Showing posts with label DC area oil painting classes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DC area oil painting classes. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Night in the Piazza and More to Come...


"Night Owls," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2017 Jill Banks
In my last post, I mentioned soon leaving my home away from home in Italy and heading off to paint a nocturne.  "Night Owls" is what followed.

Many paintings were started ... and almost completed en plein air during our week stay in Lucca. You'll see them relatively soon on my blog (here) and email newsletter.  The week in Lucca was followed by another weeklong stay in Bologna with a trip to the beach at Viareggio in between. There are so many fun and touching stories to relate ahead but at the moment I'm sitting on the plane ready to return back home. Lots to look forward to!!!!

Arrivederci, Italia! Grazie!

September Featured Artist of the Month at Ellis-Nicholson Gallery in Charleston, SC

Come to the First Friday Art Walk there on September 1. More pieces will be added to the ones that have recently arrived in the Gallery and I'll be there on First Friday to meet you! 

Really looking forward to being in the gallery, meeting you and introducing my work in this new venue.

View the paintings that will be part of my "Close Encounters" exhibit at Ellis-Nicholson in Charleston, SC this September online here.

Upcoming Events


Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh PA, August 26-27
 
"Close Encounters" Featured Artist of the Month, First Friday Art Walk -- Charleston SC at the Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, September 1
 
Long Beach Island Plein Air Plus, Long Beach Island NJ, July 1-August 31 - Exhibit September 8-October 31
 
Gracie Square Art Show, Carl Schurz Park, NYC, September 9-10

Alexandria King Street Art Festival, Alexandria VA, September 16-17
 
Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk NY, September 23-24
 
MPA McLean Artfest, McLean VA, October 1
  
Sedona Plein Air Festival, Sedona AZ, October 14-21
 
Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Great Falls VA (Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls -- I'll be there Sunday only.) October 20-22
 
Fall Classes and Workshop ... Register Now
Still Life Plus (Personal Projects Also) starts September 12.
Evening Paint starts Tuesday, September 12.
Painting the Portrait -- Three-Day Workshop -- October 27-29, 2017.
Class size is limited. The class and workshop are taught through the Arts of Great Falls School at 756-C Walker Road, Great Falls VA.
Get more info on my Classes page.  
I was chosen as one of the Top 9 Painting and Drawing Teachers in the Washington DC area by Expertise.com. (Pretty cool endorsement.)
https://www.expertise.com/dc/washington/painting-and-drawing-classes

Read the Article: Southwest Art Artist to Watch,  July 2017
Here's a link to the PDF of the wonderful Artist to Watch article written by Kim Agricola.
 
Paint Great Falls 2017 - September 6-9 - CALL FOR ARTISTS
Artists are invited to participate in this third annual event to paint plein air anywhere in Great Falls VA from September 6-9, 2017. Generous awards. Open to the first 40 registrants -- non-juried. I was the competition judge last year -- and it was tough to pick the winners from the fine work that sprang to life in the span of a few short days. Get more info at: www.greatfallsart.org/paint-great-falls/

Thanks for reading!

Jill Banks


Chosen as one of the Top 9 Painting and Drawing Teachers in the Washington DC area by Expertise.com.
https://www.expertise.com/dc/washington/painting-and-drawing-classes
 
Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jill-Banks-Studio-278493468836508/ (Please like that page if you like it...)

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Sunday, December 11, 2016

Making a List

There are two parts to this post.

"The Catch," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©2016 Jill Banks
First, I'll soon deliver "The Catch" -- a slightly unusual commission -- that captures a friend and collector checking off a line on her bucket list. That's Joan ... fly fishing for the first time. "The Catch" is one of many "projects" going on behind the scenes in my studio lately. Joan's seen this piece ... at least in photos ... so it can peek out from the curtain.

Day at the US Botanic Gardens
Today, in a slightly delayed birthday celebration, Randy and I visited the US Botanic Garden in Washington DC. Despite having lived in this area for a LONG time, I've never been there. Checking this off the list was so easily within reach ... why the wait?

We stood in a line, in the cold, without little ones ... at the Model Train entrance to the Botanic Garden. I'd read online that the model trains took visitors on a tour of the National Parks with landmarks crafted from plant materials. Really a wonderful exhibit! Find out more here: https://www.usbg.gov/plan-your-holiday-visit. The dioramas, settings, magic ... et al ... all reminded me of childhood, my own, my kids.

"Making A List," oil, 14"h x 11"w, ©2015 Jill Banks. (Available)
Past the model trains were rooms of vegetation of different climes -- desert, Mediterranean, tropical and more. That stuff that arrives at the grocery store suddenly had a source looking at a ginger plant, cacao, banana, lemon, and sour orange trees.

Poinsettias were a major part of the display. The spirit of Christmas was alive and celebratory in the Botanic Garden. A bit of a surprise was how little it was evident in the rest of DC. How different the streets were from those in New York or Chicago of years past. Has Washington always looked this way in December?

Still Gift Shopping?
There's still time to give super special and personal gifts..  In case you're looking for the perfect gift and you think art might be the answer, let me help. I'd be glad to meet you at my studio in Great Falls, at my home or yours in the DC area ... visit my web site for ideas ... PLUS I offer classes taught in Great Falls starting in late January for those on your gift list who would like to learn to paint. Elf is one of my joyful roles.

Painting or Drawing the Portrait -- January 29-March 5
Sundays, 1:30-5:30pm
January 31-March 7
Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:30pm
January 31-March 7
Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30 pm
Click on links for more info and to register. A GREAT gift! ALMOST FULL!

Thanks for reading!
Jill Banks
www.JillBanks.com

Best in Show -- BoldBrush Painting Competition September 2016 for "Daily Special" -- Hip Hooray! More info here.  


Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com
(Please like that page if you like it...)
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Thursday, September 15, 2016

New Urban Street Painting and Sneak Peek at the King Street Art Show

Wet Paint! "Tucked Away Cafe," oil, 40"h x 30"w, ©2016 Jill Banks
Where will YOU be September 17 & 18?

Jill Banks

Capturing Life in Oils
Hopefully you'll be seeing a sign with the text shown above at my Booth #90 in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

www.JillBanks.com. Subscribe for my email newsletter here.

What: ALEXANDRIA KING STREET  FINE ART FESTIVAL

When: SATURDAY, September 17, 10am-7pm; SUNDAY, September 18, 10am to 5pm

Where: Booth #90, front of Monaco Hotel at 480 King Street, Alexandria, VA (220+ artists exhibiting on King Street from Union to Washington Streets)

Why: Original art, great place to be!


REGISTER FOR CLASSES -- START NEXT WEEK
Alexandria may be one of the spots I lead my "Painting the Plein Air Landscape" class this term (first class starts September 22 and there's still room for you).  Get more info on it and other classes that resume this coming week on my web site here.

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.

Sneak Peek at My Booth This Weekend
Alexandria King Street Art Festival Booth Layout -- "Hudson River Morn" in the center
"Tea Reader" "Tucked Away Cafe" "Seven Swans" "Italian Time" and "After the Party II" ... plus more
 
Wall Two featuring "Spanish Dancer" and the still life set up by my Dad "Two Kittens"

Plus one more wall you'll have to see for yourself. What's your favorite?

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON! 



Jill Banks
www.JillBanks.com

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

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
 
Blog: For my latest news and works, visit or subscribe to my blog Life as an Artist at jillbanks.blogspot.com
(Please like that page if you like it...)
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Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Through Homer's Eyes

"After Winslow Homer's 'Long Branch, NJ,'" oil, 18"h x 24"w, by Jill Banks
Today I finished up an unusual commission -- for me -- a copy of Winslow Homer's "Long Branch, New Jersey" painting for a top collector of mine. She knew that had I seen that beach ... lived when Homer did ... I'd have been compelled to paint the scene much like he captured it.

Still, it isn't easy copying another painting. This one had far more detail than I'd even consider today ... yet it works. What a spot.

Student Exhibition
The Annual Student Exhibition for the Arts of Great Falls School is coming up. If you've taken classes from me or others at the Arts of Great Falls School in 2015 -- I hope you'll submit work for the gallery. Annual Student Art Show January 16-30th in the Gallery at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA-- Opening and Awards Reception, January 16th 6:30-8:30pm click here for details for submissions, exhibit hours, etc.

Classes Start Soon
I  am still hoping that more students enroll in my Tuesday Evening Paint class that starts on January 12. (It sure would be great if you could join us!)  Classes are taught at the Great Falls School of Art in Great Falls, VA. See below for links to classes.

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


Winter classes are up on my web site. Take a look!  I'll be teaching a Portrait Painting/Drawing class this January (full with wait list) on
Sunday afternoons, Still Life Plus (Personal Painting Projects on Tuesdays - 10:30am to 1:30pm  (Only 1 spot left!) and Evening Paint on Tuesday nights - 6:30 to 9:30pm (still room!)through the Arts of Great Falls School in Great Falls, VA. Classes are filling. I hope you'll sign up soon and start the New Year 2016 off right -- with art.

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