"Persimmons in the Kitchen" Wins Best in Show and Two Other Big Treats

"Persimmons in the Kitchen," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks won Best in Show at the "There's No Place Like Home" juried exhibit of work by Great Falls Studios artists on view at ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center Street, Herndon, VA) through April 8, 2017. The exhibit was juried and judge by Tom and Linda Neel. The Best in Show award was sponsored by Brightview Senior Living Great Falls. Thank you!

This past weekend was pretty spectacular ... with joy spread around at gatherings I could and couldn't attend.

Saturday Night, March 18, 2017

Where I was: At an incredible dinner hosted by a collector celebrating six women artists -- bringing us together for great food, very interesting conversation, toasts, and connections. Most of us did not know each other when we walked through the front door. We were treated to a five-course meal presented in a candlelit dining room surrounded by beautiful art. The evening was capped off with tour throughout the house of all that art -- including many of our works -- hung with care.  My head's quite full of visions and remnants from a very memorable evening. Thank you to this very special collector and to ALL you collectors out there who invite us into your hearts and homes!

The Party's Over ... the aftermath of a wonderful dinner for six lucky women artists hosted by a special collector. His dog says "Bye." We were surrounded by art ... and talked art, among other subjects.

Where I wasn't: At the awards reception for the Arts of Great Falls School Annual Student Exhibition -- Youth Edition.  This is the first year that the Student Exhibition has been divided into two with the Youth Exhibit up in the School Gallery now and the Adult Student Show starting on April 8.  I love the awards reception -- with students happily joined by friends and family to celebrate their hard work and growth as artists.  I'm so sorry to have missed this one but WILL be at the Adult Student Show's Award Reception on Friday, April 14.  Hope to see you there! Congratulations to the younger artists who have pursued classes and presented their work in the current show.

Sunday Afternoon, March 19, 2017

Where I was: Teaching my last Portrait Painting class of the term. I'm going to miss our Sunday afternoons together. Winter is the only time of the year that a weekend weekly class fits in my schedule. Each student has devoted a lot of their "together" time with family to attend and have shown stunning growth each week. It's hard to express how rewarding it is to be part of that process.  In addition to enjoying seeing them progressing, I love seeing friendships formed. We've had an awful lot of fun meeting challenges together!

One view from my Portrait Painting Class. This Sunday was the last day of class and I couldn't miss it. Each student has grown so much this term ... and afforded me the joy of helping make that happen. The Youth Student Exhibition for the Arts of Great Falls School show is in the background -- all around the room.

And another view

Where I wasn't: At the Awards Reception for the "There's No Place Like Home" Exhibit at ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center Street, Herndon, VA). That's where Judges Tom and Linda Neel awarded my oil painting "Persimmons in the Kitchen" Best in Show and talked about why/how they chose each piece. I sure wish that a clone was available ... occasionally. So much time goes into "pitching" an exhibit (Great Falls Studios exhibit committee presented a proposal to ArtSpace Herndon long ago), organizing it, selecting the jurors, selecting the work to display, hanging the work, selecting the award winners, and on and on ...  As artists honored by having our work on exhibit and potentially winning awards, we strive to properly thank organizers, judges, fellow artists ... by showing up at receptions and show events. That's why I flew to Fort Wayne, Indiana for one day last year for the opening of the Oil Painters of America's Salon Show. Or why I've flown or driven to exhibit receptions in NYC, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and elsewhere. It's a joy ... but it's also a thank you. So, I couldn't be there for the reception -- but do sincerely appreciate all the efforts, work and consideration put in by the Great Falls Studios exhibition committee, ArtSpace Herndon, fellow artists and Tom and Linda Neel for judging the show.  Please go take a look at the exhibit -- on view through April 8 at ArtSpace Herndon.  Tell them I sent you (please).

"There's No Place Like Home" Award Winners -- Judges Tom and Linda Neel

Best of Show:  Jill Banks for "Persimmons in the Kitchen" (oil - shown above)
Award Sponsored by Brightview Senior Living Great Falls

Pat Neuman's "Hens Over the Haha House" wins Best Use of Theme - award sponsored by TD Bank

Best Use of Theme: Pat Neuman for "Hens Over the HaHa Wall" (pastel)
Award Sponsored by TD Bank

"Springtime Palisades" mixed media piece by Jennifer Duncan wins Second Prize

Second Prize: Jennifer Duncan for "Springtime Palisades" (mixed media)

Dorry Emmer's "Be It Ever So Humble" fiber art garnered Third Prize

 Third Prize: Dorry Emmer for "Be It Ever So Humble" (fiber)

"Wolftrap" by Roberta Pruett Beasley received an Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention: Roberta Pruett Beasley for "Wolftrap" (mixed media)

"Michael and Jesse," Lori Goll's beautiful pastel of Frying Pan Park, received an Honorable Mention -- and was snatched up by an artist/collector at the Awards Reception of "There's No Place Like Home."

 Honorable Mention: Lori Goll for "Michael and Jesse" (pastel)

Congratulations to All!

Lastly, a Few Friendly Reminders...

Spring Classes are Open For Registration

Classes are taught through the Arts of Great Falls School at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA.  Spring class listings including Evening Paint, Plein Air Landscape and Still Life Plus are on my web site.  Have any questions, please email me at jill@jillbanks.com.  See my listing of all classes here: https://jillbanks.com/workshops

Now might be a good time to register. Make sure there's a spot for you this Spring.

Upcoming Spring Art Events Officially on the Calendar for 2017 
Hope you'll mark your calendars.
March 14-April 9: "No Place Like Home" juried exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon VA. Reception: Sunday, March 19, 3-5pm. Get more info on that exhibit here.  "Persimmons in the Kitchen" won Best in Show.
April 22-23: Arlington Festival of the Arts, Arlington, VA (more info to come)
April 29-30: Fairfax Fine Art Festival, Fairfax Corners, VA (more info to come)
April 29-30: Great Falls Spring Art Festival at the Atelier (756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA) and the Grange/Schoolhouse plus more.  My work will be at the Atelier and hopefully I'll have a helper to greet you -- but see me at the Fairfax Fine Art Festival at my booth.
May 20-21: Northern Virginia Fine Art Festival, Reston, VA
June 2-4: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Festival, Philadelphia, PA

Thank you for reading and your support... Hope to see you soon!

Jill


Best in Show -- BoldBrush Painting Competition, September 2016 for "Daily Special" -- out of 1440 entries.  More info on the competition here.


Finalist -- Sedona Art Prize, January 2017 for "Scene at the Bar" -- see the 12 Top Paintings selected by artist Robert Burridge here: https://www.sedonaartprize.com/about-sedona-art-prize/finalist-paintings/finalist-paintings-january-2017

Blog: For my latest art news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as and Artist at: http://jillbanks.blogspot.com/

Email: jill@jillbanks.com 

703.403.7435

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Studiomate Jennifer Duncan is Face #82

"Jennifer Duncan: Face #82," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

My title almost read #882 (I'm not much of a typist) ... versus Face #82. Can you imagine? I bet I'd be pretty good by then.

Mixed media artist and fellow studiomate Jennifer Duncan came and sat for me today. (By the way, she just updated her web site ... herself ... so go take a look.) She came armed with a sketchbook and a book she'd purchased at MOMA ... but what we mainly ended up doing is, you guessed it, talked. We've been studiomates for as long as there has been the Artists' Atelier. (Maybe six or seven years?) We're both founding members. Now, our studios are in the corners ... same side of the Atelier. My wall faces her wall. Jennifer loves color like I love color. I'm not sure whether or not I influence her, but she does influence me. Sometimes subliminally.

During these years together, we've seen each other grow as artists. Today, we were talking among other things about teaching. Sharing studio space among artists spurs growth among peers. We learn and inspire each other. We talk about techniques, art, tools, exhibits to see, thoughts about galleries, pricing, teaching, composition, directions ... and philosophies and family.

Jennifer said she didn't know how I could talk and paint. We (including she) do it all the time. Okay, sometimes we're quiet but it's natural to be focusing in on painting and still converse. And, I do say ummm alot during the important parts.

So, for my faces project, I'm still disturbed as I come down to the final days of my project that I cannot tell whether or not I've "got it" with my paintings or not. These alla prima (all at once, painted wet into wet in one sitting) portraits/faces are not going to be dead-on, accurate depictions of any of my sitters. I know that. But I want to know that the essence of that person, that recognizable part is there. Up close ... I just don't know.

I think this is a great painting of Jennifer. But all day, I'd see it. Then, I'd not see it. Up close it looked like someone else. What in the world is up with that?

On the thankful side, I am so appreciative of every person who has agreed to come and sit for me. They've taken a big chunk of their time and donated in this bucket called the 100 Faces in 100 Days project. That's amazing. Awesome. Thank you!!!!

Getting Ready for Exhibiting

It's funny to still be painting while figuring out how to hang my upcoming exhibits, but Randy and I found the perfect leather-like fabric to cover panels that will hold 9 of my faces each. We visited the JoAnn's Fabrics in Leesburg, VA. A great store. My "faces" look terrific on the one sample panel Randy put together.  Can't wait for you to see all of these 100 faces together. (I can't wait myself.)

Register for Spring Classes and Workshop
I added info to the Classes page on my web site on my Spring Portrait Painting and Drawing class (Mondays for eight sessions, 10am-1pm starting May 2) and Still Life Painting class (Tuesdays for eight sessions, 10am-1pm starting May 3). I'm also offering my Mastering the Business of Art workshop in May. You can print a registration form also from my site. Space is limited ... but the school space will be expanded starting April 1 ... so more room!!!


Some very full, challenging days are ahead. Really interesting stories. Stay tuned.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Rooster and Geraniums" Painting, Chelsea 32 Gallery and More

"Rooster and Geraniums" is today's painting. In a way, this is a "street series" painting since I spotted this rooster when walking along the streets of Carmel. Both roosters and geraniums make me happy ... so this seemed like a natural scene to capture in paint. Teeny, tiny touches are left ... which I'll take care of tomorrow.

"Rooster and Geraniums", oil on Senso linen, 14"h x 11"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

As to my Bethesda Painting Awards entries, I finally decided on submitting "Dining Al Fresco," "Randy and Me", "Italian Men", "Cabaret", and "Bellydancer II". Based on previous years' winners, it seems that my work is unlikely to be recognized in this particular competition -- but you never know.

Galleries Representing my work:
See Chasen Galleries at 3554 West Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23221 for many of my restaurant scenes and still life painints. Phone is (800) 524-2736. Please visit!

I'm one of 16 artists represented by Chelsea 32 gallery in NYC. Address: 2 W 32nd Street, New York, NY 10001. Phone is (646) 548-7991. Check out their newly update web site to see my donut paintings, Canal watercolor, "Boscs and Business Cards", "Cupcake" and "The Celebration". Fellow artists (and friends) represented by Chelsea 32 include fellow Atelier artists Elaine Elinsky and Jennifer Duncan; Karen Bateman, Tricia Ratliff and Trisha Adams.

The Coffee Cup Show

I dropped off my painting yesterday at the Conscious Bean, the coffee shop right near my studio and stopped off today to see the show hung. Jennifer Duncan, friend and fellow studiomate and artist, curated the show and Great Falls Studios artists certainly embraced the theme. Our instructions were to produce a piece incorporating a coffee cup sized at 12" x 12". I've shown you my entry: "Pumpkin Pie" and thought you'd enjoy a glimpse of some of the other entries. The exhibit will be up for December and January. The Conscious Bean, 10123 Colvin Run Rd.
Great Falls, VA 22066. (703) 757-2326. The bottom photo is of Meredith Ledford's whimsical take on the coffee mug. For me, the exhibit exemplifies how independently and creatively artists tackle a "problem." Imagination is a wonderful thing.