Pastels Accepted into Richeson 75 Show

I am thrilled to say that I just received notification that three of my pastel paintings have been accepted into the 2010 Richeson 75: Pastel Show. Shown here is one of the works I will be shipping at the end of the month, and by visiting www.hughbanksart.com/gallery/wildlife2.php you will be able to view one additional accepted image ("The Sleep Before the Chase"). The third piece is a portrait of an English Setter.

This is quite a prestigious international show and I am honored to have work included in it. There will also be a book published in conjunction with this event - featuring all the selected artwork. Very exciting!

"Showing Fjord" - pastel

Meeker Classic Award

I am honored to say that one of my acrylic paintings, "Ready to Work", was recently selected as the first place award winner at the 2009 Meeker Classic International Art Contest in Colorado. This image will now be used for all of this organization's 2010 promotional items and memorabilia, including posters, t-shirts, etc. I am thrilled, to say the least!
The subject of my painting is a border collie as he waits by his person's knee - eager and ready to go out and work the sheep. I am always passionate about painting dogs (or most animals, really, as I truly love and respect them), so I was certainly excited about the piece from the very start.
This competition has been going on for many years and draws many fine artists from across the United States and around the world, so I feel especially proud to be in such good company . . . painting a subject I feel so strongly about. A good day, indeed.
Please visit my website www.hughbanksart.com to see this piece and more of my pastel and acrylic paintings. Thank you.

Art for Alaska Parks Entry Accepted

I was so excited this morning to see the email telling me that my entry into this year's Art for Alaska Parks Competition was accepted. This is the first year I entered the competition (or in fact, knew of it) but this is one of those that was certainly a "good fit" for me as I could paint something that I am passionate about - wildlife.
The piece had to depict an Alaska park and I chose Totem Bight for my acrylic painting. However, the main focus of the painting is a portrait of a bald eagle (many of which can be seen at this park) with some of the totems reflected in the majestic bird's eye. I was pleased with the completed painting and, of course, am thrilled that the jurors felt strongly enough about the piece to select it for the 2009 show.
To see more of my work please visit my website at www.hughbanksart.com . Thank you.

Keep Showing

I was the featured artist last Saturday at a wonderful gallery in Harrison, Idaho. After having a somewhat slower show schedule this summer due to unforeseen circumstances (such as surgery, jury duty and the like) it was so much fun to get "back in the saddle" and be out there with the art public again. I had forgotten how much I missed meeting and visiting with the folks that come to galleries and shows to look at - and sometimes purchase - original art after meeting the artist in person.
Although the clients and "lookers" seem to enjoy watching an artist work, or just asking questions about the "hows and whys" of your profession, the artist also gains so much in return by gathering positive feedback and one on one exchanges with those perusing the artwork. It is a natural high hearing what particular painting is a favorite of a viewer or watching someone as they closely study the piece that obviously "speaks" to them. Sometimes you, the artist, even gain inspiration for a new work from the few hours spent at a show or event.
Of course the ultimate compliment is when someone loves your work enough to want to take a piece home with them where they will, hopefully, cherish it for years to come.
To see my work please fee free to visit my website at www.hughbanksart.com
Thank you.

Exciting News - Paint America

This week I received the exciting news that the two acrylic paintings I submitted to Paint America's Paint the Parks 2009 competition had been selected for inclusion in the Second 100. This is an quite an honor as this competiton draws a large number of entries from many, many talented and well respected artists across the country.

As you might expect from the title of the show, the paintings must depict one of our many beautiful national parks. They can focus on flora or fauna, animals or stunning scenery - but my submissions were both animal related, of course.

The one shown here, "Amazing Grace", depicts the fantastic mountain goats we saw on our visit to Glacier National Park. These goats are fascinating to watch as they scale the sheer rock cliffs even as young babies!

This piece is available for purchase on my website (wildlife section) www.hughbanksart.com .

Please feel free to visit and take a look. Thanks.

Painting with 'New Eyes'

I saw the following quote today and I thought that it was particularly true for artists.
"The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust
In order for us to keep our work fresh and interesting to ourselves, as well as those who view our work, we certainly do need to "have new eyes" when looking at all the wonders around us and then applying what we see and are inspired by to our canvas of choice. That way we are always viewing the world as a young child - with wonder and amazement - not cynical or jaded by all that has happened before. We can then "discover" each new horizon that may be right outside our own front door and translate that with joy and passion into our artwork. That, in turn, will come through in our work and speak to each viewer in a unique voice specific to that person.
What a wonderful gift we have been given to be able to share such a thing with another human being.
To see what I have been seeing with my "new eyes" please visit my website at http://www.hughbanksart.com/ . Thanks . . . and have a joyous day!

Keeping Things Fresh - New Challenges

I have been thinking of late how it is of a benefit to artists to change things up once in awhile for so many reasons. Not only does it offer you a new challenge, but it might possibly offer your collectors a whole new - and as of yet, undiscovered - type of work from an artist they may have been following for years.

Squirrel 3.75" x 3.75"

I am not suggesting that you stray from the subject matter that you are passionate about (for example the little forest animals I so enjoy watching, as well as painting) but how about using something different as the tool for capturing your subject on paper, canvas or other surface? Fox example, I am now doing a series of miniature pencil pieces of wildlife animals. What fun! The challenge of a new medium will strengthen your drawing skills and bring a fresh look to a favorite subject. You may not choose to do many pieces in your newly chosen artform or you might discover an addition to your repertoire that will bring years of creative enjoyment to you. Whatever happens, when you go back to your favored medium you will be a better artist for expanding your horizons.

To see more of my work please visit my site at http://www.hughbanksart.com/ Thank you.