Donna's Cave Paintings Blog - by Donna Liguria Art
An artist’s view of the world – its colors, its creatures, and the canvases yet to paint.
Follow Me on the journey of art stories, articles, art tips and the beauty of the world around us. – Donna Liguria Fine Art of Woodbridge, Virginia.
Friday, August 7, 2026. Notification Day arrives! The waiting is over to learn my artwork's fate, and maybe for you too. Did our artwork get int? Was it accepted? Was it rejected? The biannual art show at the Burwell-Morgan Mill called Art at the Mill gave us our fates.
AATM Saturday, September 19 to October 4, 2026
The Fall Art at the Mill art show sent us our email notifications today, letting each of us know what got in and what did not.
The show is set to open on Saturday, September 19 and runs through Sunday, October 4, 2026. The Artist Reception is Sunday, September 27 from 2-5.
Where is it? 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA at the Historic Burwell-Morgan Mill. The Mill holds a biannual art show in the Spring and Fall and well worth the travel from Woodbridge, VA. Around 1000 artworks JURIED IN from about 300 artists. See my past posts about Art at the Mill for lots of pictures.
Click on any photo to enlarge.
Who got in? Here are a couple of my art friends that got in the show...
Sandra McClelland Lewin
Here are the 3 I got juried in:
The Mum & the Grasshopper
20 x 20 acrylic $650
Celtic Crows
20 x 24 Acrylic/Silver leaf $575
Marsh Life
24 x 30 Acrylic $1200
Bettie Sperty
Bettie got all 5 of her entries in!!
Donna Liguria
Occasionally I will paint something with the intention of it being submitted to a particular art show, and what a relief when the do accept it or them! Otherwise, what do you do with them?!? I painted a series of Millstones with a total of 4 in the series. So 3 of the 4 were accepted and here are pictures of the 4 of my submissions that got in to Art at the Mill:
Millstone 1 Burwell Morgan Mill Series Acrylic 10x10x1.5 $235
Millstone 2 Burwell Morgan Mill Series Acrylic 10x10x1.5 $235
Millstone 3 did not get juried in. It happens.
Millstone 4 Burwell Morgan Mill Series Acrylic 10x10x1.5 $275
Fishing at the Occoquan River Acrylic 11x14x.75 Framed $335
Rebekah Keener
The crane one is "Idle Speed," 11"x14," acrylic, and $425.
"I Moth Ask You a Question," 8"x8" acrylic, $250
Artists - I say it every year - you should enter this show OR at a minimum, go see it to experience it!
Art Lovers searching for art they love to go in their homes or offices, to give as gifts, to collect - with around 1000 artworks from artists all over Virginia - the selection is HUGE and quite a variety in styles! So go see this show!
And sometime on Friday, September 18 - the Gallery Tab will open on the website and you can see https://artatthemillfall2026.artcall.org/ all of the artwork (and purchase it - but you must go there to pick it up).
Art at the Mill, Burwell-Morgan Mill from Woodbridge, VA
A congratulations to everyone - just getting in to this show is wonderful!
We so look forward to the Art at the Mill every year and we hope you make the trip out to see this always spectacular art show. Hopefully the weather stays great because it is a very scenic drive - and coming from Woodbridge, a couple of great wineries along the way.
Drop a comment below to congratulate the art girls!!
@2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission
Like my content? Follow my Blog in the top right navigation!
_________________________
Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings 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.
I bit the bullet. I made a YouTube Video Channel and have begun the process of learning the intricacies of making videos, slideshows, shorts, editing, and adding audio. Getting your artwork out to the world and all that jazz on Social Media is a blessing and a curse, wouldn't you say?
Creating a YouTube Channel and Videos
I've hesitated for a long, LONG time, but finally this week, I jumped into the tube...well YouTube. I don't like pictures of myself. I don't like listening to myself. I don't want to be in a video and always considered that I am terrible in pictures. But YouTube can be a great way to get your art seen. To tell your story. To show the world what you do, what you think, what inspires you. Terrible dilemma and I would think a lot of artists feel my pain.
Deciding to finally take the plunge, I know this will be awkward, I'll be nervous. I will edit. Re-edit. Edit the Re-edit. To Edit-finity and beyond!
I suppose I'm starting off the easy way and putting slideshows together of various artworks and the occasional video I've taken. I plan to make process videos while creating my art and show art receptions, art galleries, and more. That's all a part of my world at this time of life...hence In Donna's World.
I've also read that people want to see the mistakes, the nervousness, the real you. Perhaps to prove you are real and not AI. But then again, artificial intelligence...isn't that what bravery at times? Well, here we go!
Here are a several of my first Videos and Shorts on YouTube. My Channel is called "In Donna's World" and found at https://www.youtube.com/@donnaliguria
Bear with me as the learning curve and the courage curve (to put myself in front of camera) are steep in the process of putting yourself out there. It is amazing all the hats an artist MUST put on, when honestly, all they want to do is have paint brush in hand and putting that paint on the canvas in front of them.
And I would appreciate your support and help in getting this Channel off the ground by doing the subscribe, comments, the likes, and your encouragement. Those watches and clicks help build the numbers on YouTube. Thank you all for your help!
@2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission
Like my content? Follow my Blog in the top right navigation!
_________________________
Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings 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.
Composition Part 4. Add Energy with Diagonal Lines
Part 4 of 21 of my series on Composition. Part 3 was on "Leading Lines"
It is said that the use of vertical lines add strength and that horizontal lines can create stability in an image. Then we toss in diagonal lines and we may get dynamic tension, uncertainty - and possibly an interesting engaging energy when we get 'leaning lines'.
When using diagonal lines, be rather obvious about it, and take the intersection off the frame or have it come from or into a corner. If you are too subtle with diagonals it may look more like a mistake than an intentional decision.
This is part of a series of blog posts on the guidelines, or rules of composition. Look for all of them in the Search this Blog feature at the top right by searching for the word "composition". I hope you enjoy the posts - let me know in the comments below!
@2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission
Like my content? Follow my Blog in the top right navigation!______________
Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings 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.
Perspective is defined as a "view or vista" and gives the artist a way to show the appearance of depth and distance in art. Various focal points can be used to make the art subject on a canvas or paper appear three dimensional. This is Part 2 on a series on perspective, so whether you are new at it or old hat, a refresher may help get the techniques just so.
Two-Point Perspective
When your artwork subject is a building, a structure, a street corner, a cityscape, when the view is at an angle, you'll need to understand 2-point perspective. There is a horizon line and 2 vanishing points spaced apart on that horizon, which gives the artwork a better 3D view of the buildings, streets, a fence line, etc, receding into the distance.
When drawing and painting any architectural forms, cityscapes, pathways, roads, illustrating an interior room, or furniture arrangements, use 2-point perspective to give a more realistic representation of the space - in 3D.
Do you have any tips to share about perspective? Drop a comment below.
See Perspective Part One - One Point here - a good read on the basics and terminology of Perspective
@2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission
Like my content? Follow my Blog in the top right navigation!
_________________________
Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings 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.
Wrapping, Storing, Moving, Protecting Your Artwork
Create your own custom art sleeves to protect your art when transporting to and from art shows. Storing your art at home or in studio also needs to be considered for your paintings and framed art and photographs.
Protect Your Art
I have seen it happen more times than I can count. I've seen artists bring their art to an art show in a cardboard box with nothing around the work to protect the works from each other. I've seen artists carry a pile of artworks piled up on top of each other face up, down, face to another frame, canvas hardware to canvas face - you name it. And then throw the art in the back of the car to jiggle its way home.
The horror.
I've seen an art show with artwork hung with nicks in the frames and the artworks. Yes, I have. Unimaginable handling of what is supposed to be fine art, with the prices to go with it. How could anyone spend their time and talent on their artwork then mistreat it so badly? Then try to make good money on it?
Take the time to wrap, store, and protect your art - most especially when its on the move. You can and should create your own art sleeves!
Reflective Bubble Foil Insulation Sleeves
Create custom sleeves for various sizes of artwork from Reflective Foil Insulation. Think "pillow case" or "envelope". You need 3 sides closed and one side open. You can staple the sides and reinforce with aluminum tape or perhaps duct tape.
Purchased at Lowe's, Home Depot, or from Amazon, you can find various sizes and priced sheets or rolls to create your own sleeves. The insulation is lightweight and is enough padding that canvases and frames shouldn't get nicks and scratches when carrying and moving artwork to your art shows.
Art Tips: Use painter's tape and put a number on each sleeve that corresponds to the artwork that belongs to the sleeve. It helps knowing which canvas matches to which sleeve quickly when breaking down an art show and helps tracking your inventory.
We know that after a long day at a show, we all want to pack up and go home, but you must protect your unsold works so that they sell another day in another place.
I doubt the interior of the foil is acid-free, so long-term storage may prove to be unadvisable.
I found large bundles of felt a few years ago at Walmart and again, going with the "pillow case" style of envelope sleeve, I cut the felt into various sizes corresponding to the artwork canvases I needed to move. A simple stitch to close the three sides was all that needed to be done. Potentially, if you fold the fabric, you may only need to sew 2 sides.
Art Tips: Use a Sharpie and write your name on the felt, or create and sew on your artist label to the felt to mark it as yours. Use different colors of felt for different sizes of canvases.
Pillow Cases, Blankets, Towels
I've used actual pillow cases to move a couple of pieces of art, as well as blankets and towels. Really, there is nothing wrong with it, just use something!
Archival Acid-Free Storage Bags
At a minimum for protecting and storing my art canvases, I use various sizes sizes of archival acid-free storage bags in a size larger than the canvas to store artwork to keep dust off the surface. I store the artwork standing straight up with the same-sized works, face to face and back to back (alternating), keeping in mind to not pack too tightly (especially if an artwork has texture).
For textured canvases, put something between the pieces for added protection.
Art Tips:
Do not store artwork leaning into each other.
Do not store artwork with the hanging materials pressed up to another canvas.
Artwork shouldn't be stored in hot environments, or high humidity.
Do not store, nor hang artwork in sunlight.
You do need to store artwork with acid-free glassine paper, tissue paper, foam board, or cardboard, especially for longer-term storage.
What would you add and how do you store or move 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 in the top right navigation!
_________________________
Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings 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.
Composition Series Part 3. Leading Lines Create Depth
Part 3 of 21 of my series on Composition
Sort of like a flow chart, the lines directing your eyes through the page point where the creator wants you to follow to SEE the whole picture. A composition with leading lines can direct what you want to "point out" in your painting or your photo, your design.
What is a Leading Line?
Positioning objects just so in your design help to point out a feature. Much like you use your arm to point at something, someone can follow your arm to your hand, to your finger and the direction you are pointing to look at the object. In the design, the leading line can be a straight line, a curved line, an S-curve, or an 'implied' line. In the photo below, the lines on the sides of the river lead toward the city, the reflection lines in the water and the curve of the line above and in the water all frame and have you focus on the city in the background.
Repetitive objects, which we know are the same size, gives you a sense of depth and the sidewalk lines, the column rows, the row of lamps all lead you to the final end point.
Other elements that can be leading lines are a row of benches in a park, or a bridge leading to another spot across the water. The reflection in the water and the clouds stretching above the horizon can be leading lines as well.
You Need This! - How to find and use Leading Lines
Other examples are sidewalks, roads, paths, street lights - all leading to a subject. Think about those ways to direct the focus in your next composition.
Which is your favorite composition "rule" so far? Drop a comment below.
@2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission
Like my content? Follow my Blog in the top right navigation!
_________________________
Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings 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.
How to sell your art online or in person is what nearly all artists ask about at some point. This blog post is part 3 of the 3 part series on Selling Your Art.
NO ONE is searching for you or your art, your website, your art show.
YOU must be the one to get your art "out there" so that it can be seen and potentially purchased. No one else is.
UNDERSTAND your niche and style of art to build your understanding toward who your potential clients are in order to get your art in front of them and to TALK about your art.
Now let's take a look at the actual HOW YOU can sell YOURSELF.
Apply to art shows.
There are art spaces where your art must speak for itself - sort of. Many of the art galleries, shows, or exhibits you have your art in is run by staff and you are not physically there except perhaps on the day of the art reception. In this regard, you will or should be actively promoting your art on display on social media, local event avenues, friends, family, art followers, invitations to neighbors, etc.
Ask other artist where they were successful, what platforms they used, what art shows are good to attend, what typically sells at those shows and galleries.
Then there are art shows, popup art shows, group art shows where you are on stage. Your vendor booth is when you are the person tapped to make the sale. Have a gander at this video:
Sales Tips for Live Art Shows by ArtsyShark Carolyn Edlund
5. Place item in their hands (a little tougher with a painting, any ideas with this one?)
6. Include everyone in their party
7. Eye contact!
8. Child with party? Bubblewrap diversion
I would add to stand up when people come to your booth space. AND Stay off your phone. Create a script for yourself so you can reference it, memorize it. Many of us are not outgoing, so we need the help in speaking with people so we can make the sale. These tips work well with individual artist shows as well as art group shows.
"I certainly have not the talent which some people possess, of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done." - Mr Darcy. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. And remember how Miss Elizabeth replies? Practice.
If you need to, create a script and memorize it!
Important to Remember: people do not always buy artwork because its the greatest artwork in existence. They may buy artwork because of the artist. The buyer and artist have built a relationship, a connection.
Budget-Friendly Art Market Tips & DIY Display Hacks for Art Panel Walls
Although the artist's ultimate goal may be the creation and selling of the own original artworks, there are other ways for the artist to earn income to support their art career. The sale of original artwork is a one-by-one process but these other ideas may offer ways to generate income as well. Do remember, some of these ideas will require a LOT of traffic, followers, and extensive marketing, as always - do the research and find what will work for you and your skills.
Teaching art classes and workshops.
Create and sell online courses.
Craft fairs, art markets, farmers markets, art festivals, art or gallery walks, art crawls - wherever you can connect with a variety of people, collect emails, get feedback, test products, and more.
Streaming / livestreaming your art process.
Sell digital downloads and templates.
Art commissions for pet portraits, family portraits, murals, and more.
Networking with someone writing a book that might need an illustrator, or write and sell your own art books, art guides, or e-books. Think book covers, cook books, children's books...
Offer limited edition prints and/or look into print-on-demand products.
Art merchandise customized with the artist's designs - mugs, tote bags, t-shirts, puzzles, and more.
Have extra space? Rent out studio space to other artists.
Offer graphic design services. Create a logo for someone, business cards, or flyers for a fee.
Offer private art lessons.
Be a live caricature artist, a face painter, a paint and sip artist.
Apply for artist residencies.
Licensing your artwork for commercial use - get royalties.
Sell NFTs or digital art tokens.
Build a membership site with a subscription fee presenting exclusive content.
Monetize your social media, newsletters, blog with sponsored content, affiliate links, ad revenue, and more.
Crowdfunding
Apply for art grants for an art project.
Feature "art sales" shows with square foot shows which are 12x12 artworks, each artwork priced the same and market the show extensively.
Go to your local gift shops and boutiques, that may sell local art.
Try selling at gallery gift stores, museums.
Watercolor greeting cards
Offering your artistic services such as:
An art show or contest Juror or Judge.
Art talks, event speaker or panelist.
A photographer - not only the weddings but think about offering your art group members professional photos of their artworks for a reasonable fee. Set up photo sessions on a scheduled basis for specific sizes, certain number of pieces - whatever works for you. Once you have the equipment set up, its a great way to move through the process before moving to the next size of artwork.
Another part of selling is following up when someone shows interest at a show, through email, through a DM.
How do you follow-up when someone sends an inquiry about your artwork? Do you have a process to follow-up with them?
Let's say someone emails or DMs you on how much your artwork is. Don't get nervous, don't panic, don't justify your prices. Don't say too much. No excuses like 'because of this or that'. If you panic, your potential buyer may go silent. You'll be listening to crickets.
Instead: Have a follow-up process where you will be calm-cool-clear-collected.
Step 1: You will confirm to the buyer that you received their inquiry. Confirm what they are asking about - which piece, which service, which size.
Step 2: Very calmly and very clearly give them the data they requested.
Step 3: Now, you will add just one "trust detail". Say something like, "This piece is available now, and can be shipped within 2 weeks."
Step 4: And we can make the next step extra easy for them by saying, "Would you prefer local pickup or shipping?"
Step 5: Finalize by closing the loop with, "I can send an invoice and hold it for 24 hours."
Something like this gives you and the buyer a framework that is clear.
This video below, is a very straight forward look at art selling.
10 Tested & Proven Ways to Sell Your Art as an Artist (Complete Guide & Honest Overview) by Contemporary Art Issue (CAI)
Dress to impress is as important as always even when its terribly hot. Look professional!
Your attitude is so important. A happy artist with energy will help to sell.
I do suggest going down the rabbit hole for a period of time when researching how to sell art and your art business. There are so many great videos and art tip suggestions that you can learn so much from, and a ton of tips on this blog too!
The Art of Selling Art, Selling You, Selling Higher Priced Art
Alternatively, there are schools of thought that say in order to sell your art and to sell it at a higher price for the professional and established artists is to:
Find your target audience by posting you with your artwork with high quality photos and videos TALKING ABOUT your art - NOT trying to SELL it. Speak directly to your ideal Buyer.
Develop the script for each artwork saying WHO it may appeal to and why.
Do NOT send potential Buyers to a website link.
Always answer your DMs when someone asks about the price.
Post at least 3 to 5 times per week on your social media. Be genuine.
Build a communication line to the potential Buyers and a developing a relationship with them directly when they ask how much it is or what else you have. Be engaging. Ask what they love about your artwork.
Build perceived value by:
NOT offering the art merchandise that many artists do.
Don't offer any marked down pricing.
Have at least several high priced artworks that are extra large, running $5000+ and pose them in a very clean, very professional environment with YOU in the pictures as well. Build trust.
If a person says that those artworks at that level are unaffordable for them, show them the 'more affordable' pieces that you have, say 16x20 and 18x24 medium to large range that are under the 5K. Perceived value.
Close the sale - learn the scripts and tactics to make the sale.
Let's face it. If your followers and people commenting on your social media posts are all other artists, you are not selling to them. They are trying to sell their own artwork. Finding your Buyers and moving toward making them repeat Buyers is the beginning of your marketing plan. As with anything, its up to you to learn the process of selling in order to sell well.
For Further Reading
Selling your artwork is very hard, and yes - I heard that "Duh!" Each of us will need to find what works best for each of us, our families and obligations and the period of life we are in. Nonetheless, knowing what we are getting into before we spend too much money or become discouraged means to not only create the best possible artwork we can, but doing the homework to learn how to make the jump into the art world as wisely as we can.
14 Best Places to Sell Art to Make Money - Etsy, Redbubble, local, Saatchi Art, Zazzle, Artfinder, Soiety6, eBay, Shopify, gift shops, coffee shops, farmers' markets, social media
Top 10 Tips On How To Sell Your Art - Your story, website, show sold art, new venues, cohesive brand, SEO, social media, local shows, prints, positivity.
The Art of Selling Art: 10 Ways to Sell Your Art: A Beginner's 2025 Guide - Optimize Portfolio, Social Media, NFT & Digital, Print on Demand, Collaborate, AR, Participate, Email, Commissions, Voice & Visual Search
Everybody and their mother-in-law gives out art advice, don't they? Perhaps a lot of it seems at odds against what someone else is saying. I think articles like this may give another artist a starting point or an idea to look at something a new way and develop their twist on it. When you boil it down, find what works for you - and you do you.
Did you like this post? Learn something new? What tips do you have to share on selling your art? Drop a comment below and Follow this blog.
@2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission
Like my content? Follow my Blog in the top right navigation!
_________________________
Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings 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.
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