"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