This has been a whirlwind week. I can’t say “Phew” yet … as I have another day in the Great Falls Studios Holiday Show and Sale, tomorrow, Sunday (December 12) from 10am-5pm at the Village Green School in the Great Falls Village Centre.
Yesterday was my birthday and I knew I’d spend it getting ready and setting up for the Holiday show … so Randy and I celebrated it on Thursday, a day early.
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| Robert Henri's "Snow in New York" |
My treat? To go to the National Gallery of Art, have the buffet lunch in the Garden Café, view the Chester Dale Collection Exhibit (outstanding!) and draw for a few hours until the museum closes.
I took photos of the buffet. They will most likely turn into painting ideas with a green quiche cut into slices and neat, sinewy piles of cured meats, and hand-written signs on sticks a la my market scenes. Right up at least one of my alleys.
I loved the Chester Dale Collection exhibit. It is astounding that a couple was able to collect the best of the best spanning artists from around the world through many artistic periods. What in the world did their house look like? Can you imagine living with Van Goghs, Toulouse-Lautrecs, Renoirs, Picassos, Corots, Cassatts, Manets, Monets, Bellows, Matisses, etc …
My favorites in the show are:
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| Mary Cassatt's "Girl Arranging Her Hair" |
“Snow in New York,” an oil on canvas by Robert Henri (American, 1865-1929), painted in 1902
“Girl Arranging Her Hair,” an oil on canvas by Mary Cassatt (American, 1844-1926), painted in 1886
“Portrait of Sonia.” An oil on canvas by Henri Fantin-Latour (French, 1836-1904) painted in 1890
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| "A Shepherd Family Resting" by Giovanni Battista Piazzetta |
On my way to go draw, I tried to pass the Armand Hammer Collection room of drawings. Operative word: tried. I had to stop in. My inspiration there was a beautiful (red) chalk over graphite drawing by Giovanni Battista Piazzetta (Italian, 1683-1754) called “A Shepherd Family Resting” drawn in the 1740s.
That determined what I eventually sat down to draw. I popped upstairs and sat down at the base of a fountain and started to draw “Cherubs Playing with a Swan” a lead with traces of gilding sculpture by Jean-Baptiste Tuby I (French, 1635-1700). My drawing material? Red chalk on treated paper. I hope to return to the same spot next week and pick off where I left off. Mine just might end up being one cherub … with the hint of another. Perhaps. I was rushing it a bit. Too little time. Next visit ... slow down. Really take it in.
Another post or two to follow … I’m catching up for lost time. Two more art sales today. I’ll tell you more plus more photos from my holiday open house to come.
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| My drawing start of "Cherubs Playing with a Swan" in red chalk |
Treat yourself to some inspiration.
Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435
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