Closing Reception of the Jill Basham and Nancy Tankersley Show is August 8th / 4-6
Nancy is going to demo from 4:15 - 5:00.
We will welcome you into the gallery (covid-19 precautions in place) !
Join us in person 4:00 - 6:00 or watch as we stream on the Crystal Moll Gallery Facebook page 4:00 - 5:00


Jill Basham is overwhelmed by the beauty of nature, in particular the atmosphere of an environment. Atmosphere is revealed by how the light strikes objects, both natural and man-made. I particularly enjoy the mood of skies and expansive views. Inspiration can arrive anywhere, from a bustling street in Manhattan to an isolated marsh. It's the "feeling" of the place that inspires me, and I hope to translate. When painting a scene, I don't have specific rules for myself. I prefer to let a scene and my feelings for it, set my approach. Palette knives, brushes, household items and hardware store finds have all been used in moving paint onto and around my canvases. I see each painting as an experiment that is unfolding. My initial goal can be interrupted by a new idea during the process, and I'm okay with taking a different path and veering from what might have been comfortable. Of course, there are risks with this, the fear of "failure", and quite possibly a painting that needs to be wiped off...yet that's okay with me. It's the safe paintings that I find less exciting. The truly moving pieces are the ones that I pushed a bit. There are stories to tell. I strive to get my paintings to a point to which I "feel" the place I have painted, and hope others do as well. I find expression comes easiest for me with a paintbrush in hand, much easier than speaking. My hope is that others see and feel the stories I'm telling.
Jill Basham’s recent recognition includes:
“Salmagundi Award”, Historic Black and White Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, NYC 2019 / “Judges Award”, given by Kelly Kane, judge, Olmsted Plein Air Invitational 2019 / "Best of Show", given by C.W. Mundy, judge, Door County Plein Air Invitation, July 2018 / "Honorable Mention", given by Jill Carver, judge, Plein Air Easton for "Descending" July 2018 (small works) / "Grand Prize Winner" Artmuse Contest, Master Division, judge Paul Kratter for "The Garland of Texas" 2018; "Sense of Mystery Award", judges: Kenn Backhaus (PAPA), Seth Hopkins (Booth Museum) and Tim Newton (Salmagundi Club) for "Here to Pray".
Nancy Tankersley began her career as a portraitist but entered the gallery scene with figurative paintings of people at work and at leisure. Currently as she searches for the unpredictable, Tankersley moves between landscape, figures and still life. Incorporating non- traditional tools, supports and technologies for her paintings she remains faithful to her impressionistic style.
Active in the current plein air movement, and a founder of Plein Air Easton, she travels worldwide participating in competitions, judging and teaching. In 2018 she was invited to be an instructor and demonstrator at the Plein Air Convention in Santa Fe and released her first instructional video with Lilliedahl Videos. In 2016 and 2017 she was invited to exhibit at the prestigious Masters Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in NYC. Recent honors include Best of Show at Parrsboro, Nova Scotia International Plein Air 2018, Best of Show at the Lighthouse Plein Air Festival 2017 and the Dickinson Award for Best Painting by a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society 2016 Annual Juried Exhibit.
She is a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society, the American Society for Marine Art, and the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters and also holds memberships in the Washington Society for Landscape Painters and the Salmagundi Club.
***Preview the Exhibition below and contact us with any inquiries...***