Life as an Artist- Jill Banks: September 2014

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Escape at the Farm

"Autumn at Old MacDonald's," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

No, another rooster did not get out at the farm. But, I was back to Kidwell Farm (part of Frying Pan Park in Herndon VA) for an extremely peaceful afternoon filled with baas, moos, and easy laughter of young visitors.

I had a plan en route ... to paint the back of a building there that was behind me, beckoning, while painting chickens last week. As so often happens, my plans changed while parking my car. Right in front of me was this scene. If I set up right next to my car, I didn't need to stop at 5pm -- when parts of the farm shoos out visitors and the best light is an hour or two away.

Since the day did feel like it was plucked out of a nursery rhyme, I figured "Autumn at Old MacDonald's" is a fitting title. Kids came and went playing on the playground filled with miniature farm tractors to ride. Cows and sheep came and went in the front barn. Nice.

Kudos to My Still Life Class

Malia's still life painting of gourds from today's class

And I'm really sorry that my good camera stayed home. There was plenty of beautiful work up on the easels this morning during the still life class I teach through the Great Falls School of Art (Great Falls, VA).

But, despite my lack of camera ... here is Robin's pic of Malia's still life of gourds.

Way to go!

Framing and Paintings
A frequent comment received at all my art events is how well my work is framed. In almost all instances, fortunately, the people making the comments love the work even more than the moulding surrounding it.

I take all elements of creating and presenting my art into consideration. Always have. Yet, just like with my painting, presentation has improved over the years. I don't know when ... but hopefully soon, I'll write and put up an article about framing tips and advice on my web site ... with a notice posted here.

Still, if you love a painting, see it in a show ... but the frame is not right for your setting ... by all means, ask if you can purchase it unframed OR if the artist has another frame suitable for both the painting and its new surroundings. In a home showing just last week, Randy and I changed out the frame making the work stronger and much more striking in its new setting. It was perfect!

This coming Sunday, October 5 is McLean's MPA Artfest. See info below. I hope to see you there!!!

Events and Exhibits

Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
November 1&2: Chastain Park Arts Festival, Atlanta GA
Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA

See the Events page for more info/updates

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel (This link takes you to the subscription page.)

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Italy Moved

"Italian Time," oil, 30"h x 30"w, ©Jill Banks 2014 ... of the gorgeous view this summer in Piemonte, Italy

... to my front yard this afternoon as I decided to return to "Italian Time," recreating the sunflower still life right outside my door. The Safeway wasn't too cooperative, with only dinky, little, rather withered sunflowers to purchase. Still, another arrangement gave me the "feel" of those flowers back in the vineyard at Piemonte where I taught my workshop this past August.

Painting right outside my front door in Fairfax, VA

Neighbors in our new townhouse community stopped by to visit and look. I had the regular contingent of wee ones very impressed with my painting. I'm not too certain that my photo is as vivid as the painting, but it went up on my web site, nonetheless. You can find it in the Places gallery at www.jillbanks.com. Take a look. More sunflower paintings are also in the Still Life gallery on the site.

A weekend off, sort of! Randy and I don't know what to do with ourselves. Sunday, October 5 is the next art show: MPA's McLean Artfest, held 10am to 5pm in McLean Community Park at the intersection of Old Dominion Drive and Route 123 (Dolley Madison Blvd.). Hope to see you there!

Events and Exhibits

Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
September 3-29: "A Sea of Sticks and Stones Group Exhibit," US Geological Survey, Reston, VA ("Green Pastures" won an Honorable Mention from juror Walt Bartman.)
October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
November 1&2: Chastain Park Arts Festival, Atlanta GA
Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA

See the Events page for more info/updates

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

"Chicken Chat," Armonk and More

"Chicken Chat," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

Randy and I have landed ... home ... for a bit after stays close to home (Monaco Hotel for the Alexandria King Street Festival the weekend of September 13 & 14) and four days in Armonk New York for the Armonk Outdoor Art Show this past weekend. Then Still Life class, a trip to Herndon's Kidwell Farm to paint chickens, followed by the Soiree for McLean Artfest (coming up Sunday, October 5). Great as all the events, classes and all have been ... my favorite moments were visiting, painting, trying to capture those chickens. Bet you could have guessed that.

"He Started It!," oil, ©Jill Banks 2013, private collection

I have a long painting history with these chickens. Preceding "Chicken Chat" were "Chickens!" (purchased by new collectors at Wickford), "Barn Dance," "King of the Roost" (making it to its new home just last week), "He Started It!" (purchased last December at my Collectors' Home Show) ... and more. They keep my brush moving ... rapidly. And their shenanigans are something.

For all you chicken painting collectors out there, "Chicken Chat" is my ONLY one available. Other animal paintings can be seen in the Animals, Birds and Wildlife Gallery on my web site.

At Armonk, two paintings found new homes ... and more are being pondered. Randy and I delivered "Sunflowers II" on Saturday night to a home that seemed just perfect for it. The big decision was figuring out which of the two great spots for it was the best. The second painting off to a new home was one I painted Friday night, a nocturne of Armonk Square, created after we'd set up the tent. The new owners of both were thrilled. Really thrilled. (Great feeling!)

Actually, paintings seem to steadily be migrating elsewhere. Good thing I haven't hung our own new house ... or I'd be witnessing an awful lot of empty hangers. I am extremely happy, though, to gain new collectors, see past purchasers select additional pieces ... and know how much "my kids" are appreciated on a daily basis. Yea!

Events and Exhibits

Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
September 3-29: "A Sea of Sticks and Stones Group Exhibit," US Geological Survey, Reston, VA ("Green Pastures" won an Honorable Mention from juror Walt Bartman.)
October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
November 1&2: Chastain Park Arts Festival, Atlanta GA
Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA

See the Events page for more info/updates

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Van Gogh Visit, School Day

"Van Gogh Visit," oil, 24"h x 18"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

Yesterday found me back at Kidwell Farm (Herndon VA) ... painting cows after attempting (unsuccessfully) to capture some fast-moving goat kids. You'll see that painting ... soon.

Today was the first day of my Still Life class. It's a great group, and I'm looking forward to seeing them all in action (painting) next week. This morning I gave a demo, my normal first day activity for that class.

Since I was a kid, Van Gogh was a favorite. My art library included books about him. I purchased prints of his paintings. Visited his paintings in museums.

He and I share a love of sunflowers and need to paint.

So, this setup is my ode to Vincent. Sunflowers ready to paint and a book of his works set on the easel.

Three hours of demo'ing plus about 5 hours. That means I'm a bit weary-eyed right about now.

There are still spots left in my Plein Air Landscape class that starts this Thursday, September 18... but you have to register now to find out where to meet. See my web site, classes page for more info.

Coming Up

Back to School--Landscape Class Starts September 18 Plein Air Landscape in Oils (6 sessions, Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm, September 18 to October 30 -- no class October 16, $325). For more info, see my web site's classes page. Classes are taught through the Great Falls School of Art (Great Falls, VA). See my web site, Classes page for more info and a link to register.

Events and Exhibits

Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
September 20 & 21: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York. Booth #U4.
September 3-29: "A Sea of Sticks and Stones Group Exhibit," US Geological Survey, Reston, VA ("Green Pastures" won an Honorable Mention from juror Walt Bartman.)
October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
November 1&2: Chastain Park Arts Festival, Atlanta GA
Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA

See the Events page for more info/updates

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Alexandria VA Day!

"Old Town Conversations" work in progress, oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

I have about two minutes to post.

Painted in Old Town Alexandria today and received permission from these two nice young women enjoying a chat and lunch by the fountain.

This weekend my booth (and I) will be part of the King Street Art Festival. I'll be in Booth #51, not far from this spot near the intersection of King and St. Asaph Streets. Please stop by if you can!

Also had a piece accepted into the Art League's Membership Show "Contemporary Realism." (Submitting my "Self Portrait" was part of the reason for the trip.)

Tonight (Tuesday, September 9), I'll be working to put up photos from my Italy workshop (wish me luck!), fill in info on another outdoor arts festival (Chastain Park Arts Festival on November 1-2 in Atlanta, GA) -- so take a look at my web site: www.JillBanks.com for those updates ... and trying to get out an email newsletter. That's a lot.

Coming Up

Back to School--Still Life Class Starts September 16 Fall classes start mid-September when I'll be teaching Still Life (8 sessions, Tuesdays, 9:30am to 12:30pm, September 16 to November 4, $325) and the Plein Air Landscape in Oils (6 sessions, Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm, September 18 to October 30 -- no class October 16, $325). For more info, see my web site's classes page. Classes are taught through the Great Falls School of Art (Great Falls, VA). See my web site, Classes page for more info and a link to register.

Events and Exhibits

Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
September 13 & 14: Alexandria (King Street) Art Festival, in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Festival hours are Saturday, September 13, 10am to 7pm and Sunday, September 14, 10am to 5pm. I'll be in Booth #51 (near the intersection of St. Asaph and King Streets). I hope to see you there!
September 20 & 21: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York. Booth #U4.
September 3-29: "A Sea of Sticks and Stones Group Exhibit," US Geological Survey, Reston, VA ("Green Pastures" won an Honorable Mention from juror Walt Bartman.)
October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
November 1&2: Chastain Park Arts Festival, Atlanta GA
Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA

See the Events page for more info/updates

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Trip Back to Italy ... At My Easel

"La Morra View," (How can the couple on the bench be reading?) oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

Okay, I'm not really returning there all this soon ... since the weekend ahead (September 13 and 14), I'll be hanging out under a tent with my work at the Alexandria King Street Art Festival (hope to see you there!). But in my studio the past few days as I was finishing up these scenes (and more) painted live in the hill towns of Piemonte, Italy (the wine region where I was conducting a plein air workshop), it sure was fun to relive that incredible trip.

Since there are invitations to work on and get out in the mail for the Alexandria and Armonk NY show, this is all the typing I can handle. Hopefully, I'll be able to show you more in the next day or two. There's one fantastic piece in the works! (These are pretty wonderful, too.)

Coming Up

Back to School Fall classes start mid-September when I'll be teaching Still Life (8 sessions, Tuesdays, 9:30am to 12:30pm, September 16 to November 4, $325) and the Plein Air Landscape in Oils (6 sessions, Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm, September 18 to October 30 -- no class October 16, $325). For more info, see my web site's classes page. Classes are taught through the Great Falls School of Art (Great Falls, VA). See my web site, Classes page for more info and a link to register.

Events and Exhibits

Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
September 13 & 14: Alexandria (King Street) Art Festival, in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Festival hours are Saturday, September 13, 10am to 7pm and Sunday, September 14, 10am to 5pm. I hope to see you there!
September 20 & 21: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York
September 3-29: "A Sea of Sticks and Stones Group Exhibit," US Geological Survey, Reston, VA
October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA

See the Events page for more info/updates

Thursday, September 4, 2014

"Free As A Bird"

Over the last three days, this painting has been on my easel. It started as "Nic-Naks" ... with an eggplant, peach and orchid atop my pile of moving boxes. You saw that version in my last post.

Then I kept painting on it yesterday -- and nothing was going right. I may have painted the subject true to form, but it wasn't any fun.

Same thing earlier today.

I fired the eggplant.

Replaced it with a talking, Italian bird Randy and I met in Florence, Italy this Spring at Torre di Bellosguardo. So. Much. Better!

Thanks to the Internet ... I'm thinking my surprise visitor (the bird) is a galah or rose-breasted cockatoo ... and a male with his very dark eyes. Any bird watchers or experts out there?

All day, I thought of titles for this one.

"What's That Peach Doing There?"
"It's A Jungle Out There"
"The Odd Couple"

But, "Free As A Bird" kind of summed up what the bird was doing perched on top of a pile of moving boxes.

I strongly suspect that this painting will be in my booth at next weekend's (September 13 & 14) Alexandria King Street Art Festival in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Festival hours are Saturday, September 13, 10am to 7pm and Sunday, September 14, 10am to 5pm. I hope to see you there!

What's in store for tomorrow (Friday, September 5)? More painting, art errands and a reception at the "A Sea of Sticks and Stones" exhibit at the US Geological Survey where my pieces "Harborside Happy Hour" and "Green Pastures" are part of the Great Falls Studios show.

"A Sea of Sticks and Stones" Exhibit hangs September 3 to September 30 at the Art Hall at the US Geological Survey in Reston VA. Visitors are welcome Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm at 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive. The reception is Friday, September 5, 4 to 6:30pm. Photo ID required. (Standard government security.)

Coming Up

Back to School Fall classes start mid-September when I'll be teaching Still Life (8 sessions, Tuesdays, 9:30am to 12:30pm, September 16 to November 4, $325) and the Plein Air Landscape in Oils (6 sessions, Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm, September 18 to October 30 -- no class October 16, $325). For more info, see my web site's classes page. Classes are taught through the Great Falls School of Art (Great Falls, VA). See my web site, Classes page for more info and a link to register.

Events and Exhibits

Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
September 13 & 14: Alexandria (King Street) Art Festival, Alexandria, VA
September 20 & 21: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York
September 3-29: "A Sea of Sticks and Stones Group Exhibit," US Geological Survey, Reston, VA
October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA

See the Events page for more info/updates

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Moving Boxes

Well, here's proof they are still piled high in our new home in Fairfax ... and that I'm putting them to the best of uses! Thank goodness I didn't unpack this stack that sits right smack dab in the middle of my new studio space. (Sorry about the poor photo ... night shot.)

High temperatures are keeping me inside for a least a trio of days ... so the refrigerator is stocked with still life paintings to be.

A Sea of Sticks and Stones
Today, I dropped off my two works juried into Great Falls Studios exhibit "A Sea of Sticks and Stones" that hangs September 3 to September 30 at the Art Hall at the US Geological Survey in Reston VA. Visitors are welcome Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm at 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive.
An opening reception is Friday, September 5, 4 to 6:30pm. Photo ID required.

Coming Up

Back to School Fall classes start mid-September when I'll be teaching Still Life (8 sessions, Tuesdays, 9:30am to 12:30pm, September 16 to November 4, $325) and the Plein Air Landscape in Oils (6 sessions, Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm, September 18 to October 30 -- no class October 16, $325). For more info, see my web site's classes page. Classes are taught through the Great Falls School of Art (Great Falls, VA). See my web site, Classes page for more info and a link to register.

The Alexandria King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA is Saturday and Sunday, September 12 & 13 where you'll find me along with about 199 other artistic folks set up with our work in tents. Come for a visit. (I'd love to see you!)

Events and Exhibits

Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
September 13 & 14: Alexandria (King Street) Art Festival, Alexandria, VA
September 20 & 21: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York
October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA

See the Events page for more info/updates

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