Saturday, July 14, 2018

More From Telluride - Open Studio on Sunday July 15, 5-8pm

"Ride 'Em," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©2018 Jill Banks -- the last painting I created in Telluride
Top Seller Honors

"Lone Tree Cemetery," oil, 24"h x 12"w, ©2018 Jill Banks - private collection
Remarkably, in addition to winning the Quick Draw, I also was the top seller in this year's Telluride Plein Air with eight paintings purchased by eight different sets of collectors. That means I'm automatically invited back for Telluride Plein Air 2019 and I significantly helped the Sheridan Opera House in its fundraising efforts.  Connecting with all those neat people throughout the event was simply thrilling. (And fun.)

Husband Randy was a huge part of that success -- I'll talk about how in the next email newsletter sent out to subscribers of my website (you are receiving this in your email as a subscriber to my blog) so also subscribe at www.JillBanks.com.

Join Me on Sunday at the Artists' Atelier - 756 Walker Road, Great Falls VA 22066. Open Studio: 5-8:30pm

The Summer Concert Series is on from 6-8pm each Sunday and Randy and I will be at the Atelier with plenty of paintings from all these recent adventures for an hour before, through the concert and a little beyond.  I may even be tempted to paint at the concert ... so you could be "in a painting." Especially if you say ... hey ... paint me.

Thanks for reading!


Check out most of the paintings from Telluride -- sold and available here.

Jill

 
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
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)
 
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
July 6:
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)
June 22-September 1: Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Traverse City MI
September 15 & 16: Alexandria King Street Art Festival, Alexandria VA
September 20 to November 4: WAOW National Exhibition, Bartlesville OK (two pieces juried into this show)
September 29 & 30: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk NY
October 7: MPA McLean ArtFest, McLean VA
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Monday, July 2, 2018

Quick Draw Winner at Telluride Plein Air

"Ghost Town," oil, 12"h x 12"w, ©2018 Jill Banks -- winner Telluride Plein Air Quick Draw
I'm thrilled that the panel of judges selected "Ghost Town" as the winner of the Telluride Plein Air Quick Draw.  All 23 of these outstanding artists suffered through having just one-and-a-half hours of panic pulling together these pieces.  At that pace, it's hard to know exactly what the painting looks like.

"Market Day Telluride," oil, 24"h x 12"w, ©2018 Jill Banks
This time in Telluride has been the best ever.  My fellow artists are amazing, fun, funny and cool.  There is a neat group of fans and friends all around town. The weather is gorgeous. Views even more stupendous. Restaurants great.  So wonderful!

I'm about to hand in my Artist's Choice selection for the reception tonight (Monday, July 2) at the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride Colorado.  Then, for the next three days we'll be set up in Elk's Park with our paintings from this week -- all for sale with 40% of the proceeds benefiting the Sheridan Opera House.  There's lots of excitement in the air!

"Market Day Telluride" is the piece I picked as my Artist's Choice.  That wasn't an easy decision -- and I've been driving husband Randy a little nuts for the last few days.  We are able to sell our paintings right off the easel ... except for the one we pick as our Artist's Choice.  "Market Day Telluride" has plenty of people wanting to own it.  So has "Parked on Colorado" -- the other piece I was seriously considering as my pick.  For the reception tonight (Monday), patrons of the Sheridan arrive earlier -- before opening to the public -- so they get the first chance at purchasing.  Patrons -- 5-6pm. Open to the public -- 6-7pm.

I have set up a temporary collection "Telluride Plein Air" on my website where you can view some of what will be on view in the park on July 3, 4 and 5.  Take a look ... and you can purchase and have a piece shipped to you even without being here.  Just contact me via the website or at jill@jillbanks.com.

There has been lots of nice news relative to awards -- with an honorable mention at Bucks County Plein Air's quick draw plus second place and the President's Award at the Falls Church (VA) "Scenes in the City" Plein Air Festival as well. Quite a month!  Perhaps that explains my regular absences from blogging.  Be sure to also subscribe to my email newsletter through my website at www.jillbanks.com.  I seem to be sharing the big news a little better there.

Thanks for reading!  I'll fill you in on more with lots more painting images to come ... whenever I get a little breathing room. For now, I'm off to paint.

Jill
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



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







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
July 6:
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)
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)
"Parked on Colorado," oil on linen-lined panel, 24"h x 12"w, ©2018 Jill Banks - my other top contender

July 7&8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI
September 15 & 16: Alexandria King Street Art Festival, Alexandria VA
September 20 to November 4: WAOW National Exhibition, Bartlesville OK (two pieces juried into this show)
September 29 & 30: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk NY
October 7: MPA McLean ArtFest, McLean VA

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Friday, June 8, 2018

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



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




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. 

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Thursday, May 10, 2018

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

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

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. 


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Friday, May 4, 2018

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

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

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


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Sunday, April 15, 2018

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



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



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. 




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Friday, March 23, 2018

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


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