"Alan" Accepted into the 83rd Grand National Exhibition

"Alan," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2005

Good news! Today's mail delivered one of those self-addressed stamped envelopes that I send out with my responses to Call for Entries. In it was a letter with big type: Congratulations! My entry "Alan" has been accepted into the 2011 American Artists Professional League Grand National Exhibition. The show will hang in the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC from Tuesday, November 1 through Friday, November 11. The exhibit is open to the public on those dates from 1pm to 6pm with a reception, awards presentation and annual meeting on Sunday, November 6, 2:00 to 5:00pm.

"Alan" has already had a good history. This painting was a finalist in Artist's Magazine's Annual Art Competition in the portrait category. And, "Alan" was on the cover of élan Magazine in May 2006.  I felt like a star! (And so did Alan!)

It's tough to choose the right piece to submit to an exhibit, and for that matter, the right exhibits for me. I have to either go see the exhibit in person or take a good look at it online, if possible. This is my second time being accepted into the Grand National, and I attended the reception for it when my piece "Sunflowers II" was part of the exhibit in 2009. Accepted entries are traditional realism only. So, I work to figure out the right fit. Actually, I agonize over it. Perhaps I think this helps my chances.

Fun Time at the Demo Last Night

I painted a very quick demo last night following the meeting at the Vienna Arts Society's Art Center. This is an awfully good group of people who sponsor an annual Treasury of Art show each year in November. (Last year, I'd won 3rd Place with my three-color chalk drawing of "Becky.")

I painted a little -- a simple still life -- and talked a lot about my 100 Faces project in between discussing not using mediums, working on boards vs. canvas, the thickness of the paint, etc. It's rare for me to paint for just an hour (or less). That's when I'm just getting started, usually. But, I think it's important to get over having to do something we're not used to -- and find a way to adjust or just adopt the right attitude. That can be as simple as changing your expectations. As in ... lightening up ... and delivering information, an approach and hopefully, some inspiration.

I also feel honored by the invitation. Thanks, Anita Champ for including me in the program!

I'll check out the photos Randy took last night ... and perhaps post them later today.

Come see soon.

Open Hours at the Atelier and Last Chances -- 100 Faces in 100 Days

My 100 Faces in 100 Days paintings are all up at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066) for just one more week. I'll take them down on Saturday, September 24. Open hours are Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm or contact me by email for another time. The exhibit carried over for extra weeks into September ... but this is it! Later I will work on finding other places to exhibit them as a group ... but who knows where that will be. Or when.

Events
August 1 - September 24: "100 Faces in 100 Days" on exhibit at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Fridays and Saturdays, Noon-4pm.

My Still Life and Portrait Painting & Drawing Both classes are full for Fall sessions. See the Classes page on my web site for more information on those classes. Send me an email if you would like to receive notification of other class/workshop offerings -- what kind of courses you would be interested in, days of the week and times.

Sunday, October 2, 10am-5pm: MPA McLean Artfest, juried outdoor arts festival, McLean Community Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 15&16, 10am-5pm: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour. Major weekend long event with 47 artists from Great Falls Studios participating in a self-guided tour. I'll be in the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls. Last year, the tour drew 7200+ visitors from throughout the DC area. Don't miss it!

October 20-22, Out & About Norfolk 2011: Juried Plein Air Event and Wet Paint Sale. I'll be spending three days in Norfolk for this 5th Annual Plein Air Competition ... painting away. I'm excited!



November 1-11, 83rd Grand National Exhibition 2011: "Alan" will be on exhibit at the American Artists Professional League Grand National at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Reception" Sunday, November 6, 2-5pm.

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.

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