Painting "Fisherman's Wharf"

"Fisherman's Wharf," (Monterey, CA), oil, 12"h x16"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

One of the real difficulties of figuring out what to paint around here (the Monterey Bay area in California that I'm visiting and painting my way around for a week and a half) is that there are potential paintings everywhere. Even when I'm trying to choose a place to paint -- my view -- in a highly defined area, Fisherman's Wharf, it's still a struggle.

The good news is I know that there will be a chance to return to try out some of those other contenders.

Even though the choice was tough, after spotting this trio of red, white and almost blue, I knew this was it.

The last three weeks plus -- painting plein air almost every day in Madrid, Spain and now Monterey, California -- have been so amazing. I've cherished each opportunity, learned and benefitted from each time there's been a blank canvas, new subject to address.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina
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... but only a couple of them.

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

Plein Air Convention and Expo: Painting in Pacific Grove

"Point Pinos Lighthouse," (Pacific Grove, CA), oil, 16"h x 12"h, ©Jill Banks 2015

Yesterday afternoon, after a full slate of inspirational talks and demos, a huge group of attendees headed out to a wild, windy, wave-crashing coast in Pacific Grove to at least try to paint. Easels were everywhere, weighted down. Folks were holding onto their hats. Painting in cars or under their hatchbacks.  I headed to a much calmer site across the street and a little ways North of Asilomar State Beach Park with the waves crashing behind my back.  It was COLD. As advised, I dressed in layers. Four of them. And kept on painting and painting a lighthouse that I couldn't previously pull into view.

Anyway ... I'm heading back into the convention and then out to paint.  Talk to you tomorrow!

Out painting yesterday in Pacific Grove, CA

Oh, and Berthed isn't the right word for yesterday's boats. Dry docked.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina
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... but only a couple of them.

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

Painting Berthed Boats in Monterey Bay

"Out of Water," (Monterey Bay, California), oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©Jill Banks 2015

Berthed? Is that the right word.

This strip of land has provided inspiration for "Down by the Seashore," "Rocky Shores" and now "Out of Water." Fertile place.

I'm painting in and around Monterey, CA while attending the #PACE15 Plein Air Convention and Expo 2015.  "Out of Water" was inspired by watching a demo by C.W. Mundy.

"Out of Water" is on display and for sale with other paintings through Thursday morning, April 16 at the Monterey Convention Center. (Actually, I can't promise that "Out of Water" will be the painting on view until then ... but one of mine will be.

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina
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... but only a couple of them.

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

Channeling My Inner Sorolla at the Beach

"Down by the Seashore," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

After studying the beach paintings and sketches of Joaquin Sorolla in the special exhibit at the Sorolla Museum in Madrid just a couple weeks ago, I had the perfect muse ready when approaching a quick painting at the beach in Monterey, California. Similar beautiful, brilliant sun. What was so amazing about Sorolla's sketches was how little had to be spelled out. A suggestion goes a long way. Thank goodness.

See "Down by the Seashore" and other paintings from Madrid and California (more to come) on my web site's Places gallery.

I couldn't be happier. Being at the beach painting live. Love the results. Hope you enjoy them too!

I'm at the Plein Air Convention in Monterey this week. More beaches, boats, coastal scenes coming soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina
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

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

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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