"Lazy Days" One of Four in "Island Life"

"Lazy Days," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks is one of four paintings heading to the "Island Life" exhibition on Long Beach Island, NJ that opens September 9

Four packages were weighed, sealed and sent today ... on their way to Long Beach Island, New Jersey for the "Island Life" exhibition that opens September 9. 35 artists ... including me, were invited to paint the Island as part of the inaugural Plein Air Plus painting competition juried by Nancy Tankersley. I was there twice this summer, capturing various scenes. "Lazy Days" was painted on my last day there. A lazy day for the boat and flowers, but not for me.

The other three to be included in the show will be posted here over the next few days. There's something special about this set of four. It wasn't easy to say the least ... but I'm proud of effort and results. Long Beach Island is an incredibly beautiful place, full of interesting charm.

Register for Classes taught through the Arts of Great Falls in Virginia Get more info on classes with a link to register for each class below.
Evening Paint -- Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30pm -- starts September 20
Still Life Plus -- Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm -- starts September 20 
Painting the Plein Air Landscape -- Thursdays, 9:30am to 2:00pm, starts September 22. Classes are held in various locations throughout Northern Virginia
NEW! Portrait Painting Three Day Workshop -- November 4-6, 2016.

Paint Great Falls Plein Air Competition -- September 7-10
The Arts of Great Falls is also sponsoring Paint Great Falls -- a Plein Air Painting Competition -- September 7-10 with two receptions: Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm on September 9 and the Awards Reception on Saturday, September 10, 6:30-8:30pm.  Participants need to register  ($30).  I'm the judge this year and am looking forward to seeing all the entries. First place is $500 plus awards will be given for 2nd, 3rd and People's Choice. Get more info on the event here.  Calling all collectors, too. The gallery will be filled with works fresh off the easel depicting Great Falls on September 9 and September 10.

Free Plein Air Painting Demonstration -- Saturday, September 10, Noon-3pm
And, I'll be giving a free plein air painting demonstration on Saturday, September 10, noon to 3pm. RSVP to jill@jillbanks.com if you think you'll be able to make that event. Weather permitting, that demo will take place outside near the school at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Lots of Art Events and News
Right around the bend...
CALL FOR ARTISTS: September 7-10, 2016: Paint Great Falls Plein Air Competition, Great Falls, VA. Spread the word!

September 9: Friday Art Walk in the Village, 6-9pm at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA

September 10: Free Plein Air Painting Demo, noon-3pm near 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. RSVP to jill@jillbanks.com if you think you'll be able to make that event.

September 9-October 24: "Island Life" Exhibition of work by artists juried to paint in the inaugural Long Beach Island Plein Air competition, Long Beach Island Foundation, Loveladies, NJ.

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

September 30-October 29: Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Castle Gallery of Fine Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana. "Janssen's Market" selected for this prestigious show.

Sunday, October 2: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Community Park, McLean, VA

October 14-16: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA
Thanks for reading!

Jill

Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com

Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/

(Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

"Evening By the Lake" Plein Air Painting

"Evening By The Lake," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©2016 Jill Banks -- painted 8/22/16

Gorgeous day with a few hours spent capturing fountain and folks at Lake Anne in Reston, Virginia. I plan on painting a large piece capturing some of the magic seen here recently. While this is a painting in itself (I like it ... do you?), it is also part of my pondering process. Let's see where this goes.

Classes are starting to fill ... have you signed up?

Register for Fall Classes -- Still Life, Evening Paint and The Plein Air Landscape

I'll be offering three classes this Fall taught through the Arts of Great Falls School (Great Falls, VA.) Information is up and registration live on all three classes. Email me with any questions at jill@jillbanks.com.

Still Life Plus (Personal Painting Projects Also)

Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm

Starting September 20

Evening Paint

Tuesdays, 6:30pm to 9:30pm

Starting September 20

The Plein Air Landscape in Oils

Thursdays, 9:30am to 2:00pm (although times will vary a little)

Starting September 22 -- One half hour longer to allow for more instruction, critiques each class.

Classes Page

Classes fill quickly.

All levels welcome. Media: oils. Is this your time to take a class?

Call for Artists:

September 7-10, 2016: Paint Great Falls Plein Air Competition, Great Falls, VA. Sign up now -- follow the link. I'll be judging the competition this year and hope you'll sign up and show me your work.  Participants will also have the chance to exhibit a piece in the gallery for our popular First Friday Art Walk in the Village reception on September 9, 6-9pm. 40 artists accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Top prize: $500.

Lots of Art Events and News
Right around the bend...

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 9-October 24: "Island Life" Exhibition of work by artists juried to paint in the inaugural Long Beach Island Plein Air competition, Long Beach Island Foundation, Loveladies, NJ. (Those paintings are "under wraps" until submitted to the exhibition. Shhhhh. Except for four extras...)

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

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

September 30-October 29: Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Castle Gallery of Fine Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana. "Janssen's Market" selected for this prestigious show.

Sunday, October 2: McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Community Park, McLean, VA

October 14-16: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls, VA
 

Featured Artist for the Month of August: FineArtVirginia.com

Wonderful article spotlighting my work and inspiration just up until the end of August.To see the Featured Artist section, go to www.fineartvirginia.com ... and click on Featured Artist on the top navigation bar OR you can access it directly here.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com

Email: jill@jillbanks.com

Website: www.jillbanks.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/

(Please like that page if you like it...)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillbanks1

Instagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/jillbanks1/

Jill Banks Fall Classes at the Great Falls School of Art

"Apple Singer," oil, 16" x 20", ©Jill Banks 2014 was one of my Still Life class demos

Before my computer gets packed away ready to resettle in Fairfax ... momentarily ... I'm letting you in on the latest info on my Fall classes offered through the Great Falls School of Art.

Soon, hopefully, the registration page and this info will agree in dates, number of sessions, tuition.

"Florentine Square,"©Jill Banks 2014: While we won't be painting here, plein air class can get you ready to do so.

Still Life in Oils will be offered on Tuesdays, 9:30am to 12:30pm, September 16 to November 4 (8 sessions) with classes held at the Great Falls School of Art, 1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA.  Class size is limited ... and generally fills quickly. Find more information on the class with a link for registration at http://jillbanks.com/workshops.

Plein Air Landscape Painting is offered on Thursdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm, September 18 to October 30 (no class October 16) with classes held in locations around the DC area (specific locations emailed the day before class or sooner -- so you must be registered to know where to go). 6 sessions. $325.  In case of inclement weather, we will meet at the school in Great Falls and class will go from 9:30am to 12:30pm (one hour shorter). I will make this up to you somehow if there are two or more inclement weather days. Find more information on the class with a link for registration at http://jillbanks.com/workshops.

Class size is limited in both. Sign up soon! 

"Tavern Shops," oil, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

Coming Up

• Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
• Aug. 23-24: Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA
• September 13 & 14: Alexandria (King Street) Art Festival, Alexandria, VA
• September 20 & 21: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York
• October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
• Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
• Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
• Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA
• See the Events page for more info/updates

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 (This link takes you to the subscription page.)

Register for Fall 2014 Classes. Get more info on my Classes page on my web site.

Spring Painting Classes: Sign Up Now

"Garden Girl," oil, 42"h x 36"w, copyright Jill Banks 2012

Pop In & Paint This Friday
First, I'm the "substitute" monitor for Pop In & Paint this coming Friday, March 15, 4-7pm at the Great Falls School of Art, 1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA.  Come with your supplies and reference material to start something new or enjoy the camraderie of other like-minded folks working on ongoing projects.  The cost is $25 for the three-hour session to be paid by check made out to Great Falls Foundation for the Arts.  RSVP to me at jillbanks1 @ aol.com if you're interested in attending. I hope you can! Students from my portrait class who worked in clay -- can come play with it.

Spring Still Life and Landscape Classes

"Morning at Starbucks," oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2011, private collection

Second, you can register now for Spring classes.  I'm teaching Painting the Still Life in Oils on Tuesdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm, for eight sessions from April 9 to May 28. Plus, I'm offering a new class on Wednesdays, Painting the Landscape, 9:30am to 1:30 for eight sessions from April 10 to May 29. For that class, we'll be mainly painting in plein air (you'll need your own portable easels), in different farms and towns in the near vicinity.  Registrants will be emailed the week's location.  (Hint: you have to register.)

My Painting the Landscape includes painting the animals, architecture, people, cars, etc. of the more populated areas versus trees, streams, mountains.  Tackling painting outside adds to the challenge but sure makes for more exciting (and less perfect) end results.  Class will be held indoors in the case of inclement weather.

"Cars and Coffee,"  of the Great Falls Village Centre hints at one of our potential locations

I paint in oils. If you use a different medium, understand that the areas I am able to help include drawing, composition, color, edges, value ... but not with medium-specific advice. 

A prerequisite for the class is bringing along a sense of humor. And, be ready for an adventure.

If you're really a beginner, I recommend taking my Still Life class first.

Go to my web site: www.JillBanks.com, Classes page for more info about each course and how to register.  Then, register online. It's going to be a fun Spring. Come join us!

"Cut Sunflowers," 20"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2011, private collection

To see other classes being offered, go to the Great Falls School of Art site: http://www.greatfallsart.org/current-class-offerings/

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


See my web site for Events & Exhibits: www.JillBanks.com.

Back to the NYC Street Painting

"Traffic Patterns" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

I was in the studio (the Artists' Atelier, the space I share with 13 other artists at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA) today after a long hiatus. I love being there ... combining comraderie and the chance to paint.  There were many of us in there painting, plus some visitors including a family from Italy who came to the studio chatting in Italian with Michela Mansuino (my studiomate). That, along with an afternoon filled with opera coming through the afternoon made it a cultured sort of day indeed.

While more is left to do, the afternoon was spent working on "Traffic Patterns."  A pleasure.  The pigeon appeared today.

Last night's reception for the Great Falls School of Art Student Exhibition was fantastic.  It really is my favorite art opening of the year -- particularly because the artists are of all ages -- and they get the chance to show what they've been working at and toward during the year. I thought that most of this post would be about that ... but one of my students, Christine Flack-Blazier, put up a blog post of her own that is a better report than any I might add. So go to hers at: http://cfblazier.wordpress.com/2013/01/12/student-art-show/.

Winners were chosen in both Youth and Adult categories by guest juror, award-winning painter Vicki Vidal Blum. The winners are:

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Youth Category

1^st Place Amrita Sahu for “Yellow Flower”  Super Sculpy and Acrylic Paint

2^nd Place Mary Jones for “Flying in the Meadow”  Paper Collage & Watercolor 

3^rd Place Maryam Bade for “Sugar Pot”  Acrylic on Paper 

Honorable Mention Grace Kugler for “Ducky in the Pond”  Acrylic & Watercolor on Paper

Honorable Mention Maryam Bade for “American Girl Doll”  Charcoal & Pencil on Paper

Honorable Mention Grace Kugler for “Seafood”  Watercolor on Paper



Adult Category

1^st Place Nancy Keane for “Still Life with Ball Jar and Red Onion”  Oil on Canvas

2^nd Place Amy Zavrel for "Cove Point"  Oil on Canvas

3^rd Place Mary Beth Gaiarin for “Treasures from Italy”  Oil on Canvas

Honorable Mention Henry Haigler for “Carolina Lady”  Oil on Canvas

Honorable Mention Nancy Keane for “Lilia”  Oil on Canvas

Honorable Mention Barbara Marhoefer for “Onion with Mason Jar”  Oil on Canvas

I may put some photos up from the evening ... but on another day. Currently, there seems to be more to do than hours in the day.

Classes start next week! There are lots of great offerings with new classes and new teachers. It's always difficult to get new classes going -- the best way to help is to sign up. The Great Falls School of Art is a great place to learn, with excellent teachers, and supportive, fun fellow students. Plus, parking is easy and convenient and your art could be in the gallery next January. Come join us!  Go to my web site's classes page for more info on my offerings and a link to the school.

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

Events and Exhibits
Register now for Winter classes.  See my web site: www.JillBanks.com, Classes page for Still Life Painting in Oils and Draw, Paint, Sculpt the Portrait -- offered through the Great Falls School of Art, Great Falls, VA. Still Life is now full with a wait list. Sign up for the Portrait class -- it's going to be a great one!