"Augusta GA Fountain"

"Augusta, Georgia Fountain," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2014

Really quick. I painted between WPSE (Women Painters of the Southeast) receptions this past weekend in Augusta, GA. How great it was to see and feel Spring!!!!

This was right before the town filled with Masters enthusiasts. My easel was set up under a cherry tree bursting with blossoms. 

A little tough to then drive right back into winter-ish weather. One afternoon and nine hours in the car later and there were snow flurries and ugly weather. Yikes!

I still hope to get around to posting beaucoup photos from the WPSE exhibit. Life tends to overflow with plenty to share ... making it tough for me to keep up.

Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel (This link takes you to the subscription page.)

March 5 - December: Richeson75 Still Life and Floral 2014  Two of my paintings: "Honey Bunny" and "Garden Girl" were chosen as finalists in this online competition and exhibition. 75 total works were selected for this exhibition from entries/artists worldwide. See the exhibit at http://richeson75.com/stilllife/index.html

March 28 - April 18: Women Painters of the Southeast Third Annual Juried Members Exhibition  "Ballerinas I" was juried into this beautiful exhibit at Magnolia Gallery in Greensboro, GA. See my web site's Events page for more info.

April 5 - April 27: Fine Art Professionals of Northern Virginia at Delaplaine, Frederick, MD  Reception on Saturday, April 5, 3 to 5pm at the Delaplaine Art Center, 40 Carroll Street, Frederick, MD. On exhibit: "Main Street USA," "Tony" and "Ice Cold Lemonade."

May 3 & 4: Fairfax Fine Art Festival  I'll be under a tent in Fairfax Corners ... surrounded by artwork. Come visit/shop for original art. More details to come on my web site's Events page.
 
Paint with Me in Italy: August 3 to 10, 2014. For more info, itinerary and links to register, see the classes page on my web site. Great folks are signing up to join me on this wonderful adventure. I hope you can, too!

See Current  and Upcoming Exhibits/Events

Warm Welcome at the Hilton

I've gone missing for good reason.  Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with my still life class demo -- and ongoing work on that painting. I haven't had a chance to photograph it. And -- I'm not home so, you will see the results -- just not yet.

Finishing touches during setup for the Art Reception at Hilton Worldwide HQ

Art Reception at the Hilton Worldwide Headquarters 

Adjusting lights on other side of the pod. Four sides of my art.

On Thursday, I was one of five artists whose work was being celebrated at a special art reception at the Hilton Worldwide Headquarters in McLean, VA.  What a HUGE treat!

There wasn’t an actual red carpet, but I sure received the  “star treatment.”  Everything – from the friendly greeting, help toting art in, crew to hang and light our work, wall tags, printed programs, offers of wine/refreshments while setting up, beautiful lobby setting (with soaring ceilings, marble floors, gentle fountain behind me), introduction announcement, the event itself and interested attendees – was perfect, wonderful, and deeply appreciated. Thank you, Anu Saxena, and the Hilton Worldwide Women's Team Member Resource Group for such a great day!

Having pulled off many of my own, almost-do-it-yourself (with the stellar assistance of husband Randy and my Mom and Dad) art events, I appreciated even more all the fine details. Guests – just like the five of us artists – were made to feel special and yet the focus was on the art – with music conducive to the right mood and talking and refreshments that were a nice addition yet not the stars.

The artists were also treated to silver goody bags full of thoughtful treasures. Sort-of-academy-awardish.

Event Poster at the Hilton Worldwide Headquarters

It was an afternoon filled with great conversations on a well-set stage. Our daughter, Sarah, invited her colleagues and head chiefs from work … whose offices are conveniently located right across the street from the Hilton.  The acorn hasn’t fallen too far from the tree … as her friends and fellows knew an awful lot about my art before circling around my pod at the Hilton. Seems like Sarah has been taking lessons from my Mom who enthusiastically introduces my work to countless friends, neighbors, acquaintances. 

One of the paintings I had on exhibit is "Hudson River Morn" -- a grown-up (enlarged) version of a piece created over three days standing in the shower equipped with floor to ceiling windows at a Hampton Inn in NYC. Works on the easel over those three days captured sunrise to sunset as the city woke up and became its bustling self.  

There's joy to be shared in depicting something common to others. It often changes their perceptions, opens eyes to how lucky they are that

this is their regular view.  I've encountered these reactions when painting plein air -- talking to visitors to my easel. For "Hudson River Morn," it was just me in the shower. No passersby. (Thankfully. We wouldn't fit.) But this exhibit gave me a chance to share the experience with those who had a part in the inspiration.

Such great conversations. Thank you to all who came to look and visit!

All the photos were taken by Randy during setup. Once the guests arrive, it's camera down so we can enjoy your company.

I'm currently on another adventure -- in Georgia for the Women Painters of the Southeast show. I will have to catch you up on that in a few days! Planning on painting within the hour. Just don't know where or what yet.

Shown: "The Kitchen Caper" (top) and "Sunflowers in My Studio II" (bottom) by Jill Banks. See my website for more in the Still Life Gallery under Works

I'm still hoping more of you will join me in Italy in August. See my web site for more details.


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

Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel (This link takes you to the subscription page.)

Paint with Me in Italy: August 3 to 10, 2014. For more info, itinerary and links to register, see the classes page on my web site.

See Current  and Upcoming Exhibits/Events

Shown at the Hilton on Thursday include: "Hudson River Morn," "New York Yellow and Blues," "Green Tractor," "Made in the Shade," "The Snuggery," "The Kitchen Caper," and "Sunflowers in My Studio II."  All of these and more can be found on my web site at: www.JillBanks.com.  Take a look.

"Ballerinas II" Painting, Take Two

"Ballerinas II," oil, 12"h x 16"w, ©Jill Banks 2013

Even though it's been awhile since posting, I'm going to try to keep this short.  Lots to write, pictures to post, but no time to do it.

"Ballerinas II" was what I worked on today ... returning to a painting started in Franklin, Tennessee at the Imagine Gallery when there for the Women Painters of the Southeast juried show.  These beautiful models are dancers in the Nashville Ballet Company.

I also hung the "On Location" exhibit in the Artists' Atelier Gallery -- of plein air pieces from farms around the area, the Village Centre in Great Falls done by students in my Landscape class. The reception for that show is on Friday, June 14, 6-8pm at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Come join us!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events

Mountain Maryland Plein Air
Participating as one of 30 juried artists from around the country to paint Allegheny and Garrett Counties in Maryland, May 29 to June 1. Exhibit of Artwork from Mountain Maryland Plein Air continues June 1 through June 16 at Saville Gallery in Cumberland, MD

Solo Show at Greenberry's Coffee & Tea

6839 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA 22101
(703) 821-9501
Exhibit of six paintings including "Two Kittens," "Traffic Patterns," "Primary Colors," "Spanish Steps," "Second & Pine Streets," and "Sunlight, Sunflowers and Orange." Through June 30.

Day with the Ballerinas

"Ballerinas I," oil on Raymar panel, 16"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

Quick post because in a minute or two Randy and I are heading off to Reception #2 for the Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition at the Imagine Gallery in Franklin, TN. This morning I

"Ballerinas II," oil on Raymar panel, 12"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2013

attended a demo given by Lori Putnam, who is gracious, humble and extremely talented. Her demo was fantastic. I learned a lot and am anxious to use some of what Lori taught in teaching my landscape class last week.  Again, super!

This afternoon, many of us painted two beautiful ballerinas from the Nashville Ballet Company in the gallery.  An, even bigger treat. So here they are, times two and that's it for today.

Maybe I'll post some photos of the receptions tomorrow.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events
Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Members Exhibit and Sale
Imagine Gallery, 230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064
"Sunflowers in the Studio II" juried into the exhibit that runs April 19 to May 20.
Receptions: Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20, 6:00pm to 8:30pm.

"Windows and Doors" Exhibit: the Artists' Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm through April 30. On view in the gallery: "Red Church Doors," "Spanish Steps" and "Pie in the Sky Pizzeria."

"La Chien de Grange": Painting of Giverny Farm Dog in Progress

"La Chien de Grange" work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2013. Painting of Rough Collie at Giverny.

Since walking down the streets of Giverny, France: home to Claude Monet's studio and gardens, I've been aching to paint the dog we saw there keeping an eye over her flock.

"La Chien de Grange" will be resting until we return from a quick trip to Tennessee for the Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition that opens this weekend at the Imagine Gallery.

Often I find myself wanting to be a bunch of different places at one time.  I'd love to just keep painting this beautiful dog. And, I'm really looking forward to this trip.  Today I took a look at a video of Imagine Gallery -- and now can't wait to see it in person.  The gallery sits on a mezzanine above The Factory, a spot that -- from what I gather  -- houses studios for three resident artists and teaching spaces.  Take a look at the video if you get a chance. What you'll find: beautiful art, inspiring artists, gorgeous space. My "Sunflowers in the Studio II" will be in good company. There's a reception both Friday and Saturday nights, plus I'll have a chance to take in a demo by Lori Putnam and paint from a model Saturday afternoon. Sounds like fun!

"La Chien de Grange" -- once finished -- will probably join the flock of hens and roosters she looked over in the group show of animal art coming up in September at Herndon ArtSpace.

My guess at the breed of the painting's subject is a Rough Collie.  She was perched a little distance away from me in the "window" of a stone barn -- but from my spot she looked Collie-sized (vs. Sheltie). Anyone know?

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project
Email
Phone: 703.403.7435

Events
Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Members Exhibit and Sale
Imagine Gallery, 230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064
"Sunflowers in the Studio II" juried into the exhibit that runs April 19 to May 20.
Receptions: Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20, 6:00pm to 8:30pm.

"Windows and Doors" Exhibit: the Artists' Atelier Gallery, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm through April 30. On view in the gallery: "Red Church Doors," "Spanish Steps" and "Pie in the Sky Pizzeria."