Fantastic Reception and Ice Cream Social

Last night's reception and today's ice cream social were absolutely fantastic. I am going to need to report on today's Ice Cream Social another day -- but that may have been my favorite event, ever. I loved it ... just need to gather more photos and thoughts for it. What I loved about it is that adults love ice cream, too ... but it's a whole lot easier to get kids to (another) art event if it features ice cream sundaes. Still, you'll have to wait for that report.

The Reception for my "100 Faces in 100 Days" Exhibit

Getting Ready. Photo: Al Reitan

It was fantastic! The studio and gallery looked amazing  ... but more importantly, a lot of great people showed up and, I believe, thoroughly enjoyed themselves. 

Ray and Chris Rollins: Faces #22 and #23. Photo: Al Reitan

The events mimic the success of the project. I am proud of myself for completing a highly challenging goal of painting 100 Faces in 100 Days. What's exciting is how tangible it is. It's hanging on the walls and replaying in my head. I see the march of days. The challenges. The rewards. I wanted to involve others in what I do -- my passion for art. They are! That happened. There's a new community ... and many of them came to Friday and Saturday's events.

I love to talk about the project, because it was a personal journey and 100 days of other people's stories. It's infinitely interesting.

These wonderful photos are courtesy of ace photographer Al Reitan. I didn't take a single shot all night! Hence, no blog post last night. Thanks, Al!

Painting in Alexandria Tomorrow

I may be a bit bleary-eyed, but I will be painting somewhere near the waterfront in Alexandria, VA tomorrow with the Art League Plein Air Painters. You will see a new painting tomorrow night.

Photo: Al Reitan

Events
August 3 - 31: "100 Faces in 100 Days" on exhibit at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays, 12:30-6:00pm.

 

Photo: Al Reitan

August 8 to August 19: Three of my drawings will be on exhibit as part of the Salmagundi Club's Annual Photography and Graphics Non-Members Exhibit in NYC. This prestigious, 140-year-old arts club is located in a beautiful brownstone at 47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. Through the years, the Salmagundi Club has been the gathering spot of such luminaries as Childe Hassam, William Merrit Chase, N.C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and many others. It's a pretty incredible spot. So ... if you're in NYC any time soon ...

August 3-September 5: 'Scapes Exhibit at the Art League, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA. My entry, "A New York State of Mind," won Honorable Mention.

Photo: Al Reitan

Sunday, August 14: Painting on the Waterfront with the Art League's Plein Air Painters, behind the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA, in the morning.

Sunday, August 21: At the Registration Pavilion for the Reston Century Ride, Reston Town Center, Reston, VA -- with prints of "W&OD BBQ", the first place winner in the T-Shirt competition.

To read more about the 100 Faces in 100 Days project on my web site (www.jillbanks.com), go to the 100 Faces Project Pages 1 and 2 where you can see all 100 of my volunteers. Click on the paintings, and go to my blog post for that person's sitting.

Some Russian talk in my studio area. Photo: Al Reitan

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435