A Rewarding Pursuit

"Tea with Anne" -- portrait of Anne Heilman

Remarkable things keep happening. On Sunday night about 9pm, I got a call from Anne Heilman, the 100-year-old subject of my award-winning portrait "Tea with Anne." ("Tea with Anne," shown at right, won the Casey Memorial Award for a Human Family Theme at the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Annual Exhibition held at the National Arts Club in NYC in October 2008.) Anne's a fellow artist, friend of my mom's, and someone who has become a great supporter and follower of my art. My mom (my most avid cheerleader and great volunteer art agent) had sent Anne printouts from some of my latest blog posts including the post about being accepted into the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe exhibit this year ... and the post about painting my mom and her buddies at the Old Brogue. Anne got a huge kick out reading up on my exploits, and gave me a call.

She can't figure out how I find time to paint. (I make time for that activity -- it's priority one.) Liked the fact that I knew my new (older) house had nice bones. Loved the painting start of my mom & friends at the Brogue. Reminded me that she expects my paintings to end up in the National Gallery of Art.

It just feels good. Having people, like Anne, cheer me on. Appreciate what I do and show genuine interest in what I'm up to.

This is hard, but incredibly rewarding work. The rewards are in the process of painting, in creating something new and enjoying the finished work, in talking with people about my art, in getting someone else excited about art in general -- making it, collecting, enjoying.

I love it when someone else joins my "art clan." At my reception last month, one couple came from Gaithersburg to see my show at the Brogue, and told me seeing my work was well worth the drive. They wouldn't have missed it. Many others came from my parents' church (where my mom made an announcement about the event -- yea, mom!) and they became new supporters. One sent along a web site address of a painter who reminded him of my work ... that he wanted me to see. A fellow Great Falls Studios artist sent me an email last night with a photo of a diner scene that might inspire me. One collector has a Jill wall in her house: of artwork and postcards from my shows and framed note cards. (I get a kick out of that!) I get a lot of help and inspiration from so many... and the greatest inspiration is knowing that there are people enthusiastic about what I love to do.

It takes a lot of people to "feed" an artist -- spiritually and financially -- both important. I count my blessings. Thank you!

I hope you keep passing the word, inviting friends, family and neighbors to take a look online (on my blog or my website) or come to an event. It really helps ... and I greatly appreciate it.

Now it's time to get back to painting.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435
For info on Fall classes: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/Classes_3.html
Great Falls School of Art registration form: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/Registration_Form.html

Anne's 100th Birthday! "Tea with Anne"

Happy 100th Birthday to Anne Heilman! Anne was the subject of my award-winning painting "Tea with Anne." The painting won the Casey Memorial Award at the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's 2008 Annual Open Exhibition (held at the National Arts Club in NYC) plus also was a finalist in Raymar's Annual Art Competition.

There was a tea party in her honor today. 

I regularly get notes of encouragement from Anne regarding my art. She's looking forward to seeing it hanging in a museum ... and indicates it would be a good idea to hurry up. Leading up to her 100th birthday, she signed it Anne at 99 and 11/12s.

"Tea with Anne", oil on Raymar panel, 24"h x 18"w. Owned by Anne's family. Copyright Jill Banks 2007.

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

"Tea with Anne" Wins Award in New York Exhibit

I got home late today -- couldn't stop painting, plus I took a terrific crash course from Heidi Mraz on Digital Photography this afternoon, so it was a full day. Anyway, in the mail I received a fat envelope from the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club. Fat envelopes are usually good news. So, I won the Frank B. and Mary Anderson Cassidy Memorial Award for my painting of Anne Heilman.

That is good news! In a week, Randy and I will be traveling up to New York to go to the Benefit Reception for the Metropolitan Museum of Art -- that is taking place at the National Arts Club -- where "Tea with Anne" is being exhibited as part of the 112th Annual Open Juried Exhibition of the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club. Then on October 15th, we'll head back there for the Awards Dinner. Can't wait!


I do need a new hairdo and to do some serious rummaging through my closet. Painting clothes probably aren't appropriate attire.

By the way, I was amazed by Heidi's knowledge of the world of photography. Her course was great. She is teaching two more workshops this Fall through the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts -- one on "Photoshop Elements: The Basics" and the other of "Photoshop Elements 6: Beyond the Basics." I highly recommend her as a teacher.

The above photos are "scenes" from my studio, Saturday, September 27, about 6pm.