Giraffe Painting and First Friday Art Walkin the Village, July 1, 6-9pm

Quick post.

"Long Legs: Giraffe," oil, 24"h x 18"h, ©2016 Jill Banks

Finally finished this giraffe painting that has been hanging around the studio waiting for attention.

She's from the Baltimore Zoo.
 
"Fresh Fare": New Solo Exhibit in Great Falls
Click on the link to see the 14 paintings for my "Fresh Fare" solo exhibit on view through August 15, 2016 at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls, VA.

First Friday at the Atelier, July 1, 6-9pm
Many of my California paintings and more will be debuting on Friday, July 1 at the Artists' Atelier for First Friday on July 1 from 6-9pm. Make a night of it ... we're located at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. I'd love to see you and I WILL be there! Will you? Open hours too on Saturday, 10am to 2pm at the Atelier. A great way to kick off the July 4th weekend!




Thank you for reading!

Jill

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

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Fresh Fare: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls.

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

July 18-29: Salmagundi Club's Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, 47 Fifth Ave, NYC. "Heart of Telluride" accepted into exhibit on view in the Upper Gallery.

July 23-24: Loveladies Fine Art Festival, Loveladies, NJ (on Long Beach Island)

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

Fisherman's Wharf California Painting "Sail Shapes"

"Sail Shapes" (Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA), oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Come see "Sail Shapes" and many other plein air works from my June painting trip to California ... where they'll be debuting at First Friday Art Walk in the Village, July 1, 6-9pm at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Hope to see you there.

The California Paintings
See more of the paintings (please) from California and other spots in the Places Gallery on my web site. (More keep getting added.)
 

"Fresh Fare": New Solo Exhibit in Great Falls
Click on the link to see the 14 paintings for my "Fresh Fare" solo exhibit on view through August 15, 2016 at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls, VA.

First Friday at the Atelier, July 1, 6-9pm
Many of my California paintings and maybe even the new ballerinas will be debuting on Friday, July 1 at the Artists' Atelier for First Friday on July 1 from 6-9pm. Make a night of it ... we're located at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. I'd love to see you and I WILL be there! Will you?

Thank you for reading!

Jill

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

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Fresh Fare: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls.

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

July 18-29: Salmagundi Club's Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, 47 Fifth Ave, NYC. "Heart of Telluride" accepted into exhibit on view in the Upper Gallery.

July 23-24: Loveladies Fine Art Festival, Loveladies, NJ (on Long Beach Island)

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

"Emma Thinks You're Funny" Granddaughter Emma's Portrait Month 3

"Emma Thinks You're Funny" (Granddaughter's portrait Month 3), oil, 8"h x 8"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

My Mom, Dad, husband Randy and I all shared the joy of a short one-day visit to see granddaughter Emma and her mom and dad -- son Sam and daughter-in-law Michelle.

Emma was showing off. At a few days shy of becoming a three-month old, she rolled over -- multiple times and on the second try figured out how to wiggle her second arm free.  It's not clear yet whether she likes the result of finding herself on her stomach. Maybe she'll need to figure out the next trick -- rolling back?

Sure was a day full of joy.

See Emma's One Month Portrait on my web site here.
And Emma at Two Month's on my web site here.

"Fresh Fare": New Solo Exhibit in Great Falls
Click on the link to see the 14 paintings for my "Fresh Fare" solo exhibit on view through August 15, 2016 at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls, VA.

First Friday at the Atelier, July 1, 6-9pm
Many of my California paintings and maybe even the new ballerinas will be debuting on Friday, July 1 at the Artists' Atelier for First Friday on July 1 from 6-9pm. Make a night of it ... we're located at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. I'd love to see you and I WILL be there! Will you?

Thank you for reading!

Jill

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

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Fresh Fare: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls.

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

July 18-29: Salmagundi Club's Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, 47 Fifth Ave, NYC. "Heart of Telluride" accepted into exhibit on view in the Upper Gallery.

July 23-24: Loveladies Fine Art Festival, Loveladies, NJ (on Long Beach Island)

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

Ballerina Painting in Progress

"White Swans" in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Right before heading to California on a painting trip, I had the pleasure to watch a couple of dance classes and then two full length rehearsals for the Summer Recital for the School of Theatrical Dance of Great Falls. The whole experience was thrilling. I loved watching the youngest ballerinas looking on seeing their older counterparts rehearse.

I want to extend a huge thank you to the dancers who inspired me and Theresa D'Allesandro, the owner and director of the School of Theatrical Dance who welcomed me to classes and the rehearsals.  I loved being there!!!!

Witnessing the progress, the beautiful choreography, huge amount of work, sense of pride and love of dance throughout each age group made such an impression.  Each dance was so complicated. I originally planned to sketch but with constant movement, complicated dances, and many dancers ... I realized my goal needed to be to watch and take in as much as possible -- to enjoy.

"White Swans" is the first of a series of works that will stem from these practices and rehearsals. There is much work left to do and directions to explore. Let's see where this goes.

"Fresh Fare": New Solo Exhibit in Great Falls
Click on the link to see the 14 paintings for my "Fresh Fare" solo exhibit on view through August 15, 2016 at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls, VA.

First Friday at the Atelier, July 1, 6-9pm
Many of my California paintings and maybe even the new ballerinas will be debuting on Friday, July 1 at the Artists' Atelier for First Friday on July 1 from 6-9pm. Make a night of it ... we're located at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. I'd love to see you and I WILL be there! Will you?

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Fresh Fare: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls.

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

July 18-29: Salmagundi Club's Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, 47 Fifth Ave, NYC. "Heart of Telluride" accepted into exhibit on view in the Upper Gallery.

July 23-24: Loveladies Fine Art Festival, Loveladies, NJ (on Long Beach Island)

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

A Portrait of Sisters

"Sisters," oil, 18"h x 24"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

"Sisters" -- My Mom and Aunt Beverly, oil, 2004. Private collection (Mom's)

This weekend the girls whose portraits I've been painting and their mom saw this in person, revealed by the mom's aunt ... and my friend who commissioned it. The photo is one from my iPhone with a better one to replace it next week when the painting returns for a little bit for signing, photographing and varnishing.

I struggled painting "Sisters." Twasn't easy but I knew that the painting was working while smiling incessantly back at these two girls.

One of my first painted portraits was created many years ago of my mom and her sister ... the two had discovered each other and met as grandparents.  That painting was created from photographs taken after they'd enjoyed a special lunch get-together or tea?  It's REALLY rare I show you an early work. My Mom and Aunt tested how many colors I could see in white.

I've also been working on a new ballet painting. Can't wait to show it to you! I was asked recently how many paintings were in progress at one time. My answer: a gadzillion. Not totally accurate but the number is up there.   The number would be accurate if counting all those paintings I'm dying to create. Endless.

"Fresh Fare": New Solo Exhibit in Great Falls
Click on the link to see the 14 paintings hung today for my "Fresh Fare" solo exhibit on view through August 15, 2016 at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls, VA.





First Friday at the Atelier, July 1, 6-9pm
Many of my California paintings and maybe even the new ballerinas will be debuting on Friday, July 1 at the Artists' Atelier for First Friday on July 1 from 6-9pm. Make a night of it ... we're located at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. I'd love to see you and I WILL be there! Will you?

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Fresh Fare: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls.

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

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

"Rock Stars" at Point Lobos

"Rock Stars," oil, 8"h x 6"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

A little one painted at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in California.  I think that it needs some color changes. Those will be done tomorrow. Time to stop working for the day.

If I can pull this off, I'll add some non-narrated video soon of "Rock Stars" in progress at the Reserve. That will be a test of my limited technological skills.

"Heart of Telluride," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©2016 Jill Banks accepted to Salmagundi Club Exhibition

MPA McLean Artfest
I did receive good news of acceptance to MPA McLean Artfest, an outdoor art festival in McLean Community Park in McLean, Virginia the first Sunday in October (October 2, 2016).  A ways off ... but a great event.

Salmagundi Club Non-Member Exhibition
My painting "Heart of Telluride" was also accepted into the Salmagundi Club's Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition -- another nice honor.

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Fresh Fare: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls.

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

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

Better Late Than Never: "The Ballerina"

"The Ballerina," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

I started this during a demo back in March. Ended up creating "Tutu, Two" while figuring out how to finish "The Ballerina." Sometimes paintings need to percolate for awhile.

"Tutu, Two," oil, 24"h x 12"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

"Fresh Fare": New Solo Exhibit in Great Falls
Click on the link to see the 14 paintings hung today for my "Fresh Fare" solo exhibit on view through August 15, 2016 at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls, VA.

A Break from the California Paintings
See paintings (please) recently finished from last week's trip to California and other spots in the Places Gallery on my web site. (More keep getting added.)

I plan on showing my California pieces in Virginia sometime soon.

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Fresh Fare: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls.

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

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

"San Carlos Cathedral" at the Presidio in Monterey, CA Plus New Solo Show UP

"San Carlos Cathedral" (The Royal Presidio Chapel, Monterey, CA), 12"h x 16"w, oil, ©2016 Jill Banks

Phew.

Not easy. Lots of hours spent on site and in the studio on "San Carlos Cathedral." Hope you like it.

"Rabbit Food," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©2015 Jill Banks is one of 14 paintings in my "Fresh Fare" solos show in Great Falls, VA through August 15, 2016.

"Fresh Fare": New Solo Exhibit in Great Falls
Click on the link to see the 14 paintings hung today for my "Fresh Fare" solo exhibit on view through August 15, 2016 at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls, VA.


The California Paintings
See more of the paintings (please) from California and other spots in the Places Gallery on my web site. (More keep getting added.)

I plan on showing my California pieces in Virginia sometime soon.

Kind Words
One reader from Israel wrote to me about how much he looks forward to getting my blog posts each morning in his email.  He also told me to keep it up, every day, no excuses.  I don't know if that's feasible ... but it's nice to know that he enjoys getting a painting in his mailbox regularly.

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Fresh Fare: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit at Triny's Tex-Mex Grill in Great Falls.

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

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

"Rock Climber" Near Fisherman's Wharf

"Rock Climber," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Husband Randy looked at me a little funny when I'd spent a LONG time selecting a location to paint and then set up here. I loved it.

"Rock Climber" was painted plein air right near Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, CA.

See more of the paintings (please) from California and other spots in the Places Gallery on my web site.

I plan on showing my California pieces in Virginia sometime soon.

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Flowers and Such: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit in Great Falls.

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

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

"Secret Garden" Colorful Courtyard ... Happy Father's Day

"Secret Garden," oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Today's post is the finished version of a plein air study that I intend to develop into a larger work in the studio. Looking back at my week's work, almost all the pieces are saturated with color to a degree well past my quite colorful norm. The light turns every corner of the place into a vivid, color-drenched scene.

"Secret Garden" is based at the Pacific House in downtown Monterey.  Young kids were at camp in the courtyard learning about Mexican customs and at the moments depicted, they were testing out a historical snack of some sort. I was too engrossed on capturing them before they exited to find out much more. One of their camp counselors said the kids kept asking her if she thought I was painting them ... to which she answered "of course not ... She's painting the flowers."

I'd painted here in the Pacific House courtyard last year but wasn't able to finish. The dappled light enchants but is a bear to paint. I'm going to keep at it because it conveys the place, its intense glow ... so well.

"Coast of Santa Cristina, Lloret de Mar" by Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida

These colorful days and the subjects of "Secret Garden" kept artist Joaquin Sorolla's work foremost in my thoughts. His piece shown above could easily have been painted here. There are better examples out there of his paintings in gardens. I'll look for hints from those works in approaching my larger piece born from "Secret Garden" and the hours spent at Pacific House.

Yesterday I painted the chapel at the Presidio in Monterey ... for hours and hours. It was a funny day with flatter light than the blue-skied ones that preceded it. Still, I took lots of mental notes of those moments that the yellows and oranges drew the sun onto the chapel's facade. You'll see it sometime soon.

Happy Father's Day!
It seems fitting that the day's post is of a garden ... in honor of Father's Day. Happy Father's Day, Dad ... who kept each of our homes (as a kid and then for my family) surrounded by flowers and gardens that greeted us each day.  What a beautiful gift!!! (One of SO many.)

May you celebrate the great Dads in your life this Sunday.


See more of the paintings (please) from California and other spots in the Places Gallery on my web site.

I plan on showing my California pieces in Virginia sometime soon.

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Flowers and Such: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit in Great Falls.

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

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

A Trip to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in California

"China Cove," oil, 8"h x 6"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Serendipity reigned yesterday. First up, I tried to go to the Monterey Museum of Art for some inspiration after struggling the day before. It doesn't open until 11am so I headed to the gardens at the Pacific House (built by the Spanish as a Customs House). There in the courtyard were a group of young people dressed in old-fashioned Mexican garb, for Summer camp learning history by practicing customs ... like churning butter. They were fantastic models for an oil study painted there ... that will become a larger garden painting sometime in the not too distant future.

Then, it was back to the Museum of Art to look at California Impressionists, old and new. They led me to explore Point Lobos.

Oh, boy.

Each hike at stopping points in the Reserve were ridiculously breathtaking. The last stop in the curve around, with a hike up a steep hill led to "China Cove" with a beach with lapping turquoise water, a cave and a dugout to the other side. Can you believe it?

"The greatest meeting of land and water in the world. " --Landscape artist Francis McComas' description of Point Lobos.

So you know you'll see the study and paintings derived from Point Lobos and the gathering at Pacific House sometime to come.

Now I'm heading for a farmer's market and to capture some boats!

See more of the paintings (please) from California and other spots in the Places Gallery on my web site.

I plan on showing my California pieces in Virginia sometime soon.

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Flowers and Such: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit in Great Falls.

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

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

I did one more little study there of the rock formations leading to Bird Island. It's a little rough but the inspiration for what comes of it is definitely alive and well. 

Painting at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove

"Lover's Point," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Yesterday was not "smooth sailing" -- painting-wise. "Lover's Point" was my third start -- this one right over top of start number two. It DID turn out as hoped for capturing the intensity and beauty of the reflections that drew me to paint it in the first place.

See more of the paintings (please) from California and other spots in the Places Gallery on my web site.

And, right now -- I'm heading off to paint. Decisions ahead.

There are many more canvases to be shown ... but I'm posting one per day. Stay tuned.

I plan on showing my California pieces in Virginia sometime soon.

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Flowers and Such: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit in Great Falls.

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

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

"The Water Tester" Plein Air Landscape at MacAbee Beach

"The Water Tester," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Someone has to do it.  This young girl was the first in her family to step foot in the sea yesterday. The whole day painting in and around Monterey Bay, California was gorgeous ... although a little windy and cold.  I had to thaw out a couple of times painting "The Water Tester." Worth it.

Now it's time to get out there and capture the day.

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

EVENTS

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

May 22-June 3: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in NYC, Salmagundi Club, NYC. "Seaside Sunset" awarded BEST IN SHOW -- the Board of Directors Award.
June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. Official arts demonstrator: Saturday, June 4, 1pm. Free painting demonstration.

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

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

"Pier Time" Plein Air in Monterey Bay, California

"Pier Time," (Monterey, CA) oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Yesterday's painting "Pier Time" took advantage of gray but pretty morning weather in Monterey. Eventually the sun baked away the clouds and illuminated what will be subjects for the sunny afternoon today. (Got to go capture that in a moment.)

Tomorrow night's post should show what I was painting this morning. Quite a contrast. I decided NOT to include an orange kayak because I figured that the scene was already almost too colorful to believe.

Check in tomorrow night to see what YOU think.

Off to work while listening to the sounds of water, seals, seagulls ...

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

EVENTS

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

May 22-June 3: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in NYC, Salmagundi Club, NYC. "Seaside Sunset" awarded BEST IN SHOW -- the Board of Directors Award.
June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. Official arts demonstrator: Saturday, June 4, 1pm. Free painting demonstration.

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

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

In Case You Missed It ... Here's "Bohdi"

"Bohdi," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©2016 Jill Banks. Private collection.

Since last night's blog post was so rushed, I'm posting today with my painting of Bohdi -- one of two Australian sheepdogs who shared their abode with me this past weekend.

It was a great pleasure to have pets around. Randy and I have designed our lives so we can get up and go. That's nice but I love the company of cats, dogs or both. So, I guess I'll have to settle for borrowing pets.

Some of you probably remember my painting "La Chien de Grange" of the gorgeous dog keeping watch from his/her stone barn perch.  I wasn't sure of the breed.

According to Bohdi's owner, he or she was also an Australian sheepdog.

There are more events coming up than I've had a chance to add to my web site and events pages. I've been juried into the Long Beach Island Plein Air Plus Competition and Exhibit in New Jersey -- a first year event with artists selected by Nancy Tankersley. Other shows coming up include Armonk NY and King Street Alexandria VA in September. I'm thinking about teaching a plein air workshop in August but will also be enjoying some nice concentrated painting time this summer ... wherever my easel wants to go.

"La Chien de Grange" -- oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©2014 Jill Banks. Bohdi's handsome predecessor.

Rittenhouse Square was wonderful. See yesterday's post for my finished piece from Saturday's painting demonstration at the Farmer's Market.

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

EVENTS

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

May 22-June 3: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in NYC, Salmagundi Club, NYC. "Seaside Sunset" awarded BEST IN SHOW -- the Board of Directors Award.
June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. Official arts demonstrator: Saturday, June 4, 1pm. Free painting demonstration.

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

"Fresh Strawberries" from Rittenhouse Square

"Fresh Strawberries," (Rittenhouse Square Market), oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

The Farmer's Market became my neighbors during the Rittenhouse Square Spring Original Art Show on Saturday, June 4 ... the same day I was set to give a short (1 hour) painting demonstration. With just a small space separating the strawberries and rhubarb from my tent and plenty of people to fill that, I set up as close to the corner of my booth as possible and peeked down the street. "Fresh Strawberries" is the finished version of that start ... a complicated scene and fairly large canvas for such a short period of painting time ... thus the follow-up in my studio.

"Bohdi," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©2016 Jill Banks. Private collection.

"Fresh Strawberries" wasn't the only painting to make it on and off my easel these past few days. I also managed to capture one of two Australian Shepherds who resided with our weekend's host and hostess.  The photo reflects some very fresh paint -- so it is not great -- but hope you get the idea, anyway. What fun  "Bohdi" was to paint!

Thanks for reading ... and to all of you who visited the Rittenhouse Square Art Show in Philadelphia, the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club at the Salmagundi in NYC or the ArtFest on the Green in Great Falls, VA! Hope you enjoyed!!!!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

EVENTS

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

May 22-June 3: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in NYC, Salmagundi Club, NYC. "Seaside Sunset" awarded BEST IN SHOW -- the Board of Directors Award.
June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. Official arts demonstrator: Saturday, June 4, 1pm. Free painting demonstration.

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

 

Rittenhouse Square the Original Art Show This Weekend, June 3 to June 5

"Barn at Granogue," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2015 Jill Banks will be one of the paintings from the Brandywine Valley Plein Air and Wayne Plein Air juried competitions that you'll find in my Rittenhouse Square booth

In Philadelphia at the Rittenhouse Square the Original Art Show June 3-5

If you're somewhere near Philadelphia this coming weekend, Friday June 3 to Sunday June 5 ... please stop by the wonderful Rittenhouse Square Art Show (click link for more info).

Show hours, rain or shine:

Friday, June 3: 11am to 7pm

Saturday, June 4: 11am to 6pm

Sunday, June 5: 11am to 5pm

I'll be in Booth #25 on Walnut Street.

List of Exhibiting Artists: See list and links for artists here to take a sneak peek.

Map of Booth Numbers Around the Square: See link and map here.

Parking Info

Read the history of this event here.

Can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to returning to Rittenhouse Square  -- my second year participating in one of the most respected and well attended outdoor art fairs in the country. Hope to see you there!

"Flowers to Go," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2015 Jill Banks: flower market near Wayne PA painted plein air.

I've spent a lot of time painting around the Philadelphia area so many of the pieces in my booth this year will have been painted (fairly) nearby including "Barn at Granogue," "Flowers to Go" ... and some REALLY close by (as in ... IN the Square) like "Garden Lion, Rittenhouse Square," and "Tents in the Square."

"Garden Lion, Rittenhouse Square," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©2015 Jill Banks: painted during my Official Rittenhouse Square demonstration given in 2015. I'll be demo'ing again on Saturday, June 4 at 1pm. I'd love to see  you!

It won't all be local ... many other favorite pieces painted on travels around the US and Europe as well as those close to my home in Virginia will be there for the choosing. I hope you like (love) what I picked to show you!

And in New York at the Salmagundi Club through June 3...

At the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition at the Salmagundi Art Club (47 Fifth Avenue in NYC), there's still a short chance to see "Seaside Sunset," my oil painting of the beach at Carmel, California at sunset which has been awarded the very top prize (the Board of Directors Award -- Best in Show -- by jurors Naomi Campbell and Rick Rosen). The Awards Reception is on Friday, June 3, 6-8pm at the Salmagundi Club in NYC. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make that event since it coincides with the Rittenhouse Square Art Show on June 3-5. Can't be in two places at one time -- but if I could, I would! The reception is free and open to the public though ... so hopefully, maybe you could drop in!

Click here to view the CLWAC Member exhibition

And in Great Falls, VA ... another big Art Weekend awaits

ArtsFest on the Green, June 3-5

Art Walk in the Village: First Fridays  

Friday, June 3rd, 6-9pm     FREE

This month's Art Walk is combined with ArtFest!  Stroll through 20 artists' booths under tents on the Green and 3 indoor art studios (info below). Live music at The Old Brogue beginning at 9pm. Enter the Green through the art studios at 756, 766, or 776 Walker Rd in Great Falls, VA.

Great Falls Studios  Art Show & Sale

Friday, June 3  (6 - 9 pm)
Saturday, June 4  (

9 am-5 pm)

Sunday, June 5  (11 am - 8 pm)
 

On the Village Green in Great Falls, wander through the booths of over 20 artists of Great Falls Studios to see oil, acrylic, watercolors and mixed media paintings; pottery; photographs; jewelry; blown glass; and fabric art. Visit the indoor studios of Artists on the Green (766-B Walker Rd.), The Artists' Loft (766 Walker Rd.), and Artists' Atelier (756 Walker Rd.) This is a great opportunity to see the art and chat with the artists who make it.

FREE ADMISSION     greatfallsstudios.com

 

See my work (and my studiomates) at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. (Yes, there is more there.) Interested in purchasing at the ArtsFest? Send me an email at jill@jillbanks.com with the piece you are interested in and your contact info and we can make it happen. Or call: (703) 403.7435.  Thanks!

FREE     www.greatfallsart.org/ArtWalk 

That's it... Hope you get out and about for a full weekend of art.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

May 22-June 3: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in NYC, Salmagundi Club, NYC. "Seaside Sunset" awarded BEST IN SHOW -- the Board of Directors Award.
June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. Official arts demonstrator: Saturday, June 4, 1pm. Free painting demonstration.

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