family.  He captured light, captured life, honestly and beautifully.

What a joy!!!!

The photos are my own ... and may be distorted since the paintings tower above me.  So, these will give you an idea of how gorgeous these works are, but not the perfect picture.

Thanks Rob and Margaret Cerutti ... and fellow travelers for one heck of a day!

Events and Exhibits

• February: "The Art of Romance," Atelier Group Exhibition, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.Open Wed. and Sat., noon to 4pm
• April 9 - May 1: Women Painters of the Southeast Annual Juried Exhibition, Blue Ridge, GA
• June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. 
  June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.
  July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI.
   
• Paint with Me in Italy Plein Air Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Registration is now open. (This is where "Piemonte Lunch" was "born"!)
• See the Events page for more info/updates
• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat.,
  12- 4pm

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

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