Two Paintings Accepted into the 7th Biennial National Exhibition!

Good news! Two of my paintings, "Italian Men" and "Livia" were accepted into the 7th Biennial National Exhibition being held at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, Florida February 8 through March 12, 2010. I always think the stats are interesting, and am happy when the exhibit organizers share them. Over 720 pieces were entered from 31 states and three countries. 138 were accepted. Each entrant could submit up to three pieces. I submitted two.

The juror who selected the accepted work, who I also believe will be the awarding juror (works will be judged on February 3 live) is Peter Trippi, president of Projects in 19th Century Art, Inc. and editor of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. Prior to that, he spent 3 years as Director of New York's Dahesh Museum of Art. That's the institution that just republished the Charles Bargue book of plates that I received as a Christmas present. Cool.

I'm really proud of both of these paintings ... yea!

There's still time to sign up for my Portrait and Figure Painting class, Still Life painting class, and "Mastering the Business of Art" workshop (next Wednesday and Thursday, 5-8pm). Classes are held through the Great Falls School of Art at 1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA. Get more info on classes and how to register on my web site: www.jillbanks.com.

"Italian Men", 24"h x 18"w, oil on panel, copyright Jill Banks 2008.
"Livia", 36"h x 30"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2008.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Italian Men" in the Art League International Landscape Show

"Italian Men" has a prime spot in the Art League gallery for August's Landscape Show. From my quick look as the team was hanging the show, it looks like a fantastic exhibit. Art buyers -- take a look! Walt Bartman, Director and Founder of the Yellow Barn in Glen Echo Park, MD, juried the show. Walt was part of the three juror team who selected me for one of the 10 solo show shots awarded in 2008 at the Art League. "Italian Men" was in my January "Place Settings" show -- and the painting has been featured in Elan Magazine, the Washington Post, Virginia Living Magazine, and many more. Since the painting wasn't part of the original grouping shown to the solo show jurors and Walt clearly liked my figurative work based on comments I received after the jurying process, I guessed that he would enjoy seeing this piece. Apparently, he did.

"Italian Men" is one of my all-time favorites. It definitely represents a "leap" for me in the handling of space and the figures... but it's also just a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable painting.

My web site's clearly out of date. I promise I'll fix it soon -- but you can see more of these restaurant-centered figurative paintings if you click on preview the show on my home page. Of course the show's over and many of the paintings are residing in new homes, but you'll get the idea of where my heart is in these images. Some, like "Italian Men" are available.

"Italian Men," oil on board, 24"h x 18"w, copyright Jill Banks 2007.