Bucks County Plein Air Wrapping Up ... Show and Sale Time plus Quick Draw to Come

"Sky Drama" - 24"h x 24"w, oil on linen, ©2018 Jill Banks - this one took me a LONG time, two afternoons to finish

"Cloudy Water," oil, 24"h x 12"w, ©2018 Jill Banks

I know it's been forever since last posting ... but here's a quick one before heading off to the Tyler Tasting Party at Bucks County Community College's Newtown Campus (275 Swamp Road Newtown PA) for a reception.

Four fresh paintings made it off my easel since Monday for this morning's installation. One that I thought I finished last night a bit past midnight still needs work before seeing the light of day.  Nocturne's are risky business.  Anyway, here are those four...  Photos are really rough. I'll try again when the paintings aren't so sopping wet.

"Baa Baa Baa" -- three sheep found at Washington Crossing Park -- oil on linen-lined panel, 12"h x 16"w, ©2018 Jill Banks

"I See the Moon..." oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©2018 Jill Banks

See these and more in the "Now Showing" collection of my website and hopefully in person in the Bucks County Plein Air events.

Hope to see you often!

Thanks for reading!

Jill Banks

 

EVENTS

June 4-9: Bucks County Plein Air, PA (one of thirty juried artists selected)

June 4-15: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Member Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, NYC

June 22-September 1: Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Traverse City MI

June 28-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO (one of 23 lucky artists selected)

July 7&8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI

September 15 & 16: Alexandria King Street Art Festival, Alexandria VA

September 29 & 30: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk NY

 

 

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

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

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. 

Coolest Grandkid Photo... and Bethesda Fine Art Festival Ahead

How's This for Determination?

Granddaughter Emma (at two) trying to open her closet doors

I have never seen a photo quite as funny as this one ... so it had to be shared.  I'm pretty sure the apple did not fall far from the tree. Same hang on, figure it out, I'm gonna do it attitude.

Visits

Donna and Ed with "Around Town."  Happy delivery!!!!

Visit 1: I offer home visits whenever possible to make sure that collectors can see the art and help make sure it's the right piece, in the right place.  Right after our First Friday Art Walk, Randy and I took over two of my NYC street scenes to see which worked best for their first major art investment.  "Around Town" found its new home ... and I knew it would be the one after making my first step into their entryway.  It seemed like Donna and Ed's home was waiting for "Around Town" to arrive. A fun night for all four of us ...

The cityscape wall in the collectors' home -- rearranged and hung today

Visit 2: Then today, we re-hung artwork in collectors' home who needed help after remodeling/changing the furniture in a number of rooms.  Even though the artwork seemed perfect in the previous spots, the new arrangements are even better.  And, maybe a round three will be an improvement on this. 

I move paintings around constantly in the studio and all around my house ... but it's unusual  for me to do too much reshuffling in someone else's.

In addition to what's shown here, there are three in the kitchen ...

One of my still lifes in the dining room got a new companion

and many more in other rooms. There aren't many houses around with more Jill Banks originals ... other than mine, my Mom and Dad's ... and a rare few others. Pretty neat!

The photos would be brighter ... but we were at day's end with our hanging efforts following my plein air landscape class (a good one that escaped the rain).

Visit 3: Last week, Randy and I had the great treat of having dinner with my high school math teacher, Chuck Kirst, and his daughter Kelly.  What a wonderful reunion! He was my teacher from 8th grade through 12th at Cold Spring Harbor High School on Long Island, NY and we'd last seen each other at my graduation.  (That wasn't yesterday.) It was interesting to figure out how we would recognize each other when meeting at the restaurant. He said that's easy ... I'll be the old guy. The evening was so much fun. How lucky I am that my mom went on a search to reconnect us ... and my dad gave him a call.


Bethesda Fine Art Festival THIS WEEKEND -- May 12 & 13 -- Sure Hope to See You!

This is my first time exhibiting at the Bethesda Fine Art Festival and my booth will be full of favorite pieces ... and hopefully full of cool people like YOU! I'll be on Auburn Avenue, so a little off the main path so you are going to need to try to find me. (Please.) Get more of the scoop here. The artwork looks to be spectacular ... with many of my favorite fellow artists from the top shows in the country.

"Out and About," oil, 36"h x 24"w, ©2018 Jill Banks

EVENTS

First Friday Art Walk in the Village Centre 6-8pm, (from April to December 2018) Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22033. (Studio is also open Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm)

Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  Fredericksburg, TX. Exhibit though June 3

May 12&13: Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, Bethesda MD

June 1-3: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia PA  

June 4-9: Bucks County Plein Air, PA (one of thirty juried artists selected)

June 28-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO (one of 23 lucky artists selected)

July 7&8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI

September 15 & 16: Alexandria King Street Art Festival, Alexandria VA

September 29 & 30: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk NY

Hope to see you often this Spring!

There are a couple of action videos on my Facebook Fan page ... should you want to take a peek.

Thanks for reading!

Jill Banks

 

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

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

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. 

A Bit of Great Falls to Head to Michigan ... and Full Weekend of Art Ahead

"Light Spill," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2017 Jill Banks -- Heading to the OPA Salon Show in June

Oil Painters of America shows are way up there on the difficulty scale to wrangle an acceptance, but lo and behold, "Light Spill" -- a piece started plein air right behind the Artists' Atelier -- has been accepted and will be heading to Traverse City, Michigan for the OPA Annual Juried Salon Show being held there from June 22 to September 1. Yay!!!!

Coming Up Way Sooner Than That

"Rabbits and Ranunculus," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©2018 Jill Banks

First Friday Art Walk in the Village, May 4, 6-8pm -- Artists' Atelier at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA (First Fridays -- April to December -- enjoy a night on the town.)

Great Falls Spring ArtFest, May 5 & 6, 10am to 5pm  -- the festival is in two locations in the heart of Great Falls -- the Grange/Schoolhouse at 9818 Georgetown Pike -- and the Studios in the Village Centre at 756, 766 and 776 Walker Road.  (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier at 756 Walker Road)

Bethesda Fine Art Festival, May 12 & 13, Saturday - 10am to 6pm and Sunday - 10am to 5pm.  This is my first time participating in the Bethesda Festival and I'm thrilled to be exhibiting at booth #92 on Auburn Avenue.  Please come for a visit -- and invite a friend or two.  It's challenging to set up these mini galleries for the outdoor festivals but your attendance and enthusiasm makes it all well worth it.

 

Hope to see you often this Spring!

There are a couple of action videos on my Facebook Fan page ... should you want to take a peek.

Thanks for reading!

Jill Banks

 

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

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

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. 

 Events

February 1-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with up to five pieces at one time over this four month period.)  First Friday Art Walk at RS Hanna from 6-8pm -- February, March, April, May and June. 

May 4: First Friday Art Walk in the Village Centre, 6-8pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22033. (Studio is also open Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm)

May 4: First Friday Art Walk, 6-8pm Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  Fredericksburg, TX. Exhibit though June 3

 

May 5 & 6: Great Falls Spring ArtFest, Great Falls VA

May 12&13: Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, Bethesda MD

 

June 1-3: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA  

June 4-9: Bucks County Plein Air, PA (one of thirty juried artists selected)

June 28-July 4: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO

July 7-8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI

Had To Fix the Fridge ... and Arlington Festival of the Arts Ahead

Rabbits and Ranunculus, oil on linen-lined panel, 20"h x 16"w, ©2018 Jill Banks

 www.JillBanks.com

Things have been getting a little smelly in the Banks' kitchen each time we've opened the refrigerator door.  It wasn't helping that Rabbits and Ranunculus has been on again, off again over the last two and a half weeks with past-their-prime parsley root, some odd looking bunch of perhaps broccolini, several cabbages and lettuces being stored inside the fridge waiting for their return to center stage. Today, the painting is finished ... and the produce has gone out where it belongs. (At least you can tell it looked pretty and was fresh at one point.)

Enjoying a surprisingly sunny day on the farm last Thursday. I'm behind the camera ... not in front of it.

Delaying Rabbits and Ranunculus's progress have been outings all over the DC/Northern Virginia area scouting out plein air painting locations for my landscape class, getting ready for classes that started this past week and taking advantage of all sunny days to get outside with my easel.

April 21-22 Arlington Festival of the Arts in Clarendon

Hidden under Rabbits and Ranunculus is another bunny painting.  I kept the white bunny, added another and changed pretty much everything else. The colors of the previous painting were understated (for me)... unlike this new layer.  It's like spring blossomed on the canvas.

It's extremely rare that I go back to an existing canvas and completely transform it.  Now there are a couple more paintings in my line-up to make more minor changes with others to finish.  Sort of like Spring cleaning.

Coming Up

Spring shows are straight ahead with  

Arlington Festival of the Arts on April 21-22 in Arlington VA

Great Falls Spring ArtFest on May 5 & 6 

Bethesda Fine Art Festival on May 12 & 13

Lots more on the schedule too ... check my Events page for more

Spring Full of Art

Also, lots of Events are coming up including an May 4 First Friday Art Walk in the Village (Great Falls, VA -- where you'll find me in my studio) and for the Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at the RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg TX (I won'd be there but many of my paintings are ... on exhibit until June 3).

Events

February 1-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with up to five pieces at one time over this four month period.)  First Friday Art Walk at RS Hanna from 6-8pm -- February, March, April, May and June. 

April 21-22: Arlington Fine Art Festival, Arlington VA

May 4: First Friday Art Walk in the Village Centre, 6-8pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22033. (Studio is also open Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm)

May 5-6: Great Falls Spring ArtFest, 10am -5pm both days, you'll find me at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22033 

June 1-3: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA  

June 4-9: Bucks County Plein Air, PA (one of thirty juried artists selected)

June 28-July 4: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO

July 7-8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI

Thank you for reading!

Jill Banks

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

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

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. 

Human Inspiration

Strumming, oil, 24"h x 12"w, ©2018 Jill Banks

Instead of the longer, more thoughtful blog post I was in the process of writing ... you'll get something a bit shorter and sweeter.

Today in addition to a positive brainstorming meeting to help a local arts organization, hours were spent happily painting at my easel an inspiring sitter whose neck is probably not too comfortable this evening. (Strummer is the result.)

After that, I joined my parents for dinner to catch up a bit.

This past week's trip to Charleston offered warmer weather with people out and about, with connections at my easel happening all day long.

I apologize too to friends in Charleston for not letting them know of my visit. It was planned last minute and consisted of painting, eating and sleeping. I know when I'm not good company. 

Prior to heading to Charleston, I asked a favorite model to come pose for me in my studio... and she just filled the space with beauty.  The scene before me was almost overwhelming.  It will take me a good while to do it ... and her justice.  Somehow the canvas will have to transport you to the feeling I had all day.

There was an interview with Michelle Dunaway that I read recently ... and in it she talked about painting with Richard Schmid. How when they had a model come pose for the group (the Putney Painters), he is like a kid on Christmas morning.  He simply lights up.

I'm that way.

Paint with Me This Spring -- Register Now

Classes are filling for my Spring term ... so if you are interested in painting on location with me around the Washington DC area (Plein Air Landscape starts April 12) ... now's a good time to register.  Get more info about that class and others on my Classes page.

Still Life Plus (Tuesdays starting April 10)
Evening Paint (Tuesdays starting April 10)
Plein Air Landscape (Thursdays starting April 12) -- taught on location around the Great Falls and DC area.

Spring Full of Art

Also, lots of Events are coming up including an April 6 First Friday Art Walk in the Village (Great Falls, VA -- where you'll find me in my studio) and for the Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at the RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg TX (I won'd be there but many of my paintings are ... on exhibit until June 3).

Back to Telluride

Yay!  I'll be participating in Telluride Plein Air for the third time this Summer.  Visions of that wonderful town are already dancing around in my head.  So glad to be invited back!

Events

February 1-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with up to five pieces at one time over this four month period.)  First Friday Art Walk at RS Hanna from 6-8pm -- February, March, April, May and June. 

April 6: First Friday Art Walk in the Village Centre, 6-8pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22033. (Studio is also open Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm)

April 21-22: Arlington Fine Art Festival, Arlington VA

June 1-3: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA  

June 4-9: Bucks County Plein Air, PA  (one of 30 juried artists)

June 28-July 4: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO

July 7-8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI

Press   
Check out the March/April issues of Fine Art Connoisseur and Art of the West Magazines. My work is published in both. Cool.

Thank you for reading!

Jill Banks

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

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

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. 

 

Spring Fever Took Me to Charleston

Wisteria Walk, oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©2018 Jill Banks -- painted today!

Spring fever drove me to make a quick trip to Charleston SC for weather warm enough to paint en plein air.  (Home in the Washington DC area got 4 inches of snow.) So while I'm now just back to the colder weather, this violet-laced walk is where I spent this gorgeous afternoon.

Everyone stopped to smell the wisteria and to take photos among the purple blossoms.  When people gravitate to someplace like that ... and I'm painting that same subject ... it's a sure sign it was a good choice.

 I can't tell you how nice it was to have its scent wafting through the air (vs. painting alongside a garbage can, for instance). 

Three more paintings filled out the last five days. You'll see those soon (in the next few days).

Wade Away, oil, 24"h x 24"w, ©2017 Jill Banks (from last year's Spring trip to Charleston)

Paint with Me This Spring -- Register Now

Classes are filling for my Spring term ... so if you are interested in painting on location with me around the Washington DC area (Plein Air Landscape starts April 12) ... now's a good time to register.  Get more info about that class and others on my Classes page.

Still Life Plus (Tuesdays starting April 10)
Evening Paint (Tuesdays starting April 10)
Plein Air Landscape (Thursdays starting April 12) -- taught on location around the Great Falls and DC area.

Spring Full of Art

Also, lots of Events are coming up including an April 6 First Friday Art Walk in the Village (Great Falls, VA -- where you'll find me in my studio) and for the Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at the RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg TX (I won'd be there but many of my paintings are ... on exhibit until June 3).

Back to Telluride

Yay!  I'll be participating in Telluride Plein Air for the third time this Summer.  Visions of that wonderful town are already dancing around in my head.  So glad to be invited back!

Events

February 1-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with up to five pieces at one time over this four month period.)  First Friday Art Walk at RS Hanna from 6-8pm -- February, March, April, May and June. 

April 6: First Friday Art Walk in the Village Centre, 6-8pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22033. (Studio is also open Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm)

April 21-22: Arlington Fine Art Festival, Arlington VA

June 1-3: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA  

June 28-July 4: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO

July 7-8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI

Press   
Check out the March/April issues of Fine Art Connoisseur and Art of the West Magazines. My work is published in both. Cool.

Thank you for reading!

Jill Banks

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

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

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. 

 

Inspired by Telluride

"Mountain Station," oil on linen-lined panel, 24"h x 18"w,  ©2017-2018 Jill Banks

Started on location last summer, I finished "Mountain Station" in my studio.  If we weren't leaving Telluride the following day, I would have returned to the same spot and completed it there.  Often, those second chances to take in the changing mood and colors of the place are such a treat. Most of the "work" is done ... leaving time to enjoy and anticipate. But those second days are real rarities. Instead, I took my thoughts and senses there ... many states and half a year away.

While "Mountain Station" has been hanging out in my studio waiting for attention for some time, it moved to the easel prompted by the episodes of Bravo's Top Chef (a favorite show) taking place in Telluride.  The chefs were shopping where we shopped. Padma was standing in front of one of the planters on Colorado Avenue where I'd stood and painted "Center of Attention." All those visual prompts did it.  How many hints did I need to return -- at least mentally -- to this magical place?

The station depicted is where you "hitch" a ride to Mountain Village and back.  The bikes at the light pole are just some of the hundreds of them dotting the town. During my first visit to Telluride, any young folks I met thought each painting was fine ... but asked when I was going to paint the gondola.  Indeed I did get around to it. ("Riding High" was the result.)

Spring Classes Start April 10 & 12
Get more info about my classes offered through the Arts of Great Falls through the links below. 
Still Life Plus (Tuesdays)
Evening Paint (Tuesdays)
Plein Air Landscape (Thursdays) -- taught on location around the Great Falls and DC area.
Registration is open for these classes but you'll need to use the links provided on my classes page to get to them ... for now.  This past term, classes were full. Be sure to secure your spot by registering now.  I really hope you join us!

Did you see my last blog post? Check out "City Sparkle" and "Out and About" in this City Sidewalks Post. 

"City Sparkle," oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©2018 Jill Banks

Events

• February 2-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with five pieces at one time ("Old Market," "Day at the Ranch," "Cactus Corner," "Fiddlin' Around" and "Chicken Chat" are all heading to Texas) over this four month period.  First Friday Art Walk openings at RS Hanna from 6-8pm on February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4 and June 1.  Plus see the work any time until June 3.
• April 6: First Friday Art Walk in the Village Centre, 6-8pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22033. (Studio is also open Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm)
•  June 1-3: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA
• July 7-8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI

Press   
Check out the March/April issues of Fine Art Connoisseur and Art of the West Magazines. My work is published in both. Cool.

Thank you for reading!

Jill Banks

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

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

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. 

 

City Sidewalks

City Sparkle, oil on linen, 30x40 inches, ©2018 Jill Banks

I'm truly sorry for my extended absence from blogging and posting new work. Even with the best intentions, paintings don't always cooperate in and out of the studio.  Since my last post, we traveled to Fredericksburg Texas for the first of a series of First Friday Art Walks at RS Hanna for the Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase.  What a beautiful gallery ... filled with fine art, and warm, welcoming people.  You will see what I painted while there.  Just like me ... I had to attempt two paintings during the hours leading up to the Art Walk reception time.  That left at least one of them in rough shape but it's a good idea so it will survive in one form or another.

About City Sparkle

Randy and I were in NYC for two consecutive weekends this January, enjoying the extraordinary Michelangelo exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Museum and taking in receptions at the National Arts Club where a painting I created of the two of us was on exhibit.  It was an inspiring and wonderful trip ... and City Sparkle was our view en route from one wonderful art venue to another.

While I've spent a whole lot of time studying color over the years, I'm really digging in and experimenting in this still relatively new year. Here are some new blues ... and yellows created from tubes of paint that I've rarely used in the past.  One of the amazing aspects of painting is that the potential discoveries are endless.

See more urban streetscapes, interiors and landscapes in the Places Gallery on my website. 

Out and About Finished ... Too

Out and About, oil on linen, 36x24 inches, ©2018 Jill Banks

I painted my way through parts of Italy last Summer ... but with many of the narrow streets prohibiting setting up right here. But the rhythms and magic of those days were clearly with me in the studio painting Out and About. The painting will be navigating its way to the Artists' Atelier after I enjoy having it in my house for a few days.  The Atelier (756 Walker Road, Great Falls VA 22066)is open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm (I'll be there on February 28 for open hours), Saturdays, 10am to 2pm ... and anytime an artist is in working or by appointment.  I'd always be happy to meet you there! Email me at jill@jillbanks.com.

Right near this spot was the inspiration for the Old Market, a painting of the same size but different orientation that is currently available through RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg TX for the Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase. Check it out here.

Both of these paintings took awhile to spring to life ... but both seem to have been worth the investment. Hope you enjoy them!

 Events

• February 2-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with five pieces at one time ("Old Market," "Day at the Ranch," "Cactus Corner," "Fiddlin' Around" and "Chicken Chat" are all heading to Texas) over this four month period.  First Friday Art Walk openings at RS Hanna from 6-8pm on February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4 and June 1.  Plus see the work any time until June 3.

Press ... Coming Up

Keep an eye out for the March/April issues of Fine Art Connoisseur and Art of the West Magazines. My work will be published in both. Cool.

Thank you for reading!

Jill Banks

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

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

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.