Pulling Together "The Gathering Spot" Solo Show

"Candy Stripe Café" oil, 24"h x 18"w, ©2019 Jill Banks - just completed.

 April 1-30, 2019

Although there are plenty of alternates waiting in the wings, you can now view online the nine pieces I'm planning to hang for the first of back-to-back solo shows.  "Candy Stripe Café" is one of those. 

Last summer, I painted plein air for two weeks in Paris ... and this view of the café was one spot that was calling my name.  It had to be nixed for painting then and there as my shade turned immediately to full blazing sun ... but I painted the same café there just from across the street.

The solo show "The Gathering Spot" will be exhibited at the Old Brogue Irish Pub's popular Snuggery dining room/Katie's Coffee (it's open almost all day with a short break in the late afternoon) at 760 Walker Road, Great Falls VA 22066.

View the exhibit online here.

"Ladies' Lunch," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©2014-2019 Jill Banks

The challenge isn't pulling together nine paintings for the solo show, it's juggling all the different events, fine art festivals, studio openings that are happening simultaneously.  My approach has been to prepare for what's directly ahead and paint every moment that I can.

Today was spent working on "Ladies Lunch" - a painting that depicts the dining room where "The Gathering Spot" will be exhibited. I painted it originally many years ago, on the spot, when my Mom and friends were celebrating a birthday there.  It was significantly changed yesterday and today, accentuating light, color and place.

First Friday Art Walk in the Village - Friday, April 5, 6-8pm

Come visit my studio and others in the Great Falls Village Centre on Friday -- where there will be plenty of fresh art to see there ... at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls ... and head over to the Brogue to see my newly hung show just steps away.  Make a night of it. I'd love to see you!

Events Coming Up:

April 5 - First Friday Art Walk, the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls VA - 6-8pm (Art Walks run from April to December). Come attend this one and head over to enjoy dinner and see my solo exhibit at the Old Brogue right after. A neat night out on the town!

April 13 & 14 - Arlington Festival of the Arts - Clarendon District in Arlington VA - 10am to 5pm each day

April 22-27 - Artists on Location: a Plein Air Painting Event - Juried artist, plein air competition and sale, Knoxville TN

April 1-30 - "The Gathering Spot" Solo Exhibit, Katie's Coffee/The Snuggery in the Old Brogue Irish Pub, Great Falls VA

May 3 - First Friday Art Walk, the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls VA - 6-8pm (Art Walks run from April to December) - and  the Spring Artfest that weekend - May 4 & 5 - at the Atelier in Great Falls.

May 11 - Reception, Solo Exhibit, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls VA - details to come

May 17-19 - Northern Virginia Fine Art Festival, Reston VA

June 7-9 - Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia PA

June 28 - American Women Artists Museum Exhibition Reception - Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs CO (exhibit runs from May 24-September 2 - "On Top of the World" selected for this prestigious show)

June 29 - July 6 - Telluride Plein Air - Telluride CO

July 13 & 14 - Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford RI

Classes Start Soon - Get more info and register at my classes page. 

Do you live in the Washington DC/Northern Virginia area?  Registration for Winter 2019 classes is now open.  I hope you'll join me.  See the Classes page here.  Top 9 Painting and Drawing Teacher in the DC area - I made the list!

Still Life Plus is now full - waitlist only. Plein Air Landscape (Thursdays, starting April 11) and Evening Paint (Tuesday nights, starting April 9) 

Thanks for reading! I tried to keep this short to encourage more posts to come.  We'll see if it worked!

Jill

www.JillBanks.com
Jill@JillBanks.com
 703.403.7435

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/JillBanksStudio/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/ 

 

Read the Article: Southwest Art Artist to Watch,  July 2017 Here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola.  

 

Read the Article: "Christmas Card Paintings: 46 Years and Counting"Here's a link to the article in Fine Art Today, published by Fine Art Connoisseur.  

 

Read the Article: "A Paris Plein Air Adventure" published by Outdoor Painter (from Plein Air Magazine)

 

Inspired by Telluride

"Mountain Station," oil on linen-lined panel, 24"h x 18"w,  ©2017-2018 Jill Banks

Started on location last summer, I finished "Mountain Station" in my studio.  If we weren't leaving Telluride the following day, I would have returned to the same spot and completed it there.  Often, those second chances to take in the changing mood and colors of the place are such a treat. Most of the "work" is done ... leaving time to enjoy and anticipate. But those second days are real rarities. Instead, I took my thoughts and senses there ... many states and half a year away.

While "Mountain Station" has been hanging out in my studio waiting for attention for some time, it moved to the easel prompted by the episodes of Bravo's Top Chef (a favorite show) taking place in Telluride.  The chefs were shopping where we shopped. Padma was standing in front of one of the planters on Colorado Avenue where I'd stood and painted "Center of Attention." All those visual prompts did it.  How many hints did I need to return -- at least mentally -- to this magical place?

The station depicted is where you "hitch" a ride to Mountain Village and back.  The bikes at the light pole are just some of the hundreds of them dotting the town. During my first visit to Telluride, any young folks I met thought each painting was fine ... but asked when I was going to paint the gondola.  Indeed I did get around to it. ("Riding High" was the result.)

Spring Classes Start April 10 & 12
Get more info about my classes offered through the Arts of Great Falls through the links below. 
Still Life Plus (Tuesdays)
Evening Paint (Tuesdays)
Plein Air Landscape (Thursdays) -- taught on location around the Great Falls and DC area.
Registration is open for these classes but you'll need to use the links provided on my classes page to get to them ... for now.  This past term, classes were full. Be sure to secure your spot by registering now.  I really hope you join us!

Did you see my last blog post? Check out "City Sparkle" and "Out and About" in this City Sidewalks Post. 

"City Sparkle," oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©2018 Jill Banks

Events

• February 2-June 3: Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase at RS Hanna Gallery  in Fredericksburg, TX (I'm one of 50 artists included in the showcase with five pieces at one time ("Old Market," "Day at the Ranch," "Cactus Corner," "Fiddlin' Around" and "Chicken Chat" are all heading to Texas) over this four month period.  First Friday Art Walk openings at RS Hanna from 6-8pm on February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4 and June 1.  Plus see the work any time until June 3.
• April 6: First Friday Art Walk in the Village Centre, 6-8pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22033. (Studio is also open Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm)
•  June 1-3: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, Philadelphia, PA
• July 7-8: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford, RI

Press   
Check out the March/April issues of Fine Art Connoisseur and Art of the West Magazines. My work is published in both. Cool.

Thank you for reading!

Jill Banks

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

Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

Read the Article: Southwest Art Artist to Watch,  July 2017
Here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola. 

 

New NYC Street Scene HOT Off the Easel and "Farm To Table" Is Up!

HOT off the Easel: "About Town," oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©2017 Jill Banks

"About Town" will be heading with me to the Bruce Museum Outdoor Art Show in Greenwich CT this weekend (October 7 & 8) where I'm a first-time exhibitor in Booth #65.  The show is from 10am to 5pm both days and is located on the museum grounds.

I painted "About Town" to fill a void created when two major NYC street scene paintings landed in collectors' hands two weeks ago.  It was a little strange setting up my booth in last weekend's MPA McLean Artfest without a NYC painting in sight.  Still, that show was fantastic -- with gorgeous weather, an enthusiastic crowd, and four more paintings going to great homes.  Thank you to all who visited!

"Farm To Table" Exhibit Is UP!

"The Old Market," oil, 24"h x 36"w, ©2017 Jill Banks is one of nine original oils in my "Farm To Table" solo exhibit.

Nine of my farm, market and cafe paintings are now on exhibit at the Old Brogue Irish Pub at 760 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA in the Katie's Coffee/Snuggery dining room.  The Brogue is our town's place to be ... and last night Randy and I ate dinner there surrounded by my work.  Wednesday night is Trivia Night and the folks at the huge table next to us started looking around and commenting about the art. Before they got too far, I let them know I was the painter. (It was clear they liked the work.)

The exhibit is up from October 3-31. Go have some coffee, lunch or dinner and let me know what you think.  You can view all but one piece of the exhibit here (online) as well.

"All Fall," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©2017 Jill Banks ... is also part of my "Farm to Table" Exhibit

Exhibitions + Events + Workshop

Painting the Portrait in Oils -- Three-Day Workshop -- October 27-29 taught in Great Falls VA. Spots still available.

Long Beach Island Plein Air Plus, Long Beach Island NJ, Exhibit September 8-October 27

"Farm to Table" Solo Exhibit, Great Falls VA, October 3-31

Bruce Museum Outdoor Arts Festival,  Greenwich CT, October 7-8

Sedona Plein Air Festival, Sedona AZ, October 14-21 (I am one of 30 artists who were invited to paint this stunning landscape. The itinerary sounds unbelievable...)

Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls VA (Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls -- I'll be there Sunday only.) October 20-22

Women Artists of the West (WAOW) National Exhibition,  McBride Gallery - Annapolis MD, November 5-December 31 

 

Thanks for reading! Hope to see you soon!

Jill Banks

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

Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

Read the Article: Southwest Art Artist to Watch,  July 2017
Here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola. 

Pinch Me in La Morra, Italy

"Bend in the Road" (La Morra, Italy), oil, 16"h x 7"w, copyright Jill Banks 2014

I must be dreaming.

In two days, my workshop "Paint with Me in Italy" begins ... when I'll be leading a very nice crew of students through an adventure in the Piemonte wine region of Italy. Yet, before they arrive ... I'm checking it out ... exploring the streets, osterias, pizzerias, views of La Morra yesterday and today. Heading to Nieve tomorrow.

This place is ridiculously gorgeous. I'd been warned. It's also the first time I've been someplace in Italy that wasn't packed with tourists. The views, the streets are filled with some visitors -- but mainly residents and some Italians on holiday. It feels like having been let in on a very nice secret.

Last night I ate pizza and sipped a local Barbera wine overlooking dusk and nightfall in the valley. A breathtaking view. One that made me count that lucky star.

Tonight, after dinner, we wandered to the main piazza I'd been painting a few hours before. It sparkled with small towns all through the valley set against an inky blue sky.

"Bend in the Road" was one of four paintings worked on today. Three will see the light of day. Not so sure about the fourth.  Another was completed yesterday too late for a photo to appear yet. I'll try to catch you up on this slice of heaven, feet and eyes willing.

Check out more of my paintings from this past Spring's trip to paths more frequently taken (Venice and Florence) in the Places Gallery on my web site: www.JillBanks.com, under Works.

Coming Up (in addition to the Workshop)

• Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
• Aug. 23-24: Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA
• September 13 & 14: Alexandria (King Street) Art Festival, Alexandria, VA
• September 20 & 21: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York
• October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
• Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
• Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA
• See the Events page for more info/updates

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 (This link takes you to the subscription page.)

John Smith Is Face #53; 47 Alla Prima Portraits To Paint

"John Smith: Face #53", oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

John Smith was one of my very early volunteers and he picked ... a good while ago ... this particular date to sit for me. We had an excellent time from beginning to end, and although I didn't bring out his inner George Clooney, he approved of both the process and the painting.

This is actually the third time he's been painted because he hangs out in artist circles. (Watch out for that. We're always on the lookout for faces.) His previous two painting sessions were caused by Tricia Ratliff, an artist friend of mine.

John's painting took exactly three hours with breaks and a leisurely stroll down to my home studio. The painting came together naturally, comfortably. I wish I could figure out why that is some days and not others and package that knowledge up. But, no. The secret remains with the painting gods.

My grisaille sketch. This is how the painting started.

John Smith with the painting of Face #53

I really am working at doing something different with this 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. I'm in training to be able to paint the subjects I want to paint ... from life. My goal is to be able to paint groups of people ... in comfortable settings ... without anyone posing or staying still for me so I can capture "real" life. Maybe that can work? Should be fun trying.

John and tomorrow's sitter, Janet, are a couple. John told Janet to prepare to have fun sitting and told me to be prepared for Janet to try to usurp my kitchen. She loves to cook and doesn't have enough space at her place. (Ours is pretty darn nice.)

Okay, time to wash brushes. Slow down. Take it easy. Get ready for tomorrow.

Read more about my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project on earlier blog posts (there are 52 of them starting January 1) and on my web site: www.JillBanks.com on my 100 Faces Project Page (link to it from my home page). 

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

Adam, Age 8, is Face #32

"Adam: Face #32", oil , 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Adam, age 8, came over this afternoon to sit to become Face #32 in my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. Adam's sister, Rachel (age 10) was Face #2 and Adam felt like it was worth giving this sitting for an alla prima portrait sketch business a shot himself. (Alla prima means all at once, in one sitting.) He did great!

He sat for me in my home studio and discovered a slot machine we have in the next room... so that was a draw during breaks. He hit a triple crown result -- the best. (No payout though.)

Adam's favorite class is robotics ... but he also likes karate and art. Sounds like an interesting combination to me. He's personable and smart with an incredible memory. It's been a long while since I've spent much time around an eight year old, but wow! He recalled where he was when he played a slot machine before (the name of the hotel) and all sorts of details that I'd be chasing all through my brain. Ah, youth. He just seemed to have an awful lot together. One of his jobs at home is to find "things" that have gone missing. (I could use one of those sorts of helpers here.)

Anyway, it was a very enjoyable visit. I wasn't completely satisfied that I'd captured Adam when he left ... and did work on this afterward looking at some photographs taken during our session. Now, I think I've got it.

My still life class today was great. It seemed like everyone was rocking and rolling. Great progress. Yea!

Just Updated My Web Site's 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. I'll add Adam to the group in a few minutes ... but you can see all my faces so far and click on each painting to link to their blog post. Check it out!

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