Artists on Location Plein Air -- Knoxville Sure Does It Right (Part Two)
Picking Up Where I Left Off - Part Two about Artists on Location and What Makes It Special...
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The reception is cash bar, nice but not over the top food. The focus is on the art.
- 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.
- 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.
- Beautiful presentation. Having our art shown in the museum -- and so well with all those nifty lights -- sets the tone of appreciation.
- 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)
