MPA McLean Artfest 2010 This Sunday ... Plus More!

My booth at Artfest 2009

I'd say that I'm busy getting ready for Sunday's big outdoor art festival ... but I'm actually frozen in front of a computer screen ... and hoping to face the rain in a mad dash to my car to get in to paint in the studio. Nerve calmer.

I know that Sunday's MPA Artfest (Sunday, October 3, 10:30am-4:30pm in McLean Central Park at the corner of Old Dominion Drive and Dolley Madison Blvd in McLean, VA) will be a great event, lots of fun filled with interesting conversations, some art sales, visiting with new and loyal fans. I love these events while I'm there. Still, they are tons of work to suddenly get your framed artwork and art business essentials to appear on a grassy spot in the middle of a park. Fortunately the Artfest is sponsored by the McLean Project for the Arts and their myriad of fantastic volunteers who make setup and takedown much easier. If you buy lots of my art, that makes takedown much easier too! (Hint.)

"Five Umbrellas", oil on linen, 18"h x 24"w, Jill Banks 2010

I haven't determined just what I'll be bringing, but I know of some pretty sure bets ... like "Five Umbrellas", "Lemons, Sunflowers and the Blue Teakettle" and "Arance, Oranges" ... plus many happy surprises.

I hope to see you there.

Oh, and tomorrow (Friday, October 1) is First Friday, 7-9pm at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 15 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA.  This is the opening reception for a gorgeous new show in the gallery of works by the artists of the atelier who will be participating in this month's Great Falls Studio Tour (October 16&17, 10am-5pm, self-guided tour of artist studios throughout Great Falls, VA -- get more info at www.greatfallsstudios.com). Lots more art will explode on the scene by Studio Tour but this is a knockout show as it is.

"Lemons, Sunflowers and the Blue Teakettle", 30"h x 24"w, Jill Banks

On Saturday (October 2, 7:3) there's an awards and opening reception for the "Expressions" portrait competition exhibit at Herndon ArtSpace (750 Center Street, Herndon, VA). My portrait "Nigerian Beauty" was juried into that show. Go to the ArtSpace site for more info: www.artspaceherndon.com.
A bunch of my artist buddies were among the 26 finalists, including fellow Atelier studiomate Brenda Drake, fellow Great Falls Studios member Claudia Samper, plus Tricia Ratliff, Gavin Glakas and Christine Lashley. The show runs until October 26 in case you can't make the reception.

"Arance, Orange", 24"h x 36"w, oil on linen, Jill Banks

Better run.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435