Rittenhouse Square the Original Art Show This Weekend, June 3 to June 5

"Barn at Granogue," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2015 Jill Banks will be one of the paintings from the Brandywine Valley Plein Air and Wayne Plein Air juried competitions that you'll find in my Rittenhouse Square booth

In Philadelphia at the Rittenhouse Square the Original Art Show June 3-5

If you're somewhere near Philadelphia this coming weekend, Friday June 3 to Sunday June 5 ... please stop by the wonderful Rittenhouse Square Art Show (click link for more info).

Show hours, rain or shine:

Friday, June 3: 11am to 7pm

Saturday, June 4: 11am to 6pm

Sunday, June 5: 11am to 5pm

I'll be in Booth #25 on Walnut Street.

List of Exhibiting Artists: See list and links for artists here to take a sneak peek.

Map of Booth Numbers Around the Square: See link and map here.

Parking Info

Read the history of this event here.

Can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to returning to Rittenhouse Square  -- my second year participating in one of the most respected and well attended outdoor art fairs in the country. Hope to see you there!

"Flowers to Go," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2015 Jill Banks: flower market near Wayne PA painted plein air.

I've spent a lot of time painting around the Philadelphia area so many of the pieces in my booth this year will have been painted (fairly) nearby including "Barn at Granogue," "Flowers to Go" ... and some REALLY close by (as in ... IN the Square) like "Garden Lion, Rittenhouse Square," and "Tents in the Square."

"Garden Lion, Rittenhouse Square," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©2015 Jill Banks: painted during my Official Rittenhouse Square demonstration given in 2015. I'll be demo'ing again on Saturday, June 4 at 1pm. I'd love to see  you!

It won't all be local ... many other favorite pieces painted on travels around the US and Europe as well as those close to my home in Virginia will be there for the choosing. I hope you like (love) what I picked to show you!

And in New York at the Salmagundi Club through June 3...

At the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition at the Salmagundi Art Club (47 Fifth Avenue in NYC), there's still a short chance to see "Seaside Sunset," my oil painting of the beach at Carmel, California at sunset which has been awarded the very top prize (the Board of Directors Award -- Best in Show -- by jurors Naomi Campbell and Rick Rosen). The Awards Reception is on Friday, June 3, 6-8pm at the Salmagundi Club in NYC. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make that event since it coincides with the Rittenhouse Square Art Show on June 3-5. Can't be in two places at one time -- but if I could, I would! The reception is free and open to the public though ... so hopefully, maybe you could drop in!

Click here to view the CLWAC Member exhibition

And in Great Falls, VA ... another big Art Weekend awaits

ArtsFest on the Green, June 3-5

Art Walk in the Village: First Fridays  

Friday, June 3rd, 6-9pm     FREE

This month's Art Walk is combined with ArtFest!  Stroll through 20 artists' booths under tents on the Green and 3 indoor art studios (info below). Live music at The Old Brogue beginning at 9pm. Enter the Green through the art studios at 756, 766, or 776 Walker Rd in Great Falls, VA.

Great Falls Studios  Art Show & Sale

Friday, June 3  (6 - 9 pm)
Saturday, June 4  (

9 am-5 pm)

Sunday, June 5  (11 am - 8 pm)
 

On the Village Green in Great Falls, wander through the booths of over 20 artists of Great Falls Studios to see oil, acrylic, watercolors and mixed media paintings; pottery; photographs; jewelry; blown glass; and fabric art. Visit the indoor studios of Artists on the Green (766-B Walker Rd.), The Artists' Loft (766 Walker Rd.), and Artists' Atelier (756 Walker Rd.) This is a great opportunity to see the art and chat with the artists who make it.

FREE ADMISSION     greatfallsstudios.com

 

See my work (and my studiomates) at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. (Yes, there is more there.) Interested in purchasing at the ArtsFest? Send me an email at jill@jillbanks.com with the piece you are interested in and your contact info and we can make it happen. Or call: (703) 403.7435.  Thanks!

FREE     www.greatfallsart.org/ArtWalk 

That's it... Hope you get out and about for a full weekend of art.

UPCOMING EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA

May 22-June 3: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in NYC, Salmagundi Club, NYC. "Seaside Sunset" awarded BEST IN SHOW -- the Board of Directors Award.
June 3-5: Rittenhouse Square 89th Annual Spring Original Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. Official arts demonstrator: Saturday, June 4, 1pm. Free painting demonstration.

July 9-10: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford Historic Village in North Kingstowne, RI.

September 24-25: Armonk 55th Annual Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, NY

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

 

Scenes from the Salmagundi Club

Music and art.

Since I was too busy painting to keep up with posting, here are a few photos from the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition reception (held March 23) at the Salmagundi Club in NYC.

Gloria Spevacek won a prize for her sculpture of a rabbit. The sculptures were terrific, and it was great to see them as an integral part of the exhibition. (For the Annual Open Exhibition, they are on one floor, and the paintings on another.)

Gloria Spevacek with her award-winning sculpture

Poster outside of the Salmagundi Club

Here's another look too at the poster outside of the Salmagundi Club. That's my painting of a portrait on the red background, lower row, second from left. I got a kick out of that!

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

Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Register for Spring 2012 Classes

Portrait Painting and Drawing, Mondays, 10am-1pm, starting April 2 (next week!)
Still Life Painting, Tuesdays, 10am-1pm, starting April 3
See Jill's Web Site, Classes page for more information, supply list and registration form. Classes are filling. Sign up now!!!

Exhibits and Events

March 2-31, “Black and White” Exhibit in the Artists’ Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Visit Saturdays, noon-4pm or by appointment or whenever an artist is in the studio. My entries: “Oscar,” “Quiet”  and “Carpeaux’s Napolitano Fisherboy” charcoal, and “Market Street Bar & Grill” ink wash/pen and ink drawings. Come visit. 

March 17-30, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club’s Member Exhibit, Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Award and opening reception, Friday, March 23, 6-8pm. “Hog Wild” and “Dining Alfresco” on exhibit.

April 14-May 4, Salon International 2012, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX. Opening Reception: Saturday, April 14, 10am-8pm. “Contrapposto”

May 15-19, Wayne Plein Air Festival 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA. Gala Preview and Artists' Reception, Saturday, May 19, 6-10pm at the Wayne Art Center. Exhibition to follow May 20-June 23 at the Wayne Art Center. 

May 1-31, Solo Show, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Sunday, May 13, 2-5pm. More information to come (when I figure it out).

Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Exhibit ... And Some Days

"Hog Wild," oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©Jill Banks 2006

I've been painting. I swear. It's just that the results aren't what I'd like them to be. At least I'm having a conversation with myself about why.

Today, I tried to find a spot around my house ... on this rainy day ... that I wanted to paint as one of those small plein air exercises. After trying yesterday and today, with no paintings ready for view ... I realized that this is a forced exercise. Small studies are good. But. You have to paint what you're dying to paint. And a wet, wintery landscape of my back or front yard with non-spectacular light just isn't going to cut it. So, instead of reaching for numbers (as in 100 studies), I'm going to concentrate on just painting what I want to paint. If a still life is far more exciting than regular plein air surroundings, guess what will get attention?

"Dining Alfresco," oil, 24"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2010

Despite a slight bit of angst over the last few painting attempts, I was productive today. Tons of show submissions are due in this one to two week span ... and an envelope went out with my selections for the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's member exhibit taking place this month. As a juried member, my two pieces "Hog Wild" and "Dining Alfresco" are assured a spot in the Members Exhibit held at the Salmagundi Club (47 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, March 18th through March 30th with an Awards Reception
Friday, March 23rd 6-8pm) in NYC later this month. We'll be going there to enjoy the show and get to know some of the other Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club members.

It was tough to figure out what to submit, especially with deadlines popping up left and right. Using a dart board and darts is probably just as effective as agonizing over the choices. Right? Too bad I don't have a dartboard.

On Exhibit:
"Black and White" is on exhibit at the  Artists' Atelier March 3-31, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Hours: Saturdays, noon-4pm or whenever an artist is in ... or by appointment. Contact info below.

March 17-30: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club's Member Exhibition. "Hog Wild" and "Dining Alfresco" at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Awards Reception, Friday, March 23, 6-8pm.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
Email

First Friday and Gala Silent Auction Preview

So, I definitely waited until the last minute to figure out what I was donating for the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts (GFFFTA) Gala's silent auction.  With a show going on now at Maison du Vin (a great wine shop in Great Falls, VA), I kept thinking about those paintings and drawings as candidates ... looking for them around my studio and finally going ... duh ... and realizing they were hanging out elsewhere.

I ended up putting in three. Anyone interested in these pieces should plan on attending the Gala (you need to purchase a ticket) which will take place on Friday, November 20, 7:30-10:00 at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G. Get more info at GFFFTA's web site. Many pieces of exceptional art have been donated and the starting bids are at 50% of retail prices. The artwork will be in the gallery to be previewed tomorrow, Friday, November 6, 7-9pm or Saturdays, noon-4pm or any time an artist is in. Funds raised will benefit the Great Falls School of Art (where I teach).

Here's my line-up:
"Chadwick's"
(Alexandria, VA)
Oil on Raymar panel
16"h x 20"w, framed in Omega gold frame
Retail Price: $1500
Opening Bid: $750
This painting was one of 12 finalists in Raymar’s Annual Art Competition, September 2006. See www.raymarart.com. The competition is stiff … with top American artists placing as finalists.

"Town Center Fountain"
(Reston, VA)
Jill Banks
Ink wash, pen & ink
12”h x 9”w (outer mat), framed in Omega black/gold frame
Retail Price: $295
Opening Bid: $147.50
A major part of creating art is about making choices. I love the simplicity of this piece. Ink wash is almost impossible to control and yet I managed to do just enough here.

"Bellydancer III"
Bellydancer III
Jill Banks
Oil
14”h x 11”w
Retail Price: $1200
Opening Bid: $600
Bellydancer III was juried into Salon International 2009, a project of the International Museum of Contemporary Masters, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX.











I hope to see you at the Artists' Atelier tomorrow night for the preview. The Atelier is open the First Friday of every month, 7-9pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Also, be sure to stop in to see my work in a new solo show "Black&White and Red All Over" in the tasting room at Maison du Vin. There are some great pieces there. Think about holiday gift giving. I'm planning on being there on Saturday, November 21, 1-5pm for a mini-reception in conjunction with Italian Wine Tasting from Bravo wines. Maison du Vin is located at: 756 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA.

Also, "Sunflowers II" is in the American Artists Professional League's 81st Grand National at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC through November 13. I'll be attending the reception and awards ceremony this Sunday, November 8, 2-5pm. Yea! I love New York.


Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Michelle I" Finished and Day 4 for "Tranquility"

It was a good painting day today. This morning was day 4 for a live modeling session for the Artists' Atelier painters. (I share studio space with 15 other artists at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066.) I made a lot of progress on "Tranquility", working during the first few sittings on the model's face, then her leg and shoe and more on her outfit. I also started sketching in the background ... a scene from the studio.

Then, I finished up working on "Michelle I" -- a painting I started in preparation for the public demo I gave as part of my "On the Bright Side" solo show this summer. "Michelle I" is a portrait of Michelle Anonick, my son Sam's girlfriend. It's a fitting portrait -- I can see "her" in the painting -- and that's a good thing.  She's a natural beauty, inside and out.

This coming Friday, November 6, is First Friday at the Artists' Atelier (1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066), 7-9pm. Art donated for the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts Gala (November 20, 7:30-10pm, see the GFFFTA web site for more info) will be hanging in the gallery  and on our moveable walls. Come take a look and pick your favorites for silent auction on the 20th.

Then on Saturday, I'm off to NYC for a reception of the American Artists' Professional League's Grand National 2009 being held on Sunday at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue in NYC, 2-5pm. My painting "Sunflowers II" was juried into that show that is on exhibit at this esteemed arts club from November 3 to November 13. So, I won't be in the Atelier for regular open hours this Saturday ... but you can still visit from noon-4pm.

"Tranquility" work in progress day 4, oil on linen, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.
"Michelle I", oil on linen, 24"h x 18"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Sarah" Drawing of the Day and the Grand National 2009

My daughter, Sarah, sat for me today. I'm "practicing" drawing in anticipation of teaching my drawing class next week through the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts. I spend most of my time painting, and draw more during vacations or sketching out ideas for portrait commissions. So, I get a little rusty at holding a charcoal pencil.

My still life painting class Fall session starts tomorrow at 9:30 am. I'm scoping out my house for set-ups and then will head to the grocery to find some more subjects. Get more information on my classes on my web site: www.jillbanks.com.

I found out this past week that "Sunflowers II" is accepted into the American Artists Professional League's 81st Grand National Exhibition 2009 that will be held at the Salmagundi Club (47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY) in New York City from November 3 through November 13. This is my first time applying to this juried show ... and second time this year at the Salmagundi Club. The name of the exhibit, The Grand National Exhibition 2009, sounds pretty impressive. I'll give more details closer to exhibit time.

"Sarah", black and terra cotta charcoal on paper, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Drawings and Figures Added to My Web Site

Last night, I played webmaster and added a page of Drawings and Figures to my website: www.jillbanks.com, plus continued to adjust the show preview page to get it to appear in AOL's old desktop browser. (It does now.) Take a look. Currently, the Still Life part of the gallery is the only page that's not showing up. I'm definitely dealing with some not-so-logical technology quirks.

I've been wanting to add a Drawings and Figures category for some time ... just couldn't find the time. I limited how complicated that page is to program ... so no closeups are offered, just because if I spend too much time programming, I can't keep my price for those offerings down. Prices start as low as $195 for a framed original. Later, I'll add more info about some of the media I use: red chalk, ink washes/pen & ink, watercolor washes and charcoal.

My recent acceptance into the Salmagundi Art Club's Annual Exhibition was the last bit of prompting I needed. Only 16 drawings total were accepted into the show and two of them were mine. That seemed like quite an honor. The Salmagundi Club is an esteemed art club housed in a New York City brownstone. It was established in the 1870s and Randy and I ate dinner in the dining room after the Awards ceremony and closing reception. We were surrounded by drop-dead gorgeous paintings by past and present members of the club. It reminded me (not that I needed reminding) just how wonderful it is to live life surrounded by inspiring art.

My portrait painting demo in the Great Falls Library is tomorrow, 1-4pm. 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066. I'll be creating an oil sketch of Michelle, my son Sam's girlfriend. Please rsvp via email to me: jillbanks1@aol.com if you'd like to join the party.

"Oscar", charcoal, copyright Jill Banks 2008. "Oscar" was one of my two drawings juried into Salmagundi's Annual Exhibition.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Venezia Market" Painting -- So Close

This one's really close to done. I'll tweak some of my edges, do a little clean-up and sign it. I love the yellow apples in the middle front. The colors in the shadows hold all sorts of surprises. My goal is to finish this one and put the finishing touches on "Food and Wine" and then work on photographing work, framing, signing, getting postcards out, etc. for my solo show "On the Bright Side" by the end of the month.

This past week, I've been MIA from my blog -- working on portrait commissions including one of a couple that's 99.999% done and two other major projects that are in the drawing stages. At the supermarket today, I ran into my client for the 99.999% done portrait. Since I work in the Atelier where we get plenty of visitors ... lots of friends and acquaintances of the couple I've been painting have seen it ... and passed on how terrific it is. (It is.) The client hasn't seen it however. I take it as a sign that I've captured them ... since everyone recognizes them. Still, I better get the .001% left done so I can reveal it properly.

My "On the Bright Side" exhibit is being held at the Great Falls Library, July 2-August 31. I'm giving a painting demonstration on Saturday, July 11, 1-4pm (rsvp at jillbanks1@aol.com for that event) and will have a reception, Saturday, July 18, 3-6pm. See my web site (www.jillbanks.com) for more details and a preview of that exhibit. (I'm still adding to the preview -- so check back.) Mark your calendars! I hope to see you there.

Randy and I are also going up to New York City this coming Friday for the Awards Reception (and closing reception) for the Salmagundi's Club Annual Graphics and Photography Exhibition where two of my works are hanging. See my post about that acceptance and the drawings that are on exhibit. The Salmagundi Club is a beautiful, esteemed Art Institution ... and I'm ecstatic to have my work exhibited there. Pretty great.

"Venezia Market" with close-up, oil on linen, 18"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

New Ink Wash Drawing "Gondolier"

This past week, I created two new ink wash drawings of Venice that were displayed for the first time at the Farmer's Market yesterday. I used black ink (versus the brown ink used for previous ink washes), and was pleased with the effect.


I've been creating drawings more frequently lately. A few reasons for this new development is that I've been drawing and sketching to figure out compositions and plan out my portrait commissions (I have many of those) so that has put me into the drawing mode -- and brought my boxes of drawing materials into view. (A good visual reminder to get to work.) Another reason is that many of my paintings will be leaving my gallery & studio spaces this week to Chasen Galleries in Richmond, VA and in July and August for my solo show at the Great Falls Library. That means I have wall space to fill with beautiful new pieces. More incentive to get to work. Another reason is that other people appreciate the beauty of drawings -- as evidenced with a recent acceptance into NYC's Salmagundi Club's Annual Juried Art Exhibition with two of my drawings (see previous post to see those), a sale of a "Horse and Carriage" ink wash yesterday, and many compliments for another drawing I had in the exhibit, "Thumbelina".

"Gondolier", 8"h x 10"w inside mat dimensions, black ink wash, copyright Jill Banks 2009. Available through my studio.
"Horse and Carriage", ink wash & pen & ink, copyright Jill Banks 2009. Sold.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435