Thursday, July 27, 2017

"Better Days"

"Better Days," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©2017 Jill Banks
An unusual piece for me, "Better Days" has been chosen for the Women Artists of the West Annual Exhibition which will take place in an unusual place for the group ... the McBride Gallery in Annapolis, MD (November 5-December 31).

I painted this during Richmond Plein Air and almost chose it for the two pieces that were juried for awards. Don't know exactly what stopped me from doing that.  Perhaps I know how much this painting draws me in without understanding why? The simplicity? The slope?

Comments are welcome. Or emails.

So many wonderful things have been happening recently and I'm just grateful. Sales. Appreciation. Recognition. Even a few minutes of fame.

Today I revealed a portrait. A tense event (understatement). The parents of my subject TRULY loved the painting.  That's more than a relief.  It touches my soul.

 A recent email was a reminder.  My husband Randy makes what I do possible and fun. Our brains are as dissimilar as apples and orangutans. Seriously. Since taking up painting, I no longer can multi-task. He handles inventory, shipping, packing the car, what we need, travel arrangements, taxes, deadlines, framing, booth raising, lighting, gerry-rigging, figuring out where we're eating and staying, and on and on. But, besides all those important "jobs," what Randy does is make my life full of joy. We work hard but do it together ... and then it turns into something else.  I love him SO much and could not be more thankful for him, our marriage, our life.

Fall Classes and Workshop ... Register Now
Still Life Plus (Personal Projects Also) starts September 12.
Evening Paint starts Tuesday, September 12.
Painting the Portrait -- Three-Day Workshop -- October 27-29, 2017.
Class size is limited. The class and workshop are taught through the Arts of Great Falls School at 756-C Walker Road, Great Falls VA.
Get more info on my Classes page.  
I was chosen as one of the Top 9 Painting and Drawing Teachers in the Washington DC area by Expertise.com. (Pretty cool endorsement.)
https://www.expertise.com/dc/washington/painting-and-drawing-classes

Read the Article: Southwest Art Artist to Watch,  July 2017
Hopefully you'll be able to still grab the July issue of Southwest Art Magazine ... but here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola. I've had a heck of a time finding extras after making several stops at Barnes and Noble.

Thanks for reading!


Jill Banks

Upcoming Events

Gracie Square Art Show, Carl Schurz Park, NYC, September 9-10

Alexandria King Street Art Festival, Alexandria VA, September 16-17

Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk NY, September 23-24

MPA McLean Artfest, McLean VA, October 1

Sedona Plein Air Festival, Sedona AZ, October 14-21

Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls VA (Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls -- I'll be there Sunday only.) October 21-22

Chosen as one of the Top 9 Painting and Drawing Teachers in the Washington DC area by Expertise.com.
https://www.expertise.com/dc/washington/painting-and-drawing-classes
Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

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Sunday, July 23, 2017

Telluride Wrap-Up and Charleston Gallery

"Dodge-y," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©2017 Jill Banks. Available ($750)
If you are subscribed to my email newsletter (through my website at www.JillBanks.com) AND my blog, with any luck ... you'll be getting two emails within a day of each other.  Please check them both out. The email newsletter will include many pieces from the Richmond and Telluride plein air events as well as other art news.  If you aren't subscribed to the newsletter, maybe now would be a good time ...

I mentioned way back when that the following day you'd be hearing from me with the rest of my Telluride escapades and art ... but here most of it is. Better late than never?

"Cowboy in Town," oil, 12"h x 12"w, ©2017 Jill Banks. Sold.
Most of the pieces created at Telluride Plein Air have already gone to new homes. Some of them will spur on additional pieces to come... like "Cowboy in Town" -- my first painting of the event that captured local legend cowboy Roudy in action, plein air.  Roudy kept reappearing throughout my stay in Colorado -- riding a carriage right beside my red fire truck while I was painting "Center of Attention" and again at the 4th of July parade.

See more from Telluride in the Places collection  and Sold Works on my website or in that email newsletter to come.

Gallery in Charleston SC

Seven of my paintings have arrived at the Ellis-Nicholson Gallery at 1-1/2 Broad Street in Charleston South Carolina. There you'll see "Flower Power," "Stars and Stripes Street," "Venezia Market II," "The Snuggery," "Ladies' Lunch," "St. Patrick's Day," and "Painting the Pump House." If you're in the Charleston area, please visit the gallery and mention that  I sent you...

"Flower Power," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©2017 Jill Banks -- now available through Ellis-Nicholson Gallery in Charleston SC
Fall Classes and Workshop ... Register Now
Still Life Plus (Personal Projects Also) starts September 12.
Evening Paint starts Tuesday, September 12.
Painting the Portrait -- Three-Day Workshop -- October 27-29, 2017.
Class size is limited. The class and workshop are taught through the Arts of Great Falls School at 756-C Walker Road, Great Falls VA.
Get more info on my Classes page.  
I was chosen as one of the Top 9 Painting and Drawing Teachers in the Washington DC area by Expertise.com. (Pretty cool endorsement.)
https://www.expertise.com/dc/washington/painting-and-drawing-classes

Read the Article: Southwest Art Artist to Watch,  July 2017
Hopefully you'll be able to still grab the July issue of Southwest Art Magazine ... but here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola. I've had a heck of a time finding extras after making several stops at Barnes and Noble.

See you around some town, I hope!!!! Thanks for reading!

Jill Banks

Upcoming Events

Gracie Square Art Show, Carl Schurz Park, NYC, September 9-10

Alexandria King Street Art Festival, Alexandria VA, September 16-17

Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk NY, September 23-24

MPA McLean Artfest, McLean VA, October 1

Sedona Plein Air Festival, Sedona AZ, October 14-21

Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls VA (Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls -- I'll be there Sunday only.) October 21-22

Chosen as one of the Top 9 Painting and Drawing Teachers in the Washington DC area by Expertise.com.
https://www.expertise.com/dc/washington/painting-and-drawing-classes
Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)
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Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Telluride Plein Air ... Incredible Week

"Back in Telluride," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2017 Jill Banks -- Available ($2000)

Of the 13 paintings created in the days leading up to July 4 in Telluride, eight have gone to new homes. Six found new owners while in Colorado. Two were selected this past weekend in the Wickford Art Festival in  Rhode Island.

"Back in Telluride" is still available ... and it's the piece I selected as my Artists' Choice for the collectors' party.  It sort of sums up me ... and the town.  I painted it over three afternoons at the first alleyway off of Colorado Avenue.  It captures the bike repair shop and the Free Box -- a Telluride special institution.  Straight ahead is the mountain to be climbed by foot or gondola. The ubiquitous dog leads the way.

Telluride is gorgeous at every turn. In addition, there I met new friends. Reconnected with a former studio mate in town for a wedding ... plus other folks from Great Falls VA there for the same event. Stayed with gracious hosts in Mountain Village. Painted in a saloon over two afternoons.  Painted people watching the 4th of July parade. Just loved our time there.

I love the around the corner view. "Back in Telluride" is that, this trip.
Painting "Center of Attention" while standing in the middle of Colorado Avenue in Telluride.  Crazy fun while receiving plenty of encouragement from each passing car.

"Center of Attention," oil, 12"h x 24"2, ©2017 Jill Banks -- Sold

More paintings from Telluride below.  There will be a follow-up post tomorrow with the rest.

"Lunch in Telluride," oil, 12"h x 12"w, ©2017 Jill Banks -- Available ($1050) -- my quick draw painting of the gyro stand and the Sheridan Hotel's restaurant. Two varied choices with Ingram Falls in the backdrop.

Lots of art news to share and I'll do it. This is my first chance to catch up at all in an month -- with three almost back-to-back plein air events followed by an art festival. Phew.

"Parade Day," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©2017 Jill Banks -- Sold
I will be participating in the Gracie Square Art Show in NYC in September for the first time and received news that my piece "Sun and Sea" received a third place award in the Women Artists of the West online Summer exhibit. Interesting times!

Please make sure you check out the July issue of Southwest Art in which there's a wonderful one-page article about me as an Artist to Watch. So thrilled!!

See you around some town, I hope!!!! Thanks for reading!


Jill Banks


Upcoming Events
Long Beach Island Plein Air Plus, Long Beach Island NJ, July 1-August 31

Gracie Square Art Show, Carl Schurz Park, NYC, September 9-10

Alexandria King Street Art Festival, Alexandria VA, September 16-17

Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk NY, September 23-24

MPA McLean Artfest, McLean VA, October 1

 Sedona Plein Air Festival, Sedona AZ, October 14-21

Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls VA (Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls -- I'll be there Sunday only.) October 21-22

Chosen as one of the Top 9 Painting and Drawing Teachers in the Washington DC area by Expertise.com.
https://www.expertise.com/dc/washington/painting-and-drawing-classes
Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

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