That's a Wrap ... Plein Air Brandywine Valley 2015

"Barn at Granogue," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2015 Jill Banks. This is yesterday afternoon's (Thursday, October 22) painting at the private Granogue estate. By day's end, white-faced black cows wandered to the edge of the fence (on my right) to check out my progress. They were too late to star in this show.

Sometimes silence on my blog means I'm painting too much. By the time the painting sessions are done, there's not one ounce of energy left to type. You know how taxing that is.

"Painting the Pump House" (of painter Lisa Prinzo on the grounds at Winterthur), 10"h x 8"w,  ©2015 Jill Banks

"Scarecrow," oil, 10"h x 8"w, ©2015 Jill Banks.  Painted at Coverdale Farm Preserve. I was a late arrival to this fantastic property on our first day of the painting competition. One of the signs of a great event is that you just wish it would go on and on ... I would have loved to have been at this one spot for days. Most of my time here was spent painting the one piece that couldn't be finished on site.

I just handed in my last painting (It's the morning of Friday, October 23) being hung right now in time for tonight's Gala, Show and Sale for Plein Air Brandywine Valley at Winterthur (a $100 ticketed event benefiting Children's Beach House).  Since this past Monday, 75 painters and 75 photographers have been capturing the Brandywine Valley in designated spots, 7am to 5 or 6pm each day. I started eight and finished seven. You've seen two of those ("That's What I'm Squawking About" and "Janssen's Market") in my previous posts.

"Horse Ties" (Thayer Residence), oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©2015 Jill Banks. Even though ... as usual ... there were many subjects I was dying to paint, these two equine buddies held my attention the whole day. What beauties! Chickens, very free range, clucked happily behind me. My only complaint was that this painting and I were such undeniable gnat magnets. I took a sanity lunch break in my car for 20 minutes or so and came back to an almost completely gnat-covered canvas. Great.

"Piano Al Fresco," (Marshalton, PA) oil, 20"h x 16"w, ©2015 Jill Banks.

Winter classes are now up, too, on my web site. Take a look!  I'll be teaching a Portrait Painting/Drawing class this January on Sunday afternoons. Class size is limited and if you want to join us, don't wait. As School Director Julie Casso mentioned today -- that is not a ploy to get you to sign up. The class will fill and I hope you'll be in it.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

See the Events page for more info/updates

October 19-25:  Plein Air Brandywine Valley, Juried plein air competition, wet paint show and sale in Delaware.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show and Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

Plein Air Brandywine Valley: First Day

"Janssen's Market," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©2015 Jill Banks

This week I join a bevy of painters and photographers selected to capture the Autumn scenery in and around Brandywine Valley. My first stop setting up my easel was at Janssen's Market in Wilmington, Delaware. Funny to know that of the 75-ish painters, I was the only one selecting to set up there this morning. Did I get the wrong memo?

Yesterday's demo -- painting Kurt Laubinger during Day 3 of the Great Falls Studio Tour.

In the afternoon, I found where many of them had gone ... the Coverdale Farm Reserve ... a really idyllic spot, right up my and apparently a lot of other painters' alley. I create two paintings there accompanied by pigs clinking pails and LOTS of chickens discussing something by my side. These two might require a second look before possible posting here.

At Plein Air Brandywine Valley, I'm one of the few newcomers at the event. With no time to wander around or ponder locations, each day is bound to come as a surprise. Hopefully, a happy one.

The event is organized so that each day we have a handful of potential locations -- with no options to set up again at the site. I'd love to go back to Coverdale Farm Reserve and try that again.

The opening gala where artworks are available for viewing and purchase is on Friday, October 23, 7 to 10pm at the Visitor Center of the Winterthur Museum and Garden located in Wilmington, Delaware. The works will remain on display for purchase and vieiwing throughout the remainder of the weekend and are free to the public. (Saturday, October 24, 2015 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 25, 2015 from noon - 3 p.m.)

A portion of the proceeds from the art sales will benefit Children’s Beach House.

Find out more about the event: http://www.pleinairbrandywinevalley.org/

Looking forward to more adventures tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

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

Winter classes are now up, too, on my web site. Take a look!  I'll be teaching a Portrait Painting/Drawing class this January on Sunday afternoons. Class size is limited and if you want to join us, don't wait. As School Director Julie Casso mentioned today -- that is not a ploy to get you to sign up. The class will fill and I hope you'll be in it.
 

See the Events page for more info/updates

October 19-25:  Plein Air Brandywine Valley, Juried plein air competition, wet paint show and sale in Delaware.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show and Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

"Wayne Feed" in the 'Scapes Exhibit, Brandywine Valley Plein Air

"Wayne Feed," oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©2015 Jill Banks

"Wayne Feed" was accepted into this month's popular 'Scapes exhibit at the Art League (105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA). It was created plein air (in the open air, from life) during Wayne Plein Air 2015. Painting at night is tricky ... but was sure helped in this case by an enthusiastic and resourceful homeowner. You'll have to ask me how he "lit" the way for me.

See more like it in my web site's Places Gallery.

Speaking of Plein Air events, I was just accepted to compete in another -- Brandywine Valley Plein Air that will take place mid-October.  I'll do a little more research and calendar-finagling with that one before accepting my place -- but look forward to the chance to participate in the event.

 The Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival is this weekend, August 8 & 9 ... and I hope to see you there. Follow the link below for more info.
August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT 

 

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

See the Events page for more info/updates

August 8-9: Mystic Seaport Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic, CT

August 29-30: Shadyside... The Art Festival on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA

September 1-30: Along the Way, Solo Show, Great Falls, VA

September 19-20: Alexandria King Street Festival, Old Town Alexandria, VA

October 4:  McLean MPA Artfest, McLean Central Park, McLean, VA

October 16-18:  Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, (I'll be at the Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066). Self-guided tour of the home or group studios of 50-60 Great Falls artists.

December 3-6: One Of A Kind Show & Sale, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL