New Exhibit: Art and Wine at Market Cellars in the Reston Town Center

"Black&White and Red All Over" -- my solo exhibit that runs through December 14 at Maison du Vin, a fantastic wine store in Great Falls, VA -- now has an annex. I just hung six pieces at Market Cellars, a Maison du Vin company,  at the Reston Town Center (near the Hyatt on Market Street). I may find a spot for one more -- just need to figure out what piece or maybe even paint a new one.

The pieces I put into Market Cellars include some appropriate holiday gifts ... just in time for Black Friday.  There you'll find "Standing By", "Nautilus", "Pear of Lovers", "Rodin's Lady Sackville-West" and two of my dwindling stock of restaurant series paintings -- "Like Husband, Like Wife" and "Friends in Florence".

Be sure to check out both locations. I have thirteen original paintings and drawings at Maison du Vin (756 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA, 703-759-9880, Hours: Monday-Friday, 11am-8pm; Saturday, 10am-7pm; Sunday, noon-5pm). On Saturday, November 28, stop in from 1-5pm for complimentary World Tour Wine Tasting with Elite Wines (tell them I sent you). Or December 5, 1-5pm for Wines for Gifts and Holiday Celebrations (wine tasting).

Market Cellars is located at 11873 Market Street, Reston, VA 20190. 703-437-9463. I believe their hours are 11am-8pm, Monday through Saturday and Sundays from noon to 5pm.

"Standing By", oil on linen-lined board, 12"h x 9"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009. Other photos of Market Cellars and my exhibit there.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

First Friday and Gala Silent Auction Preview

So, I definitely waited until the last minute to figure out what I was donating for the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts (GFFFTA) Gala's silent auction.  With a show going on now at Maison du Vin (a great wine shop in Great Falls, VA), I kept thinking about those paintings and drawings as candidates ... looking for them around my studio and finally going ... duh ... and realizing they were hanging out elsewhere.

I ended up putting in three. Anyone interested in these pieces should plan on attending the Gala (you need to purchase a ticket) which will take place on Friday, November 20, 7:30-10:00 at 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G. Get more info at GFFFTA's web site. Many pieces of exceptional art have been donated and the starting bids are at 50% of retail prices. The artwork will be in the gallery to be previewed tomorrow, Friday, November 6, 7-9pm or Saturdays, noon-4pm or any time an artist is in. Funds raised will benefit the Great Falls School of Art (where I teach).

Here's my line-up:
"Chadwick's"
(Alexandria, VA)
Oil on Raymar panel
16"h x 20"w, framed in Omega gold frame
Retail Price: $1500
Opening Bid: $750
This painting was one of 12 finalists in Raymar’s Annual Art Competition, September 2006. See www.raymarart.com. The competition is stiff … with top American artists placing as finalists.

"Town Center Fountain"
(Reston, VA)
Jill Banks
Ink wash, pen & ink
12”h x 9”w (outer mat), framed in Omega black/gold frame
Retail Price: $295
Opening Bid: $147.50
A major part of creating art is about making choices. I love the simplicity of this piece. Ink wash is almost impossible to control and yet I managed to do just enough here.

"Bellydancer III"
Bellydancer III
Jill Banks
Oil
14”h x 11”w
Retail Price: $1200
Opening Bid: $600
Bellydancer III was juried into Salon International 2009, a project of the International Museum of Contemporary Masters, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX.











I hope to see you at the Artists' Atelier tomorrow night for the preview. The Atelier is open the First Friday of every month, 7-9pm, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Also, be sure to stop in to see my work in a new solo show "Black&White and Red All Over" in the tasting room at Maison du Vin. There are some great pieces there. Think about holiday gift giving. I'm planning on being there on Saturday, November 21, 1-5pm for a mini-reception in conjunction with Italian Wine Tasting from Bravo wines. Maison du Vin is located at: 756 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA.

Also, "Sunflowers II" is in the American Artists Professional League's 81st Grand National at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC through November 13. I'll be attending the reception and awards ceremony this Sunday, November 8, 2-5pm. Yea! I love New York.


Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Life and Another Solo Show

Life as an artist is sometimes just life. The Banks family has been huddled together for the past week, supporting each other as we deal with the impending loss of my husband Randy's mom. These times are tougher though richer. Love and admiration grows deeper. Just when I thought I couldn't love Randy more, I found out I could. To see him with his Mom and Dad is truly beautiful.

I've been touched, too, by my sister-in-law Cindy who will do anything (sometimes seemingly wacky things) to make Randy's mom and those around her more comfortable. What a warm, caring individual she is. How lucky we are she's a part of our lives.

I've been in awe, too, of my son Sam -- who at 21 has the wisdom and maturity of a (wise) 80-year-old.  He's a kind soul who's ready to face anything he needs to in order to help. He lends a strong shoulder to lean on for us all.

We're extremely blessed.

In the midst of this huddling, life as an artist went on ... just not as intensely. Randy and I hung a new solo show "Black&White and Red All Over" on Monday at Maison Du Vin, a wonderful wine store in the Great Falls Village Centre (756 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA 22066). I added a page today to my web site so you could see some of the pieces that are included in the exhibit. Go to the home page or follow this link for more info.

"The Toast" which usually hangs in my foyer is there for you to see. It's the second of many large-scale still lifes that my Dad set up for me. "The Toast", oil on linen, 40"h x 30"w, copyright Jill Banks 2006.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435