Torpedo Factory, Tubac and More...

 

WELCOME

Don't worry. Future newsletters should be shorter. Excitement overtook
sense for this newsletter #1.


 

ART NEWS NOW


*	 Torpedo Factory Studio
Wall 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.




*	New Web Site:   I've been rebuilding
my web site through Fine Art Studios Online and it is now so much easier
to add paintings and drawings, events ... plus it makes it possible to
send out email newsletters ... like this. More artwork is being added
daily and I have lots of plans for other features. Look at the Works
section for Places, Still Life, Portrait, Animal, Drawings and the 100
Faces in 100 Days Collections
 . Check it out ... and
tell me what you think... I'm actually excited about technology for a
change!




*	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 

*	"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:


*	 Lou and Carolyn Brown with
Me 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.




*
 Delivering "The Brogue Bar": read about the big surprise on my blog
 . My blog is where you can read about my latest escapades
... see what's on the easel ... and find other art musings.

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.