Finalist in Artist's Magazine's 25th Annual Art Competition

I just found out that my painting "Max" is a finalist in Artist's Magazine's 25th Annual Art Competition in the Animal/Wildlife Category. The pooch's owners are Jim and Kathy Gudger -- longtime, great friends who let me "borrow" their poodle for this animal portrait. I was painting it for my entry in the Artists' Atelier show at Seneca Hill Animal Hospital and Spa in Great Falls, VA -- but it was bought off my easel within a day or two of completing it. It didn't last long -- thus I ended up painting my Murano cat for that show -- featured in an earlier post. That exhibit ends Monday, August 4.

This is my second time as a finalist. The first time around was in the portrait category for "Alan."

Portrait of Six Grandkids on a Beach

Creating this portrait commission was an amazingly wonderful experience. My client approached me while I was giving a portrait painting demo at the Art League in January. She was drawn to me because of an article in the Alexandria Gazette-Packet she had read about me and my "Place Settings" solo exhibit. So she came to talk to me armed with a photo of her six grandkids that had been taken by a photographer three years prior. A while later, I went to her house and discussed the project -- and it was clearly a match. She was fantastic to work with, I love the painting ... and she definitely does, too. The unveiling is a moment in time that I consider the most rewarding in my art pursuit. Being able to paint is an amazing gift and this portrait really touched my client's life.

Here's an excerpt from an email I received from Jill (we share a name, too) after she had gotten her painting back from the framer (FrameMasters in Chantilly -- they're great!):
"Jill, I picked up the painting yesterday and its proudly hanging in my LR....it is magnificent...the frame is most perfect....even the framer said he had never sold that frame but will push it now after seeing how it looks .......he was thrilled with it too....our son is here with his family....they love it of course...I keep the light turned on over it....and I nearly fall over stuff because when I enter the LR, I cannot take my eyes off it.......thank you a gillion times over for your abilities...and your kindness.....I want you and your husband to see it...you can come anytime but on down the line we want to have a party to show it off...love, Jill"

The subject line of the email read "My masterpiece"

Those are the kind of messages you want to get.

Scenes of Great Falls, VA and Jurying a Show

"Sidewalk Sale in the Village Centre" is the painting I entered for the "Quintessentially Great Falls" show jurying that took place at my house yesterday. I was one of three jurors for the Great Falls Studios (www.greatfallsstudios.com) show that will take place August 1-30 at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls, VA. But "Sidewalk Sale" won't be in the show! Of the 78 artists that make up Great Falls Studios, an alliance of artists in various media who live or work in Great Falls, VA, 22 artists submitted to this show that is capturing our town in art -- and as jurors, we had to whittle the show down to 10 to 15 pieces that told the story of Great Falls and held together as an exhibit. Walt Lawrence, Adrienne Kralick and I decided to pull our pieces from the pool of entries to ease the process. At the end, and against his will, we brought Walt's image of "L'Auberge Chez Francois" back into the show because this restaurant is a real fixture of Great Falls. Adrienne and I both painted scenes from the Village Centre which is already being well represented with Frances Vecchi's "Gazebo, Great Falls". Still, it was a case of juror/artist martyrdom and warrants the warning that you shouldn't try to jury a show or venue in which you'd like to exhibit. The show will be great, though, and I hope you visit it!

I encourage you, too, to consider purchasing "Sidewalk Sale." The painting is charming, if I do say so myself. It's the latest in my plein air painting series -- still a challenge for me to handle the sun, bugs, heat, etc. -- but I can see that I'm progressing. "Sidewalk Sale in the Village Centre," 10"h x 8"w, oil on linen, copyright Jill Banks 2008. Contact me to purchase or see the painting in person.

Something Hot! Show at Gallery 222

My painting, "On the Chopping Block," was juried into the Something Hot! Annual Regional Juried exhibition at Gallery 222 in Leesburg, VA. The piece is 30" x 30" plus frame, oil on linen and is the latest of the large-scale still life series my dad sets up for me. Donald Depuydt juried the show. The exhibit runs from August 1 to August 23. There's an Opening Reception Friday, August 1, 6-9pm during Leesburg's First Friday Gallery Walk. For more information, contact Gallery 222 at (703) 777-5498 or visit www.loudounacademy.org or gallery222.com. Gallery 222, 222 South King Street, Leesburg, VA 20175.

This show turned out to be quite competitive with over 100 artists submitting over 180 pieces of art. Only 54 pieces were accepted. Other artists I know with work in the show include Tricia Ratliff, Brenda Gordon, Suzanne Twyford, and Cindy Grisdela.

Artists' Atelier Animal Art Exhibit at Seneca Hill Animal Hospital and Spa

Stop by the Seneca Hill Animal Hospital and Spa at Georgetown Pike (Route 193) and Seneca Road before the Artists' Atelier Exhibit comes down on August 4. There are some terrific pieces in the show -- by all the artists in the studio. Mine is of a cat I saw in Murano -- near Venice. So, the show has an international flavor!

Painting Great Falls, VA

Paint what you know. This afternoon, I got out my easel from a recent workshop and tackled plein air painting for an upcoming show entry that focuses on scenes from Great Falls. "Sisson Landscapes" depicts the beautiful landscaping store that's across the street from the Atelier. Those plants call to me each day I pass by. Maybe it's time to shop there. It's on the corner of Colvin Run Road and Walker Road in Great Falls, right near the Serbian Crown Restaurant. Oil on linen, 8"h x 10"w, copyright Jill Banks 2008.

Today's Portrait Class

During the morning class, I had a chance to paint for a little while once we moved onto the longer pose. Since I wasn't talking and painting at the same time, I suppose it's not a demo. Close-up of "Shalonda". Copyright Jill Banks 2008.

Accepted into New York Art Exhibit!

I just received word that a painting of mine was accepted into the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe's Art Club's 112th Annual Open Exhibition at the National Arts Club in NYC. The painting, "Tea with Anne," depicts Anne Heilman enjoying tea at my mom's house. The exhibition will be open to the public from September 23 to October 13, 2008 from 3pm to 6pm, Monday through Friday, 1pm-6pm Saturday and Sunday. Please call the National Arts Club at 212-475-3424 before visiting as the galleries do close for official functions. The National Arts Club's address is 15 Gramercy Park South, NY, NY 10003.

It's an honor to be included in this open (not limited to members) juried exhibition which includes works in a variety of media by women artists from all over the United States. The Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club is one of the oldest women's art clubs in the country and was founded in 1896 in honor of Miss Wolfe, a prominent New York philanthropist and art collector. Find out more about the club at www.clwac.org.

"Tea with Anne," oil on panel, 24"h x 18"w
Copyright Jill Banks 2007

Fresh Paint

This is last Friday's painting of two young girls reading. Copyright Jill Banks 2008. Oil on linen, 16"h x 20"w.

Venice Scene in the Art League Show

I've recently been working on a series of paintings inspired by a March visit to Venice. The latest completed, "Bridge in Venice," is hanging in the July show at the Art League in the Bin Gallery. I was in there last Friday, and the word is it's getting plenty of attention. Go in, check it out, and consider becoming its new owner. The canvas size is 11"h x 14"w. For more info, contact the gallery. Oil on linen. Copyright Jill Banks 2008.
For more information, contact the Art League gallery at (703) 683-1780. The Art League is located at 100 North Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.