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Artists on Location Plein Air -- Knoxville Sure Does It Right (Part Two)

5/4/2023 7:19:47 PM

Picking Up Where I Left Off - Part Two about Artists on Location and What Makes It Special...

Read Part One Here

Swimming Hole, 20" x 16", oil - finished painting (check availability)

I visited Mead's Quarry twice during my visit to create Swimming Hole. The first time the quarry had plenty of happy visitors -- lots of families there with young kids and some college students on the pier across the way.  It was during that first visit that the young girl entered my view (and painting). Since becoming a grandparent of two little girls, wee ones have appeared and become stars of the scenes much more frequently.

On the second visit -- approaching my spot, it was like the whole place exploded with people. The piers were completely full -- with picnic'ers stepping over lounging bathers to try to find a spot of their own.  Colorful inner tubes bobbed in the water. Kayakers went by.  A self-appointed DJ kept music going. And, I just kept on painting taking bits and pieces of the now current scene to add to the vision of Day One. The return was mainly to catch the colors of the water and rocks that I liked the best from my first visit. It's easy to paint past what you realize was the best light or moment for the scene.  If I do -- and have the opportunity to backtrack on a second session, I'll take it. Swimming Hole is now as it should be.

I did not want to capture the chaotic overcrowded scene -- so few people were added other than some of those inner tubes and activity on the water.  Those were welcome additions.

The reaction on both outings was amazing. And funny. There was one loud exclamation of "Holy s*@+" which turned out to be a compliment.

People of all ages were kind, encouraging, enthusiastic -- and sure seemed to enjoy my being there capturing life around them.

My view on day two -- this wasn't at "peak population" but it gives you a sense of how different the days were

Spot 3) Inside the Tennessee Theatre (Spot 1 and 2 are covered in Part One of this post)

Theatre Music, 24" x 24", oil on linen

On a Friday night, the last opportunity to paint before bringing work to hang in the Knoxville Museum of Art, I was granted a wish.  At orientation on Monday, I asked a few of the amazing women who organize Artists on Location if they could work some of their magic to get me INSIDE the Tennessee Theatre to capture one of the performances by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. (They were happening on Thursday and Friday nights.) I'd seen photos of inside the theatre that looked amazing ... and could already picture my painting.

It was a feat -- requiring lots of help from lots of neat people.  I needed permission from both the Theatre and the orchestra ... plus day of help getting settled inside a then locked building to find a suitable spot.  I found out at lunch on Friday that it was a go -- made some phone calls and was inside the projection booth starting my painting at around 2:30 pm. The performance was from 7:30-9:30ish with doors opening at 6:30.

"Setting the stage" in the hours before the performance began

It was a whirlwind. I chose the impractical size of  24" x 24" for a complicated, limited time painting to be created without the use of photography. The orchestra was performing Mozart's requiem.  From 2:30-7:00, I was "setting the stage" -- painting the interior of the theatre readying seats to hold the audience and chairs to fill with musicians. As the orchestra and audience trickled and then streamed in -- I captured them.

All was going fine -- as long as I continued to paint like crazy. I was a bit perplexed though by the empty tiered stadium seating  toward the back of the stage.  It was a bit of an eyesore. Right after a very brief intermission, I found out why it was there.  A seemingly unending stream of people entered the  stage -- without instruments -- and filled the bleachers.  A very large choir had joined the musicians. So many more people to paint while I was still working on capturing the ones who were there pre-intermission. Oh my!

A fast motion video from the moment the performance started until just before the end can be found on my Instagram and Facebook pages. It was intense.  This screen capture was BEFORE the choir joined the stage.

If you look back at my Instagram (jillbanks1) and Facebook (JillBanksStudio) posts from April 22 to see a video of the action. (I'd love it if you'd follow me on either of those.  It gives a good view of my always interesting life.)

Theatre Music was framed, hung on my wall at the Knoxville Museum of Art, adorned with a red dot and taken home by its thrilled new owners less than 24 hours later. The couple who purchased it were in the orchestra audience on Thursday -- so the painting became a lasting, very special memory for them. Wow and phew.  I owe huge thanks to my gracious hosts, the Artists on Location team, the Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and the Tennessee Theatre for making the wish come to fruition.

Wall of my paintings from Knoxville Artists on Location 2023 (freshly hung -- hours before the gala)

I now know -- for certain -- that I want to develop more paintings during events or performances.  Inside the theatre. Backstage or an audience view.  I love Degas' paintings of rehearsals or performances of the ballet. He plunks us right in the middle of the action. That's where I want to be and bring you.  I have some more wishing, planning and favor asking in my future.

What Makes Knoxville's Artists on Location So Great?

I've loved each of my four times participating ... and each year it keeps getting better.

At the end of the Saturday reception at the Knoxville Museum of Art, the plethora of red dots and empty hooks was breathtaking. Sales and happy artists, organizers and guest were abundant. The reception was packed with enthusiastic purchasers.

The Artists on Location team of incredible women have taken to heart advice they gathered from Kathie Odom on running the event: "Take care of the artists." They really listen and cover all the bases.

This year -- for the first time -- our work was beautifully lit on new display panels for the reception. The museum hall is a gorgeous space -- and the work looked stunning. This was a huge investment of time, energy and dollars that reaped rewards this year with record sales and will keep doing so.  I'd made the suggestion on my first time there -- and Carol Coode's kept my notes since -- working on some complicated logistics to get it done.

Knoxville is a thriving place -- full of fantastic architecture, vibrant culture, a mix of old and new, great people, and natural beauty. Painting the town here is a joy!

Here's my take on what makes for this event's continued and growing success:

1. The community is deeply connected and involved throughout the event. (Think of my painting in the theatre and all those helping hands.) Everyone wants to help and they do. The team pulling off the event brings in the hosts, sponsors, painting venue offers, collectors and enthusiasts. Social media is kept hopping with almost immediate posts from the artists each day -- and a daily schedule of where to see us doing our thing.
2. Artists sign up for one "shift" at one of the designated location day/time.  This ensures that those folks who want to see artists painting on a particular day will actually find them. It also adds to the camaraderie between artists sharing a shift.
3. They do a fantastic job suggesting locations. We have photos and descriptions -- and the vital info like restroom access -- for a great variety of venues.  Helping us find great places to paint contributes to sales success. 
4. They value our painting time. The orientation was great -- informative, smooth running and as quick as possible on a Monday morning so we could immediately get out there to paint. A wonderful reception for hosts, sponsors and artists was held one evening -- and it was optional to attend (but definitely great to do so) and we were invited to come as we were in whatever the painting attire of the day happened to be. Every detail was so thoughtful and helpful to keep us productive.
5. Great sales. The whole team is focused on pairing artwork with collectors.  They also are great supporters of the artists as well -- as all are looking to taking something home themselves. It doesn't just start at check-in for the gala either. They are aware of paintings posted on social media and at the designated locations -- and keep the wheels turning. We were equipped with a name tag and a laminated sign that gave the reception specifics. Sales off the easel were also allowed -- but then those pieces could not be displayed at the museum.
6. They take care of the buyers too. Sponsors have first access to purchase work at the reception with early entry -- and because of the presale rule in #5 -- they are really getting top picking rights. Volunteers with sales sheets are ready throughout the reception to take care of anyone set to purchase. Artwork can be taken home whenever the collector is ready to go.  All those red dots and disappearing art help encourage more of the same.
7. The reception is cash bar, nice but not over the top food. The focus is on the art.
8. Welcoming for all.  The reception is free and open to the public. The roster of juried artists is terrific -- and the work produced covers a wide range of sizes and price points.
9. The Artists. Somehow artists must be juried in for their great personalities as well as the quality of their art. It is always such a neat, warm and fun group. 
10. Beautiful presentation.  Having our art shown in the museum -- and so well with all those nifty lights -- sets the tone of appreciation.
11. The organizing committee clearly, genuinely enjoy working together and with the artists. The event is just a joy.

On a personal note, during my first year participating two of my paintings were purchased by two couples who are major benefactors of the museum. I appreciate that they have invested in bringing art into the community through the museum. That is such a gift to all who visit.  I love that they chose my work to enjoy in their homes.  It's nice to have your art collected while still walking around (alive).

Lonesome Dove, 16" x 8" (check availability)

Artists on Location Plein Air - Knoxville Sure Does It Right (Part One)

4/28/2023 9:07:14 PM

Although tired, I'm still feeling on a high after participating in Artists on Location -- a juried plein air competition, show and sale at the Knoxville Museum of Art.  This year was my fourth participating and each time keeps getting better. That is an unusual statement considering that last year I was awarded the top prize -- and this time no judge-chosen awards headed my way. Perhaps that speaks to what I care most about. This post might answer that.

Loving Knoxville -- So Much to Paint & the People (and Animals) Are Fantastic

There's an advantage to returning to a location multiple times. Tons of hours/days are spent figuring out where to go -- what subjects are calling your (my) name the loudest. (Plus time's needed to figure out where to eat, get to know hosts, the organizers and hopefully, connect with collectors.) I've already painted in a lot of spots -- so this year was spent building on my favorites plus exploring some new ones that seemed intriguing in the past.

Shown on the right is On the Square -- a 24 x 12 in. oil created over two days morning to mid-afternoon. This piece went home with a couple -- the husband worked in the building straight ahead and had watched over my shoulder on the second day and awfully interested in finding out more about acquiring it.  He and his wife made a very quick decision to purchase at the start of the gala reception. This wasn't a "new" spot for me -- but it was a deeper take. It concentrated on all the gatherings that take place right there -- the playground aspects of the square.

An Inbox with Thank You Notes - Mutual Gratitude

The painting's new owner was quick to send a note about On the Square finding its spot in its new farmhouse home.

Thank you so much for attending each year and helping to add so much to our city’s art culture.

We have found a special place at our new farmhouse for the oil of Market Square  ...

As we see this work, we will always remember the family fun and work times we spent downtown and the new friends made there.

He wasn't alone in his thanks.  I received notes from our incredible hosts, organizers, collectors -- and people who helped me out (a LOT) on a very special painting project.

As thrilled as I was being there -- it was met with lots of appreciation and kudos from it seemed like everyone else I met whenever out painting. Art does its magic everywhere.

Three Spots Not on the List

Year four helped me find three spots I hadn't visited before.

1) Museum of Appalachia -- This was the site of my first two paintings of the week. I LOVED it! I would have very happily painted all week right there.  My attraction to the spot was all about the animals -- but the setting and hospitality was great and Randy and I enjoyed the country store and down home lunch. I had way more than my share of pimento cheese all week -- and still got excited about each offering. My two paintings captured first -- two peacocks -- and second, two donkeys.  First time painting donkeys.  The sounds both subjects -- peacocks and donkeys -- made was a shock.

Tails of Two Peacocks, 12" x 9", oil on linen-lined panel, available. (Click the image for more info.) For this piece, luckily there were about six peacocks in the vicinity. That meant a model was never too far away although I did move my easel often to "capture" them.

Two Asses, 8" x 10" -- Gone to a new home (the painting, not the subjects). Husband Randy named the painting. The subjects weren't making it easy for me. Seemed like they were both vying for attention and playing hard to get.

2) Mead's Quarry -- I "discovered" this spot in a roundabout way. I saw photos of water, boats, people online -- then hiked a long way around Ijam Nature Park only to see a sign at the end pointing to the quarry being -- that way.  Randy was insisting there's no way there was a Quarry "Lake" across the street, but lo and behold, there was.  This was such a wonderful spot! It made me nostalgic for something I'm not sure existed in my past.  I'll tell you more about the adventures and reactions from two afternoons spent there ... plus my new-to-me Spot #3 ... and what made this particular plein air event stand out in my book.  It's got to come in my next blog post. Hopefully to arrive in the next week or two. (A look at my event schedule will tell you why it will take that long.)

Swimming Hole, 20" x 16", painted over two afternoons. Available. I so loved painting and being here.

More to come. Please stay tuned.

With a grateful heart,

Jill

"Date Night" Wins First Place in Falls Church "Scenes in the City" Plein Air

6/14/2019 10:34:31 PM

Date Night, Little City, oil on linen-lined panel, 20"h x 16"w, ©2019 Jill Banks - awarded First Place

And the winner is... Date Night, Little City ... my plein air painting of the Dogwood Tavern ... taking First Place. A big thank you to judge, Glen Kessler, the Founder and Director of the Compass Atelier, award sponsor Don Beyer Volvo-Kia of Falls Church and the Falls Church Arts folks including its intrepid President, Barb Cram.  What a great event!

On Saturday, June 15, the artwork created over the past weeks or months for the Falls Church "Scenes in the City" Plein Air was on view (and for sale) at the Farmer's Market at City Hall, 300 Park Ave in Falls Church VA from 9am to 2pm. There was a quick draw from 8am to 11pm with those paintings immediately displayed and judged with awards for both competitions announced at noon. Lots of great work and congrats to all the winners!

Saturday, June 15
"Scenes in the City" Plein Air Schedule
City Hall/Farmer's Market
300 Park Ave, Falls Church VA
9am to 2pm - Competition Paintings on Display/For Sale
8am to 11am - Quick Draw/Registration at 8am
Noon - Awards Announcements
People's Choice voting in the morning for the competition paintings - pick your favorites.

Join me on Saturday, June 15 as the artwork created over the past weeks or months for the Falls Church "Scenes in the City" Plein Air will be on view (and for sale) at the Farmer's Market at City Hall, 300 Park Ave in Falls Church VA from 9am to 2pm. There's a quick draw from 8am to 11pm and those paintings will be immediately displayed and judged with awards for both competitions announced at noon.

This is the second time I've entered this event ... and maybe the best since the area becomes a little more familiar and I tend to dig deeper.

Three paintings were handed in to be displayed while I sought out my quick draw spot in the morning.  Spring in Pinks and Greens (shown right, oil, 24"h x 12"w, ©2019 Jill Banks) was the first created this year -- painted over two afternoons as spring was peaking and moving beyond. 

Coming up next was Date Night, Little City  - painted in the parking lot behind the Dogwood Tavern another set of afternoons/early evenings. 

In each of the three "scenes" chosen, people were gathering. "Spring in Pinks and Greens" is at the Cherry Hill Historic Farmhouse with Girl Scout Troops playing in the yard.  "Date Night, Little City" was a mixture of dates and get-togethers during the beginning of warm and comfortable days.

My last of the three was a joy.  On the way to Falls Church Arts via a different route, I passed Lincoln Park, a neighborhood playground and green space filled with toddlers and kids with a bevy of vehicles called constantly into action.  It was pretty funny as a plein air painting location since there was some sort of unwritten rule that if I started to paint any of the unoccupied vehicles ... uh, they immediately became the car of choice.  Okay, I've been through this so many times before.  Patience.  I'd get another view of it similar enough if enough time passed. 

Creating Making Memories of Lincoln Park became more than recording objects.  This place, according to what I witnessed that day and what others told me  ... is really magical. Full of friendships, family time, joy. 

These three paintings are on view at the Falls Church Arts Gallery
700-B W Broad Street (Route 7)
Falls Church, VA
Hours: 11-6 Tuesday-Saturday and 11-4 Sunday.
Ask for the work from "Scenes in the City"
Not sure how long they will be there.

Making Memories, oil on linen-lined panel, 12"h x 12"w, ©2019 Jill Banks

Call For Artists: Why I Want You to Sign Up for Paint Great Falls

9/5/2016 2:19:25 PM

"Egret and Crane," oil, 12"h x 24"w, ©2016 Jill Banks. I painted "Egret and Crane" over two separate visits to Long Beach Island, New Jersey this summer -- in the inaugural Long Beach Island Plein Air Plus competition that results in the "Island Life" exhibition there September 9-October 24. The site where I was painting "Egret and Crane" changed drastically daily -- a challenge but also interesting as heck. My greatest fun in the process was when the crane spun around and the yellow do-hickey hung in front of the white building. That totally changed my composition for the better. At the end of the day, the crane operator came over to check on what I was painting. He couldn't believed I'd made the crane one of the "stars." I asked him why he turned the crane around and then didn't pick anything up ... and he said to catch the breeze. It was a very hot, sticky day. Nice that this position worked out to both of our benefits.

This post is a Call for Artists in the Washington DC area and surroundings for the September 7-10 Paint Great Falls competition.

(I only put a few of my regular blog posts on my web site. To see and possibly subscribe to my blog "Life As An Artist: Jill Banks" go to: http://jillbanks.blogspot.com/)

"Moonvine Alley," oil, 8"h x 10"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

So WHY do I want you to SIGN UP for PAINT GREAT FALLS?
Because:

• Even and maybe especially if Plein Air (creating work in the "open air" from direct observation without the aid of photography) painting is outside of your artistic repertoire, you are going to learn something and be influenced by something you see. What always surprises me while working away in one location is how thrilling and interesting your surroundings are if you pay attention and remain open to taking it all in.
• Creating artwork in public is daunting but becomes easier when someone else is with you doing the same. Consider partnering up with another registrant and have some fun.
• I'd love to see how you apply your artistic style and talents to capturing Great Falls.  You don't need to create a realistic or impressionistic landscape -- you can concentrate on any subject you find interesting as long as you are outdoors (can be on a porch or under a gazebo, etc.) and somewhere in Great Falls, Virginia. Be as different as you like.
• We want to see your art! Create and then submit your visions of Great Falls to be spotlighted in the Arts of Great Falls Gallery for the Friday, September 9 Art Walk in the Village from 6-9pm and on Saturday, September 10 for the Awards Reception, 6:30-8:30pm. (I'm this year's judge and am really looking forward to seeing what you've created!

Find out more and register here with the Arts of Great Falls (http://www.greatfallsart.org/paint-great-falls/)

There's still time to sign up to participate in Paint Great Falls: September 7-10, 2016. (You do not need to participate all four days. Just paint one day if that's what fits your schedule.)

First come basis. No jurying. Just a $30 registration fee and then show up for canvas stamping.

Paint anywhere in Great Falls, Virginia any or all days between September 7 and September 10. (Registrants are given a list of suggestions -- but go where you want to go.)

Prizes for First, Second, Third and People's Choice. First Prize is $500!

I really hope to see you there! Drop me an email to tell if you signed up. (Of course, that's optional!)

Free Plein Air Painting Demonstration -- Saturday, September 10, Noon-3pm
And, I'll be giving a free plein air painting demonstration on Saturday, September 10, noon to 3pm. RSVP to [email protected] if you think you'll be able to make that event. Weather permitting, that demo will take place outside near the school at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Register for Classes taught through the Arts of Great Falls in Virginia Get more info on classes with a link to register for each class below.
Evening Paint -- Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30pm -- starts September 20, 2016
Still Life Plus -- Tuesdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm -- starts September 20, 2016 
Painting the Plein Air Landscape -- Thursdays, 9:30am to 2:00pm, starts September 22, 2016. Classes are held in various locations throughout Northern Virginia
NEW! Portrait Painting Three Day Workshop -- November 4-6, 2016.
   

Thanks for reading!