Plein Air Competitions and Quick Draws: A Primer

"Wayne Feed," oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©Jill Banks 2015 painted in Wayne Plein Air ($1250)

Plein Air Competitions and Quick Draws: What are they? What's it like competing in one?

Now seems like the perfect time for this post.

Wayne Plein Air 2015
I'm just back home from a week of painting the town in Wayne Plein Air as one of 30 artists chosen from around the country to find inspiration, create finished works and turn in a total (between us) of 245 pieces of art to be hung with care, ready for the opening gala reception at the end of the week on Saturday, May 16. What's astounding is that none of those beautiful pieces of art existed the week before. I'll give you an insiders look into life at one of these multi-day events.

Call for Artists and Collectors to Great Falls, VA
There's also the first annual Paint Great Falls (Great Falls, VA) plein air competition (May 28-30) and quick draw (Sunday, May 31, 10am to noon) coming up and I'm hoping to entice more folks to come participate (register) and watch as artists of all ages come out to paint (or draw) the town. Find out more about it at and register at the Art of Great Falls.

"Flowers To Go," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2015. I painted this over two consecutive mornings during Wayne Plein Air. The first day, they happened to be paving this little stretch of road that morning. I had to tuck my painting and supplies away while they cleaned off the road. Luckily, one of the foreman warned me. ($1750)

"Painted Ladies," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2015. Painted the last day of Wayne Plein Air ($1250)

What is plein air?
"Plein air" means "in the open air." Artists since the 1800s with John Constable in England and the Impressionists in France painted outside, creating what was in front of them, live -- under Mother Nature's changing conditions -- lighting, movements, weather, wind. This move outdoors was facilitated by the ability to put artists' oil colors into paint tubes and the invention of the French easel. Yea! Life got easier outside the studio. (It's still not easy.) Read a short history of plein air painting here.

"League Shop," oil, 16"h x 12"w,©Jill Banks 2015 painted in the town of Wayne PA. ($1250)

What are the Plein Air Competitions all about?
Fundraising, involving the community in art, art collecting, fun and hard work. There are many plein air competitions springing up all around the country (and beyond). Some are very low key ... you just show up on a given day (or days) and share in the fun of trying to capture your surroundings live. Others require you to register and the first ones to do so can participate. Both of these varieties are unjuried or open events -- no one chooses who participates. The Paint Great Falls event is first come, first served for the plein air competition that takes place May 28 to May 30. (There are still plenty of spots. Registration is open at Art of Great Falls.

"Hung Out to Dry," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks. Found this location en route to a pizza place. ($1950)

For most of these competitions, participants are asked to paint in certain locations (within a specified radius or a particular place, like St. David's Church) on certain days. As the competition begins, blank paper or canvases are stamped. There are turn-in dates and times when work is delivered, usually framed and ready to hang or on easels ready for judging. In between canvas stamping and delivery, artists search for the places within the competition's allowed locations that best appeals to their tastes. (This might just be the

"Red Barn (Garrett Mill Farm)," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2015. My first clear success for the week. ($1950)

toughest part. It is VERY easy to just search and search for the perfect spot and not leave yourself enough time to paint.)

Because these are competitions, prizes are awarded -- even when participation was not juried. Everyone should give themselves a hand for surviving the search/creation/framing aspects of

"Cooped Up," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2015. Fun with the chicks at Willowbrook Farm (Sold)

the plein air competition. If you happen to be in the lucky few who win an award in a competition, wow! You really are lucky! (And you've put in a ton of hard work and time behind the easel en plein air in preparation.)



How Do Juried Plein Air Competitions Select Artists?

"Snowballs at Strafford," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©Jill Banks 2015. Found my view by looking up. ($650)

Wayne Plein Air was a juried competition. Artists were asked to submit photographs of their work (online or on a CD) they created en plein air (vs. a studio piece or one created with the use of photography). A juror then selected from the pool of applicants the 30 artists accepted to compete. The artists chosen were phenomenal. What a great group! Proof was everywhere in the gallery (the exhibition continues at the Wayne Art Center through June 27).

How Do Groups Raise Funds through Plein Air Events?

• Sales of artwork
• Ticket Sales for receptions/openings 
• Sponsorships (These events are great for the community at large.)

Plein Air Easton, coming up on its eleventh year in 2015, is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air competition in the United States. In 2013, Plein Air Easton art sales totalled $325,000 with 313 paintings sold in 2.5 days. At the Collector's Preview Party they sold a painting every 45 seconds. Incredible! All that success means that competition is fierce for an artist trying to jury into Easton.

A report from Wayne Plein Air folks is that over 50 paintings were purchased during the opening weekend of the 245 we painted and turned in.  With over a month to go for the exhibit, the Wayne Art Center and the artists may just have a very successful event to celebrate. For Wayne Plein Air, the Wayne Art Center receives 40% of each sale.

What is the Quick Draw?
$10 and a Little Ambition (The Quick Draw)
I LOVE the quick draw -- a timed event generally in a very specific spot. Many plein air competitions include a quick draw that is open to the competition artists and anyone else who would like to join them in creating artwork on the spot.

Paint Great Falls has a Quick Draw component on Sunday, May 31 in the Great Falls Village Centre The Village Green is one of the most popular areas for the townspeople to gather for events.  A Quick Draw Competition for a $10 fee will take place on the Village Green on Sunday, May 31^st from 10am-noon, registration opens at 9am.  Artists will paint anywhere within the loop of the Village Green starting at 10am.  Artists will display their completed paintings on easels promptly at noon for judging and selling at the Gazebo through Sunday evening.  Any paintings sold will contribute 25% to The Arts of Great Falls.  Awards for the Quick Draw is $300 for the adult winner and two $50 awards to youth. 

Come Be a Spectator, May 31, 10am to Noon
For those not participating as artists, for two hours you get to see artwork take shape and potentially purchase a piece of the town after Armand Cabrera chooses an adult winner and the two youth awardees. And here's a hint: watch but don't talk or stand too close to the artists during those two hours. They are concentrating!

I've participated in a lot of these quick draws and they are just plain fun for artists and spectators. Wet paintings and drawings are set up on easels right away ... all in a row. For the adult division, you should have frames ready, wired and ready to pop in your art to set on the easel and be hung. For the young ones, framing is not expected.

Hints for Participating in a Quick Draw
Even though you'll be starting with a blank stamped canvas or piece of paper at the allotted time, that doesn't mean you have to start thinking about what you'll do at 10am. I will have picked out my place, area of interest, created a very rough sketch to place by my side, have my palette (or tools ready) and might mix up some of the main colors to use in the scene.

"Two Tents," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©Jill Banks 2013 created during Mountain Maryland's Quick Draw

Choose your canvas size. Paint or draw in a size that you are comfortable completing in two hours or less. If framing is necessary, have a frame ready for either orientation (portrait or landscape) you might choose. (A square canvas could make this easier.)

Check out the site beforehand. Even sketch there at the same time of day. (I don't do this but you can.) The

A scene from the Mountain Maryland Plein Air quick draw event. All pieces were completed in two hours and then immediately set up on easels for judging.

caveat is that what a place looks like one day doesn't tell you what it will be like another. During the Quick Draw for Mountain Maryland Plein Air during my first year there, I'd selected a kiosk as my focal point and for my sketch getting ready during the hour before the horn blew to start. As I sat there, a tent went up blocking my view ... and my painting became "Two Tents." Stuff always happens.

Have fun!

Look up, down, in front of you, behind you ... a step away left or right, standing up or sitting down to choose your spot. It's a funny dance but the view sure changes with each shift.  It's worth the effort.

What's It Like to Compete in Multi-Day Plein Air Events?

Painting "Hung Out to Dry" during Wayne Plein Air

Everyone reacts differently. Some hate it, some love it. In between moments of frustration and jangled nerves, are opportunities to enjoy and capture fresh views, meet fellow artists, be appreciated for your talent and presence by townspeople, get inside looks at properties that wouldn't be afforded otherwise. It's celebratory. Places are appreciated differently because you were there.

Coming back from Wayne, my head is so full of all the neat moments and memories of six jam-packed days. I painted there the first night ("Wayne Feed") aided by a homeowner who turned on the lights on the gas pump, requested the Christmas lights be turned on, set up a ladder with a Coleman lantern so I could see my palette and painting in progress under the night's sky and offered all the enthusiasm over my progress that one could ever hope for. Days were filled with lots of such positive encounters, reactions.

I spent days around a pregnant sheep, an ornery goose, friendly dogs, chickens, gracious people. I LOVED the view, was grateful that this is what I get to do. One invitation led to another place to paint. While I was working at my easel, Randy took a walk around a gorgeous farm led by a young boy ... who introduced him to the resident donkeys. Watching the two of them was one of the highlights.

The downside is that it is really difficult to choose what to paint -- every day, every part of the every day. Paintings don't always cooperate. I take awhile to settle in to a place, to "get it" and to start painting well. Not everything turns out. (Odds of success are small in plein air painting.) I worry that there will be enough successful paintings to turn in during each receiving date. (For Wayne, we could paint from Monday night to Thursday and had to turn in that work by Thursday at 8pm, framed and ready to hang. Then paint on Friday and turn in work again by 8pm. Then paint on Saturday and turn in that painting by 3pm and get back by 6pm for the opening of the Gala.) It's intense but in the end, I was proud of the paintings ... and happy.

I stayed with a host family (Wendy and Larry Liss) who helped in every way possible including offering great coffee, homemade granola, a comfy room, an easel to put on finishing touches or look at my paintings at days' end and a table for framing. Great company too when I wasn't out painting!

There were bugs. I was covered with paint for days. It was very tiring!

Expenses are few. We met wonderful people who are great supporters. Artwork sells and new collectors added. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.  (I'll be going to Telluride Colorado in June for Telluride Plein Air. Can't wait!)

Excuse this very long post. Any questions about the Paint Great Falls and Quick Draw events, please email me at jill@jillbanks.com. I'd be happy to help!

Paintings shown here from Wayne are available for purchase at the Wayne Art Center in Wayne, PA through June 27.

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

See the Events page for more info/updates

May 12-16:  Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area. Exhibit continues through June 26 at the Wayne Art Center

 May 30-31: Art on the Green and Paint Great Falls, Outdoor Art Show (under a tent) and plein air competition and exhibit, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Art Show on the Green: Saturday, 9am to 5pm and Sunday, 11am to 8pm. Quick Draw (watch me paint or participate too): Sunday, May 31, 10am to Noon

May 26 - June 5: Salmagundi Club Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. "Green Pastures" accepted into the exhibition.

June 5-7: Rittenhouse Square: The Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. Sunday, June 7: I'll be the official demoist at the show at 1pm.

June 18-21: VA Beach Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit my booth right on the boardwalk.

June 29-July 5: Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.  Juried as one of 32 artists who will spend the week painting this very cool town lined with Victorian houses, bustling street against a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

July 11-12: Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI
July 18-19: Westport Fine Arts Festival, Westport, CT

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 20 & 21: Alexandria King Street Festival, Alexandria, VA

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

An Amazing Weekend on the Green

Although I missed half of the fun (because you can't be two places at once), Great Falls Studios first Spring Art Fair under a tent in the Village Green in Great Falls, VA was a roaring success!  It made me realize just how lucky I am to have lived, shared a studio and made great friends with the artists and patrons/art enthusiasts in this town.

There were 25 artist members of Great Falls Studios situated under two huge tents participating in the show this past weekend, May 31 and June 1.

Saturday, while husband Randy set up and manned the tent in my absence, crowds came from Cars & Coffee, a weekly gathering of very cool automobiles and their owners and the Farmers Market held right nearby.

"Keeping Watch Over You," oil, 16"h x 20"w, private collection

On Sunday, browsers joined us after and before lunch/brunch/dinner at the Old Brogue, made us their sole destination, or visited before and during a great free Sunday Concert on the Green from 6 to 8pm. There were happy faces everywhere, enjoying the music, comraderie, fresh breeze, artwork, gorgeous weather. What a fantastic event!

In the last five days, the following paintings have been finding new homes:
1)  "White Rabbit"
2) "Burano Boats"
3) "Santa Maria della Salute" (nocturne from Venice, Italy)
4) "Two Boats"
5) "Lemon, Melon, Sunflowers"
6) "Ballerina Break"
and moments before I left Cumberland MD (from the Mountain Maryland Plein Air reception), paintings in hand to return home:
7) "Keeping Watch Over You"

"Lemon, Melon, Sunflowers," oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©Jill Banks 2014, sold

More purchases are brewing. A huge thank you to all who visited -- came and said hello to Randy on Saturday and both of us on Sunday.  You are amazing!

While all the purchases have stories of their own, briefly, I want to tell you about "Keeping Watch Over You." It's telling of my whole Mountain Maryland experience.

Many visitors to the exhibition/opening commented about and stood in front of "Keeping Watch." To each, it meant something deeply personal, different with each individual. Sometimes, if you're lucky, a painting speaks. This one does for those who have called Cumberland home.

I was asked by one woman what drew me to this place, tucked behind one of the many churches that dot the mountains there. This place drew me to this place ... like a magnet. I followed a

"Burano Boats," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©Jill Banks 2014, sold

trail and was enchanted by the spot. The viewpoint.

The Saturday reception was to end at 8pm and we were to take our paintings home at that time. I hung around awhile not wanting to head away too quickly. When I did pick up my three and was about to head out the door ... I heard "Stop! Don't Leave."  A couple claimed it ... having been helped to the decision by a whole lot of their and my friends.

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.)


Paint with Me in Italy: August 3 to 10, 2014. For more info, itinerary and links to register, see the classes page on my web site. Great folks are signing up to join me on this wonderful adventure. I hope you can, too!   

Art At the Green, Sunday, June 1, 11am-8pm

Booth Set Up By Husband Randy at the Arts Festival in Great Falls, VA. Come see Sunday, June 1, 11am-8pm

Hope you can come by!

All the painting is through at Mountain Maryland Plein Air ... with one reception tonight to go and then I get to (wo)man the tent on the Village Green for the Great Falls Spring Art Festival, Sunday, June 1, 11am to 8pm in the grassy area surrounded by shops and restaurants at the corner of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road in Great Falls, VA. It's behind the Old Brogue Irish Pub. Speaking of which, enjoy brunch/dinner there before or after visiting the 25 artists displaying on the Green and stay for the Concert on the Green.  Sounds like a day to enjoy...

My paintings "Curtis' Famous Weiners" (on easel, top right) and "Full Steam Ahead" below

Mountain Maryland has been challenging but really great as well. I met some great people, enjoyed the company of artists and their spouses who are now more familiar. It's been like a great reunion and I bet as years go by, it will feel more like one.

Today I painted the front windows of Curtis' Famous Coney Island Weiners, a Cumberland institution since 1918, ranked 4 out of 5 on TripAdvisor. I'm assuming it was Curtis himself who was happy to see me set up in the parking lot across the street and offered me a large Coke with ice. The ice, in particular, was a great treat!  This is a town filled with warm welcomes. Lots and lots and lots of them.

"Burano Boats," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©Jill Banks 2014 purchased today at the Great Falls Art Fair

I've learned some great painting tips that I can't wait to employ. Now I know, too, that next year schedule needs to include the Plein Air Convention -- an event that's been on the wishlist but not enough for me to make it happen.

Husband Randy has done a super job setting up and taking care of tent duties in Great Falls in my absence. Two paintings have gone to new homes (actually they'll be joining other Jill Banks' paintings on those walls). Another purchase was finalized from the Fairfax Fine Art Festival at the beginning of this month that was out on approval. An exciting week.

I sure hope to see you tomorrow in Great Falls.  Maybe I'll bring in a few new ones from this latest adventure. You might like them.

Luck of the Draw
One more bit of news.  As I've been preparing to embark on applying to arts festivals/fairs around the country (focusing on the Northeast for now), I've purchased books, subscribed to Sunshine Artist -- but the most useful information has come steadily from subscribing (free) to artfairinsiders.com. Managed by Connie Mettler, the site and blog are filled with art show veteran stories, reviews of shows, information on gear, tips on applying to shows, and on and on.

They currently are running a pledge drive and the days were ticking by to the deadline for their podcast. I pledged as a thank you for all the web site provides. It has helped me go from newbie to professional looking, gain acceptances to some great shows I wouldn't have known about without this source.

Well, the day of the podcast as I was resting between painting gigs ... my name was called as the winner of one of the 65 prizes sponsored for the drive. I was number 6. One through five chose their favorite prize in order ... picking what best helped them and I won my top pick ... mesh panels from Flourish that are perfect for hanging work in the new tent. An almost $900 award! Yea!

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.)

May 31 & June 1: Great Falls Studios Spring Outdoor Art on the Green Festival  Two days with my work under a tent in the Great Falls Village Centre, corner of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road,  Great Falls, VA. Husband Randy will hold down “the Fort” on Saturday while I finish up at Mountain Maryland and then I hope to see you on Sunday, June 1!
 
March 5 - December: Richeson75 Still Life and Floral 2014  Two of my paintings: "Honey Bunny" and "Garden Girl" were chosen as finalists in this online competition and exhibition. 75 total works were selected for this exhibition from entries/artists worldwide. See the exhibit at http://richeson75.com/stilllife/index.html

Paint with Me in Italy: August 3 to 10, 2014. For more info, itinerary and links to register, see the classes page on my web site. Great folks are signing up to join me on this wonderful adventure. I hope you can, too!  

Great Falls Spring Art Fair on the Green, May 31 & June 1, Mountain Maryland and More

"Keeping Watch Over You," oil, 16"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2014 painted from behind Our Lady of the Mount

Long title ... but these have been long and exciting days.

"Every Which Way," oil, 16"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2014

As Randy prepares the tent and many paintings to hang in this weekend's Art Fair on the Village Green in Great Falls, VA, I'm getting ready to head to the Patron and Sponsor Reception for Mountain Maryland Plein Air in Cumberland, MD. The Quick Draw/Paint event is Saturday (tomorrow as I write) morning (May 31) from 10 to noon and then the public reception and awards ceremony that night. Then I'll head back for the second day of the Great Falls Art Fair.

Great Falls Spring Art Fair on the Green, May 31 & June 1, Great Falls, VA
If you're anywhere near Great Falls, VA this weekend, I really hope you'll get to the show. It's under two big tents in the Village Green tucked away at the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road.  Hours are: Saturday, 9am to 5pm and Sunday, 11am to 8pm. Considering Randy's been doing so much of the work, you would really make me more popular if you came and took a look. Tell him I sent you.

"City Lights," oil, 12"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2014

Spread the word. Tell a friend. Better yet, bring a friend!

Mountain Maryland Plein Air 2014
Back to Mountain Maryland. It's been a really tough week weatherwise. Sweating to death. High humidity. Starting to rain every time I set up my easel. Husband Randy was there again to the rescue figuring out all sorts of ways for me to finish those pieces. (I'll tell you more about that in another post.)

So here are the paintings. Two were turned in for jurying.  (No awards, but they were appreciated by many I talked with tonight.) The photos definitely look amiss as I have a new camera with no idea how to operate it ... but at least you get the idea.

MPA Artfest
And I just heard that my work was juried into McLean's MPA Artfest, an outdoor art festival that has been a part of my Fall schedule for a decade (or thereabouts). More info to come about this event that takes place Sunday, October 5, 10am to 5pm in McLean Central Park (McLean, VA). I'm happy to be returning!

"Full Steam Ahead," oil, 10"h x 8"w, copyright Jill Banks 2014 painted before steam engine 734 left the station this morning

"Carnival's In Town" Painting Plein Air in Vienna...

"Carnival's in Town," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

Vienna, Virginia.

Before heading to Cumberland MD for next week's Mountain Maryland Plein Air competition, I've been painting on location in different spots each day.  Remembering last month's trip to Italy, it takes a good chunk of painting days in a row to loosen up, get comfortable and hone in on what you really want to capture. Hopefully practicing at home will spare me those four or so days at Mountain Maryland. Otherwise, I'll be finally warmed up just as the competition ends.

The Arts Club of Washington and an Unexpected Concert
Today took me on several adventures. Randy and I headed for DC to see studiomate Bobbie (Roberta) Beasley's exhibit at the Arts Club of Washington before it closes on May 31. We got there and lunch was about to be served in the rooms where Bobbie's work is on exhibit. That meant we could go wander through the rest of the club -- but not into the rooms we wanted to see. A little bit of coaxing gained us entrance. Phew! Bobbie's is a beautiful exhibit in an elegant space.

A step or two up from the dining space a free, open to the public concert was about to take place -- with an enthusiastic gentleman inviting us to stay and enjoy. Which we did, but only after asking how long it would be -- thinking about that parking meter. A half hour exactly. Well, turned out it was a long half hour... and Randy raced out to feed the meter inbetween the third and fourth (final) operatic "act."

Interesting and enjoyable way to spend the first part of the day.

Painting the Afternoon Away
So the rest of the day was spent painting in a park in Vienna, VA. I park and wander. The carnival was setting up in town for the Memorial Day Weekend. That was my colorful subject ... the carnival not yet sprung to life, but on its way. It perhaps looks a little wild. Hmmm. Complex subject and I was having fun experimenting with it.

Ignoring Omens

"Made in the Shade," oil, 16"h x 12"h,©Jill Banks 2013

A man was enjoying his art, playing the guitar and singing in one corner of the park as I was setting up to paint. There have been a few glitches in my plein air gear lately. This afternoon -- all sorts of stuff kept happening. One side of the easel seemed to be getting shorter, meaning my palette and canvas were now on a diagonal. I go to fix the leg of the tripod and stuff starts sliding off. Then the easel is falling over. Then I'm on the ground trying to hold what's left up. Good thing this was just the beginning. Set it up again. Then the back leg of the tripod is suddenly getting shorter. Two legs taped later, realizing that the guitarist must have thought this was my first time out painting -- and it was time to paint. Not a good, graceful start.

Still, it was a peaceful, enjoyable afternoon. As usual, I met some young art enthusiasts that make painting more fun than it already is.

Headed home.

By the way, the carnival was set up all around where I'd painted plein air last fall. I'm not sure exactly what will be on view in my booth for Art on the Green in Great Falls, VA for the outdoor festival May 31& June 1 -- but "Made in the Shade" painted footsteps from "Carnival's In Town" is a strong contender. (Are you coming to the show and want to see something in particular? It can be arranged... I'm always guessing what you want to see in my booth. Guidance is most welcome!)

Hope you can come enjoy the art that weekend. And this one!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jillbanks1@aol.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.)

 
May 27-May 31: Mountain Maryland Plein Air I join 29 other artists juried from around the country to capture Cumberland MD and surrounding areas in this plein air competition and exhibition. Second time around.

May 31 & June 1: Great Falls Studios Spring Outdoor Art on the Green Festival  Two days with my work under a tent in the Great Falls Village Centre, corner of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road,  Great Falls, VA. Husband Randy will hold down “the Fort” on Saturday while I finish up at Mountain Maryland and then I hope to see you on Sunday, June 1!
 
March 5 - December: Richeson75 Still Life and Floral 2014  Two of my paintings: "Honey Bunny" and "Garden Girl" were chosen as finalists in this online competition and exhibition. 75 total works were selected for this exhibition from entries/artists worldwide. See the exhibit at http://richeson75.com/stilllife/index.html

Paint with Me in Italy: August 3 to 10, 2014. For more info, itinerary and links to register, see the classes page on my web site. Great folks are signing up to join me on this wonderful adventure. I hope you can, too!  

Cumberland, Here I Come

"Farm Doors," oil, 16"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013 painted plein air

Shortly, I'm heading off to Cumberland, MD for the start of Mountain Maryland Plein Air -- a four day painting competition that's bringing 30 artists juried from around the country to paint in the mountains and towns of Allegheny and Garrett Counties.

Plein air painting and these events have taken off over the years.  For artists, it's a huge challenge as you face constantly changing light and conditions -- as well as wind, bugs, sunlight, inquisitive (but usually nice) visitors -- in a race against time.  If I'm in the studio, a painting session under controlled lighting might last six to eight hours and depending on the size of the canvas and complexity of the subject -- many days.  Compare that to two, maybe three hours of, hopefully, pretty even light.

So, the paintings that result are different. They seem to capture all the senses of the moment, the inevitable mistakes, energy and spirit of the day. They aren't perfect (by any stretch) but can be exciting/beautiful.

I don't know what my Internet situation will be -- but if I can post, I will.

I'll be painting in and around Cumberland Wednesday through Friday. We turn in our wet paintings (two of them) between 8 and 10am on Saturday, June 1. Then, I'll participate in the Quick Draw competition on Saturday from 10am-noon. At noon, we set up our easels with one painting for judging. That painting and two others are available for sale -- directly from each artist that day.  A reception follows on Saturday that's free and open to the public, 6-8pm in the Saville Gallery in downtown Cumberland.

Sounds tiring and fun.

Events

Mountain Maryland Plein Air
Participating as one of 30 juried artists from around the country to paint Allegheny and Garrett Counties in Maryland, May 29 to June 1. Quick Draw on Saturday, June 1, 10am-Noon.  Reception: Saturday, June 1, 6-8pm, Saville Gallery, Cumberland, MD. Exhibit of Artwork from Mountain Maryland Plein Air continues June 1 through June 16 at Saville Gallery

"New Works" Exhibit: the Artists' Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm through May 31. On view in the gallery: "Ballerinas I," "Ballerinas II" and "Red Pillow." 

Solo Show at Greenberry's Coffee & Tea
6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA 22101
(703) 821-9501
Exhibit of six paintings including "Two Kittens," "Traffic Patterns," "Primary Colors," "Spanish Steps," "Second & Pine Streets," and "Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange." Through June 30.

Church Bells, Mountain Air and Steam Engines

"Rollercoaster Hills," oil, 8"h x 6"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

This morning I'm typing from a very comfy room at the Bruce House Inn in Cumberland, Maryland ... two hours from home, but seeming farther away than that.  Randy and I arrived yesterday, a little after 11am -- to see the town that I'll be painting as one of 30 artists juried to compete in Mountain Maryland Plein Air next week.

Nestled in the mountains, Cumberland's streets resemble a ride on a rollercoaster.  There's no seeing over the top. Driveways drop down from thin air. Roads shoot up to the sky.

Dotted over the landscape are church steeples.  Randy said you always what time it is in this town.  Dong, dong, dong...   Church bells are everywhere.

Coming together in the center of town is  Will's Creek and the Potomac River with the rail running through it.  A huge treat right after we got here was to hang out at the train station to watch a fantastic old steam engine get ready to take off on a roundtrip scenic trip to Frostburg and back.  The train runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday -- leaving the station at 11:30 and returning around 3:00pm.  By 3:00pm, I was at my easel on a hill well above the station and saw the smoke curl around the bends several times as it came back to drop off passengers and then head to West Virginia to rest up for next week's trips. The smoke made it into "Rollercoaster Hills" a couple of times ... only to be "erased."  I think there's enough going on in this little canvas without swirls of steam.

We head back home later today.  I don't know what subjects to choose next week (that's okay) ... but it was really nice to enjoy this place, talk to long-time residents and explore in a relaxed way prior to the plein air event.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events

Mountain Maryland Plein Air
Participating as one of 30 juried artists from around the country to paint Allegheny and Garrett Counties in Maryland, May 29 to June 1. Quick Draw on Saturday, June 1, 10am-Noon.  Reception: Saturday, June 1, 6-8pm, Saville Gallery, Cumberland, MD. Exhibit of Artwork from Mountain Maryland Plein Air continues June 1 through June 16 at Saville Gallery

"New Works" Exhibit: the Artists' Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm through May 31. On view in the gallery: "Ballerinas I," "Ballerinas II" and "Red Pillow." 

Solo Show at Greenberry's Coffee & Tea
6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA 22101
(703) 821-9501
Exhibit of six paintings including "Two Kittens," "Traffic Patterns," "Primary Colors," "Spanish Steps," "Second & Pine Streets," and "Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange." Through June 30.