Post 444: Millstones at Burwell-Morgan Mill Series

Painting Series: Millstones at Burwell-Morgan Mill

A couple of times a year, in the Spring and the Fall, I love the opportunity of making the trek out to Millwood, Virginia to take part in the biannual art shows called Art at the Mill at the Burwell-Morgan Mill. This historic landmark is lovely, and on a beautiful day on top of that just calls for "take pictures of me!" And I do. And I always take pictures of the millstones, which led to, "what am I going to do with all of these pictures?"

What is a Millstone?

If you have ever been to a gristmill, you've probably seen or even walked over a millstone. They are the grinding stones used in crushing, milling, or triturating grains and flours. There are runner stones and bedstones. They are often big, look very heavy, and several are propped up outside of the Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood, VA.

Burwell-Morgan Mill
The Burwell-Morgan Mill is located in Clarke County, Virginia at 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA. It is a water-powered live working mill that was built in around 1780 or so. They still grind various flours when they aren't having their biannual art shows called "Art at the Mill".

See more about the Mill here Clark County Historical Burwell-Morgan Mill

Art at the Mill 
Is an biannual art show held in the Spring and the Fall at the Burwell-Morgan Mill for which approximately 300 artists apply for each art show, and jurors select about 900-1000 pieces of artwork to be shown at each show. Can you imagine jurying between 1300-1500 pieces of art?

We understand that the very first thing that happens after an art call deadline passes is that the jurors select the "Show Piece" for the show, which will go on all of the Mill's promo materials. Wow, what an honor that would be.

This is a huge art show. And as typed above, whenever I am gratefully juried into this art show, on drop off, art reception, and art pickup days (if art doesn't sell), I take a lot of pictures. Do a search on this blog for the multiple blog posts and stories I have previously posted. 

I wondered how old those millstones are that are in the picture below. 

Photo by Donna Liguria of the Burwell-Morgan Mill 2026

I painted this mini series (4) of the millstones in front of the mill. If you are a history buff, this live working Mill is such a lovely spot, and it is fascinating to watch the waterfall, and how the Mill functions. See https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2023/03/post-296-art-at-mill.html for some photos of the Mill at work.

I do urge our Prince William Art Society members to see Art at the Mill and sign up to be included on their mailing list for the calls for art.

Do you want to peek at the Millstones Series? Here are some photos of the paintings close to being finished.

The Millstone Series In Progress

Millstone Burwell-Morgan Mill 1

SKU: 05K26ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 10x10x1.5 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2026

Framed?: No

"Millstone Burwell-Morgan Mill 1" by Donna Liguria, Acrylic on 10x10x1.5 Stretched Canvas

Millstone Burwell-Morgan Mill 2

SKU: 05L26ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 10x10x1.5 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2026

Framed?: No

"Millstone Burwell-Morgan Mill 2" by Donna Liguria, Acrylic on 10x10x1.5 Stretched Canvas

Millstone Burwell-Morgan Mill 3

SKU: 05M26ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 10x10x1.5 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2026

Framed?: No

"Millstone Burwell-Morgan Mill 3" by Donna Liguria, Acrylic on 10x10x1.5 Stretched Canvas

Millstone Burwell-Morgan Mill 4

SKU: 05N26ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 10x10x1.5 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2026

Framed?: No

"Millstone Burwell-Morgan Mill 4" by Donna Liguria, Acrylic on 10x10x1.5 Stretched Canvas features the millstone lineup in front of the Burwell-Morgan Mill at 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, Virginia

Have I painted the Mill before? YES, I have! 

"Art Delivery to the Mill" by Donna Liguria, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 14x14x1.5

George Washington's Gristmill

Grist Mill Park, featuring George Washington's Gristmill and Distillery, is another mill near to me. I've been by that mill a few times while going to Mount Vernon, and I plan to go there again soon. The first time I went there was an Elementary School field trip! I'm going to Mount Vernon again in a couple of weeks so the plan is to stop at the Gristmill too. Perhaps there are millstones waiting for my trusty camera there too.

See https://www.mountvernon.org/the-estate-gardens/gristmill

Watch for Availability and Prints in my Etsy Shop DonnaLiguriaArt
https://donnaliguriaart.etsy.com

2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission

Like my content? Follow my Blog!_________________________

Author: Donna Liguria  is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings and the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, VA. Donna specializes in acrylic paintings of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art.

 *I LOVE reading your comments on my posts! Just remember that the blog comments are monitored so they may not appear right away.

Do you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member? Yes, I do most commissions, so please contact me through this blog, on Facebook, My Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com, or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://donnaliguriaart.etsy.com to shop my available Artwork.

Post 443: A Shower in Hamilton, VA

A Shower in Hamilton, VA 

Saturday, May 23, 2026. Meanwhile, in Hamilton, Virginia, there was a shower. Just look at that sky...not a cloud, so not that kind of shower.

Keri and Justin Are Having a Baby!

A lovely day to have a baby shower at The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards! Here are some pictures of the day...

The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards

16804 Hamilton Station Rd

Hamilton, VA 20158

We had a lovely time, enjoyed the celebration with family and friends - and the wine! A beautiful place to have a shower! Have you been out to The Barns? 

@2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission

Like my content? Follow my Blog!_________________________
Author: Donna Liguria  is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings and the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, VA. Donna specializes in acrylic paintings of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art.

 *I LOVE reading your comments on my posts! Just remember that the blog comments are monitored so they may not appear right away.

Do you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member? Yes, I do most commissions, so please contact me through this blog, on Facebook, My Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com, or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://donnaliguriaart.etsy.com to shop my available Artwork.

Post 442: Preparation of Paintings for the Nostalgia Show

Preparation of Paintings for the Nostalgia Show

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) will have an art show this summer at the ARTfactory in Manassas, Virginia with the theme of Nostalgia. What a great thought for a theme! And much thought went into the paintings to submit to this show.

Painting Name: I Dream of Ice Cream When I Hear the Music

Growing up in the suburbs as a kid, during those hot summer evenings while out playing, the tinkling of music was heard which announced the soon to arrive ice cream man. All of the children would all rush to their homes, calling out to their own moms if we could get ice cream. If yes, the coinage or the allowances were pillaged or dispensed, then the rush to get in line and make our selection had to be made. The fond memory of ice cream delivered is an ongoing memory ongoing to this day.

SKU: 04H26ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 11x14x1.5 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2026

Framed?: No

Available: Yes

Painting Name: A Vintage Christmas Morning

Christmas morning as a child, what is more Nostalgic than that? I remember the wonder and excitement of Christmas morning and the mad bolt down the stairs to see what Santa Claus brought. Such wonderful memories of Mom and Dad, and my 2 brothers, and the gift wrapping everywhere. The silver tinsel tree with the blue ornaments, that fancy color changing wheel, bicycles, Etch-a-Sketch, Mr Potato Head, Gumby and Pokey, Barbie and Midge, Easy Bake Oven, and presents and presents to tear up. 

This was so much fun to paint.

SKU: 04I26AC

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 11x14 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2026

Framed?: Yes

Available: Yes

I entered 4 artworks for this show and it is juried so I await the decision from the juror.

Prince William Art Society Art Show at the ARTfactory July 10-Aug 9, 2026 

The ARTfactory is at 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA, so mark your calendars for this upcoming show.

@2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission 

Thank you for visiting! I would appreciate it if you Share, Comment, and please Follow My Blog!

_______________________________________

Author: Donna Liguria  is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings and the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, VA. Donna specializes in acrylic paintings of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art.

 *I LOVE reading your comments on my posts! Just remember that the blog comments are monitored so they may not appear right away.

Do you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member? Yes, I do most commissions, so please contact me through this blog, on Facebook, My Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com, or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://donnaliguriaart.etsy.com to shop my available Artwork.

Post 442: Paint Brushes, Your Tools of the Trade

Paint Brushes, Your Tools of the Trade 

Brushes, paint brushes, so many paint brushes. Artist paint brushes come in many types, styles, sizes, and hairs and are created to do certain things in certain ways. Let's learn more about our art paint brushes here.

Photo by Karen Bullaro on Unsplash

About Your Brushes, Tools of the Trade

You can pay as low as $1 or $100+ for a single brush and a few dollars for an expensive set of brushes to hundreds for a set. Buy the best you can afford and take care of what you have.

Parts of a paint brush:

• Handle - how you hold it, or where you hold it from
• Crimp - where the metal is crimped, or synched to the handle
• Ferrule - the metal that holds the bristles and attaches the handle, sometimes with glue, cardboard (cheap brushes), or plastic.
• Heel - where the bristles meet the ferrule. Don't dip the paint all the way to the ferrule.
• Belly- is the middle and often the fattest part of the bristles
• Bristles - or hairs, extend into the ferrule with glue, the bristles hold the paint.
• Toe - or tip of the brush is the very end of the brush

About Brushes:

• Natural Hair Bristle Paint Brushes - made from animal hair like hog, sable, badger, squirrel, goat, pony, ox, mink, mongoose, weasel, ferret, wolf, pig, dog, or camel. Best use is for oil-based paints.
• Synthetic Hair Paint Brushes - mimic the functions of natural fibers and made from nylon, polyester or a combo. Best used with water-based paints.
• Short Handles - about 5 to 6 inches, good for watercolor, mixed media, painting at a table
• Long Handles - generally 9 inches in length, great for easel work, oil, acrylic painting.

Common Paint Brush Shape Types and More

Each brush type comes in various sizes for the artists that paint in various sized canvas, murals, and miniatures. Some will do the job better than others, 

• Angle/ Slanted Shader - like a Filbert but with an angled cut toe. Very versatile, some detail work, good for creating smooth transitions and soft edges.
• Angular Flat Brush - the bristles are cut at a diagonal angle, good for curved, smooth strokes, corners, lettering, controlled lines, precision work. Also good for geometric shapes and outlines.
• Bright Brush - similar to a flat but shorter hairs. 
• Cat's Tongue Brush - a flat but rounded shape with a pointy toe, is a combo of a round and a filbert. Good for detailing and covering small areas.
• Cotton Swab - when a dot of color is needed
• Dagger/Sword Striper Brush - similar to an Angle with long hairs, but slightly curved edge, used for one stroke, like painting long leaves. When turned, a thin line can be created.
• Detail Round Brush - a variation of the round brush with a shorter handle allowing more control to add those intricate tiny details. Great for lettering, highlights, fine details.
• Egbert Brush - a filbert with extra long hair often used for oil painting, thinned paint.
• Fan Brush - the bristles are spread out like a fan, the brush is for blending broad areas of paint, a good specialty brush for effects, texture, foliage, atmospheric, lines, or dots. Use depends on whether its synthetic or natural animal hair. Natural - blending colors. Synthetic - patterns and textures.
• Filbert Brush - flat brushes with a domed, or oval end (or toe). Good coverage, some detail work, very versatile. Best for soft edges, petals, clouds, blending, natural forms.
• Filbert Rake Brushes, or Filbert Grainer - a good texture and pattern making brush for feathers, grass, wood grain, beards, and hairs. Apply with a light hand.
• Flat Brush - for spreading paint quickly and evenly over a surface, has longer hairs that a Bright. It looks almost square, is versatile. Break out the flat brush for background areas, blocking in color, sharp edges, bold strokes.
• Foam Brushes - cheap and tossable. Some people use them for applying gesso or varnish just watch out for air bubbles. Could also be used for texture, streak-free base coats.
• Hake Brush - a Japanese soft, natural hair (usually sheep or goat), wide brush with a split bamboo or wooden handle. Primarily used in water color, for blending, covering large areas, applying gesso or varnish
• Long Liner Brush - elongated thin bristles round brush for fine, intricate lines. Can also be referred to as a Rigger or Sword brush if the tip is angled. Good for hair, tree branches, fabric patterns, edge accents and for calligraphy.
• Mini Liner Brush - a small, fine-tipped brush for detailed thin lines and intricate painting. Often used in miniatures and calligraphy.
• Mop Brush - "fluffy", a larger puffier brush with a rounded edge, for softer paint applications, blending, cloud making.
• Mottler Brushes - large, flat brushes with long or short handles and fibers. Often used in faux finishing techniques, murals, washes, decorative work, priming, and varnishing.
• Paddle Brush - a wide, flat artist brush with short, firm bristles and a short handle
• Quill Brush - primarily used for watercolor painting, has a long, tapered shape.
• Rigger Brush - round brush with long hairs for fine lines, or lettering
• Round Brush - both the handle and the bristles are rounded, pointed or rounded tip, long closely arranged bristles for detailed painting, line work, controlled strokes and highlights. Works best with thinner paint.
• Script Brush - very elongated Rounds
• Spotter Brush - round brush with only a few bristles
• Stencil Brush - round brush with a flat top, usually fairly stiff bristles so that the hairs don't go under a stencil. 
• Stippler Brush or Deer-Foot Stippler - short, stubby rounds that are stiff to create texture like in foliage or speckles.
• Sumi Brush - another traditional East Asian brush, for ink wash and calligraphy.
• Supreme Script - good for filigree, tendrils, scrollwork, linework, borders, and highlights.
• Wash Brush - potentially the largest of the brushes in your arsenal, a wide, flat, soft-bristled brush to apply large, even washes of color, backgrounds, water, gesso or varnish. 
• Note that a specific wash brush if used for gesso or varnishing should only be used when for that specific task.
• Whale's Tail Brush - is a flat brush with the bristles cut out "V" shape. Good for one-stroke effects, tulip shapes, palm trees, plaids, ribbons, and petals.
• Water Brushes - a combo of a brush and a fountain pen, a water brush has a brush head and a plastic water reservoir handle. These are great for watercolor travel kits.

Small - under size 4, best for the fine detailed work

Medium - size 4 to 6, best for smaller sections

Large - size 6 and up, great for covering large areas with paint

There are also travel size brushes available which come very handy.

For a beginner artist, only 5-7 paint brushes need to be in your arsenal. The artist should include a mixture of Rounds like a #4 or #6 for detailing, and Flats (1/2 or 1 inch Flat for washes), a Filbert for blending and a Bright for heavy color. 

• If you paint in several media, you'll need separate sets of paint brushes for each. Do not intermix.

Photo by Shayna Douglas on Unsplash

Brush Care

We just cannot walk away from our paint brush info without talking about caring for brushes so that they are usable for years to come.

• We must not let any paint dry on the bristles.
• Try to not immerse the brush up to the ferrule in any paint.
• We must clean them with water frequently and immediately after its use for acrylics and watercolors, gouache, and some inks. Although water will reactivate the paint in watercolor and gouache, they still need their TLC.
• Clean between colors 
• Mild soap and water, gently.
• For our oil paint brushes, we clean them with solvent.
• Remove excess paint with a paper towel or soft rag
• Brush cleaning container for specific use with oil paint brush cleaning that help a lot. 
• After cleaning with solvent, brushes can then be cleaned with soap and water
• Do not leave any brush in water or solvent for extended periods of time
• It can warp the wood handle, its finish, and loosen the entire brush, wrecking it.
• We must not store "wet" brushes vertically to dry with bristles UP.
• Store paint brushes flat to dry. Reshape the head as needed.
• Resting brushes on its head will wreck the brushes shape.
• Only store dry brushes facing up to protect and maintain their shape.

Fun Facts About Paint Brushes

• The purported most expensive paint brushes are said to be the Winsor & Newton Series 7, the Kolinsky sable brushes. They are made for the hair of the Siberian weasel and are renowned for their quality and craftmanship.
• Hog bristle brushes hold a lot of paint and because they are so durable, making them popular for oil painting.
• The earliest known paint brushes date back to the Paleolithic era and they were made from twigs and animal hair.
• The sizes of brushes can vary by the brand as there isn't really a uniform size numbering system in place. Basically, the larger the number, the larger the brush. And the general rule of thumb is paint large areas with a large brush and smaller areas, a small brush.

Ruined a brush? Try these restoration ideas before tossing it

Surprising Facts About Brushes

What brush do you have that is your GO-TO for your artwork? Drop a comment below.

@2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission

Like my content? Follow my Blog!_________________________

Author: Donna Liguria  is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings and the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, VA. Donna specializes in acrylic paintings of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art.

 *I LOVE reading your comments on my posts! Just remember that the blog comments are monitored so they may not appear right away.

Do you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member? Yes, I do most commissions, so please contact me through this blog, on Facebook, My Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com, or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://donnaliguriaart.etsy.com to shop my available Artwork.

Post 441: Art at the Mill Art Reception Sun Apr 26, 2026

Art at the Mill Art Reception Sun Apr 26, 2026

Prince William Art Society (PWAS) members Sandra McClelland Lewin and I trekked out to 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, Virginia on Sunday, April 26, 2026 to go to the art reception for the biannual Art at the Mill Art Show. This is one of my most favorite art shows that I have been to thus far in Virginia! We, along with a couple of other PWAS Members were delighted to be juried into this show.

The Spring and Fall Art at the Mill

Spring Art at the Mill as well as the Fall show are held at the Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood, VA and is a LIVE working mill. They grind lots of different flours that are available for purchase.

The Fall Art at the Mill usually sends out their call for art in about July or so. I suggest getting on their email list! They use this wonderful website to announce and manage the art show submissions, with the added benefit of watching the art sales...almost LIVE as things sell. The online Web Art Gallery opens the day of the show opening and may only be available for a short time afterwards, but check it out here https://artatthemillspring2026.artcall.org/pages/web-gallery

15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA, which is in Clarke County. The website is here https://artatthemillspring2026.artcall.org/

The Spring show is April 18, 2026 through Sunday, May 3, 2026. And from here in Lake Ridge, Virginia it takes only a little over an hour to get to the show - and its a very nice drive through the countryside. A few wineries along the way too!

Click on a photo to enlarge.

When you arrive at the Mill, the search begins for the artist - Find your artwork! I found my African Violets in a Terracotta Pot painting downstairs at the back. With 949 juried in artworks, it can be a challenge. REPEAT - 949 artworks were JURIED IN!

Water running through the Mill

No, someone did not leave their carryout behind. There is a lot of outstanding 3-D artwork in this show too.

As we got there a few minutes before 2, the art reception was almost ready for attack. They have a lovely spread out for the hundreds of artists that attend the reception...and visitors too.

Found another one of mine upstairs, Mahogany Humidor. As you can see, you need to look high, you need to look low, you never know where your art will go. AND you also need to check the website to see if it SOLD!

I hear a lot of artists say that they paint by inspiration. A great quality and thing to do - and certainly do what works for you! But I also think YOU have to go see this show! It is inspiring to see all of the artworks, the ideas, the styles, the creativity, the professionalism, dang it! the inspiration of wandering this show! 

I'd LOVE to see more PWAS member artists enter this show. We were hearing a story about a Maryland art group that has many members enter every year and when they are juried in, they use a van to carry the artists and artworks on drop off day. What a merry art road trip! We know that PWAS members Bettie Sperty and Kelly Haneklau also have artwork in this show.

@2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission

Like my content? Follow my Blog!_________________________

Photos: Donna Liguria and Sandra McClelland Lewin

Author: Donna Liguria  is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings and the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, VA. Donna specializes in acrylic paintings of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art.

 *I LOVE reading your comments on my posts! Just remember that the blog comments are monitored so they may not appear right away.

Do you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member? Yes, I do most commissions, so please contact me through this blog, on Facebook, My Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com, or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://donnaliguriaart.etsy.com to shop my available Artwork.