"Jardin De Montmartre" In Progress

"Jardin De Montmartre" work in progress, oil, 24"h x 36"w,©Jill Banks 2013

Between posts, life's been fun and busy -- including a great trip to NYC.

Here's a glimpse of what I've been working on today. (Photo is poor -- but I'm guessing you realize that.) More work to go -- plus a good photo. Hopefully this will make it to my studio wall for this weekend's Studio Tour. This event is free, open to the public and gives a glimpse of our processes, tools, inspiration for over 50 artists in 33 locations throughout Great Falls, VA.

The Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's 117th Annual Open Exhibition at the National Arts Club
 Randy and I took a quick trip to NYC for the Benefit Reception at the National Arts Club. This year, I was invited to be one of the jurors of selection for the annual show -- and that helped it be extra special to view the exhibit of chosen works. It is a fantastic exhibit. Fun to see those I'd only seen onscreen. The awards jurors must have had a heck of a time selecting the winners from so many beautiful pieces. My painting, "Seat by the Window: Montmartre" looked REALLY nice there -- well lit and glowing a bit.  Seeing what great company it was keeping also made me that much more excited about it winning a memorial award.

Me next to "Seat by the Window: Montmartre" on the lower right.

We'll be returning to New York for the awards and closing reception.

I did have a chance to go out and paint -- working on two pieces Saturday morning and afternoon before driving back.  Despite the weathercasters' predictions of rain, it was a simply gorgeous day.

Great Falls Art Studio Tour is this weekend, October 19 & 20, 10am to 5pm.  Visit the Artists' Atelier, where I'll be along with 14 of my studiomates at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Come visit! See www.GreatFallsStudios.com for information on the tour.

Portrait Painting Workshop
November 1-3, 2013 -- taught at the Great Falls School of Art, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA.  Please sign up! See my web site's Classes page for more info and a link for online registration.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com 

Events
Lots -- see the events page on my website.  Thanks!

Inaugural Exhibition Fine Art Professionals of Northern Virginia

Berkley Gallery

31 Main Street

Warrenton, VA

Three of my pieces on view. 28 artists. Exhibit through October 15. (Last day is tomorrow.)

5th Annual Portrait Expressions Regional Juried Exhibition

ArtSpace Herndon

750 Center Street

Herndon, VA "Contrapposto" was chosen as a finalist

Friday, October 11, 5:30 to 8:30pm

Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Benefit Reception for the Metropolitan Museum of Art

National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park, NYC. 117th Annual Open Exhibition of CLWAC.   Exhibit October 1-25. Awards reception: Friday, October 25, 6-9pm.

Saturday and Sunday, October 19&20, 10am-5pm

Great Falls Annual Studio Tour -- Celebrating 10 Years!

See me at the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. We join the 60 artists opening up our studios for the weekend, talking about our processes, tools, and hoping to inspire the artist in you in this FREE, self-guided tour throughout the streets of Great Falls.  

Coffee Break 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," "Coffee or Tea?," "Cup of Tea," and "Not Picasso." Through October 15.