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| "On the Rocks," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©Jill Banks 2015 |
When hordes of Plein Air Convention and Expo painters headed to Lover's Point as the official location for the afternoon, I went in a different direction deciding to wait until my easel would be a little lonelier there. As much as I enjoy being with other painters, it's a whole lot more difficult to find "my" perfect view when so many spots are already taken.
So, today was my chance to capture the beach. I thought about doing several small ones in a row, pretty much realizing as soon as that thought entered my head that it wasn't going to happen. For the first time, the light was pretty flat and spotty meaning that even if I was ready to just turn my easel for another view, clouds, sun, shadows were not in a cooperative mood.
This afternoon I painted in the beautiful garden of the Pacific House ... a spot that strongly suggested those magnificent sunwashed gardens depicted in Joaquin Sorolla's studio in Madrid. My efforts there weren't successful but carry with them three hours of really seeing it. I'll see what can be done in my own studio with that memory once home.
One of the fine pieces of advice that C.W. Mundy gave at the convention is that as ARTISTS (vs. Painters), we are DIRECTORS of our pieces. The flowers, arches, limbs of the tree, dappled shadows need to be bent to my will. And they will.
That's it for now. This particular adventure's close to ending. You'll see some continuing evidence here but I'll be homeward bound. Matter of fact, my Plein Air Landscape class starts this coming Thursday, April 23 in Northern Virginia. Are you registered yet? (I think there are two spots left. The Evening Paint class on Tuesdays is full.)
Would You Want to Come to Monterey?
I am thinking about teaching a workshop here in Monterey. Are any of you interested?
Showing Soon
Paintings created on these trips will be showcased soon on my next email
newsletter that I hope to get out in the next couple of days ... and at
A-RTS@Rockville Town Center, a fine art juried outdoor festival held
May 2 & 3, where you'll find me at tent #209. And, I hope you can
join us at the
Artists' Atelier Grand Opening on Friday, May 8, 7
to 9:00pm in our new space at 759 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. I'll
be moving in there as soon as I return to Virginia. Come see! Maybe you
could snatch up a piece of Spain or Monterey...
Sign Up for Classes -- In Virgina
Registration is going on now for Spring classes -- Tuesday nights, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for
Evening Paint (starting April 28) and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm for
Painting the Plein Air Landscape
starting April 23 (Hurry!). Take a look at my Classes page and I hope
you'll join us. Spots are still open in both... but only a couple of
them.
Call for Artists
Plus, if you enjoy plein air painting, consider registering for
Paint Great Falls!
(Great Falls VA) to capture the town from May 28 to 30 with a Quick
Draw event on May 31, 10am to noon. Registration is now open at
www.greatfallsart.org/plein-air.
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
May 12-16: Wayne Plein Air, Wayne and Philadelphia, PA. Juried as one of 30 artists nationwide to paint the area.
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.
