Through Homer's Eyes

"After Winslow Homer's 'Long Branch, NJ,'" oil, 18"h x 24"w, by Jill Banks

Today I finished up an unusual commission -- for me -- a copy of Winslow Homer's "Long Branch, New Jersey" painting for a top collector of mine. She knew that had I seen that beach ... lived when Homer did ... I'd have been compelled to paint the scene much like he captured it.

Still, it isn't easy copying another painting. This one had far more detail than I'd even consider today ... yet it works. What a spot.

Student Exhibition
The Annual Student Exhibition for the Arts of Great Falls School is coming up. If you've taken classes from me or others at the Arts of Great Falls School in 2015 -- I hope you'll submit work for the gallery. Annual Student Art Show January 16-30th in the Gallery at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA-- Opening and Awards Reception, January 16th 6:30-8:30pm click here for details for submissions, exhibit hours, etc.

Classes Start Soon
I  am still hoping that more students enroll in my Tuesday Evening Paint class that starts on January 12. (It sure would be great if you could join us!)  Classes are taught at the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA. See below for links to classes.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com  

See the Events page for more info/updates

Winter classes are up on my web site. Take a look!  I'll be teaching a Portrait Painting/Drawing class this January (full with wait list) on
Sunday afternoons, Still Life Plus (Personal Painting Projects on Tuesdays - 10:30am to 1:30pm  (Only 1 spot left!) and Evening Paint on Tuesday nights - 6:30 to 9:30pm (still room!)through the Arts of Great Falls School in Great Falls, VA. Classes are filling. I hope you'll sign up soon and start the New Year 2016 off right -- with art.

Great Falls School Exhibition: Awards

More photos will definitely need to come later as I'm off to my opening reception for "Warm Observations" in just a few minutes ... but the Opening Reception for this celebration of learning and art was fantastic!  Lots of supporters for the artists in both the youth and adult categories. Thoughtful comments from award co-juror Cindy Grisdela. Just fun!

YOUTH CATEGORY

First Place: "Milk Carton"

Maryam Bade, Age 12

Pencil on Paper

Second Place: "Light & Shadows"

Miriam Burch, Age 11

Charcoal on Paper

Third Place: "Lydia"

Renee Schmidt, Age 14

Pencil on Paper

Grace DeLuca, age 14, accepting award for "Frederic" with the blue background shown above her

Honorable Mention: "Frederic"

Grace DeLuca, Age 14

Digital Art

Honorable Mention: "Scientific Instruments"

Thomas Burch, Age 13

Charcoal on Paper

ADULT CATEGORY

First Place: "Pick Me"

Robin Rosner

Oil on Canvas

Second Place: "Wrangler"

Donna Barnako

Acrylic Mixed Media

Third Place: "Tranquility"

Linda Garden

Oil on Canvas

Honorable Mention: "Hanoi Flower Lady"

Claire Adams

Oil on Canvas

Honorable Mention: "Silver Dollars"

Joanne Byrne

Oil on Canvas

These photos and the announcement of award winners are also at: http://greatfallsatelier.com/events. More, again, will be added later.

Thanks to all who attended!





Events and Exhibits

• January 13-February 22, 2015: "Warm Observations: People and Places" Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA. Reception: Saturday, January 17. Painting demonstration: Saturday, January 31. RSVP for painting demo.
• January 14 - 28: Great Falls School of Art Annual Student Exhibition, Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Friday, January 16, 7-9pm
• Paint with Me in Italy Plein Air Workshop: July 27 to August 2, 2015. Registration is now open. (This is where "Piemonte Lunch" was "born"!)
• See the Events page for more info/updates
• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm

Thanks for reading!
Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel

"Raggedy Ann" Start Today

"Raggedy Ann" work in progress (this is just the underpainting), oil, 30"h x 30"w,©Jill Banks 2014

And in a minute I'll head back down to my studio to enjoy painting away.

A successful weekend "Mastering the Business of Art" workshop has passed. The first day of my Winter Portrait class starts next Sunday, January 12 (there are still a couple of spots left if you want to grab them). Then Still Life  on Tuesday, January 14.

This Friday, January 10, 7-9pm come celebrate the awards reception for the Great Falls School of Art Annual Student Exhibition being held in the Artists Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. See what students, young and older have been creating in 2013.  The exhibit runs from January 8 to January 29.  Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm throughout the month.

And for my regular blog followers, my niece Annie is home from the hospital, happy and healthy, celebrating "Christmas" dinner a little late.

Our daughter Sarah was accompanied by a much better used Raggedy Ann doll through many of her early years.  Memories.

Start the New Year Off Artfully

Sign Up for Classes and Workshops that Start January
Still Life in Oils -- Tuesdays, 10am-1pm (Full with wait list)
Portrait Painting -- Sundays, 1:30pm-5:30pm -- please join us.
All taught through the Great Falls School of Art (1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA).  See the Classes page on my Web site: www.JillBanks.com. Don't wait! (Please. I don't want you to miss out.)

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com 
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435
Artists Atelier, Great Falls VA website: GreatFallsAtelier.com

Events
January 10-28: Great Falls School of Art Student Exhibition, Gallery in the Artists Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. Reception/Awards: Friday, January 10, 7-9pm. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon-4pm.

February: Flowers and Chocolates, Gallery in the Artists Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066. One of our best exhibits of the year. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon-4pm. Receptions, events to be announced

February: Jill Banks Solo Exhibit at Katie's Coffee in the Old Brogue, Great Falls, VA

More to come.