The Art League Blog Covers Out & About Norfolk Event

I check the Art League's blog about once a week ... and today's reading turned up nice coverage of the Art League Plein Air Painters who participated in Out & About Norfolk a couple of weeks ago. Here's the blog post or go to www.theartleaguegallery.blogspot.com.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Art League's Plein Air Painters Visit Norfolk

The Art League Plein Air Painters, a group formed this summer, made it down to Norfolk last month for a plein air event, the fifth annual "Out & About Norfolk." October 20 and 21, painters around the city worked at their easels, including AL Plein Air Painters Bobbi Pratte, Jill Banks, David Diaz, Jo Ellen Murphy, and Lynn Mehta. They all won awards!

Bobbi Pratte painted Hermitage Rose Garden, which won the Juror's Choice Award.

"Out & About Norfolk" is a yearly juried paint out. You can see the award winners here. Works from the event are on view Thursdays through Sundays until November 20. Details are on the event website.

Art League Plein Air Painters Jean Schwartz and Jill Banks have also been selected for the American Artists Professional League 83rd Grand National Exhibition, which opens today and runs through Nov. 11. Jean also reports that she has been juried in as a Salmagundi Club member.

Congratulations!

 Thanks!! And congratulations Jean on your new Salmagundi Club membership!

Exhibits & Events

Expressions Portrait Exhibit at ArtSpace Herndon, November 1 through 27. Reception and awards, November 5, 7pm. "Tranquility" was chosen as one of the finalists. 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA.

The Art League's October All-Media Membership Exhibit,  105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA. My charcoal drawing of "Oscar" was juried in and will be on view through November 7. "Cubanelle and Roses" is in the Bin Gallery.

American Artists Professional League 83rd Grand National,Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC, Nov. 1-11. "Alan" was juried into the show.

To read more about the 100 Faces in 100 Days project on my web site (www.jillbanks.com), go to the 100 Faces Project Pages 1 and 2 where you can see all 100 of my volunteers. Click on the paintings, and go to my blog post for that person's sitting.

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

Studio Clean-Up and Contemplation

Working on the Studio

My main studio wall with new and old favorites. My plein air pieces are to the right.

Today I forwent painting for odds and ends. I spent a good part of my day up on a ladder adding names and numbers to each of my 100 ... and as you can see quite a few of my faces are way up high. More ladder time to touch up paint so you see my faces instead of the smudge on the wall. More ladder time to put up the very nifty vinyl lettering for the show (that I order from www.mrletter.com). I sorted through pieces to come home for awhile. And I mulled -- way too much -- about my studio wall. There's another wall to sort out. Randy and I have a plan ... but I forgot to order a frame. Oops.

"Sweet Temptation Cupcakes" and "Impossibly Pink Peonies"

So, one big wall and a mini wall look good. I promise to straighten the pieces up before next week. And, I'll be concentrating on how to best present the stories that accompany each sitting. It's tricky.

Tomorrow I head to Alexandria in the morning to paint with some members of the Art League Plein Air Painters. I can't wait!!!!! This isn't the official "Waterfront Activation" weekend so we will spread out a bit more. I want more practice so I can eventually hold my head up high when out there painting with nature in control. And, tomorrow I'll be donning a new hat that my mom bought for me for the occasion.

I've heard some wonderful comments, too, about my painting that's in the Art League show, "A New York State Of Mind." I appreciate it! If you have a chance to get to the gallery this month, please take a look. A picture doesn't even come close to what it's like to see the piece in person.

The "100 Faces in 100 Days" Exhibit

Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm
Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm
If you want me to have enough ice cream for you, an RSVP is helpful. Email me.
The exhibit runs through August 31. Open hours are Wednesday through Saturdays, 12:30-6:00pm throughout the month.
1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA 22066.

This whole project has been social to say the least. Come just find out about it. If you've already seen the exhibit, come again anyway.  Stay as long as you want. Come as you are. I just want to see your smiling faces.

Calendar:

Sunday, August 7: Painting around Old Town Alexandria with the Art League's Plein Air Painters, somewhere shady near the Torpedo Factory, in the morning.

August 8 to August 19: Three of my drawings will be on exhibit as part of the Salmagundi Club's Annual Photography and Graphics Non-Members Exhibit in NYC. This prestigious, 140-year-old arts club is located in a beautiful brownstone at 47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. Through the years, the Salmagundi Club has been the gathering spot of such luminaries as Childe Hassam, William Merrit Chase, N.C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and many others. It's a pretty incredible spot. So ... if you're in NYC any time soon ...

August 1-31: "100 Faces in 100 Days" Exhibit #2 in the Gallery at the Artists' Atelier
Reception: Friday, August 12, 6-9pm
Ice Cream Social: Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm
RSVP helpful for both events ... but please come anyway if you don't get around to it.
Open hours for August, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 12:30 - 6:00pm, perhaps with some exceptions. Check my web site for the latest info.

August 3-September 5: 'Scapes Exhibit at the Art League, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA. My entry, "A New York State of Mind," won Honorable Mention.

Thursday, August 11, 6:30-8:00pm: Reception/Awards for 'Scapes exhibit at the Art League.

Friday, August 12, 6:00-9:00pm: Reception, 100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibit, the Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls. RSVP helpful via email. Thanks!

Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm: Ice Cream Social, 100 Faces in 100 Days Exhibit, the Gallery at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls. RSVP helpful via email. Thanks!

Sunday, August 14: Painting on the Waterfront with the Art League's Plein Air Painters, behind the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA, in the morning.

NEW! Sunday, August 21: At the Registration Pavilion for the Reston Century Ride, Reston Town Center, Reston, VA -- with prints of "W&OD BBQ", the first place winner in the T-Shirt competition.

To read more about the 100 Faces in 100 Days project on my web site (www.jillbanks.com), go to the 100 Faces Project Pages 1 and 2 where you can see all 100 of my volunteers. Click on the paintings, and go to my blog post for that person's sitting.

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: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Painting on the Waterfront in Old Town Alexandria

"On the Waterfront," oil on panel, 10"h x 8"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

I spent a great morning and early afternoon hanging out in and around one of my favorite spots ... outside the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria. It was one of what I hope to be many get-togethers of the Plein Air Painters of the Art League. There were four of us there today ... Jean Schwartz, Jack Dyer, Vicki Blum and me. Visitors seemed to enjoy having us there and to check out the paintings in progress.

For a little while, my painting starts look crazy ... where I hardly know what it is that I'm painting. It's a little unnerving that people get to see that but I hope they check back when each one is starting to actually look like something. If some of the passerbys were wondering about my abilities, they were nice enough not to question it out loud.

The painting "On the Waterfront" was my first of the day. It was done when the boat at the forefront left the scene. There's always something like that happening. The car moves. The shadows change. Clouds enter the scene. I think it was time to move on anyway ... and I happen to like this one the way it is.

"To the Bike Shop," oil on panel, 10"h x 8"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

I picked my spot to set up because of it was a nice, consistently shaded area ... relatively cool on this hot day. I sure wasn't giving it up, so the second painting required just a 90° turn of the easel. Scene II. "To the Bike Shop" is of the bright yellow store that marks the path between the Art League/Torpedo Factory and Chadwick's. I've walked that alley plenty of times.

Plus, I stopped in to see this month's show at the Art League Gallery (Alexandria, VA). It's really pretty wonderful. "Tranquility" has a great spot ... too. There was an emphasis on sculpture for this exhibit ... and they, in particular, really added some excitement to the gallery. The exhibit is up until August 1.

There I am.

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

"Lunch at Jasmine's" Sketch Today

I spent almost all my day on art-related -- but not art-making -- stuff. I currently have an awful lot in my "to do" column and each of those tasks are major and important and terribly time-consuming. They relate to my 100 Faces in 100 Days project and include:

1. photographing each of the faces -- again -- for consistency and quality
2. promotion/press releases for my second local exhibit of those 100 Faces in August at the Artists' Atelier
3. writing a book on the project (to include those photographs)
4. research and contact other art venues, galleries, museums for the exhibit

I was working on #4 today -- and made some progress.

This means that today's "art of the day" is a little less thrilling. My husband, Randy, and I had lunch today at Jasmine Cafe at Lake Anne in Reston (VA) and he had to leave partway through lunch to take care of a favor for our son and daughter-in-law. That left me with some alone time inside ... with air conditioning ... to sketch those diners outside. (In my defense, these folks weren't modeling for me ... ) I would have preferred to using ink and pen&ink but figured that Eduardo, the chef/owner, wouldn't appreciate my risking a spill.

I do want to get there to paint -- on the Plaza -- but have a hard time tolerating the heat. Tough to pick a day to do that.

Joined the Art League Plein Air Painters

There was a new opportunity listed in the Art League's July Tidings Newsletter -- with a call for artists who would like to paint on the waterfront some Sunday's throughout the summer. Guess what? I signed up and plan to be there this coming Sunday morning with three or four other painters. It should be fun. I know my painting is bound to be entertaining. I'm looking forward to meeting the other painters in the group and being out in that great spot. And, I'm hoping for a cool breeze.

Put Up Some Photos from the First 100 Faces in 100 Days Reception

Perhaps I should have done this sooner -- but in order to pursue task #4 above -- I added some photos from my May library show reception to a new page on my web site. I have many more ... that I may put up somewhere ... but was a little worried about file size. There are lots of technical challenges in my life. Anyway, take a peek.

Photo from my May reception of the 100 Faces in 100 Days exhibit

And this ... to do one thing you have to do ten more tasks ... reminds me of the story "if you give a mouse a cookie..." Isn't that the truth?

Here's a photo you won't see there. See? There's more.

Hopefully, there will be a paintbrush in my hand tomorrow.



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