Wednesday, September 30, 2015

The McLean MPA Artfest Rescheduled for Monday, October 12, 2015

"Saint Bernie the Fourth," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©2015 Jill Banks
McLean Artfest, Monday, Oct. 12, 10am to 5pm - on Columbus Day
Blame it on the weather. But, now on Monday, October 12, 2015 -- artists will fill McLean's Central Park (at the intersection of Old Dominion Drive and Dolley Madison Boulevard in McLean, VA) with booths of beautiful temporary galleries and hope that you will join us to celebrate and shop for art. 10am to 5pm that day. Please help spread the word.

Artfest and the Great Falls Studio Tour
That will be a big art week -- with Monday's McLean Artfest and the Great Falls Annual Studio Tour on the Friday to Sunday, October 16-18, that follows. On that weekend, take the self-guided tour visiting 44 artists displaying and demo'ing, talking art in various locations all over town. I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls. I'll give a demo each day of the tour, too -- from noon to 1pm. Stop in.

About "Saint Bernie the Fourth"
Helping out our art tour promotion, the Great Dogs shop in Great Falls, VA have animal-themed art in their display window this October. My painting, "Saint Bernie the Fourth" -- started while participating in Telluride Plein Air this Summer, is hanging out in the window and Bernie seems happy to be there. He was yet another test of how well I can capture a moving subject. Funny what we can do.

"La Chien de Grange," oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©2013 Jill Banks. Private collection
Putting up the photo of Bernie reminded me of another dog I'd captured on canvas.  "La Chien de Grange" is hanging out in a loving home (not mine) ... Remember her?

Thanks for reading!
Jill

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


Monday, October 12:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA
October 16-18:  Great Falls 12th Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 44 Great Falls artists.
October 19-25:  Plein Air Brandywine Valley, Juried plein air competition, wet paint show and sale in Delaware.
December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL


Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Saturday, September 26, 2015

McLean's MPAartfest Outdoor Juried Art Festival Rescheduled for Monday, October 12

"Tulips and the Pepsi Truck," oil, 36"h x 36"w, ©2015 Jill Banks will be one of the paintings on view at my booth at McLean's MPAartfest on Monday, October 12, 2015, 10am to 5pm in McLean Central Park -- McLean, VA

RESCHEDULED to MONDAY, OCTOBER 12 due to Weather
Join 48 Regional artists at McLean's MPAartfest for this Annual Outdoor Juried Art Festival in McLean Central Park (at the Intersection of Dolley Madison Blvd -- Route 123 -- and Old Dominion Drive in McLean, VA) on Monday, October 12, 10am to 5pm. Rain or shine ... but we all hope for shine! Free, family friendly, shop for original art.

I've provided links to the web sites of many of the artists who will be displaying their original art at MPA Artfest. (Hint: Browse art ahead of the show.)

Those 48 artists are:
For more information about the event, go to: http://www.mpaart.org/mpaartfest/

It's funny just how small the art world eventually becomes if you hang out in it long enough. Many of these 48 artists have shown before at MPAartfest, others have been co-exhibitors at more far-flung art festivals, still others are friends from the Art League, Great Falls Studios, and fellow former studiomates.   We are all only there for one day -- just seven hours to shop our mini-galleries set up in McLean Central Park.

I sure hope to see you there!

Only a Few More Days Left
If you haven't already ... make a point to see my "Along the Way" exhibit at the Great Falls Library (VA) before it come down on September 30. Preview the exhibit online here. More info on the library open hours here.


Thanks for reading!
Jill

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

September 1-30: "Along the Way" Solo Show, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. 
October 4:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA
October 16-18:  Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 50-60 Great Falls artists.
December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

"Once Upon a Time" Fairytale To Be Painting

"Once Upon a Time," oil, 12"h x 12"w, ©2015 Jill Banks
This was one of many still life setups occupying (with my help) the Great Falls School of Art for Tuesday's classes. It became what filled my canvas today.

In choosing locations for my Plein Air Landscape class or objects and arrangements for Still Life, I realize just how personal choice of subjects are. What I need to teach is how to align what you paint with what calls to you as communicator, as artist.  Tough task but that's just what I've had to teach and learn myself.

As you'd guess, my Fall classes are underway.

If you haven't already ... make a point to see my "Along the Way" exhibit at the Great Falls Library (VA) before it come down on September 30. Preview the exhibit online here. More info on the library open hours here.

Thanks for reading!
Jill

"Street Lights," oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©2015 Jill Banks. At a new home.
Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

September 1-30: "Along the Way" Solo Show, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. 
October 4:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA
October 16-18:  Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 50-60 Great Falls artists.
December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, September 20, 2015

King Street Kindness ...

"Late Night Saloon" found a great, new home.
By the numbers, six of my paintings headed to five new homes this weekend at the Alexandria King Street Art Festival.

But the purchase of art is a warm, not-a-numbers affair. The first purchasers of the weekend selected "Late Night Saloon" -- after a huge hunt throughout the festival for the piece to add to their home. A revisit came when the search was narrowed down to three booths. On Saturday, we delivered "Late Night Saloon" only to see it hung, the company it was keeping, and enjoying a home-cooked meal in its new home.

Another couple took home "Street Lights" -- a major painting, major commitment in a mini Cooper. I know they will love seeing that painting every day. They do, too. Both sides of that transaction were amazing.

Four more purchases included:
"League Shop"
"City Lights" -- a nocturne of Cumberland, MD created during Mountain Maryland Plein Air -- a painting that reminds me of Van Gogh's "Starry Night."
"League Shop" -- a favorite of mine from Wayne Plein Air headed to a new home with a companion -- "Like Colors" painted plein air in Burano, Italy.
And, the last painting selected this weekend was "Water Towers," painted on Friday right along the shore of the Potomac in Old Town of the gazebo there.

These are mutual "big deals" in our lives.

The weekend was so much more amazing than this tribute to it. That has something to do with lots of work and lack of sleep.

Thank you so much for all of you who visited, enjoyed and made the leap to embrace art into your lives.

Thanks for reading!
Jill

"Street Lights," oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©2015 Jill Banks. At a new home.
Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

September 1-30: "Along the Way" Solo Show, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Saturday, September 12, 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Great Falls Library AND the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA
October 4:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA
October 16-18:  Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 50-60 Great Falls artists.
December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, September 17, 2015

"Seaside Sunset" is a Rock Star

"Seaside Sunset," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©2015 Jill Banks (Carmel, California)
I juggle a lot. As in, all the time.

One of those tricks was figuring out a few pieces to submit to a Great Falls Studios juried show "Rock Stars" that was coinciding with my solo exhibit "Along the Way" and participating in the King Street Art Festival coming up this weekend (September 19 & 20 in Old Town Alexandria, VA where you can find me in Booth #81 -- Saturday, 10am to 7pm and Sunday, 10am to 5pm).

My submissions included "Seaside Sunset" -- a painting of Carmel, California. The reception for the Great Falls Studios exhibit was today (Thursday, September 17) from 4 to 6pm. I taught my plein air Landscape painting class from 10am to 2pm ... plus. Arrived at my studio around 3pm. Multiple visitors, conversations, and a change of clothes later and I headed to the reception. It's at the US Geological Survey building. Need photo ID to enter. Found out my purse was about the only thing not in my car. The guard followed the rules. I had to head home, get my ID, head back to catch the end of the judge's comments and the end of the reception.

"Seaside Sunset" was awarded the Judge's Commendation for Painting by Tricia Ratliff.  From what I gather as a latecomer to the scene -- awards included Best in Show, 2nd, 3rd and a Judge's Commendation for Painting, Photography and 3D -- plus one award for Best Interpretation of the Theme "Rock Stars." Atelier studiomates Roberta Beasley was awarded 3rd Place, Jennifer Duncan was awarded 2nd Place and I received the commendation for painting. We were well represented.

The full awards list and works selected is:
Best of Show - "Rocks of Halong Bay" photograph by Robert Schroeder

Second Place - "Misty Cairns"  painting by Jennifer Duncan

Third Place - "Majestic Mountains Triptych" painting by Roberta Beasley

Best Interpretation of Theme - "Juniper Pine and Milky Way" photograph by Robin Kent

Judge's Commendation for Painting - "Seaside Sunset" painting by Jill Banks

Judge's Commendation for Photography - "Great Falls Long Exposure No. 1" photograph by Dean Souleles

Judge's Commendation for Three Dimensional - "Uluru ; Star of the Outback" fiber art by Dorry Emmer
 
Congratulations to all the accepted exhibitors and award winners.

I talked to both of the co-jurors (Tricia Ratliff, painter and Carla Steckley, photographer). It's an honor to be chosen to select the top works -- and if you're a decent human being who cares about art and artists -- it's a huge responsibility and challenge. They both clearly took the job seriously, emphasized the subjectivity of their choices. Another judge would pick a different slate, hang a different show, select other pieces.

Tomorrow (Friday, September 18) ... some of my pieces from the "Along the Way" Solo Show will make their way toward Old Town Alexandria for the Alexandria King Street Festival this weekend. I think you'll love what's in my booth there this weekend. Visit me at Booth #81 near the intersection of King Street and Pitt Street (on the CVS vs. La Madeleine side). Bring/tell friends. I promise a warm, happy welcome. I.E., I'd love to see you!!!

Thanks for reading!
Jill

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

September 1-30: "Along the Way" Solo Show, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Saturday, September 12, 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Great Falls Library AND the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA
September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA
October 4:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA
October 16-18:  Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 50-60 Great Falls artists.
December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

"Parque Bench" Heading to the King Street Art Festival

"Parque Bench," oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©2015 Jill Banks
Soon, I'll be packing up  paintings, pulling some from my "Along the Way" Solo Show at the Great Falls Library at 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA for a couple of days  -- to display in my booth at the Alexandria King Street Festival in Old Town Alexandria, VA on Saturday, September 19, 10am to 7pm and Sunday, September 20, 10am to 5pm.

"Parque Bench" featuring husband Randy agreeing to be painted in Parque de El Retiro in Madrid will be one of the paintings NOT in my solo show that will be heading to the King Street Festival. 

I sure hope you can come for a visit there. A great time to visit the exhibit in the Great Falls Library would be Thursday, September 17 before 4:30pm -- with no meeting scheduled in this popular spot.

Classes are back in session and it's been wonderful to have so many familiar, happy faces returning and some newbies as well. Yea!

Thanks for reading!
Jill

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


"Peach and Pear," oil, 14"h x 11"w, ©2015 Jill Banks was my demo painting for the start of Still Life Plus.
September 1-30: "Along the Way" Solo Show, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Saturday, September 12, 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Great Falls Library AND the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA
September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA
October 4:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA
October 16-18:  Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 50-60 Great Falls artists.
December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, September 14, 2015

"Row A Boat" Flashback to Madrid

"Row A Boat," oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©2015 Jill Banks (Parque de El Retiro, Madrid)
I view a rather large portion of my daily life ... as a favorite time. A discussion yesterday with my Dad and brother, hanging out in the hospital room was about restaurants. They asked one of the hospital techs for her favorite restaurant. She named five. Then five more. That would be me ...  just the subject would be different.

A trip to Madrid this past Spring was full of favorite moments. Early in our visit there I painted in Parque de Retiro -- sitting right up to the fence surrounding the lake, capturing the moment in a side-saddle like position. (Okay, that part wasn't so fun.)

I painted this scene minus the blue boats from that sitting -- knowing this extremely popular spot required plenty of people, boats, activity to be present in any art depicting it.  So I spent another really great day at my easel. At home. Remembering boats passing by.

Thanks for all who came to last Saturday's reception for my "Along the Way' solo show at the Great Falls Library. For those who missed it, time flies. Catch it before the end of September ... but in case your visit is planned for September 19 & 20, come see me instead at the King Street Art Festival (those days) in Old Town Alexandria. Click the links below for more details.

Thanks for reading!
Jill

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

September 1-30: "Along the Way" Solo Show, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Saturday, September 12, 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Great Falls Library AND the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA
September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA
October 4:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA
October 16-18:  Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 50-60 Great Falls artists.
December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, September 7, 2015

"Late Night Saloon" -- Finished?

"Late Night Saloon," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©2015 Jill Banks
It's time to set this one aside and see what I think  ... but it's either ready or close to signing time.

See more in the Places Gallery on my web site, click on Works.

Back to School Time
Register for  Fall Classes. See my Classes page for info. Just a couple days are left to register for Classes. If you're interested and worried about getting supplies together, email me. I put together a simplified shopping list to help any first-timers out.

Saturday, September 12, 6:30-8:30pm: Reception at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road and at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA for my "Along the Way" Solo Show.  I HOPE to see you then!


Thanks for reading!
Jill

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

September 1-30: "Along the Way" Solo Show, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Saturday, September 12, 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Great Falls Library AND the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA
September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA
October 4:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA
October 16-18:  Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 50-60 Great Falls artists.
December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

Posted by at No comments:

Friday, September 4, 2015

"Cars and Coffee Two," Painting, Painting, Painting

"Cars and Coffee Two," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©2015 Jill Banks
Classes are about to start. (Get more info and sign up for painting classes here.) My solo exhibit reception for "Along the Way" is just a short week away. (See an online preview of the show here or find out about the reception and events here.) A full Fall schedule is ahead.

Time to paint. A lot. My arm's worn out.

Another painting I've been wanting to get to is on the easel -- not ready for posting, but this one "Cars and Coffee Two" is. I'd set up my easel in early May of this year to capture this Great Falls, VA ritual, Cars and Coffee, held in the early hours every Saturday, weather willing. I was out there painting and enjoying it two weeks ago. It's possible I'll be there to see it tomorrow.  Too many choices for where to go, what to paint. Too few Saturdays.

Best news in my life ... Dad is still recovering, but happy and SO much better! Yay! YAY! Yay!

Back to School Time
Register for  Fall Classes. See my Classes page for info.


Thanks for reading!
Jill

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

September 1-30: "Along the Way" Solo Show, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Saturday, September 12, 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Great Falls Library AND the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA
September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA
October 4:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA
October 16-18:  Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 50-60 Great Falls artists.
December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL



Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

"Along the Way" Is Up ... Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

A portion of my "Along the Way" solo exhibit hung today ... www.JillBanks.com


There's more to talk about than time.

Tuesday was show-hanging day for a lot of us.  At at least one minute before the 10:30am deadline I arrived at the Atelier with my painting for the USGS show of works by Great Falls Studios Artists with my accepted work "Seaside Sunset" so it could be whisked off and hung.

Then, it was time to hang my solo exhibit "Along the Way" at the Great Falls Library. This is something like the sixth time I've presented my work there ... a la "just ME" and it's always been a terrific venue -- drawing a very appreciative audience.

This year, I was worried. A previous trip to the library made me less than excited to plan the exhibit. It's the meeting room in a town without a community center. There are lots and lots of chairs and benches and tables and stuff.  It's not a gallery ... but I like that. Still, I wanted visitors to be able to approach my paintings, really see and enjoy them.

I'm not usually the squeaky wheel. But years of well-appreciated, successful exhibits in this venue encouraged me to call on the kind hearts in the Great Falls Library family to transform a room
This is my studio. And, I was worried about "clutter" in the Great Falls Library. Better get to work.
that was really cluttered and art-unfriendly into a venue where I'm extremely happy to be displaying my art. The room looks beautiful, inviting and I couldn't be happier with the way the exhibit looks in this multi-purpose, welcoming facility.

I didn't hang precisely to plan and my Online Version of "Along the Way" has been updated to reflect reality. Check it out on my web site: www.JillBanks.com. (If you'd taken a look before, check back now.)



"Baa" was purchased by a Weaver. How cool is that?
Shadyside Update

Shadyside was great! Three paintings went to good homes. We caught up with my husband Randy's college roommate and wife who we'd last seen at our wedding ... a LOT of years ago. I'm still full of all the conversations, people met. This is an intensely personal journey.

Mom and Dad

Priorities don't always follow written order. On Monday, August 31, my Dad had his second back surgery within a two-month span ... to hopefully cure tremendous pain.  It's wait and see ... tough ... but he was awfully quick with jokes and made us laugh a LOT post-surgery.

September 3 -- marks my parents' 65th wedding anniversary.  This probably isn't exactly what they might have planned for as a way to celebrate -- with Dad in recovery for surgery, on pain meds -- but they show me every day what those wedding vows and true love are all about.  After a month and a half and two surgeries and lots of difficulties with all time spent in rehab or the hospital, my Dad was very worried that he hadn't gotten flowers to celebrate the day. This was tops on his mind. Randy and I nervously picked out the flowers for him (my parents were florists when first married) and they will be in whatever room they are in tomorrow on their big day.

I am constantly reminded that if I mess up in life, marriage, parenting, happiness, love, friendship ... you name it, there's only one person to blame. I have certainly been blessed with the most beautiful of role models. I try like heck to do justice to this wonderful gift.


Back to School Time
Register for  Fall Classes. See my Classes page for info.


Thanks for reading!
Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
"Down By the Seashore" was snatched up at Shadyside. I LOVE this painting!
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel
See the Events page for more info/updates
September 1-30: Along the Way, Solo Show, Great Falls, VA. Reception: September 12
September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA
October 4:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA
October 16-18:  Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 50-60 Great Falls artists.
December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL


Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)