"Alan" Accepted into the 83rd Grand National Exhibition

"Alan," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2005

Good news! Today's mail delivered one of those self-addressed stamped envelopes that I send out with my responses to Call for Entries. In it was a letter with big type: Congratulations! My entry "Alan" has been accepted into the 2011 American Artists Professional League Grand National Exhibition. The show will hang in the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC from Tuesday, November 1 through Friday, November 11. The exhibit is open to the public on those dates from 1pm to 6pm with a reception, awards presentation and annual meeting on Sunday, November 6, 2:00 to 5:00pm.

"Alan" has already had a good history. This painting was a finalist in Artist's Magazine's Annual Art Competition in the portrait category. And, "Alan" was on the cover of élan Magazine in May 2006.  I felt like a star! (And so did Alan!)

It's tough to choose the right piece to submit to an exhibit, and for that matter, the right exhibits for me. I have to either go see the exhibit in person or take a good look at it online, if possible. This is my second time being accepted into the Grand National, and I attended the reception for it when my piece "Sunflowers II" was part of the exhibit in 2009. Accepted entries are traditional realism only. So, I work to figure out the right fit. Actually, I agonize over it. Perhaps I think this helps my chances.

Fun Time at the Demo Last Night

I painted a very quick demo last night following the meeting at the Vienna Arts Society's Art Center. This is an awfully good group of people who sponsor an annual Treasury of Art show each year in November. (Last year, I'd won 3rd Place with my three-color chalk drawing of "Becky.")

I painted a little -- a simple still life -- and talked a lot about my 100 Faces project in between discussing not using mediums, working on boards vs. canvas, the thickness of the paint, etc. It's rare for me to paint for just an hour (or less). That's when I'm just getting started, usually. But, I think it's important to get over having to do something we're not used to -- and find a way to adjust or just adopt the right attitude. That can be as simple as changing your expectations. As in ... lightening up ... and delivering information, an approach and hopefully, some inspiration.

I also feel honored by the invitation. Thanks, Anita Champ for including me in the program!

I'll check out the photos Randy took last night ... and perhaps post them later today.

Come see soon.

Open Hours at the Atelier and Last Chances -- 100 Faces in 100 Days

My 100 Faces in 100 Days paintings are all up at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066) for just one more week. I'll take them down on Saturday, September 24. Open hours are Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm or contact me by email for another time. The exhibit carried over for extra weeks into September ... but this is it! Later I will work on finding other places to exhibit them as a group ... but who knows where that will be. Or when.

Events
August 1 - September 24: "100 Faces in 100 Days" on exhibit at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Open hours: Fridays and Saturdays, Noon-4pm.

My Still Life and Portrait Painting & Drawing Both classes are full for Fall sessions. See the Classes page on my web site for more information on those classes. Send me an email if you would like to receive notification of other class/workshop offerings -- what kind of courses you would be interested in, days of the week and times.

Sunday, October 2, 10am-5pm: MPA McLean Artfest, juried outdoor arts festival, McLean Community Park, McLean, VA

Saturday and Sunday, October 15&16, 10am-5pm: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour. Major weekend long event with 47 artists from Great Falls Studios participating in a self-guided tour. I'll be in the Artists' Atelier, the studio I share with 14 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls. Last year, the tour drew 7200+ visitors from throughout the DC area. Don't miss it!

October 20-22, Out & About Norfolk 2011: Juried Plein Air Event and Wet Paint Sale. I'll be spending three days in Norfolk for this 5th Annual Plein Air Competition ... painting away. I'm excited!



November 1-11, 83rd Grand National Exhibition 2011: "Alan" will be on exhibit at the American Artists Professional League Grand National at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Reception" Sunday, November 6, 2-5pm.

To read more about the 100 Faces in 100 Days project on my web site (www.jillbanks.com), go to the 100 Faces Project Pages 1 and 2 where you can see all 100 of my volunteers. Click on the paintings, and go to my blog post for that person's sitting.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Day 5: Wet Paint and Model Day at the Atelier

This painting may need a new name. Currently named "Tranquility," this is a work in progress on day five of the five scheduled model sessions at the Artists' Atelier (the studio I share with 15 other artists in Great Falls, VA). If it gets a new name, it may be "My Favorite Place" -- mentally, physically, spiritually. I simply love to paint. Let me paint from a live model ... in a situation where I have some control (i.e. pose, place, mood, apparel) ... and I just couldn't be happier. I spent three hours working on painting Liz while she was available, and the rest of the afternoon painting my surroundings in the studio, all by myself.

Randy and I went up to NYC this past weekend for the reception of the American Artists Professional League's Grand National where my "Sunflowers II" is on exhibit at the Salmagundi Club.  We stayed in Soho and had a terrific time walking around the city, taking in the lights and rhythms of the place. That exhibit continues until November 13.

We shipped "Arance, Oranges" to NYC last week for Allied Artists of America's Annual Exhibition which opens November 13 at the National Arts Club. We'll head back up there for a reception the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I can't wait. While traveling back and forth is a bit of a pain, I love just being in New York. And, I'm particularly excited to be one of the exhibitors in the Allied Artists show. This is my first time getting in to this competitive juried exhibit. (Yea!)

I also plan to go to Maison du Vin this Saturday ... where I have a solo show hanging. Every Saturday they have a special event and this one is a free wine tasting with Thanksgiving suggestions. Maybe someone will want to take home one of my paintings with a case of wine that day. You never know. Find out more about my exhibit there on my web site.

"Tranquility" day 5 work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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

First Friday and Gala Silent Auction Preview

So, I definitely waited until the last minute to figure out what I was donating for the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts (GFFFTA) Gala's silent auction.  With a show going on now at Maison du Vin (a great wine shop in Great Falls, VA), I kept thinking about those paintings and drawings as candidates ... looking for them around my studio and finally going ... duh ... and realizing they were hanging out elsewhere.

I ended up putting in three. Anyone interested in these pieces should plan on attending the Gala (you need to purchase a ticket) which will take place on Friday, November 20, 7:30-10:00 at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G. Get more info at GFFFTA's web site. Many pieces of exceptional art have been donated and the starting bids are at 50% of retail prices. The artwork will be in the gallery to be previewed tomorrow, Friday, November 6, 7-9pm or Saturdays, noon-4pm or any time an artist is in. Funds raised will benefit the Great Falls School of Art (where I teach).

Here's my line-up:
"Chadwick's"
(Alexandria, VA)
Oil on Raymar panel
16"h x 20"w, framed in Omega gold frame
Retail Price: $1500
Opening Bid: $750
This painting was one of 12 finalists in Raymar’s Annual Art Competition, September 2006. See www.raymarart.com. The competition is stiff … with top American artists placing as finalists.

"Town Center Fountain"
(Reston, VA)
Jill Banks
Ink wash, pen & ink
12”h x 9”w (outer mat), framed in Omega black/gold frame
Retail Price: $295
Opening Bid: $147.50
A major part of creating art is about making choices. I love the simplicity of this piece. Ink wash is almost impossible to control and yet I managed to do just enough here.

"Bellydancer III"
Bellydancer III
Jill Banks
Oil
14”h x 11”w
Retail Price: $1200
Opening Bid: $600
Bellydancer III was juried into Salon International 2009, a project of the International Museum of Contemporary Masters, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX.











I hope to see you at the Artists' Atelier tomorrow night for the preview. The Atelier is open the First Friday of every month, 7-9pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Also, be sure to stop in to see my work in a new solo show "Black&White and Red All Over" in the tasting room at Maison du Vin. There are some great pieces there. Think about holiday gift giving. I'm planning on being there on Saturday, November 21, 1-5pm for a mini-reception in conjunction with Italian Wine Tasting from Bravo wines. Maison du Vin is located at: 756 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA.

Also, "Sunflowers II" is in the American Artists Professional League's 81st Grand National at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC through November 13. I'll be attending the reception and awards ceremony this Sunday, November 8, 2-5pm. Yea! I love New York.


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

"Michelle I" Finished and Day 4 for "Tranquility"

It was a good painting day today. This morning was day 4 for a live modeling session for the Artists' Atelier painters. (I share studio space with 15 other artists at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066.) I made a lot of progress on "Tranquility", working during the first few sittings on the model's face, then her leg and shoe and more on her outfit. I also started sketching in the background ... a scene from the studio.

Then, I finished up working on "Michelle I" -- a painting I started in preparation for the public demo I gave as part of my "On the Bright Side" solo show this summer. "Michelle I" is a portrait of Michelle Anonick, my son Sam's girlfriend. It's a fitting portrait -- I can see "her" in the painting -- and that's a good thing.  She's a natural beauty, inside and out.

This coming Friday, November 6, is First Friday at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066), 7-9pm. Art donated for the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts Gala (November 20, 7:30-10pm, see the GFFFTA web site for more info) will be hanging in the gallery  and on our moveable walls. Come take a look and pick your favorites for silent auction on the 20th.

Then on Saturday, I'm off to NYC for a reception of the American Artists' Professional League's Grand National 2009 being held on Sunday at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue in NYC, 2-5pm. My painting "Sunflowers II" was juried into that show that is on exhibit at this esteemed arts club from November 3 to November 13. So, I won't be in the Atelier for regular open hours this Saturday ... but you can still visit from noon-4pm.

"Tranquility" work in progress day 4, oil on linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.
"Michelle I", oil on linen, 24"h x 18"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009

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

Painting a Model at the Artists' Atelier, Day 3

This is the third weekly session of painting alongside my fellow studiomates at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA). I spent most of the session on one hand and one foot. Then, in the last 20-minute sitting, I moved model Liz's head (on the canvas).  That was gutsy. It needs some finetuning, but that move fit the mood of the pose.

Coming up soon:
Husband Randy and I will be going up to New York City for the reception of the American Artists' Professional League's 81st Grand National 2009 exhibition being held at the Salmagundi Club at 47 Fifth Avenue on Sunday, November 8 from 2-5pm. My painting "Sunflowers II" was juried into that show that runs from November 3rd to 13th. The exhibition is open to the public, 1-5pm daily.

Friday, November 20, 7:30-10pm The Great Falls Foundation for the Arts holds its Gala to raise funds for the Great Falls School of Art (where I teach). Come celebrate the arts. Get more info on GFFFTA's web site. (You can preview the works available for the auction during First Friday at the Artists' Atelier, 7-9pm on Friday, November 6. )

Sunday, November 29, we'll head back to NYC for the reception of Allied Artists of America's Annual Exhibition being held at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) that starts at 1pm. The exhibit runs from November 13 to December 1 and is open to the public noon-5pm daily. "Arance, Oranges", my latest market scene is the piece juried into that show.

"Tranquility" work in progress day three, oil on linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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

"Sarah" Drawing of the Day and the Grand National 2009

My daughter, Sarah, sat for me today. I'm "practicing" drawing in anticipation of teaching my drawing class next week through the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts. I spend most of my time painting, and draw more during vacations or sketching out ideas for portrait commissions. So, I get a little rusty at holding a charcoal pencil.

My still life painting class Fall session starts tomorrow at 9:30 am. I'm scoping out my house for set-ups and then will head to the grocery to find some more subjects. Get more information on my classes on my web site: www.jillbanks.com.

I found out this past week that "Sunflowers II" is accepted into the American Artists Professional League's 81st Grand National Exhibition 2009 that will be held at the Salmagundi Club (47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY) in New York City from November 3 through November 13. This is my first time applying to this juried show ... and second time this year at the Salmagundi Club. The name of the exhibit, The Grand National Exhibition 2009, sounds pretty impressive. I'll give more details closer to exhibit time.

"Sarah", black and terra cotta charcoal on paper, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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