Cumberland, Here I Come

"Farm Doors," oil, 16"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013 painted plein air

Shortly, I'm heading off to Cumberland, MD for the start of Mountain Maryland Plein Air -- a four day painting competition that's bringing 30 artists juried from around the country to paint in the mountains and towns of Allegheny and Garrett Counties.

Plein air painting and these events have taken off over the years.  For artists, it's a huge challenge as you face constantly changing light and conditions -- as well as wind, bugs, sunlight, inquisitive (but usually nice) visitors -- in a race against time.  If I'm in the studio, a painting session under controlled lighting might last six to eight hours and depending on the size of the canvas and complexity of the subject -- many days.  Compare that to two, maybe three hours of, hopefully, pretty even light.

So, the paintings that result are different. They seem to capture all the senses of the moment, the inevitable mistakes, energy and spirit of the day. They aren't perfect (by any stretch) but can be exciting/beautiful.

I don't know what my Internet situation will be -- but if I can post, I will.

I'll be painting in and around Cumberland Wednesday through Friday. We turn in our wet paintings (two of them) between 8 and 10am on Saturday, June 1. Then, I'll participate in the Quick Draw competition on Saturday from 10am-noon. At noon, we set up our easels with one painting for judging. That painting and two others are available for sale -- directly from each artist that day.  A reception follows on Saturday that's free and open to the public, 6-8pm in the Saville Gallery in downtown Cumberland.

Sounds tiring and fun.

Events

Mountain Maryland Plein Air
Participating as one of 30 juried artists from around the country to paint Allegheny and Garrett Counties in Maryland, May 29 to June 1. Quick Draw on Saturday, June 1, 10am-Noon.  Reception: Saturday, June 1, 6-8pm, Saville Gallery, Cumberland, MD. Exhibit of Artwork from Mountain Maryland Plein Air continues June 1 through June 16 at Saville Gallery

"New Works" Exhibit: the Artists' Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm through May 31. On view in the gallery: "Ballerinas I," "Ballerinas II" and "Red Pillow." 

Solo Show at Greenberry's Coffee & Tea
6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA 22101
(703) 821-9501
Exhibit of six paintings including "Two Kittens," "Traffic Patterns," "Primary Colors," "Spanish Steps," "Second & Pine Streets," and "Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange." Through June 30.