"Old Sycamore" Day One

"Old Sycamore" in progress - day one, oil, 30"h x 30"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

In the last couple of weeks, Randy and I have walked often to and from lunch -- two of those days to the Country Club that is now just a short distance from home. Our path there includes a view that beckons that has not yet made it to my easel ... and then the most majestic tree, an Ancient Sycamore, that holds court adjacent to the first hole's fairway. While I'm pretty sure that this is my first painting that has as its soul focus a tree ... it had to be.

This is a BIG painting and it was a ridiculously windy day. Randy bungee-corded my easel to a street sign, the car and my art-supply laden suitcase ... but I still spent the afternoon holding my paintbrush in one hand and the canvas-turned-sail in the other. The easel and tripod won't survive too many of these days.

So, I don't know what this start looks like to you but to me I see this majestic beauty bound to take shape. I'll paint some in the studio and more on site in the next couple of days. My goal -- to catch it before all those buds spring into leaves. Bare, its beautiful structure stands strong. You'll see that too ... soon.


REGISTER NOW FOR SPRING CLASSES
Classes are rapidly approaching -- and there are still spaces left waiting for you to sign up.

Here they are...

Sign up Now for Spring 2016 Classes Taught through the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA

Painting the Plein Air Landscape: Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm starting April 21.

Still Life Plus: Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm starting April 5. ( first class only: demo starting at 9am)

Evening Paint: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30pm starting April 5.  

Get more info on my Classes page.

Plus, I'm hoping you'll Paint with Me in Italy this Summer -- June 26 to July 3.
June 26-July 3: Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! : Plein air workshop in the Piemonte wine region. Find out more about this wonderful trip. I hope you can join me!  

See the Events page for more info/updates

March 1-31: "Witness" Solo Exhibit, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. View the exhibit online here. See Six Cool Ways to Visit the Exhibit ... Here

April 16-17: Arlington Fine Art Festival, Arlington, VA

April 23-24: Fairfax Corner Fine Art Festival, Fairfax, VA

May 7-8: A-RTS@Rockville Town Square, Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, Rockville, MD

May 13-15: Art on the Square - Belleville, IL, Outdoor Juried Fine Art Festival (Ranked #1 by Art Fair Sourcebook), Belleville, IL

June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA 

June 26-July 3: Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! : Plein air workshop in the Piemonte wine region. Find out more about this wonderful trip. I hope you can join me!

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

St. Patrick's Day Finished ... Baby Banks Born!

"St. Patrick's Day" finished, oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

"St. Patrick's Day" -- the painting started plein air out back of the Old Brogue is finally done and heading there to hang for the last few days of my "Witness: Close Encounters of the Painting Kind" solo show that comes down this Friday afternoon, March 1.

She's HERE
But that news certainly takes the backseat in this household to today's arrival of Randy and my first grandchild -- Miss Emma Caroline Banks -- at 6:28pm, March 29, at 7 lbs. 5 oz and 20.5".  Mom Michelle and Emma are doing well.  Yay!!!!! Emma had decided to stay put with Mom for and extra six days past her due date. It's great to have her here!!!! Another Banks family member to love.

Son Sam with Baby Banks -- Miss Emma Caroline Banks. Yea!!!

Classes are rapidly approaching -- and there are still spaces left waiting for you to sign up.

Here they are...

Sign up Now for Spring 2016 Classes Taught through the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA

Painting the Plein Air Landscape: Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm starting April 21.

Still Life Plus: Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm starting April 5. ( first class only: demo starting at 9am)

Evening Paint: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30pm starting April 5.  

Get more info on my Classes page.

Plus, I'm hoping you'll Paint with Me in Italy this Summer -- June 26 to July 3.
June 26-July 3: Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! : Plein air workshop in the Piemonte wine region. Find out more about this wonderful trip. I hope you can join me!  

See the Events page for more info/updates

March 1-31: "Witness" Solo Exhibit, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. View the exhibit online here. See Six Cool Ways to Visit the Exhibit ... Here

April 16-17: Arlington Fine Art Festival, Arlington, VA

April 23-24: Fairfax Corner Fine Art Festival, Fairfax, VA

May 7-8: A-RTS@Rockville Town Square, Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, Rockville, MD

May 13-15: Art on the Square - Belleville, IL, Outdoor Juried Fine Art Festival (Ranked #1 by Art Fair Sourcebook), Belleville, IL

June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA 

June 26-July 3: Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! : Plein air workshop in the Piemonte wine region. Find out more about this wonderful trip. I hope you can join me!

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

 

"St. Patrick's Day" Almost Done

"Saint Patrick's Day," oil, 12"h x 16"w,©2016 Jill Banks. Started at my easel behind the Old Brogue on guess what day?

I'm running quite a few steps behind ... blog-wise. This has been a jam-packed, fun week of painting including yesterday's treat of capturing thirteen-year-old ballerina Anna for my free demo at the Great Falls School of Art. More on that tomorrow or the next. (See what I mean about being behind?)

On St. Paddy's Day, I parked my easel behind the Old Brogue Irish Pub -- capturing on canvas -- the party. It was lots of fun for me, the guys I was painting, and all the visitors who stopped by to talk and enjoy. I'd do it again, for sure!

There may be more to come about this tale and the painting may just get some more tweaks. We'll see. In any case, soon I plan to put it up in the Snuggery/Katie's Coffee for all to enjoy before my "Witness: Close Encounters of the Painting Kind" solo exhibition comes down on March 31. (Make sure you see it before then.) Katie's Coffee is located at 760 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA.

See the Events page for more info/updates

March 1-31: "Witness" Solo Exhibit, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. View the exhibit online here. See Six Cool Ways to Visit the Exhibit ... Here

April 23-24: Fairfax Corner Fine Art Festival, Fairfax, VA

May 7-8: A-RTS@Rockville Town Square, Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, Rockville, MD

May 13-15: Art on the Square - Belleville, IL, Outdoor Juried Fine Art Festival (Ranked #1 by Art Fair Sourcebook), Belleville, IL

June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA 

June 26-July 3: Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! : Plein air workshop in the Piemonte wine region. Find out more about this wonderful trip. I hope you can join me!

And...

Sign up Now for Spring 2016 Classes Taught through the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA

Painting the Plein Air Landscape: Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm starting April 21.

Still Life Plus: Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm starting April 5. ( first class only: demo starting at 9am)

Evening Paint: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30pm starting April 5.  

Get more info on my Classes page.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

P.S.
Calling All Artists interested in Brushing Up on Their Portrait Painting Skills
Lea Colie Wight Portrait Workshop: April 1-3, 2016, 9:30am to 4:30pm each day

One of Lea Colie Wight's portraits

Sometimes you need a little nudge. A Portrait Society of America winner and Studio Incamminati instructor, Lea Colie Wight, will be conducting a special portrait workshop at the Great Falls School of Art over three days, April 1 to 3. She's an outstanding artist and patient, thorough teacher. Once upon a time, I attended essentially a portrait/figure painting workshop in Philadelphia at Studio Incamminati and Lea was a favorite instructor who really helped propel my art forward. Here's a link for more info and to register.  I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity and sign up. Find out more about Lea on her web site: leawight.com

Jill Banks Free Painting Demo, Saturday, March 19, 1-4pm

"At the Barre," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©2013 Jill Banks. Private collection

You're Invited ... but space is limited.

Where: at the Great Falls School of Art, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066

Our model: 13-year-old Anna, a ballerina. I can't wait to meet her!

Anna is the sister of Sydney who posed in 2013 for two paintings: "At the Barre" and "Ballerina Break." (Sydney is in the white tutu.)

RSVP if you'd like to attend to:
Jill@JillBanks.com
New paintings will be on view in my Studio at the Artists' Atelier.  Stop in!

See the Events page for more info/updates

March 1-31: "Witness" Solo Exhibit, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. View the exhibit online here. See Six Cool Ways to Visit the Exhibit ... Here

April 23-24: Fairfax Corner Fine Art Festival, Fairfax, VA

May 7-8: A-RTS@Rockville Town Square, Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, Rockville, MD

May 13-15: Art on the Square - Belleville, IL, Outdoor Juried Fine Art Festival (Ranked #1 by Art Fair Sourcebook), Belleville, IL

June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA 

June 26-July 3: Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! : Plein air workshop in the Piemonte wine region. Find out more about this wonderful trip. I hope you can join me!

And...

Sign up Now for Spring 2016 Classes Taught through the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA

Painting the Plein Air Landscape: Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm starting April 21.

Still Life Plus: Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm starting April 5. ( first class only: demo starting at 9am)

Evening Paint: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30pm starting April 5.  

Get more info on my Classes page.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

"Back of the Brogue" Sketch

"Back of the Brogue" Sketch, oil on linen, approx. 8" x 8", ©2016 Jill Banks

I hung around the Old Brogue Irish Pub a lot today -- where my "Witness" Solo Exhibit is on view this month at Katie's Coffee (at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. View the exhibit online here.) The Brogue is THE place to be on St. Patrick's Day and all throughout the afternoon areas were getting setup inside and out to hold the large crowd that will show up throughout the day tomorrow.

I may be there ... but painting from as far away as the crowd requires.

Nice to get some plein air work in on such a beautiful day!


Coming Up - You're Invited!
Saturday, March 19, 1 to 4pm -- Free Painting Demonstration at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA (Artists' Atelier/Arts of Great Falls School -- a couple doors down from the Katie's Coffee where you can view my "Witness" exhibit. RSVP to Jill@JillBanks.com
New paintings will be on view in my Studio at the Artists' Atelier.  Stop in!

And, I need help with that.  Any two readers want to come either sip tea or enjoy a glass of wine ... or in some other way entertain the group of attendees and me for the demo? Let me know your idea ... and if no one volunteers, I'll set up a gorgeous still life. The show will go on!

Calling All Artists interested in Brushing Up on Their Portrait Painting Skills
Lea Colie Wight Portrait Workshop: April 1-3, 2016, 9:30am to 4:30pm each day

One of Lea Colie Wight's portraits

Sometimes you need a little nudge. A Portrait Society of America winner and Studio Incamminati instructor, Lea Colie Wight, will be conducting a special portrait workshop at the Great Falls School of Art over three days, April 1 to 3. She's an outstanding artist and patient, thorough teacher. Once upon a time, I attended essentially a portrait/figure painting workshop in Philadelphia at Studio Incamminati and Lea was a favorite instructor who really helped propel my art forward. Here's a link for more info and to register.  I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity and sign up. Find out more about Lea on her web site: leawight.com

See the Events page for more info/updates

March 1-31: "Witness" Solo Exhibit, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. View the exhibit online here. See Six Cool Ways to Visit the Exhibit ... Here

April 23-24: Fairfax Corner Fine Art Festival, Fairfax, VA

May 7-8: A-RTS@Rockville Town Square, Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, Rockville, MD

May 13-15: Art on the Square - Belleville, IL, Outdoor Juried Fine Art Festival (Ranked #1 by Art Fair Sourcebook), Belleville, IL

June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA 

June 26-July 3: Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! : Plein air workshop in the Piemonte wine region. Find out more about this wonderful trip. I hope you can join me!

And...

Sign up Now for Spring 2016 Classes Taught through the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA

Painting the Plein Air Landscape: Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm starting April 21.

Still Life Plus: Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm starting April 5. ( first class only: demo starting at 9am)

Evening Paint: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30pm starting April 5.  

Get more info on my Classes page.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

Taking My Time with "Tea Reading"

"Tea Reading," oil, 30"h x 30"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

But then again, I didn't have much choice. Complicated painting ... developed and conceived in stages. I'll mull it over for awhile now to figure out if more work is necessary. That's exactly what I've done with this painting for at least a month. Paint. Glance at it out of the corner of my eye. Paint. Repeat.

We've had beautiful Spring-like days that found me painting outside. Lots of paintings started. Not sure of their fate... but in any case, it sure is nice to be setting up my easel in the open air. Wonderful, regardless.

Nice article on my "Witness" exhibit in the Great Falls Connection, March 9-16, 2016

Coming Up - You're Invited!
Saturday, March 19, 1 to 4pm -- Free Painting Demonstration at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA (Artists' Atelier/Arts of Great Falls School -- a couple doors down from the Katie's Coffee where you can view my "Witness" exhibit. RSVP to Jill@JillBanks.com
New paintings will be on view in my Studio at the Artists' Atelier.  Stop in!

See the Events page for more info/updates

March 1-31: "Witness" Solo Exhibit, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. View the exhibit online here. See Six Cool Ways to Visit the Exhibit ... Here

April 23-24: Fairfax Corner Fine Art Festival, Fairfax, VA

May 7-8: A-RTS@Rockville Town Square, Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, Rockville, MD

May 13-15: Art on the Square - Belleville, IL, Outdoor Juried Fine Art Festival (Ranked #1 by Art Fair Sourcebook), Belleville, IL

June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA 

June 26-July 3: Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! : Plein air workshop in the Piemonte wine region. Find out more about this wonderful trip. I hope you can join me!

And...

Sign up Now for Spring 2016 Classes Taught through the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA

Painting the Plein Air Landscape: Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm starting April 21.

Still Life Plus: Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm starting April 5. ( first class only: demo starting at 9am)

Evening Paint: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30pm starting April 5.  

Get more info on my Classes page.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

An Art Calendar Update

"Summer Reading," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks

Funny.

For quite awhile these past few months, my upcoming events were ... nada.

Now, the calendar is filling and my big hope is that I'll see you, your friends or relatives sometime this Spring to share this love of art.

Here's the scoop so far:
See the Events page for more info/updates

March 1-31: "Witness" Solo Exhibit, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. View the exhibit online here.

Saturday, March 19, 1 to 4pm -- Free Painting Demonstration at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA (Artists' Atelier/Arts of Great Falls School -- a couple doors down from the Katie's Coffee where you can view my "Witness" exhibit. RSVP to Jill@JillBanks.com

April 23-24: Fairfax Corner Fine Art Festival, Fairfax, VA

May 7-8: A-RTS@Rockville Town Square, Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, Rockville, MD

May 13-15: Art on the Square - Belleville, IL, Outdoor Juried Fine Art Festival (Ranked #1 by Art Fair Sourcebook), Belleville, IL

June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA 

June 26-July 3: Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! : Plein air workshop in the Piemonte wine region.

I'm excited about them all. I just heard about Art on the Square - Belleville, IL. This is a small town which embraced the arts and since 2002 has used this outdoor fine art festival as a catalyst to their future.

They choose just 105 artists to exhibit and I'm thrilled to be one of them. In the run up to the event... they collect over $100,000 in committed art purchases, spend $650,000 plus in advertising including billboards and glossy print ads. People come from far and wide to the show.

Saying yes to Art on the Square means saying no to something else. My calendar -- for most of the year -- looks just like Swiss cheese. Shows will be balanced with time in my studio, time for travel and teaching, time to paint plein air in inspiring places, time to share a love for art with you.


Solo Show in Great Falls in March 2016
"Witness: Close Encounters of the Painting Kind" on view throughout March 2016 at Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA.
View the exhibit  online here.

Saturday, March 19, 1 to 4pm -- Free Painting Demonstration at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA (Artists' Atelier/Arts of Great Falls School -- a couple doors down from the Katie's Coffee where you can view my "Witness" exhibit. RSVP to Jill@JillBanks.com

See Six Cool Ways to Visit the Exhibit ... Here

And...

Sign up Now for Spring 2016 Classes Taught through the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA

Painting the Plein Air Landscape: Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm starting April 21.

Still Life Plus: Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm starting April 5. ( first class only: demo starting at 9am)

Evening Paint: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30pm starting April 5.  

Get more info on my Classes page.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

"Witness" Solo Exhibit Up

One corner of the show with "Hung Out to Dry" and "Scene at the Bar"

Today Randy and I hung ten original oils in Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in my March solo exhibit there titled "Witness: Close Encounters of the Painting Kind." Long title for an exhibit with few (but interesting) pieces.

The newest pieces to make it into the show are "Scene at the Bar" and "Market Day in San Gimignano." Other favorites rounded out the show and with many extras/alternates ready to hang ... I was very happy to be offered a tenth "spot on the wall"

Three more from the show: "Piano al Fresco," "Seaside Sunset," and "Field Days"

by Frances, the manager in charge. It meant not (VERY) reluctantly packing back up one that I wanted to show you.

There is a solid chance that some of these ten will be replaced with others during the month ... hopefully because some of you decide you'd rather have one of them in your home ... but also because I'll be painting along this theme these days.

"Mountain Time" and "Sitting with Statues" (plus "Hung Out to Dry" and "Seat at the Bar")

 I will be setting up my easel at the Brogue and in and around the Great Falls Village Centre, welcoming company to watch or check in. Keep watch here on the blog for some short notice updates.

Summer Workshop in Italy

Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! Plein air painting workshop June 26 to July 3, 2016 in the Piemonte wine region in the Italian countryside. Please join me! Get more information on this trip of a lifetime here.

"Janssen's Market," "A Little Rusty" and "Market Day in San Gimignano" at the Old Brogue

Solo Show in Great Falls in March 2016
"Witness: Close Encounters of the Painting Kind" on view throughout March 2016 at Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. (
View the exhibit  online here.  Get more info on the exhibit/Katie's hours, etc. here.

March 1-31: "Witness" Solo Exhibit, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. View the exhibit online here.

Saturday, March 19, 1 to 4pm -- Free Painting Demonstration at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA (Artists' Atelier/Arts of Great Falls School -- a couple doors down from the Katie's Coffee where you can view my "Witness" exhibit. RSVP to Jill@JillBanks.com

See Six Cool Ways to Visit the Exhibit ... Here  

And...

Sign up Now for Spring 2016 Classes Taught through the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA

Painting the Plein Air Landscape: Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm starting April 21.

Still Life Plus: Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm starting April 5. ( first class only: demo starting at 9am)

Evening Paint: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30pm starting April 5.  

Get more info on my Classes page.
Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

See the Events page for more info/updates

March 1-31: "Witness" Solo Exhibit, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. View the exhibit online here.
Saturday, March 19, 1 to 4pm -- Free Painting Demonstration at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA (Artists' Atelier/Arts of Great Falls School -- a couple doors down from the Katie's Coffee where you can view my "Witness" exhibit. RSVP to Jill@JillBanks.com 

May 7-8: A-RTS@Rockville Town Square, Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, Rockville, MD

June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA 

June 26-July 3: Paint with Me in Italy this Summer! : Plein air workshop in the Piemonte wine region.