Jill Banks
AWA | WAOW | AIS
Elected Member, Washington Society of Landscape Painters (WSLP)
Studio: The Artists’ Atelier
756 Walker Road, Great Falls VA 22066
Mailing Address/Home: 12750 Lavender Keep Circle, Fairfax VA 22033
703.403.7435 www.JillBanks.com [email protected]
Solo Exhibits
2023 Traveling Brush, Ferleman Art Gallery, Cumberland MD
2023 French Paintings, Artists' Atelier, Great Falls VA
2023 The Brogue and Beyond, Great Falls VA
2017 Close Encounters, Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, Charleston SC
2015 Warm Observations: People and Places, ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon, VA
2011 100 Faces in 100 Days, May (Great Falls Library) and August (Artists’ Atelier Gallery). Exhibit of 100 Faces painted from life over 100 days from volunteers throughout the community.
2008 Place Settings, Art League, Alexandria, VA.
Select Awards & Honors
2026 Plein Air Magazine Award North Carolina Plein Air, New Bern NC, judge Russell Jewell
2026 #1 Top Seller Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, Atlanta, GA
2026 Winner's Circle Award, Paint Great Falls Plein Air Competition, judge Ted Reed - top award given to previous Paint Great Falls award winner
2026 Best Composition NOAPS Best of America Small Works Exhibit, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simon's Island, GA
2026 Honorable Mention, Art Renewal Center 18th Annual International Salon, The Yard Birds chosen as one of 8 honorable mentions in the Plein Air category, This Is Bliss chosen as a Finalist
2026 Top Finalist, Plein Air Salon, January 2026
2026 Artists' Choice Second Place, Washington Society of Landscape Painters
2025 Best in Show, National Oil & Acrylics Society (NOAPS) Associate Online Exhibition, judge Jose Pardo
2025 Winner's Circle Award, Paint Great Falls Plein Air Competition, judge Bethanne Kinsella Cople - top award given to previous Paint Great Falls award winner
2025 Honorable Mention, OPA Associate Online Summer Showcase
2025 Jack Richeson Award for Oil/Acrylics, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Annual Open Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, NYC
2025 Top 100 Paintings, Plein Air Salon, judge Dave Santillanes - May 2025
2024 Best of Show American Impressionist Society Associate Online Exhibition, judge Kami Mendlik
2024 Best Signature Award Women Artists of the West National Exhibition
2024 Signature Award for Creativity Women Artists of the West National Exhibition -- awarded by Mary Ann Cherry
2024 Award of Excellence NOAPS International Exhibition -- awarded by Henry Coe, Christopher Leeper and Diane Reeves
2024 #1 Top Seller North Carolina Plein Air
2023 First Place (Best in Show), Paint Great Falls Plein Air Competition, judge Bethanne Kinsella Cople
2023 Patrons’ Award for Best Featured Artist Plein Air at the Arboretum
2023 Second Place Long Beach Island Plein Air Plus
2023 Third Place, Falls Church Plein Air Competition
2023 Finalist, BoldBrush June 2023 Competition, judge Kyle Stuckey
2022 First Place (Best in Show), Knoxville Artists on Location Juried Plein Air Competition, Judge Kathie Odom
2022 Best Symphony, Gloucester Plein Air Invitational, Judge Nancy Tankersley
2022 Honorable Mention, American Impressionist Society Associate Online Exhibition
2021 #1 Top Seller, Telluride Plein Air
2020 Awarded Signature Member Status: American Women Artists, Women Artists of the West
2020 Became juried member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters (limited to 40 artists)
2020 First Place, Paint Great Falls Plein Air Competition
2019 First Place, Falls Church Plein Air Competition
2019 People’s Choice & 2nd Place, Paint Great Falls Plein Air, judge Bethanne Kinsella-Cople
2019 Second Place, MAPAPA Baltimore Nocturnes, Baltimore MD, judge Tim Kelly
2019 Top 5 Seller, Telluride Plein Air
2018 First Place – Quick Draw and #1 Top Seller, Telluride Plein Air
2018 Honorable Mention, Bucks County Plein Air Quick Draw
2017 Artist to Watch, Southwest Art Magazine, July 2017
2017 January Finalist, Sedona Art Prize Competition, judge Robert Burridge
2017 Honorable Mention, Bucks County Plein Air Quick Draw
2017-20 Top 9 Painting and Drawing Teachers in the Metro DC Area, Expertise.com
2016 Best in Show , BoldBrush September 2016 Painting Competition out of 1,440 entries.
2016 Best in Show, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Member Exhibition, Salmagundi
2016 Third Place, Plein Air Easton Open Quick Draw, Tim Newton, judge. Easton, MD
2015 First Place, Paint Great Falls Quick Draw, Great Falls, VA. Armand Cabrera, judge.
2012 Best in Show, ArtReston Uncommon Sense Exhibit, Reston,
2012 First Place, Paint Herndon Plein Air Competition, Herndon Artspace, Herndon,
2011 Strauss Fellowship, grant award by the Arts Council of Fairfax County
2011 Honorable Mention, Salon International, San Antonio, TX. Juror, Daniel Greene.
2010 Best in Show, The Art League’s ‘Scapes Show, August 2010, Alexandria, VA.
2010 Certificate of Merit in Oils, Salmagundi Club’s Annual Non-Member Exhibit, NYC
2010 Finalist, Artist’s Magazine’s Annual Art Competition, landscape category
2010 Best in Show, artReston 17th Annual Open Exhibition, Reston, VA.
2008 Best of Show, Small Works Show, The Art League, Alexandria, VA. .
2008 Finalist, Artist’s Magazine’s Annual Art Competition, animal/wildlife category
2008 Strauss Fellowship, grant award by the Arts Council of Fairfax County
2005 Best of Show, Kirstein Award, The Art League Gallery, Alexandria, VA.
2005 Finalist, Artist’s Magazine’s Annual Art Competition, portrait and figure category
Select Exhibits and Events
2026 American Impressionist Society 10th Annual Small Works Showcase, J. Petter Galleries, Douglas MI
2026 NOAPS Best of America Small Works, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island GA
2026 Juried/Invited: Olmsted Plein Air Invitational (Atlanta GA), North Carolina Plein Air (New Bern NC), Telluride Plein Air (CO), Plein Air Easton (MD), Door County Plein Air (WI)
2026 American Miniatures, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson AZ
2026 Of Mark and Meaning: American Women Artists, American Women Artists National Show, Customs House Museum, Clarksville TN
2025-6 A Vision of Nature: American Women Artists, American Women Artists National Show, National Sporting Library & Museum, Middleburg VA
2025 Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, Atlanta GA and North Carolina Plein Air, New Bern NC - competition artist
2025 Homeland 55th WAOW National Juried Exhibition, Customs House Museum, Clarksville TN
2025 WSLP Group Show, Principle Gallery, Alexandria VA
2025 American Miniatures, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson AZ
2024 American Miniatures, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson AZ
2024 American Impressionist Society's 25th National Exhibition, Rockport Art Center and Museum, Rockport, MA
2024 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) Best of America International Exhibition, Beverly McNeil Gallery,
Birmingham, AL
2024 Women Artists of the West 54th National Exhibition, Phippen Museum of Art, Prescott AZ
2024 North Carolina Plein Air, New Bern NC and Artists on Location, Knoxville TN - juried competition artist
2024 The Art Gallery at Devon, juried gallery show and sale at the Devon Horse Show, Devon PA
2023 American Impressionist Society’s 24th National Exhibition, Somerville Manning Gallery, Greenville DE
2023 Mountain Maryland Plein Air, Cumberland, MD – juried National plein air competition
2023 Live Painting at the Arts of Great Falls Gala – auctioned for over $5000, finished in the studio
2023 Juried into Tephra ICA (Northern Virginia) Fine Art Festival, Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show (Philadelphia), An Occasion for the Arts Festival (Williamsburg VA), Bethesda Row Fine Art Festival (MD)
2023 Artists on Location: a Plein Air Event, Knoxville Museum of Art, TN – juried National plein air competition
2023 Women Artists of the West 53rd National Exhibition, Carriage Factory Art Gallery, Newton KS
2023 American Miniatures, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson AZ
2022 Chair, Women Artists of the West 52nd National Exhibition at McBride Gallery, Annapolis MD
2022 Studio Visit & Demo, Women’s Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Great Falls VA
2022 Summer Show, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson AZ
2022 American Miniatures, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson AZ
2022 Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, VA
2022 Gloucester Plein Air Invitational, Gloucester, VA
2022 Artists on Location: a Plein Air Event, Knoxville Museum of Art, TN
2021 WAOW America the Beautiful Exhibition, Museum of Western Art, Kerrville TX
2021 Summer Show, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson AZ
2021 American Miniatures, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson AZ
2021 Cityscapes, Salmagundi Club Non-Members Open, NYC
2021 Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Open Exhibition, Salmagundi, NYC
2021 Mountain Maryland Plein Air, Cumberland, MD
2021 Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO
2021 Artists on Location: a Plein Air Event, Knoxville Museum of Art, TN
2020 Women Artists of the West (WAOW) 50th Jubilee, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson AZ
2019 Looking West: An Exhibition Highlighting Works by American Women Artists, Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, CO
2019 American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Crooked Tree Arts Center, MI
2019 WAOW Mountain Aire National Exhibition, Mary Williams Fine Arts, Boulder CO
2019 Knoxville Artists on Location, juried competition, Knoxville Museum of Art, TN
2018 Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Traverse City, MI
2018 Women Artists of the West National Exhibition, Tower Gallery, Bartlesville OK
2018 Bucks County Plein Air, PA and Telluride Plein Air, CO
2018 Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX
2017 Women Artists of the West National Juried Exhibition, McBride Gallery, Annapolis
2017 American Women Artists Spring Online Juried Show
2017 Juried into Telluride Plein Air, Bucks County Plein Air, Plein Air Richmond, Long Beach Island Plein Air Plus and the Sedona Plein Air Festival (Invitational) competitions.
2016 En Plein Air Texas
2016 Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Castle Gallery of Fine Art, Fort Wayne, IN.
2015 Wayne Plein Air, Wayne, PA and Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.
2013-14 Mountain Maryland Plein Air,
2013 Menagerie, Five Artist Invitational Exhibit, ArtSpace Herndon, VA
2012 American Women Artists Annual National Juried Exhibition, Tubac, AZ.
2012 Wayne Plein Air, Wayne, PA.
2012 Salon International 2012, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2011 Salon International 2011, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2009 Still Life Poetry, invitational group show ArtSpace Herndon, Herndon,
2009 Salon International 2009, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
Jurying
American Impressionist Society (AIS) Jurying, Virginia Plein Air at the Arboretum Quick Draw Judge (2023), Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Selection Juror (2021 and 2013); Springfield Art Guild Annual Juried Members’ Exhibition Juror and Judge (2018); Portrait Expressions Regional Competition/ArtSpace Herndon Juror and Judge (2018); Paint Great Falls Awards Juror (2016); Paint Herndon Awards Judge (2013)
NBC4 Washington's Tommy McFly spotlights three of my paintings on set for the Bethesda Fine Art Festival preview (October 10, multiple spots)
Press
2026 Fresh Impressions, inaugural podcast - American Impressionist Society guest artist - May 21, 2026
2026 PleinAir Magazine, “Painting the Heart of Umbria” Destination Inspiration by Chris Rapa, Through to the View (Apr./May., pp. 92-98) Spotlight on the WSLP painting retreat in Umbria, Italy
2024 PleinAir Magazine, “The Other Side of the Easel” Plein Air Portfolio by Editor Kelly Kane, Lotus Among Us (Oct./Nov., p. 33)
2024 PleinAir Magazine, “Artists Over 65” Plein Air Portfolio by Editor Kelly Kane, This Is Bliss (Feb./Mar., p. 70)
2023 American Art Collector Magazine, “Artist Focus: Jill Banks” article features City Blooms, French Corner and Last Lavender (October, pp. 58-59)
2023 NBC4 Washington, three of my paintings were spotlighted on set for the Bethesda Row Arts Festival Preview (October 10)
2023 Fox5 Washington, three of my paintings were spotlighted on set for the Bethesda Row Arts Festival Preview (October 12)
2023 Modern Impressionist Magazine, Featured Artist thirteen-page article “Immersed in the Landscape” by Jennifer Garnett (pp. 11-23) and “Back to the Farm: Demo” eight-page article by Jill Banks (pp. 34-41), inaugural issue (July/August)
2023 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, “The Great Indoors” Today’s Masters Portfolio by Kelly Compton, Sanctuary (July/Aug. p. 86)
2023 PleinAir Magazine, “Painting the World” Plein Air Portfolio by Editor Kelly Kane, Out in Aix (Aug./Sept., p. 39)
2023 American Art Collector Magazine, “A Timeless Technique” Art Show Preview, Sweet Roses (August, pp. 58-59)
2023 PleinAir Magazine, “Hitting the Road” Plein Air Portfolio, Flying Colors (June/July, p. 37)
2023 Celebrate Great Falls 2023 Schedule of Events, Season Tickets cover art – mailed to all Great Falls VA residents
2022 PleinAir Magazine, “By the Seashore,” “Love by the Sea” Plein Air Portfolio (June/July, pp. 32-33)
2022 PleinAir Magazine, “Painters Painted,” “Among Lotuses and Lilies” Plein Air Portfolio (April/May, p. 53)
2021 PleinAir Magazine, “Fairs, Festivals and Amusement Parks,” “Wild Ride” Plein Air Portfolio (Nov/Dec)
2021 PleinAir Magazine, “Country Roads,” “Day at the Ranch” Plein Air Portfolio (Aug/Sept., p. 43)
2020 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, “The Timeless Appeal of Horses” by Max Gillies. “Stepping Out” Today’s Masters Portfolio (July/August 2020 issue, p. 53)
2020 Southwest Art Magazine, “WAOWing the Wind River Valley Show Preview” by Kim Agricola. “Ladies’ Lunch” (July 2020 issue, p. 32)
2020 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, “A Bouquet for Spring” by Matthias Anderson. “Picnic in Paris” Today’s Masters Portfolio (March/April issue, p. 56)
2020 élan Magazine, “Everybody Knows Your Name” first person, six page cover article, August, p.16--21
2019/20 PleinAir Magazine, “Figures in the Landscape,” “Sunshine Beach” Plein Air Portfolio (Dec/Jan, p. 80)
2019 élan Magazine, Cover, “Around Town” (December)
2019 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, “Dressing the Part” by Matthias Anderson. “The Bellydancer” Today’s Masters Portfolio (November/December issue, p. 60)
2019 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, “Taking Stock of Our Cities and Towns” by Max Gillies. “City Sparkle” Today’s Masters Portfolio (January/February issue, p. 77)
2018 Art of the West, Women Artists of the West Spring Showcase, March-April
2018 Fine Art Today, “Christmas Card Paintings: 46 Years and Counting” (December 19, 2018) online publication
2018 PleinAir Today, “Paris Plein Air Painting Adventure” by Jill Banks – guest contributor (September 29, 2018)
2017 Southwest Art, Editor’s Choice: Artist to Watch, July
2015 élan Magazine, cover art, “Piemonte Lunch”, January
2012 Viva Tysons Magazine, “Banks for the Memories,” November/December issue, p. 12
2011 élan Magazine, “Conversations: 100 Faces in 100 Days” first person, four page article, July 2011
2011 The Washington Post, Weekend Section, 100 Faces exhibit is Gallery Opening of the Week, May 6, p.30
2011 élan Magazine, cover art, “Dining Alfresco”, April
2008 The Washington Post “Our Picks,” The Sunday Source Section. Jill’s Place Settings solo show at the Art League was listed as one of five exhibits chosen by the editors. Two of the five exhibits featured dead guys –Hopper and Turner – whose shows were getting ready to close at the National Gallery.
2006 élan Magazine, “Conversations” by Donna Cedar-Southworth. “Alan” on cover! May
Modern Impressionist Magazine, Featured Artist thirteen-page article “Immersed in the Landscape” by Jennifer Garnett (pp. 11-23) and “Back to the Farm: Demo” eight-page article by Jill Banks (pp. 34-41), inaugural issue (July/August 2023)
Teaching, Demos and Talks
American Impressionist Society Fresh Impressions Podcast guest artist -- inaugural podcast, May 21, 2026
NC Plein Air -- Interiors/Nocturne Demo 2026
Olmsted Plein Air Invitational -- Demo/Talk Nocturnes 2025
Vienna Arts Society Zoom Demo 2022
Chosen Top 9 Painting and Drawing Teachers in the Washington DC area by Expertise.com
Faculty, Arts of Great Falls School of Art – Great Falls, VA – 2008 to 2026
Paint with Me in Italy, conducted plein air workshop in the hill towns of the Piemonte region in 2014.
Official artist demonstrator at Rittenhouse Square the Original Art Show in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019
Guest Host: 5 O’Clock Club Facebook Live – Rittenhouse Square Art Show May 2021
Artist in Residence for a day at a Middle School sponsored by Art on the Square – Belleville, IL. Painted a portrait of a student in each of 4 classes – 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th.
Former faculty member for the Loudoun Council of the Arts
Invited to speak or demo at the Vienna Arts Society, Newcomers Club of Great Falls, McLean Newcomers Club, Rotary Club of Reston, McLean Arts Society, Prince William Art Society, Women’s Club of Greater Reston, Seniors Club of Great Falls, Women’s Club of Greater Reston, Great Falls Studios.
Memberships
Signature Member: American Impressionist Society, Women Artists of the West, American Women Artists,
Board Member: Women Artists of the West (2021-2023)
Board Member: Washington Society of Landscape Painters (2025-present)
Juried Member: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club (National arts club for women), Washington Society of Landscape Painters
Invited Member: Fine Art Professionals of Northern Virginia
Member: Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society, Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, Great Falls Studios (Board Member 2006-9), Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (2021)
Education
1981 University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. B.A. Economics. Echols Scholar. Magna cum laude
2003-7 The Art League, Alexandria, VA. Studied under Robert Liberace and Danni Dawson
