Fisherman's Wharf

"Rocky Shores," (Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA) oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

Even though this isn't my first time visit to the Monterey Peninsula in California, I'm simply shocked at how gorgeous it is. I spent the morning painting at a picnic area looking out over the rocky shores at a bay of boats and Fisherman's Wharf, listening to sea gulls and sea lions. The conversation with myself went something like this.

"Can you believe that standing here, looking at this view, capturing the boat as it spins around on its mooring could possibly be part of your job?"
"No, that's simply ridiculous."
"Have you SEEN this view?
"Pinch me."

Really.  I'm in awe of everything. Blue skies. Interesting air -- part clear, part mist.  Waves rippling or crashing against rocks formed by nature's artist. The sea gulls that come and check out progress. Beauty all around.

It was really nice to be able to converse with visitors in English (after two weeks painting in Madrid). Now they know I appreciate the compliments and comments ... and that I'm friendly.

More tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina and Italy!
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint (starting April 28) and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape starting April 23 (Hurry!). Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us. Spots are still open in both.

Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.

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

"Cervantes View" Look at Madrid

"Cervantes View," (Madrid, Spain) oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©Jill Banks 2o15

Cervantes has managed to show up all over Madrid. He presided, although out of view that time, in "Shadow of Cervantes" right above my protagonists, Don Quixote and Pancho.

And now, I painted his back side -- pointing the way down the hill. I didn't have quite as much time as I'd like. From there, Randy and I were rushing off to catch a Flamenco show. A person or two might appear in this as well. After the fact.

While painting "Cervantes View," I met two artists -- one on his way to sketch and another who is a writer, sculptor, painter plus some other creative title.  Madrid is such an incredibly welcoming, beautiful place.

I'll have to return.

I'm now in another breathtaking spot. Look for new paintings in the days to come. (Please.)

In only a week and a half, my Painting the Plein Air Landscape class begins in Great Falls, VA. Find out more on my web site's Classes page. There are a few spots left in it and my Evening Paint class that starts the following week. But hurry!  I'd love to have you join us!

 Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.

Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.

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

Last Days in Madrid

"Spanish Garden," oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

To say that days were full here in Madrid is to be putting it mildly. There's so much to see! And do. We arrive back at the hotel with about 10 minutes of energy left. Maybe.

I think we were the only ones left from the group taking in a whole last day in Madrid. For Randy and I, that meant a late breakfast -- then off to find a place to paint. Crammed in a little bit before the venture out was locating a flamenco show -- the one thing on the agenda that hadn't yet been taken care of. So, today included three meals, two paintings, one wonderful flamenco show, packing and this post.

Although this doesn't sum up the trip, our suitcases are packed with lots of dirty laundry, ten paintings, three or four drawings (more done, this many "keepable"), too few other physical mementos of the trip.



Museums were amazing. Yesterday we went to the Cerralbo Museum and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. The Thyssen Collection was unbelievable -- covering centuries of art beautifully.  How in the world could one family amass, collect such a fortune of works? They had pieces by Van Gogh that surprised me, "Venetian Onion Seller" by John Singer Sargent, "Hotel Room" (and others) by Edward Hopper, two of the first oil paintings, ever, by Jan Van Eyck (c. 1435-1441) "Diptych of the Annunciation." Interesting that the first oil paintings could rival any others.

Right image of Van Eyck's diptych

Left image of Van Eyck's diptych

Given all the paintings that have made their way onto my easel and all the inspiration that has surrounded me for the  past two weeks, expect more on the blog about this incredible trip.  Drawings and paintings will work their way onto my web site as well. Some require finishing, others good photographs.

It's been one heck of a trip. Thanks for sharing it with me!

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virginia
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.


Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.

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

Royal Spain

"Among Royalty," oil, 10'h x 8"w, ©Jill Banks 2015 (Madrid, Spain)

I took a necessary day off from posting yesterday. It took me two hours to send one email. There was no way to blog and maintain sanity.

We spent the day traveling to the walled city of Toledo and back. Attempts at drawing there won't see the light of day (except on a young girl's iPhone ... uh, oh). At least I won't show them off.  Given the change in medium, and that drawings take time ... lots of it ... if a few will survive this trip, that's a lot.

The return from Toledo left enough time to finish my painting in the Royal Gardens that face the Palacio de Real.  Given its diminutive size, you wouldn't think it would require two sessions. I swear looking at those Mariano Fortuny teeny-tiny paintings filled with excruciatingly beautiful detail (those two adjectives are not usually employed by me to describe "detail") ... have messed

Racks of Sorolla's in the Museum's Print and Drawing Room. Heaven!

with my head.  So many areas around Madrid that were once the sole playground of royalty are now exuberantly enjoyed by the people of Madrid.  These gardens are a perfect example.

This morning we visited the Palacio de Real. The palace itself isn't my cup of tea ... but there was a fantastic exhibit of Royal Portraits on view.  In many cases, royal portraits are more about the clothing and acroutrements than the person stuck among them.  Sometimes, the person shines through at the hand of an artist open to seeing and not in a hurry to get on to the next commission.

I will, if possible, look online (days) later and lead you to a few of my favorites. Every single time I click on a link from my hotel room it takes me to the same ad for Internet service.

Kate at the Sorolla Museum, entering his studio

Honestly, the company that sticks that ad out there HAS to know this isn't a positive experience. Yikes!!!

In the meantime, I'll show you a few photos I took. No research necessary. They make me forget any complaints.

I meant to post them after my second day at the Sorolla Museum. Joaquin Sorolla is my favorite painter (although there are MANY contenders) ... and he opened his heart and home to the world. The Sorolla Museum includes his home, vast array of paintings and his studio. When we visited on Wednesday, there was a tour group of young kids, led by their teacher -- speaking in English. I KNOW that Sorolla would have loved their presence there -- full of wonder, enthusiasm, strong doses of energy.  It was a joy to behold!

News Since My Last Posting (Other Than This)

Just Accepted: I'll be showing for the second time at Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street (Pittsburgh, PA) on August 29-30. Yea!

"Crossword and Quince," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2014 ... Purchased Today

Just Purchased: "Crossword and Quince" is going home with relatives of collectors who purchased my work from the Armonk Art Festival in New York. Friends of friends, relatives ... ALL are invited to join in helping me continue doing what I love ... painting, creating art for you to enjoy in your homes. I truly appreciate your spreading the word!!!!


Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.

Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.

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

Help from Sorolla

"Queue at the Palace," (Palacio Real, Madrid, Spain) oil on linen-lined panel, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

The morning was spent with our second "Print and Drawing Room" experience -- this time at the Sorolla Museum.  Sorolla's art brought me to Madrid ... to see his studio, art, part of his inspiration. As much as I enjoyed our visit last week to the same show and grounds, today's experience was different.

We split into two groups to enter the "drawing room" and I was among the first. Charcoals, goauche, watercolor, pencil sketches were laid out on the table and discussed. Around us were racks of paintings ... on either side. Those are what "got" me.  There were sketches, not yet finished paintings, portraits, beach scenes, family ... it all looked so much like what you'd see in my studio but we haven't made it into a museum.  Sorolla was the hardest working artist I've ever discovered. He MUST have gone to sleep with a paintbrush in his hand. He was clearly brilliant but wouldn't have been half the painter he was without all those miles of canvas and a heart as big as this world.

His sketches were SO loose. He wasn't trying to bring his plein air "ideas" to finely finished fruition. He wanted to make beautiful paintings. To figure it out.

Something clicked today.  Sorolla's sketches didn't show genius. They showed someone driven to paint and paint and paint. Many of the attempts no one would care to save if they hadn't seen the magnificent canvases that often appeared in his studio. He was humble and driven.

After the Sorolla Museum, the tour crew was heading to the Fundacion Mapfre exhibit to see pieces from the Musee D'Orsay  ... that Randy and I had seen a few days ago. That meant the afternoon free and I could have the span of hours needed to find my spot and paint.  And, what a spot I found. Shade, beautiful view, relative obscurity amidst a crowd, great light.

From 6 to 8pm at the Palacio de Real, admission is free for EU residents, Tuesday through Thursday ... thus the queue.  I LOVE this painting.  It's not perfect, delicate, detailed ... but it's full of life, color, energy.   I'm happy to have painted it. Been here. Experienced the day.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virginia
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.

And my Paint with Me in Italy workshop in the Piemonte wine region, July 27 to August 2, is filling up.  I hope you'll be there!!!

Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.

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

Day at the Prado

"Fraile Mendigando," Mariano Fortuny, watercolor on paper, 268mm h x 155mm w, Prado Museum

Beginning with the Print and Drawing Room.

The biggest treats of all (there are lots!) of the many art historical trips I've taken with Rob Liberace are our visits to the Print and Drawing rooms of the top museums in the World. There, collections of drawing, watercolors, etchings await the scholar, enthusiast who has the know-how to tap into those behind the scenes works for a private viewing.

This morning we looked at drawings by Juan Conchillos y Falcó, Ubaldo Gandolfi,

"Maria Teresa de Madrazo," Mariano Fortuny (1878), watercolor, 143mm h x 110mm w

Giovanni Brocca, Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz, Goya, Mariano Fortuny, Martin Rico y Ortega and José Jiménez Aranda.  The best supporting actors (my opinion) were the Goyas and the Aranda. The stars were two watercolors by Mariano Fortuny.

We viewed many paintings in the Spanish wing in the Prado after leaving the Print and Drawing room. Diego Velasquez's "Las Meninas" got the attention it so richly deserves. A complete and total masterpiece that speaks volumes about the painter.  Lots more, but not enough time to cover it all, sleep and move on to the next adventure.

Getting a late start on a painting in the gardens next to the Palacio Real

I DID paint today ... just late. I don't want all of my paintings from Spain to be nocturnes since this is such a colorful place. Today's venue was in the gardens adjacent to the Palacio Real de Madrid. With little time to work, today's painting is an 8"x10" which may appear later. Although it is small, I may have to return to the same spot for another session. The light disappeared so soon after setting up!

While I know of few palaces at home in Northern Virginia, we will find some beautiful gardens to paint in ... should you decide to sign up for my Painting the Plein Air Landscape that starts late April.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.


Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.

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

People's Plaza: "Shadow of Cervantes" at Plaza de Espana

"Shadow of Cervantes," oil, approx. 16"h x 5.5"w,©Jill Banks 2015

What I loved about today:

Painting in Plaza de Espana ... capturing the statues of Don Quixote and his buddy, Pancho while hordes of people climbed on top of them ... riding the bronze horse and donkey along with the heroes. Policia were there, only caring if dog owners led their pups into the beds of cordoned off pansies, but not if I painted, or folks interacted with the art. My idea of perfect.

I did get a lot of visitors interested in what's happening at my easel.  That's par for the course and I'm glad they care to see.

After painting and lunch, we headed to Fundacion Mapfre for an exhibition of works from the Musee D'Orsay. Wonderful inspiration and I so want to paint a portrait with a nod to Leon Bonnat's "Retrato de Victor Hugo."  There have been many times that painting,  and particularly classical work has been ruled "dead," "passe" due to cinema, photography, "isms." Those declaring it so don't see what I see. The beauty possible when artist meets subject on canvas is extraordinary. We don't see in an instant. We see and a subject is revealed over time. It takes work, patience, skill, openness, thought. Dead or irrelevant? No. Timeless? Yes.

More of what I loved about today:

The group for the Art Historical Tour of Madrid and Beyond led by Rob Liberace arrived today.  Rob's passion for art is infectious/undeniable. His knowledge is encyclopedic ... but more than that he sees works through the eyes of a master artist. The perfect guide and group with which to enjoy this journey! Can't wait!

Painting at Plaza de Espanol

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virginia
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.


Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.

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.

Leon Bonnat's "Retrato de Victor Hugo"

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

No Boats, Yet

"Water Parque (de Retiro)," oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

Today's challenge was to paint once again in Madrid's Parque de Retiro. The morning was spent where it should be ... in bed after a late night, tiring day with a bit of Daylight Savings Time switch worked into the mix.

Early this afternoon, we wandered the stalls of El Rastro, a huge flea market held every Sunday. We are lousy shoppers. Not enough practice. There were many pieces for still lifes, colorful cloths for backdrops -- but no decisions forthcoming and our bags are already at the threshold on weight.

Great lunch at el Carboneria on the way back. Lunch was so great, it required a nap. (The nap and sleep-in thing is not the norm back home ... far from it!) Then off to the Parque. 

I knew there was a lake in the park where visitors could rent rowboats. That was my painting "target." I wanted water, boats, reflections.

I had wanted to include the rowboats and they may make it into another paining -- but this (crowds, difficult setup, complicated subject) was already way too much to juggle. Plus, I like the painting as is. 

The crowds were HUGE all day long throughout Madrid, but it seemed everyone was at Parque de Retiro

My set up today at Parque de Retiro: not ideal, but nice spot!

today.

 I was looking for somewhere that gave me a good view AND was safely tucked away from the crowds so my easel would not be in their way. Not an easy combination to find in a public place that was teeming with thousands upon thousands of people. My solution, to cram myself on a small step and set my easel up sideways -- gave me the view, kept my easel out of the way -- and was awkward as all get out. For the last 15 minutes, when crowds had thinned out, I stood up, extended the easel, faced what I was painting. Phew!

The photo for "Water Parque" is off. Since days are long, I'm photographing work late at night under minimal very yellow light.  No tripod. Nothing fancy.  Still, I hope it gives you the idea. And, I did finish up "Water Parque" under the golden glow of a beautiful sunset.

By now, a few people have seen me painting around Madrid, so the conversations are friendlier despite the language barrier. One of the cutest ones tonight was from a young girl who was asking me, I think, "Don't you need the sun?" (Sol, and she was pointing up.) Well, yes! Or, light.

Smart girl.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina and Italy!
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.

And my Paint with Me in Italy workshop in the Piemonte wine region, July 27 to August 2, is filling up.  I hope you'll be there!!!

Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.

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

Paint with Me in Italy Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Join me for a plein air adventure in the Piemonte wine region.

More info and how to sign up ... here!

Unexpected History Lesson at Plaza de Cibeles

"Chariot Fountain at Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

My intentions were to paint in the garden outside the Sorolla Museum after touring the home, studio, and special exhibit of drawings and beach (playa) related work there.  My "olio" painting was not allowed (understandably so) but drawing would be ... and that I did until late afternoon.  I WILL give a review/blog about the museum later in the week. Now, it's enough to attempt to cover tonight's painting expedition. That, with a dinner ending at midnight Madrid time ... plus slow internet puts a crimp on my blogging time (and research). Facts are murky. Check them first.

After leaving the Sorolla Museum, I'd found my subject and a spot that would let me see my canvas, and subject, once darkness came ... which was soon.  There are so many fountains, grand circles, beautiful buildings to choose from ... but this one, in the middle of Plaza de Cibeles ... was calling my name the loudest.

Lights On,  Lights Out

I got set up and started briefly. I was happy to see the lights go on the fountain (a sight to behold) even before the sky turned dark. It was going to be a good night. Because the light had not yet faded, I worked on the drawing (in paint), figuring it could be adjusted in value (lightness vs. darkness) and color once the scene became a nocturne. It turned dark. The fountain was just starting to take shape on my canvas. 8:30pm came. I looked up. The fountain was off. The lights were off. What?

I continued to paint, hoping whatever afflicted my fountain would suddenly find a remedy. Many visitors kindly asked if they could take my photo. One seemed to know a bit of English so I asked him if the lights and fountain would go back on. They would ... at 9:30pm. They were off for an hour in observance of the end of the Spanish Civil War on March 28.  Okay, what are the chances that I would be standing there trying to paint a nocturne of this particular fountain on this evening, at that hour,  in Madrid, Spain?

The lights DID go back on at 9:30pm. The fountain started once again. I finished, packed my traveling studio back up and headed to the restroom, dinner, a place to rest my feet ... and to the hotel to tell you the day's tale.

Tomorrow ... there will be more.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina and Italy!
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.

And my Paint with Me in Italy workshop in the Piemonte wine region, July 27 to August 2, is filling up.  I hope you'll be there!!!

Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.


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

Paint with Me in Italy Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Join me for a plein air adventure in the Piemonte wine region.

More info and how to sign up ... here!

Hola from Espana!

"Catedral de la Almudena -- Madrid," sepia watercolor, ink pen, layout pencil, approx. 10"h x13"w, copyright Jill Banks 2015

First time in Madrid ... now on day three. What a beautiful day!  While the last two were spent almost unconscious from jet lag, today we "kind of" took it easy -- purchasing a Madrid Bus Tour pass so we could see a good deal of the city from the second level of a double-decker bus (vs. wearing out the tired puppies that are my feet). It led us round the Prado, gardens, Plaza de Mayor, the Royal Palace past which I saw the spot where I wanted to eat lunch ... and our second time around that's where we stopped .. and this was the view.  "Catedral de la Almudena" was sketched in between munching on marinated olives and salad with tuna. Actually, it's impossible to sketch and do anything else. That meant I got 1/4 of the salad but the olives were safe until the drawing was finished ... only because Randy's not fond of them.

Jose Moreno Carbonero (1860-1942), "Prince Carlos de Viama" -- alone without subjects

Tonight I painted in the Plaza de Espana -- an EXTREMELY popular spot in a popular city.  That nocturne looked quite abstract at my last glance. It may appear later here.  Another was painted yesterday in the beautiful Parque del Retiro. That one, my first in Spain, might be a keeper. Or not. I'll have to check it out with fresh eyes soon.  It takes me awhile to get into the groove of painting, and here, I have NO idea what the "rules" are. Am I even allowed to set my easel up an paint? So far, no policio have carried me away ... so hopefully I'm a-ok.

Artwork in the Prado was stunning. Unbelievable. Diego Velasquez "Las Meninas", Joaquin Sorolla's "And They Still Say Fish Are Expensive." A whole room full of Mariani Fortuny paintings that were drop dead gorgeous. And, a painter I must find out more about: Jose Moreno Carbonero (1860-1942) whose portrait of Prince Carlos de Viama was so extraordinary. The prince had been stripped of a kingdom by his father -- left alone to study books, reign his kingdom of one. 

I'm loving Madrid. It's a welcoming, bustling city with beauty in its architecture, spirit, art. Looking up is filled with wonder. Statues, funny odes to the past, trinkets and more adorn the tops of buildings.

I know almost zippo Spanish. That's been made worse with knowing close to zippo Italian. It makes ordering something to eat interesting. I'd like to at least be able to  point to a treat that's tasty looking and ask "what is that?" Maybe tomorrow.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina and Italy!
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for Evening Paint and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for Painting the Plein Air Landscape.  Take a look at my Classes page and I hope you'll join us.

And my Paint with Me in Italy workshop in the Piemonte wine region, July 27 to August 2, is filling up.  I hope you'll be there!!!

Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for Paint Great Falls! (Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon.  Registration is now open at www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.


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

Paint with Me in Italy Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Join me for a plein air adventure in the Piemonte wine region.

More info and how to sign up ... here!

Day two