A Popularity Boost

"Janssen's Market," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2015 -- FAV15 in the October 2015 BoldBrush Competition ($1250)

Informed Collector Recommends ... Jill Banks (Me)

Yesterday, rather suddenly, I was getting an onrush of post likes, new email newsletter subscribers, and Facebook fan page likes. Wow. Did everyone who picked up one of my business cards at the Fairfax Fine Art Festival this weekend hit the Internet on Tuesday?

Maybe some of them did ... but the "culprit" behind this popularity is mainly being spotlighted on Informed Collector -- an email newsletter showcasing artists to watch. Wish to see it?

Thanks for all the support and enthusiasm received!

"Back Story," oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©2016 Jill Banks,  FAV15 in Jan 2016 ($5850)

Artists are selected from their entries to a monthly Bold Brush Art competition. Each month I enter two pieces. In the last seven months, seven of my paintings have been selected for inclusion in the FAV15% -- or the Fine Art Views and FASO (Fine Art Studio Online -- websites for artists) favorite 15% of the entries. One of my paintings -- "Late Night Saloon" was a FAV15 twice -- in March 2016 and September 2015. The rest of the recent line-up of FAV15's include "Scene at the Bar" (FAV15- Feb 2016), "Back Story" (FAV15-Jan 2016), "A Little Rusty" (FAV15-Dec 2015), "Janssen's Market" (FAV15-Oct 2015) and "Street Lights" (FAV15-Sep 2015).

A Correlation

We agree. Your friends/favorites ... are my friends/favorites. Many of my entries to the Bold Brush contest are hot off the easel -- and I enter my best. Of the seven FAV15 pieces -- five have been purchased -- with only "Back Story" and "Janssen's Market" available. Those two received lots of intense attention, too, at last weekend's festival.

First Painting of Emma -- Pretty in Pink

"Emma, First Month," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

You knew it was going to happen. Today while granddaughter Emma (who will be one month old this Friday) visited the rest of the family and I was keeping my germs away ... at least I had the pleasure of painting her. My plan is to create a small portrait of her each month during her first year. That's sure to keep those daily photos coming.

Each month, Emma's portrait will be posted here and added to the People and Portraits Gallery on my web site. 

Changes have been so quick even this first month as she's found her thumb, keeps her eyes open more and become more expressive. I'll be documenting time flying.

I really don't know if there is anyone else on the planet interested in having a small portrait done of the baby in their life once a month for the first year -- but if you know of one, send him/her my way. This was fun!

And with this portrait at only 10"h x 8"w, her portrayal is not nearly as dainty as she is.  With 11 more to go, my thought is that I'll keep the size canvas consistent as well as her face. Hope that works.

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!  Time's running out on this one, too... Deadline is May 1. You will have a great time whether you are a complete beginner or more accomplished painter.  Really! Yes, I can teach you ... but you will also be enjoying delicious food and wine, beautiful surroundings, day trips to ancient hill towns, wine tours, a cooking demonstration, plenty of relaxing opportunities poolside. Some of the reasons to go are shown below.

Working with Anna in the vineyard

First evening meal together of the workshop

"Italian Vines," painted plein air in Nieve, oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©2014 Jill Banks

"Vino," painted at the winery in Treiso with the permission of Walter, the third-generation winemaker

Trina in La Morra

Part of the exhibit we put on in Treiso toward the end of the workshop

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 6: First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA

May 7-8: A-RTS@Rockville Town Square, Outdoor Juried Arts Festival, Rockville, MD. Booth #211

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. Official arts demonstrator: Saturday, June 4, 1pm. Free painting demonstration.

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

July 9-10: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford Historic Village in North Kingstowne, RI.

September 24-25: Armonk 55th Annual Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, NY

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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