Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Night in the Piazza and More to Come...


"Night Owls," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2017 Jill Banks
In my last post, I mentioned soon leaving my home away from home in Italy and heading off to paint a nocturne.  "Night Owls" is what followed.

Many paintings were started ... and almost completed en plein air during our week stay in Lucca. You'll see them relatively soon on my blog (here) and email newsletter.  The week in Lucca was followed by another weeklong stay in Bologna with a trip to the beach at Viareggio in between. There are so many fun and touching stories to relate ahead but at the moment I'm sitting on the plane ready to return back home. Lots to look forward to!!!!

Arrivederci, Italia! Grazie!

September Featured Artist of the Month at Ellis-Nicholson Gallery in Charleston, SC

Come to the First Friday Art Walk there on September 1. More pieces will be added to the ones that have recently arrived in the Gallery and I'll be there on First Friday to meet you! 

Really looking forward to being in the gallery, meeting you and introducing my work in this new venue.

View the paintings that will be part of my "Close Encounters" exhibit at Ellis-Nicholson in Charleston, SC this September online here.

Upcoming Events


Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh PA, August 26-27
 
"Close Encounters" Featured Artist of the Month, First Friday Art Walk -- Charleston SC at the Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, September 1
 
Long Beach Island Plein Air Plus, Long Beach Island NJ, July 1-August 31 - Exhibit September 8-October 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 20-22
 
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
Here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola.
 
Paint Great Falls 2017 - September 6-9 - CALL FOR ARTISTS
Artists are invited to participate in this third annual event to paint plein air anywhere in Great Falls VA from September 6-9, 2017. Generous awards. Open to the first 40 registrants -- non-juried. I was the competition judge last year -- and it was tough to pick the winners from the fine work that sprang to life in the span of a few short days. Get more info at: www.greatfallsart.org/paint-great-falls/

Thanks for reading!

Jill Banks


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, August 6, 2017

Home Away From Home in Italy

"L'Appartamento," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©2017 Jill Banks
This is home away from home in Italy. It's getting close to the time to say goodbye and I'm sure that mustering turning in the keys is going to be difficult.  This is the second of two interiors created during the heat of the day. ("La Cucina Due" is the first.) In a few moments, I'll head out for dinner and a nocturne painting session.

"La Cucina Due," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©2017 Jill Banks
Sometimes it's good to not know how to speak Italian.  We've been watering the geraniums on the balcony each day and cars/people do pass underneath. There's a good chance that the words spoken by a driver directed at me overhead were not complimentary.  So, what am I supposed to do?

The owner of our apartment in Italy trained as a set designer. Her artistry is everywhere in this place. I love it. I love it. I love it.

There. I've hidden my feelings well.

Painting out on the streets in all these different places makes you appear like a native ... to the tourists.  I am often asked directions and whereabouts. Today it was to the antiteatro Romano ... a place I know.  Despite a deficiency in my sense of direction, I sent the family to the right general location. Surprise, surprise.

September Featured Artist of the Month at Ellis-Nicholson Gallery in Charleston, SC

Come to the First Friday Art Walk there on September 1. More pieces will be added to the ones that have recently arrived in the Gallery and I'll be there on First Friday to meet you! 

Really looking forward to being in the gallery, meeting you and introducing my work in this new venue.

More info to come but my tentative title for this collection/show is "Close Encounters." Hope I encounter YOU!

Upcoming Events


Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh PA, August 26-27
"Close Encounters" Featured Artist of the Month, First Friday Art Walk -- Charleston SC at the Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, September 1
Long Beach Island Plein Air Plus, Long Beach Island NJ, July 1-August 31 - Exhibit September 8-October 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 20-22
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
Here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola.
Paint Great Falls 2017 - September 6-9 - CALL FOR ARTISTS
Artists are invited to participate in this third annual event to paint plein air anywhere in Great Falls VA from September 6-9, 2017. Generous awards. Open to the first 40 registrants -- non-juried. I was the competition judge last year -- and it was tough to pick the winners from the fine work that sprang to life in the span of a few short days. Get more info at: www.greatfallsart.org/paint-great-falls/

Thanks for reading!


Jill Banks


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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Friday, August 4, 2017

Days in Italy

"Slow Lane," oil, 24"h x 12"w, ©2017 Jill Banks
Quick-ish blog post as these Summer days provide plenty to do and enjoy. We've escaped for awhile to Italy although getting here provided a few hurdles. Like four extra hours on the runway. A good bit waiting for baggage. Two hours waiting for a rental car. Et cetera.

This is ... like all times ... a painting trip.  It's hot here in the Tuscan town of Lucca. The good news is that there is ample shade if I choose my subjects and setting wisely. Many paintings are underway yet not finished.  "Slow Lane" is one that is ready to show.  This is the view from our balcony.  More to come ... on an easy schedule.

September Featured Artist of the Month at Ellis-Nicholson Gallery in Charleston, SC

Come to the First Friday Art Walk there on September 1. More pieces will be added to the ones that have recently arrived in the Gallery and I'll be there on First Friday to meet you! 

Really looking forward to being in the gallery, meeting you and introducing my work in this new venue.

More info to come but my tentative title for this collection/show is "Close Encounters." Hope I encounter YOU!

Upcoming Events

Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh PA, August 26-27

"Close Encounters" Featured Artist of the Month, First Friday Art Walk -- Charleston SC at the Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, September 1

Long Beach Island Plein Air Plus, Long Beach Island NJ, July 1-August 31 - Exhibit September 8-October 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 20-22

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
Here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola.

Paint Great Falls 2017 - September 6-9 - CALL FOR ARTISTS
Artists are invited to participate in this third annual event to paint plein air anywhere in Great Falls VA from September 6-9, 2017. Generous awards. Open to the first 40 registrants -- non-juried. I was the competition judge last year -- and it was tough to pick the winners from the fine work that sprang to life in the span of a few short days. Get more info at: www.greatfallsart.org/paint-great-falls/


Thanks for reading!


Jill Banks


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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