"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 

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"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
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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!