Friday, March 23, 2018

Human Inspiration

Strumming, oil, 24"h x 12"w, ©2018 Jill Banks
Instead of the longer, more thoughtful blog post I was in the process of writing ... you'll get something a bit shorter and sweeter.

Today in addition to a positive brainstorming meeting to help a local arts organization, hours were spent happily painting at my easel an inspiring sitter whose neck is probably not too comfortable this evening. (Strummer is the result.)

After that, I joined my parents for dinner to catch up a bit.

This past week's trip to Charleston offered warmer weather with people out and about, with connections at my easel happening all day long.

I apologize too to friends in Charleston for not letting them know of my visit. It was planned last minute and consisted of painting, eating and sleeping. I know when I'm not good company. 

Prior to heading to Charleston, I asked a favorite model to come pose for me in my studio... and she just filled the space with beauty.  The scene before me was almost overwhelming.  It will take me a good while to do it ... and her justice.  Somehow the canvas will have to transport you to the feeling I had all day.

There was an interview with Michelle Dunaway that I read recently ... and in it she talked about painting with Richard Schmid. How when they had a model come pose for the group (the Putney Painters), he is like a kid on Christmas morning.  He simply lights up.

I'm that way.

Paint with Me This Spring -- Register Now
Classes are filling for my Spring term ... so if you are interested in painting on location with me around the Washington DC area (Plein Air Landscape starts April 12) ... now's a good time to register.  Get more info about that class and others on my Classes page.

 Still Life Plus (Tuesdays starting April 10)
Evening Paint (Tuesdays starting April 10)
Plein Air Landscape (Thursdays starting April 12) -- taught on location around the Great Falls and DC area.

Spring Full of Art
Also, lots of Events are coming up including an April 6 First Friday Art Walk in the Village (Great Falls, VA -- where you'll find me in my studio) and for the Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at the RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg TX (I won'd be there but many of my paintings are ... on exhibit until June 3).

Back to Telluride
Yay!  I'll be participating in Telluride Plein Air for the third time this Summer.  Visions of that wonderful town are already dancing around in my head.  So glad to be invited back!

Events
February 1-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with up to five pieces at one time over this four month period.)  First Friday Art Walk at RS Hanna from 6-8pm -- February, March, April, May and June. 
April 6: First Friday Art Walk in the Village Centre, 6-8pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22033. (Studio is also open Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm)
April 21-22: Arlington Fine Art Festival, Arlington VA
June 1-3: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA  
June 4-9: Bucks County Plein Air, PA  (one of 30 juried artists)
June 28-July 4: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO
July 7-8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI

Press   
Check out the March/April issues of Fine Art Connoisseur and Art of the West Magazines. My work is published in both. Cool.
Thank you for reading!
Jill Banks
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...)
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. 
 


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Thursday, March 22, 2018

Spring Fever Took Me to Charleston

Wisteria Walk, oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©2018 Jill Banks -- painted today!

Spring fever drove me to make a quick trip to Charleston SC for weather warm enough to paint en plein air.  (Home in the Washington DC area got 4 inches of snow.) So while I'm now just back to the colder weather, this violet-laced walk is where I spent this gorgeous afternoon.

Everyone stopped to smell the wisteria and to take photos among the purple blossoms.  When people gravitate to someplace like that ... and I'm painting that same subject ... it's a sure sign it was a good choice.

 I can't tell you how nice it was to have its scent wafting through the air (vs. painting alongside a garbage can, for instance). 

Three more paintings filled out the last five days. You'll see those soon (in the next few days).

Wade Away, oil, 24"h x 24"w, ©2017 Jill Banks (from last year's Spring trip to Charleston)
Paint with Me This Spring -- Register Now
Classes are filling for my Spring term ... so if you are interested in painting on location with me around the Washington DC area (Plein Air Landscape starts April 12) ... now's a good time to register.  Get more info about that class and others on my Classes page.

Still Life Plus (Tuesdays starting April 10)
Evening Paint (Tuesdays starting April 10)
Plein Air Landscape (Thursdays starting April 12) -- taught on location around the Great Falls and DC area.


Spring Full of Art
Also, lots of Events are coming up including an April 6 First Friday Art Walk in the Village (Great Falls, VA -- where you'll find me in my studio) and for the Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at the RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg TX (I won'd be there but many of my paintings are ... on exhibit until June 3).

Back to Telluride
Yay!  I'll be participating in Telluride Plein Air for the third time this Summer.  Visions of that wonderful town are already dancing around in my head.  So glad to be invited back!

Events
February 1-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with up to five pieces at one time over this four month period.)  First Friday Art Walk at RS Hanna from 6-8pm -- February, March, April, May and June. 
April 6: First Friday Art Walk in the Village Centre, 6-8pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22033. (Studio is also open Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm)
April 21-22: Arlington Fine Art Festival, Arlington VA
June 1-3: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA  
June 28-July 4: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO
July 7-8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI
Press   
Check out the March/April issues of Fine Art Connoisseur and Art of the West Magazines. My work is published in both. Cool.


Thank you for reading!
Jill Banks
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...)
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. 
 


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Saturday, March 3, 2018

Inspired by Telluride

"Mountain Station," oil on linen-lined panel, 24"h x 18"w,  ©2017-2018 Jill Banks

Started on location last summer, I finished "Mountain Station" in my studio.  If we weren't leaving Telluride the following day, I would have returned to the same spot and completed it there.  Often, those second chances to take in the changing mood and colors of the place are such a treat. Most of the "work" is done ... leaving time to enjoy and anticipate. But those second days are real rarities. Instead, I took my thoughts and senses there ... many states and half a year away.

While "Mountain Station" has been hanging out in my studio waiting for attention for some time, it moved to the easel prompted by the episodes of Bravo's Top Chef (a favorite show) taking place in Telluride.  The chefs were shopping where we shopped. Padma was standing in front of one of the planters on Colorado Avenue where I'd stood and painted "Center of Attention." All those visual prompts did it.  How many hints did I need to return -- at least mentally -- to this magical place?

The station depicted is where you "hitch" a ride to Mountain Village and back.  The bikes at the light pole are just some of the hundreds of them dotting the town. During my first visit to Telluride, any young folks I met thought each painting was fine ... but asked when I was going to paint the gondola.  Indeed I did get around to it. ("Riding High" was the result.)

Spring Classes Start April 10 & 12
Get more info about my classes offered through the Arts of Great Falls through the links below. 
Still Life Plus (Tuesdays)
Evening Paint (Tuesdays)
Plein Air Landscape (Thursdays) -- taught on location around the Great Falls and DC area.
Registration is open for these classes but you'll need to use the links provided on my classes page to get to them ... for now.  This past term, classes were full. Be sure to secure your spot by registering now.  I really hope you join us!

Did you see my last blog post? Check out "City Sparkle" and "Out and About" in this City Sidewalks Post. 
"City Sparkle," oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©2018 Jill Banks


Events
  • February 2-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with five pieces at one time ("Old Market," "Day at the Ranch," "Cactus Corner," "Fiddlin' Around" and "Chicken Chat" are all heading to Texas) over this four month period.  First Friday Art Walk openings at RS Hanna from 6-8pm on February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4 and June 1.  Plus see the work any time until June 3.
  • April 6: First Friday Art Walk in the Village Centre, 6-8pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22033. (Studio is also open Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm)
  •  June 1-3: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA
  • July 7-8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI
Press   
Check out the March/April issues of Fine Art Connoisseur and Art of the West Magazines. My work is published in both. Cool.

Thank you for reading!
Jill Banks
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...)
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. 
 
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