Painting at the Brogue

Last Wednesday I enjoyed the day painting inside Katie's Coffeehouse at the Old Brogue ... and managed to get a nice start on a painting of two women enjoying tea in my favorite corner. Perhaps like all painting days, this one was another experiment. This is my first time painting such a scene from life without hiring the models. I wasn't asking them to stay still ... I just wanted to capture a real scene ... so I didn't know what to expect. It worked! I'm positive I'll do more of this. It's perfect for me.

I'll go back to the Brogue to paint again ... probably next Wednesday and Thursday. I'll let you know the time.

Yesterday I was working on new house stuff and printing and packaging the art cards that all my guests get (while they last) at the reception for my "Painting the Town" exhibit this coming Sunday, July 25, 2-5pm at Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. Bring your art-loving and art-collecting family or friends! See my web site for an online view of the 13 drawings and paintings you'll find in the exhibit.

By the way ... this has been my favorite exhibit opportunity so far. The response has been overwhelming. The Old Brogue and Katie's Coffeehouse are favorite neighborhood gathering places. I love having my artwork in this wonderful spot ... in front of so many friendly eyeballs. Thanks Carmelita for setting up such a great area to paint in Wednesday and thanks Mike Kearney for giving the artists of Great Falls a place to connect to the community.

Randy and I drove up to New York today ... and in a few minutes I'm getting changed to go to the closing reception and awards ceremony at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. I'm receiving a Certificate of Merit in Oils tonight. Yea! Yea! Yea!

Note, I cropped part of myself out. That's easier than dieting. I'll give you a better view of this first day of painting as soon as I can.

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

Award at Salmagundi's Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

Yip-di-do! A highlight (big one) amidst boxes and cleaning and lugging and stairs (moving locally!) was a phone call I received yesterday from the Salmagundi Club. My painting "Rainy Day in NYC" won a Certificate of Merit in Oils in this really prestigious show. Welcome to Cloud Nine.

I'd honestly been thinking that given how hard I've been working on this move, I really ought to win some sort of award in this show. It wasn't a logical thought. I know (deep, deep down) that toiling at carrying and packing boxes does not directly translate to winning over a juror's heart at an art show. Still...

The awards reception is next Friday, July 23, 6-8pm at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003. (212) 255-7740.

This has been a great art summer -- in terms of recognition. (A better art summer if I had more time for painting, too!) In June, I won Best in Show for "On High" at artReston Annual Fine Arts Exhibition (sponsored by the League of Reston Artists). Last week, I heard that "Birds of a Feather" was a finalist in The Artist's Magazine's Annual Fine Art Competition ... and now "Rainy Day in NYC" wins the Certificate of Merit from the Salmagundi Club. By the way, I didn't win an award (at all) in 2009 ... so it was a long "dry spell" ... that I'm glad to have broken. I have, as a major goal, winning Best in Show, or First Prize, or whatever exhibitions call their top prize ... in competitions like this. Each accomplishment is an additional encouragement to improve. Reach higher. Paint, paint, paint.

Sunday, July 25, 2-5pm is the reception for my "Painting the Town" exhibit at Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066. I hope you can come to the reception ... but if not, my solo show of 13 paintings and drawings of urban life in Italy and the U.S. is on exhibit through July 31. The space is a busy coffee shop by day and restaurant by night. Hours are long -- early and late -- so drop by when you can. I'd also love to show you around if you want a "private" tour. Just call me: 703.403.7435 or email me. Or take a look at the show online on my web site. Less fun but perhaps more practical if you live in Timbuktu.
 
"Rainy Day in NYC", 18"h x 24"w, oil on Raymar panel, copyright Jill Banks 2010: awarded  Certificate of Merit in Oils, Salmagundi Club's Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition (and FAV 15 in the BoldBrush Online Competition sponsored by Fine Art Studio Online in April 2010.)

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