Friday, December 28, 2018

Where There Once Was A Goat

"On Top of the World," oil, 60"h x 20"w, ©2018 Jill Banks
... Now there's a painting of granddaughter Emma and husband Randy. I guess there's some explaining to do.

I've Been AWOL
First, I apologize for my ridiculously extended absence from my blog here. I've been much more active with regular email newsletters from my website: www.JillBanks.com.   I've made some guest author "appearances" - most recently a really neat article about my 46-year tenure as Christmas card cover designer for my parents' annual mailing  -- published on Fine Art Today last week.  Then there's been events, holidays, Facebook and Instagram posts (follow me please).  So, I'm out there ... just not necessarily here.

For the last week, I've been working on a piece to make myself happy.  Painting -- pretty much anything -- makes me happy but this was a special project and a piece that can hang out with me ... in our home.

Fresh Off the Easel
The subjects for "On Top of the World" are granddaughter Emma and husband Randy out on a late Fall walk in a favorite spot.  Bet you can figure out why it was high on my priority list for paintings to be.

There are lots of other pieces waiting for attention. To be finished or started.  That can start happening tomorrow.

I knew that this had to become a painting ... and also knew precisely where it would reside.  There is a perfect spot atop our fireplace that is just right for this.  I can see "On Top of the World" leaning there as I'm typing this and it is visible from almost every spot on the main floor.  Before Emma and Randy were painted, this same spot held "Got Your Goat?" -- another favorite piece that has gone off to a great home.  Since it left here, though, I've been trying to figure out what can fill that spot in my heart and home. This is it.

Poor photo ... but this is where "On Top of the World" will be hanging out
Spend Some Time Browsing My Website to Catch Up ... Please

There's plenty there, including "On Top of the World" just added to the People and Portraits gallery on my website.

www.JillBanks.com

Thanks for reading,

Jill

Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com
 
Email: jill@jillbanks.com


Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/JillBanksStudio/ (Please like that page if you like it...)


 
Read the Article: Southwest Art Artist to Watch,  July 2017 Here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola.  
 
Read the Article: "Christmas Card Paintings: 46 Years and Counting"Here's a link to the article in Fine Art Today, published by Fine Art Connoisseur.  
 
Read the Article: "A Paris Plein Air Adventure" published by Outdoor Painter (from Plein Air Magazine)