Torpedo Factory, Tubac and More...
WELCOME
Don't worry. Future newsletters should be shorter. Excitement overtook sense for this newsletter #1.
ART NEWS NOW
 Visiting Resident Studio Artist at the Torpedo Factory in Studio #333, August Only. Reception: Thursday, August 9, 6-9pm. Still Life Demo: Sunday, August 12, 1-5pm. Portrait Painting Demo: Sundays, August 19 and August 26, 1-5pm. Hours: In the studio five days a week, Thursdays (2-9pm), Fridays (noon-6pm), Saturdays (noon-6pm), Sundays (noon-6pm), and Mondays (10am-5pm). I really hope you can come for a visit. 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA. So far, five days in ... this has been a great experience. The Torpedo Factory Association put out a call for applicants to the Summer Program ... to fill studios that might be vacant during these months and to introduce the community to new work and artists. I'm glad to be chosen as one of 16 visiting residents. Speech Problems: I'm going to have to come up with a new intro though when people step through the studio doors. My visitors hail from places like South Africa, Holland, Germany, Ukraine, and all over the United States. I say that I'm a visiting artist and they ask, from where? Home and even my Great Falls studio just isn't that far away.
- Fall Class Info is also up on my web site. Classes are almost full with returning students and two new ... so contact me if you're signing up to ensure a spot. The registration process is still clunky ... but I've made it as easy as I can. Classes are offered in portrait painting or drawing (Mondays, 10am-1pm starting September 10) and still life painting in oils (Tuesdays, 10am-1pm starting September 11). I teach through the Great Falls School of Art, 1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA. This Summer has been Class Free (for me) -- and I can't wait to see those smiling, returning and new faces!
- "Honey Bunny" has been accepted as one of only 60 finalists into American Women Artists Annual Juried Exhibition being held a the K Newby Gallery & Sculpture Garden in Tubac, Arizona (15 Tubac Road, Tubac, Arizona 85646. This is my first time participating in this event being held November 2-25. I think "Honey Bunny" is a winner, too. A recent still life, it's a sign of more to come ... as I'd like to paint small animals/birds into not-so-still lifes. Do you have a pet I could borrow, photograph, stare at? A parrot or parakeet? Guinea pig? Mouse?
- "The Poker Club" will be heading off to the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, NYC this October -- as it has just been accepted into the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Annual Juried Exhibition. The painting depicts my Dad (that's the back of his head) and six of his poker club buddies in the Stratford House social room. They are getting a kick out of the painting being exhibited in such a prestigious spot. I've gotten a kick out of having the chance to witness their camraderie. Neat group.
JULY WAS ABOUT:
 Painting Carolyn and Lou Brown who came for eight days from Huntsville, Alabama to sit for their portraits. Each day, Randy would go pick them up from their hotel, and they would come through the door walking straight to the couch in our living room. Lou would tell jokes. I'd squint and pull my head back in alarm at what I saw ... at least according to Lou's impression of me. We spent eight days laughing a lot. The portrait is not done, and it's resting at the moment since August is focused on the Torpedo Factory and another wonderful family portrait I'm working to complete. How They Ended Up Commissioning a Portrait: Lou and Carolyn had seen my 100 Faces in 100 Days exhibit last year, introduced to it ... and me ... by their friends, Joan Bell-Haynes (my parents' pastor) and her husband Oscar Haynes. Joan and Oscar are both great supporters of mine and they were two of those fine 100 Faces. Complicated, I know. During my home studio show last year, Lou told me that he'd never really thought about having his portrait painted, but that he'd like me to do it. So, this project has been simmering for awhile. Huntsville Came To Me: I was originally supposed to go to Huntsville to paint, but fortunately that changed into a visit here for them. It's tough to travel with paints and all the myriad of stuff that might be necessary/helpful for the task. Birthday Shopping: And, while Carolyn was sitting on the living room couch, she was staring at "Clown Girl and Kisses" when she wasn't looking at me. That painting was chosen (by her) for her birthday present ... and is now hanging in their home in Huntsville. I miss them.
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful Summer. If you are in the Washington DC area, you'll also want to see the George Bellows exhibit at the National Gallery of Art -- a fantastic show that closes on October 8.
Thanks for reading and I hope to see you soon,
Jill (Banks)
(703) 403-7435
[email protected]
My other, normal (other than August) studio is the Artists' Atelier,the spot I share with 13 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open: Saturdays, noon-4pm, whenever an artist is in and by appointment.
Two of My Latest Paintings ... Available for Purchase:
"Cherries and Green Figs," 8"h x 10"w, oil
"June Peonies," 20"h x 16"w, oil
Get more info on my web site, Still Life Collection.
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Delivering "The Brogue Bar"