6/26/2014 8:07:03 PM
Please check out my blog (with entries from 2008 on) at jillbanks.blogspot.com. This is the tip of the iceberg with just occasional posts.
Not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow as the artists participating in Paint the Shenandoah are heading off to the Shenandoah National Park. That sounds great as long as I can paint from inside my car. Too many dreaded critters and creatures might be keeping me company outside.
Pretty likely I'll head in the Sperryville/Flint Hill/Washington VA vicinity but stick to pavement, bugs, humans, architecture for companions and inspiration.
Plein Air in Washington VA
Today was a terrific, although a long one painting in Washington, VA ... about an hour and a half's drive from the DC area. It's home to the famous Inn at Little Washington and my painting spot was right next door -- in the parking lot of Antiques on Middle Street.
Two pieces I'm happy with emerged. (That's pretty amazing!) One in the morning of the Ballroom Shops (associated with the Inn, I think) and beyond. Plus, this one in the afternoon of the Antique shop. I loved the statue of the golfer (shown lower right) with well-worn paint. He's why I chose this scene in the first place.
Both pieces landed face down in the gravel once finished. So there's some scraping to do.
My other painting from the day -- early on -- before it gained a bit of gravel.
Events
Full days are ahead this Summer. Pretty exciting, though.
- June 26-29: Paint the Shenandoah Plein Air Paintout, Sperryville, VA and vicinity
- July 4, 5, 6: Amagansett Fine Art Festival, Amagansett, New York (just east of East Hampton)
- July 12 & 13: the 52nd Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI. Over 200 artists from New England, US and beyond.
- July 19 & 20: the 41st Annual Westport Fine Art Festival, Westport, CT.
- Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
- Aug. 23-24: Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA
- September 20 & 21: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York
- October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
- Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
- Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
- Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA
- See the Events page for more info/updates
Thanks for reading,
Jill
Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: [email protected]
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. Great folks are signing up to join me on this wonderful adventure. I hope you can, too!
6/18/2014 9:33:46 PM
Please check out my blog (with entries from 2008 on) at jillbanks.blogspot.com. This is the tip of the iceberg.
From my June 18, 2014 post:
There's much to write but no time to do so. I promise to get back into the swing of things shortly. Just not yet.
The Columbia Festival of Arts weekend was stressful, grueling. Yet, the people I met were great, appreciative of my art... and me, the music was wonderful and I had the prettiest spot in the place to perch my tent. "Swan Lake" was my view. Paddleboats. Swans and pirate ships. Nice restaurants. About as idyllic a place as you can imagine.
Best news, I did have a chance to paint.
Our beautiful home is being readied for sale as we move onto write a different chapter. I'm slightly reluctant. I cannot imagine any place as gorgeous as this home, this neighborhood and its surrounds. Home base will stay local -- keeping near to so many of my neat collectors, friends, fellow artists ... but free to do lots of traveling, discovering, exploring.
Although I love this home, I'm looking forward to what is ahead, too. In case you know someone in the market for a remarkable house in Virginia, please pass it on. (A link to the listing will come tomorrow.) I know just what art would be perfect for it. (Really.)
I'm in charge of open hours at the Artists' Atelier this Saturday, June 21, noon to 4pm at 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA. Stop by and say hi!
Coming Up
- June 26-29: Paint the Shenandoah Plein Air Paintout, Sperryville, VA and vicinity
- July 4, 5, 6: Amagansett Fine Art Festival, Amagansett, New York (just east of East Hampton)
- July 12 & 13: the 52nd Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI. Over 200 artists from New England, US and beyond.
- July 19 & 20: the 41st Annual Westport Fine Art Festival, Westport, CT.
- Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
- Aug. 23-24: Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA
- September 20 & 21: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York
- October 5: McLean MPA Artfest, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
- Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
- Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
- Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA
- See the Events page for more info/updates
P.S. "Gone Fishin'" was chosen for the May BoldBrush contest's FAV 15. Cool.
Thanks for reading,
Jill
Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: [email protected]
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. Great folks are signing up to join me on this wonderful adventure. I hope you can, too!
6/6/2014 8:33:07 AM
First of all, if you're reading my blog post here ... on the web site ... you're only getting a part of the story. My regular blog is at jillbanks.blogspot.com where you can look through the 1075 posts written since 2008 and/or subscribe to receive the latest news via email a few times a week or if things are really crazy, every day. For those of you who prefer a monthly missive, subscribe here on my website for my email newsletter, News from the Easel.
Painting "Sticking Together"
I was dying to paint this subject ... and loving every moment in front of them. This is still a work in progress, created en plein air. I'll finish it up in the studio with photo references and the memory of the day as my guides. My goal will be to define some of the horses' heads that were almost always hidden from my view and to make sure that the ratio of legs to bodies is 4:1. When working speedily in front of a varying number of horses/animals, funny things happen. Six and/or eight-legged horses are just one of those possible results.
It was a dream of a day. Gorgeous weather and I got to paint exactly what (horses) and where (Kidwell Farm in Herndon VA) my heart desired.
My Spring Plein Air class that I teach on Wednesdays has not been as charmed as in seasons past. With only six sessions, it has rained for three of them -- so yesterday morning's sunshine seemed particularly blessed. All were grateful to be outside. The spot was Kidwell Farm where students painted the chicken coop, outbuildings, a Chevy truck, the merry-go-round, the farmer's market and expansive scenes up and down the farm's lanes. And, horses.
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| "Stepping Out," 30"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2012, private collection |
Right beyond Kidwell Farm is a field full of equines, snacking on hay, rolling in the mud, grazing on grass, hanging out together. I would never have known they were there ... if Bob Gilbert hadn't explored and set up overlooking them the day before. There was no question that I'd go back.
One of the few problems with Kidwell Farm is its sparse bit of shade. It's farmland and pasture, not forest. But today I found shade, a perfect fairly close up view of these beautiful creatures, and a painting heading constantly in the right direction. That happens once in a chartreuse moon.
Trying to capture living, breathing, moving creatures (humans, animals) from life is equal part challenge and thrill. What's amazing is that it's possible ... a lesson I learned through my 100 Faces in 100 Days project (when I painted a person a day from January 1 through April 10, 2011 of anyone who volunteered to sit -- not still -- for me). As artists with access to the technology of digital photography, it certainly seems more practical, easier to use those images as our models. They are so cooperative. Yet, the excitement, experience, knowledge of your subject that comes from spending time in front of him or her is missing. What shows up on your canvas reflects that too.
So how do you paint a field of horses who move around? You exercise your visual memory, use your brain to gain information even if the horse decides to face the other way, paint the trees and ground if they all move to the other side of the field, remain flexible and just go for it. Trust yourself. Laugh at the funny accidents. Pat yourself on the back for having the guts to give it a shot.
Another Warm Welcome
Even though my painting spot was far from out in the open, there were many who saw me at the easel and extended their hand and spirit in welcoming me. It's an amazing feeling to know that just as you're doing what you love, someone else is inspired, uplifted that you're creating right in front of them. Today, I was appreciated by the Kidwell Farm staff, and the volunteers and participants in the SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program.
SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program
Turns out those horses I was painting are a mix of rescues and donations trained to provide therapeutic riding programs for children and adults. So, they are beautiful inside and out.
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| "Horsepower," oil, 30"h x 24"w, ©Jill Banks 2013, private collection |
Coming to Pittsburgh, PA
Perhaps I'm a bit worried about a busy schedule -- but still looking forward to a summer of adventures, now with one more on the calendar. I will be participating in Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street (Pittsburgh, PA) on August 23 & 24, 2014. This is one of the top 100 art festivals as ranked by Sunshine Artist Magazine. Can't wait. My plan is to paint in many of these art festival locations -- along with attending the booth. I so hope that the plan works!
Coming Up
- June 13, 14, 15: Columbia Festival of the Arts, Columbia, MD
- June 26-29: Paint the Shenandoah Plein Air Paintout, Sperryville, VA and vicinity
- July 4, 5, 6: Amagansett Fine Art Festival, Amagansett, New York (just east of East Hampton)
- July 12 & 13: the 52nd Wickford Art Festival, Wickford, RI. Over 200 artists from New England, US and beyond.
- July 19 & 20: the 41st Annual Westport Fine Art Festival, Westport, CT.
- Aug. 16-Oct. 12: Paint the Shenandoah Exhibition, River District Arts, Sperryville, VA
- Aug. 23-24: Shadyside: The Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA
- September 20 & 21: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, New York
- October 5: McLean MPA Artfest Outdoor Juried Art Festival, Sunday, October 5, McLean, VA. 52 artists in McLean Central Park
- Oct. 17-19: Great Falls Annual Studio Tour, Artists’ Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suite G, Great Falls, VA
- Ongoing: Visit the studio I share with 14 other artists at the Artists’ Atelier, Great Falls, VA open Wed. and Sat., 12- 4pm
- Jan.-Feb. 2015: Solo Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA
- See the Events page for more info/updates
With all these events happening in new places, and my being the "new tent" in many towns -- I really hope you can attend some or let me borrow your friends in these spots. Please spread the word. Art fairs are a gamble of sorts. I foot the expense of tent, travel, accommodations, pack up what I hope visitors want to see, put up the tent, talk art, bring my very best attitude and work, cross my fingers. Your help, advice, recommendation will be GREATLY appreciated.
See more of my paintings of Furry and Feathered Friends in the Bird, Animal and Wildlife Collection on my web site (here).
Thanks for reading,
Jill
