Two Portrait Deliveries

Yesterday, husband Randy and I delivered the framed portrait of Bob and Bridget Borchers to Bob. Randy took this photo of Bob and me with the painting in situ. I suspect that it's a sign of a well-satisfied client that he's smiling! Note: I am grinning, too. Read more about the portrait in an earlier post.

And, today, I'm waiting for another client to come to my house to reveal a portrait. This new painting will be a gift (to be given in a couple of months) ... so it's another case of not being able to see it for now. Randy set up the caped portrait and easel in our family room. I'm a bit uncomfortable with too much drama ... but it is a treasure underneath. Anticipation! This painting will inspire some more paintings sometime soon.



I have been busy getting ready for my "Mastering the Business of Art" workshop I'm giving Tuesday and Wednesday night. I've learned a great deal just preparing. Perhaps the most important thing I've learned is just how vital being organized is to accomplishing your goals. There is always so much I want to do ... and as my Dad says ... there's only one of me. That one of me has to be incredibly selective about how I spend my energy and resources so I can create the beautiful art currently stored in my mind.

NYC Street Painting ... On the Easel

Here's a glimpse into my current work-in-progress. I'm just working on getting all the surfaces covered -- a step called "blocking in". This painting has some of the same abstract qualities that I enjoyed exploring in "Through the Window", shown below (that's available through Chasen Galleries in Richmond, VA and "Randy and Me," a portrait I did of my husband and I shown in an earlier post. So, I have lots more work to do on this ... but I'm enjoying it. All three paintings are 30"h x 40"w.

"Mastering the Business of Art" Workshop

Today's the first day of my Still Life class at the Loudoun Academy of Arts and next Tuesday and Wednesday night I'll be holding my "Mastering the Business of Art" workshop in the Artists' Atelier at 1144 Walker Road, Suite #G in Great Falls, VA 22066. You can still sign up for the workshop -- but maybe contact me directly by email at jillbanks1@aol.com or phone (703) 403-7435. Here's the info:
Mastering the Business of Art
Jill Banks
Tuesday & Wednesday, January 13 & 14, 6:30-9:30pm
Creating a successful art career requires more than just creating appealing art. This two-day workshop covers the fundamentals of planning, establishing and running a career as a professional artist. Topics include goal setting, studio setup, purchasing, pricing your work, exhibiting, selling, applying for grants, taxes, setting up merchant accounts, marketing, add-on products and branding, promotions, publicity, approaching galleries, establishing name recognition, handling commissions, inventory control and more. The instructor started taking classes in 2003 – and in a little over five years has successfully built a rewarding art career through sales, commissions, recognition, awards, a grant, gallery representation and teaching. The business of art is challenging and rewarding – and conquering it lets us do more of what we love to do! A workbook is included. Information on the instructor can be found at: www.jillbanks.com and on her blog at http://jillbanks.blogspot.com.
$95 + $10 workbook fee
Registration form.

Register for other classes at the Great Falls School for Art. Download the Winter 2009 class bulletin there ... or go to my earlier blog post for more info. There's room for one more person in my still life class. Hurry!

I'm working on a large street scene of NYC ... in between planning, organizing, and getting my ideas together for 2009! I hope to show it to you at least as a work in progress soon.

What's Cooking Today: Today's Painting

I took over the kitchen today ... instead of painting in the studio. The photo's not great because it was dark out when I finished my "breakfast" painting. This one's called "Egg Whites" because there were so many different tones of white in the scene. "Egg Whites", 11"h x 14"w, oil on Senso canvas, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Portrait of Bob and Bridget Borchers

After many, many months ... my portrait commission of Bob and Bridget Borchers is now complete. It will be framed and I'll take it over to Bob next week.

I've included my photo of it here. Later, I'll have it photographed professionally ... which will be so much better than what I put up here.

A little history about this portrait. Bridget passed away in 2008, shortly before Bob contacted me to paint her portrait. The two of us, Bob and I, decided that I would paint a portrait of the two of them together ... working from photos of Bridget, and with me painting Bob from life. Bob gave me a lot of leeway as to pose, size, clothing, setting, actually everything. (I'm always amazed, and deeply appreciative, that clients trust me to do what I think is right. What a difference that makes!)

I took a lot of photos of Bob at one of our initial meetings -- actually not knowing what I'd do with them because I didn't know what the setting of the portrait would be or what photo of Bridget I would use as a primary source. Then, I started sketching -- a couple of very rough ideas -- and only one that I fleshed out. That turned out to be a detailed sketch, very similar to this final portrait. In sketching it, I figured out something that felt exactly right. And, Bob loved it.

One important point to make is that throughout the process I used live sittings (thanks, Bob!) and tons of totally different photos to make this happen. The ones I have of Bridget are from a different angle in different lighting. I also witnessed a transformation in Bob from our first meeting onward. As someone deeply in love with my spouse (Randy), it was tough to face the grief experienced by someone who recently lost their other half. This portrait was good therapy. The Bob Borchers depicted here is different than the Bob I met right after his loss. That's due to lots of reasons, but one of them was our project.

The yellow creature Bridget's holding, since I know someone will want to ask, is a Sneetch. The Sneetch is a character in a Dr. Seuss book (The Sneetches and Other Stories) -- a book that was an absolute favorite of mine and the Borchers. Nothing is without meaning here.

It was an honor to work on this project. Being able to create art that makes a difference in someone's life is a profound gift. I treasure it and work at it.

Happy New Year and Thank You for Making Art Part of Your Lives!
Jill Banks

Pear Painting of the Day

I love painting pears ... with their sinuous form. Here's today's painting. I started it thinking I might do just a modified grisaille (monochromatic painting) to concentrate on form rather than color. I held to that approach (using just a combination of burnt sienna/french ultramarine blue/titanium white) for all of about 15 minutes. Then I started adding in colors to the pear only, some cadmiums -- yellows, green light, oranges. I guess I couldn't help myself. I also added in the produce section sticker -- something that used to be a trademark of my early still life paintings. So, no, I didn't forget to take it off.

This is painted alla prima -- or all at once -- wet into sopping wet.

"Pear", oil on Raymar panel, 8"h x 6"w, copyright Jill Banks 2008.

Also ... start the New Year out right. We will be holding the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 13 other artists, open for First Friday, this Friday, January 2, 2009 from 7-9pm. Stop in to look at the art, and enjoy light refreshments and a glass of wine or sparkling water. The Artists' Atelier is located at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. We are also open for regular open hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm -- except for Saturday, January 10. (The studio will be acting as host for a special workshop that weekend.)

"Chocolate Cupcake" Painting of the Day and More...

Today's been a busy day. I finished a portrait that's been a major project of Bob Borchers, my client, and mine ... and "unveiled" it this afternoon. I will need to talk more about this special portrait and show a photo later, someday soon. We'll be going over to FrameMasters (my favorite framer) to pick out a frame for it tomorrow. By the way, FrameMasters has a $25 off coupon for custom orders on minimum orders of $125 through January 31. See their web site: www.framemasters1.com.

Well, a little more now ... I have been working the past three weeks (while preparing for the Christmas holidays) to finalize the portrait painting. I strive (I mean, REALLY strive) to produce the best work I possibly can. This portrait has been by far the most challenging painting I've undertaken, and I'm relieved that it exceeds my sometimes ridiculous expectations.

So, as a treat ... I produced "Chocolate Cupcake" this afternoon ... something easy and fun. It's really important to me to keep changing the type of work (subject matter, size, complexity) to keep my enthusiasm (passion) for each project at a high level. That excitement shows.

See also "Cupcake", "Four Square" (painting of four donuts), and my "Me O My! Donut" for some more of my small food paintings a day ... or just keep looking at Older Posts. There are lots of them!

"Chocolate Cupcake", oil on stretched canvas, 5" x 5", copyright Jill Banks 2008.

Reminders: Register now for classes at Loudoun Academy of Art and the Great Falls School of Art. I'm teaching a workshop "Mastering the Business of Art" January 13 & 14, 6:30-9:30pm in Great Falls in addition to a portrait and still life class. See my post on the Great Falls School of Art winter classes and workshops.

"Tea with Anne" Chosen as a Finalist in the Raymar Art Competition

"Tea with Anne" gets chosen for another honor. I entered this portrait in Raymar's art competition, a year-long competition in which 12 finalists are chosen each month. "Tea with Anne" was chosen by Gil Dellinger, as a November finalist. See the Raymar web site to see Gil Dellinger's comments and the other finalists. After January's competition, winners are chosen from the finalist paintings. This contest is sponsored by Raymar, the manufacturer of fine art painting panels, and the prizes are sizeable. What impresses me most is that the finalists are big names in art world competitions ... plus I generally admire the paintings chosen ... so it's nice company "Tea with Anne" is keeping.

I have been a Raymar finalist twice before ... with "Pre-Dinner Drinks" in December 2005 and "Chadwick's" in September 2006. While "Tea with Anne" and "Pre-Dinner Drinks" are sold, "Chadwick's" is available for sale through Chasen Galleries in Richmond, VA ... except it has been renamed as "After Hours." Please contact the gallery to purchase. (Tell them I sent you.)

"Tea with Anne" won an award at the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club in NYC (the exhibit was at the National Arts Club). The painting depicts Anne Heilman, a great lady, artist, and friend of my mom's. See my earlier posts about that honor listed below.

"New York, New York"
"Tea with Anne" Wins Award in New York Exhibit
Accepted into New York Art Exhibit



Top left: "Tea with Anne", oil, 24"h x 18"w, private collection; middle right" "Pre-Dinner Drinks," oil, 12" h x 9"w, private collection (this painting is of the parlor from the Inn at Little Washington); bottom: "After Hours" (previously titled "Chadwick's), 16"h x 20"w, available for purchase through Chasen Galleries. Paintings copyright Jill Banks. All rights reserved.

Happy Holidays to All!

Peppermint Stick Painting of the Day

This quick alla prima painting is a tribute to the holiday ... and will become my Christmas card. Of course, I still need to print, address and mail them. No rush, right?

"Peppermint Stick and Pencil", oil on stretched canvas, 6"h x 4"w, copyright Jill Banks 2008.

A Great Falls Studios Holiday Celebration and the Case for Joining an Art Group

Last night, Randy and I went to the home of Laura Nichols, founder and president of Great Falls Studios (GFS), for a really amazing holiday party for members and spouses (or significant others). It was the anti-Office Party... and so much fun ... it was ridiculous.

Great Falls Studios is a group of 78 artists who work or reside in Great Falls, VA. It's with this group that I first "came out" as an artist ... started to exhibit and talk with art enthusiasts (and potential collectors) about what I do. Through GFS, I acquired an informed appreciation for a variety of art forms as I attended individual studio tours of members in which the artists talked about their inspiration and process. I gained 78+ friends. Sharing this strong a common interest is a great shortcut to real friendship. As a board member of GFS for the past three years, I learned a lot about building a successful arts organization, and in my capacity as co-chairman of the Shows & Exhibits Committee -- I learned all about putting on successful art exhibits and events. I retire from the board and as committee chair in January, but my commitment to this terrific organization will continue.

During the party, artist (and GFS member) GuruSangat Khalsa performed ... singing and dancing beautifully to "Amazing Grace", "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes", "Lean on Me," a Bob Dylan song, and tons of others. She had us singing along, dancing, tapping, humming, and playing the tambourine. All this in Laura's warm, ancient home ... with the fire crackling while enjoying the camraderie of super friends.

Last night was part of my life as an artist. Today I was painting a portrait commission I want to finish before the end of the year. Tomorrow, I'll be at the Atelier again for our Saturday Open Hours, noon-4pm. The Artists' Atelier is located at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.

Since I can't show you my painting from today, here's a drawing you haven't seen yet that is available for sale at the Atelier. What's remarkable about this one is that here are three drawings in one done from three five minute warm-up poses. The odds of this working out as a decent composition are probably a gadzillion to one. A special piece, then. "Wild Man", ink wash and pen&ink, copyright Jill Banks 2007(?).