Post 37: How to Care for Your Art Investment

How are you supposed to care for the artwork you have come by?

So you have purchased a painting! Awesome, especially if it was from me!!

How do you take care of it?

Where should you hang it?

Where should you NOT hang it?

How do you store it?

How do you clean it?

Photo Credits: Pierre Bamin on Unsplash.com

All very good questions. I have seen and heard about hanging artwork in a bathroom and cringed...that's NOT a good idea. Anyway, others have written extensively about the subject so I will provide a few links here for the help we need to get those answers to those important questions - after all, somebody probably paid good money for that artwork!

Caring for Artwork:

How to Care for Your Art by Matt J Bruce

How to Care for Your Art by Art Evolution

Caring for Your Paintings from Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute

Storing Artwork:

How to Store Art from Wikihow

And for my fellow artists, here is an amusing, awesome video:

Storing Artwork - Tips For Artists by Rafi Was Here Studios

Now, you may want to hang that Picasso hanging next to the bathroom shower somewhere else, right?

Post 36: World's Smallest Art Studio for Painting

World's Smallest Art Studio for Painting

I'm calling this the world's smallest art studio for painting but I am still betting someone can top it - and if your studio is smaller, I feel for you.

Yes, this one is in my office - a big desk where the monitor is and I can simply swivel the chair around and paint. Well, I live in a small townhouse and this was originally a small bedroom that I use for an office/studio. 

There are lots of paint techniques I would love to try but space doesn't allow that. Maybe one day!

Know of anyone with a smaller space? Post it!! 

And maybe one day, space....and a view.

9 Famous Artists’ Studios You Can Visit, from Jackson Pollock to Barbara Hepworth

Post 35: 2004 Painting of Thomas Kinkade's A New Day Dawning

Painting Name: A Kinkade Version of Cottage and Sea

Medium: Acrylic

Size: Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2004

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt

Back home from a great Christmas with family and friends, encompassing Charlottesville, Louisa and Blue Ridge Shores in Louisa, so back to hit the canvases again. While in Louisa visiting a friend, I got to take some pictures of a painting I did for her back in 2004 which is a take off of a Thomas Kinkade's "A New Day Dawning". 

My brother in front of the fireplace and the painting

Of course nobody can do a Kinkade like Kinkade, but here is where you can find his original:

https://thomaskinkade.com/art/a-new-day-dawning/ 

Post 34: Koi Fish and Lily Pads 8x10 Acrylic Painting on Stretched Canvas

Painting Name: Koi Fish and Lily Pads

SKU: 12AI20AC

Medium: Acrylic Painting

Size: 8 x 10 Stretched Canvas

Price: $99.00 + shipping

Framed?: Yes, a simple black floating frame

Edition Year: 2020

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt

Fish painting on canvas is completed. It's an acrylic medium artwork with Koi Fish swimming - brightly colored fishies with some lily pads.

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member?

Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork. Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review! 

Post 33: Etsy Shop - Favorite, Follow, Review and Support Starving Artists!

Get your Etsy on and Favorite, Follow, Review and Support Starving Artists!

The process of getting your paintings "out there" is certainly a challenge and basically a full time job. There are all of the social sites you MUST be on and learning everything you possibly can about EACH relevant site so that your artwork on canvas can be seen. And then all the Art gallery type sites, with all of their various features that must all be learned and managed. Like I said, Full Time Job. And most artists just want time to slap some paint around!

A few of my paintings you may have already seen posted in this blog:

I heard a suggestion today to have your friends go to your Etsy site and doing a keyword specific search for your artwork site and clicking ONLY on your item for sale. Then to spend about 5 minutes or so looking around, clicking and doing what you do on other similar sites from liking and favoriting to commenting. The reason for this is so that your listing will rank better. 

In Marketing, there is a time to ask for the sale and in this case it is where do you go to do that, or LIKE that?

Here is my Etsy Shop and a couple other links which I am still sorting out but I have my paintings posted that are for sale. Give it a visit and Favorite, Follow, Comment, Review, Share, Tweet, Pin, send smoke signals - your help would be much appreciated. Of course, your name will pop up so I will KNOW what you did last week (movie reference)...love the stat features on Etsy BTW.

This Donnascavepainting blog is still where I originate and first post my paintings for sale and here you may get to know me, the artist, a little better, read about my thoughts that may have been going on when painting a canvas, or the crazy thought that occurs when you have to name said artwork. 

Etsy Shop - Donna Liguria Art

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt 

Keyword and Keyword Phrases are a word or words you use to search for something. Now, the search results you get, does that fulfill what you had in mind? Tweak the keywords to refine your search. See what a challenge it is?

Keyword phrase placement for best results isn't just a  competition, it is a battle.

Pending List - told you I was working on it. 

Try "DonnaLiguriaArt" to go directly to the Etsy Shop.

Try "panda artwork mom and baby" is one that should bring up this painting:

Etsy Panda Search Results

BTW, LET ME KNOW HOW you found me! That is the "KEY"!

Other Social Sites so far:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/donna.liguria under construction, posting art.

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dlaughsalot/ under construction, but art is posted.

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/donnaliguria under construction, started.

ArtPal - https://www.artpal.com/DonnaLiguriaArt under construction, one posted.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/DonnaLiguria Still trying to get this one set up. Trouble in Twitterverse. Trying to get one in my real name is proving interesting.

Well, I can add more to this as I get them and it will be fun building out these monsters. What is your weapon of choice online? Leave a comment here too!

Post 32: Take Seeds with You, Poppies 11x14 Oval Acrylic

Painting Name: Take Seeds with You, Poppies

SKU: #12AH20AC

Medium: Acrylic Painting

Size: 11x14 Oval Stretched Canvas

Price: $92.00 + shipping

Edition Year: 2020

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt

Bright red poppy flower painting on a black oval stretched canvas.

When you go for a walk, take seeds with you, poppies, rainbow chard, rocket. Plant them among the weeds in patches of wasteland. See what happens. - Tom Hodgkinson

Below is the painting "in progress" although I want to eyeball it a little more to see if I want to do anything more to it. Sometimes you have to know when to stop, definitely.

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member?
Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork. Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review! 

Post 31: New Lewes, Delaware Beach Painting Commission!! 12x24 Acrylic on Canvas (SOLD)

New Lewes, Delaware Beach Painting Commission

My very first commission has begun! I am so excited! Woohoo!

Painting Name: Lewes Delaware Beach 

SKU: #12AG20AC

Medium: Acrylic Painting

Size: 12 x 24 Stretched Canvas

Price: Commissioned, SOLD

Edition Year: 2020

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt

This painting of the beach in Lewes, Delaware is no longer available, it has been sold.

This is the third version of the Lewes Delaware Beach of this painting with the sand dunes and boardwalk that I have painted. Everyone wants to be THERE - at the Beach!

And this is my friend, Aysen, next to the painting in its new home!

This is when it was nearly final, I think I can finish it up tomorrow, and the completed one will show above. The first one below is when I started it this morning (during the snow).

And this is the pretty close to final this evening. The light will be so much better in the AM to do any touch ups/details.

I do like painting this beach scene - even if it is the third time!! I'm very thankful, I think they turn out a little different each time - and that's ok 

If you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt

Post 30: Washington DC Cherry Blossom Explosion 11x14 Acrylic (SOLD)

Painting Name: Washington DC Cherry Blossom Explosion

SKU: #12AF20AC

Medium: Acrylic Painting

Size: 11 x 14 Stretched Canvas

Price: SOLD - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Edition Year: 2020

Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

Acrylic painting with the annual spring Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC with the Washington Monument in the background and the reflection on the Potomac River.

This one (below) is when it was still in progress...

Of all the time I have lived in the DC area, I can name on one hand the number of times I've actually been in DC at that time of year. True, it is gorgeous. Also true, everyone and their mother-in-law are there all at once the day you decide to go see it. Nature of the beast. Besides, where do you put your car? Then you have to find it again.

If you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt

Post 29: Peacock Strut 18 x 24 Acrylic on Canvas

Painting Name: Strutting My Peacock Stuff

SKU: #11AE20ACG

Medium: Acrylic Painting

Size: 18 x 24 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2020

Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

Vibrant peacock colors are what this acrylic painting is based on. An original painting with iridescent, vivid blues, greens and yellow - peach "eyes".

My aunt was sending me pictures of her vase with peacock feathers and suggested that a peacock would be a great bird to paint. I agreed. Their colors are magnificent and their "air" of "take a look at ME strutting my stuff" is not to be ignored. 

Most recent update below...

The day before...

This picture is in progress, will post the final when its final. The vase is the inspiration although the vase would be nice to paint too IMHO.

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member?
Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork. Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review! 

Peacock Feathers in a Vase from my Aunt Judy - inspiration

Update: Friday, May 7, 2021

This painting was juried and selected to appear at Sunshine Ridge Farm Winery at 

15850 Sunshine Ridge Lane, Gainesville, VA 20155 from about May 25 to June 29, 2021. Gratefully, 4 out of 5 of my pieces entered were chosen for display!

Post 28: Isle of Palm Trees 10 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas

Painting Name: Isle of Palm Trees 

SKU: #11AD20AC

Medium: Acrylic Painting

Size: 10 x 20 Stretched Canvas

Price: $188.00 + shipping

Edition Year: 2020

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt

I think I have a theme going with painting seascapes, islands, tropical artwork. Corona virus continues around the world and I am thinking of sitting on an island with the fresh ocean breeze, the ocean doing its thing on the shore, me with toes in the sand.

More like holding a Corona too.

Alas, here I am, Thanksgiving and Black Friday, dreaming of those breezes and sand toes.

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member?
Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork. Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review! 

Post 27: Coda in the Corner, 12 x 16 Acrylic on Canvas

Painting Name: Coda in the Corner 

(in progress)
SKU: #11AB20AC

Medium: Acrylic Painting

Size: 12 x 16 Stretched Canvas

Price: $ pending

Edition Year: 2020

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt

The story behind Coda in the Corner: Coda is a Pomeranian and belongs to a dear friend of mine. She currently has 2 dogs - Coda and Chloe. I had gone up to Lewes, Delaware with my friend and her husband as they had just purchased a condo there (around 2013 or so) and were preparing it for some updates so it was empty. Us girls were definitely doing some Lewes shopping while there!

The 2 small dogs were romping around on the living room floor with Coda pestering Chloe (as most males do, you know) and my friend was reprimanding Coda to stop it. She sent him to the corner. And he actually did it. She said "STAY". He stayed. Actually, he wasn't "smiling" and I may change that yet but he had that expression that said, "I know I done wrong". It was hysterical. The picture I took of him is so dark it is hard to see his features but here is...

He stayed in the corner for awhile too. At least until she said he could move again. We still laugh about it.

Coda and Chloe November 2020

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member?

Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork. Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review! 

Post 26: Walking Away aka Elephant Butts 12 x 16 Acrylic on Canvas

Painting Name: Walking Away

AKA - Also Known As: Elephant Butts 

SKU: #11AA20AC
Medium: Acrylic Painting

Size: 12 x 16 Stretched Canvas
Price: $210.00 + shipping

Edition Year: 2020

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt

Acrylic Elephant Painting of momma and baby elephant walking away from the viewer. 

While working on "Elephant Butts", a friend of mine laughed when she saw the rough draft. My own mother said, "Donna, you are going off the rails now." My thought was, well painting is supposed to be FUN isn't it?

Seriously, it is far better for large animals to be walking AWAY from you than coming toward you I would think. Or any animal with very sharp teeth. Or bugs.

Anyway, I liked the idea of it and thought it was cute so to canvas it goes.

Of course, will update when its completed.

So here is the updated "Walking Away" aka "Elephant Butts". You know, wrinkles are not easy to paint, who would have known?

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member?
Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork. Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review! 

Post 25: Sailing Away 16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas

Painting Name: Sailing Away

SKU: 11Z20AC

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 16 x 20 Stretched Canvas

Price: $375.00 + shipping

Edition Year: 2020

Frame: Black Floater Frame

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt

Acrylic nautical painting of a sail boat moving along the water with an aerial view. 

 "Sailing takes me away to where I've always heard it could be".... you may recognize the lyrics to "Sailing" by Chris Cross, so scroll down and click the video to play.

Again, for this one you MUST have the mood set, so click to play in the background:

Always did love this song...

Anyway, here it is November 6, 2020 - and here in the USA it has been traumatic. Sailing Away has been on a LOT of minds this week.

OR

"Calgon Take Me Away" might have worked too but I am NOT painting the idea of that.

Painted it - 2 shots while on the easel

NOTE: This painting is on display at TG Hair FX at Belmont Bay across from the Marina  starting from Feb. 3, 2021

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member?
Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork. Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review! 

Post 24: Belmont Bay Harbor Marina in Woodbridge, VA 16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas

Painting Name: Belmont Bay Harbor Marina in Woodbridge, VA - Occoquan 

SKU: 11Y20AC

Medium: Acrylic Painting

Size:16 x 20 Stretched Canvas 

Framed?: A simple Black floating frame

Edition Year: 2020

Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

A river marina painting of local Belmont Bay Harbor Marina in Woodbridge, Virginia on the Occoquan River. A vivid blue sky, reflecting on the water, this original artwork captures a day-to-day, mid fall docking one afternoon. 

It is fun to do local spots - challenging to get them "just right".

Just finishing this one up - Belmont Bay Marina

Take a look at the area at https://belmontbayharbor.com/

Here is the painting from the photo I took - artists can and do take "artistic liberties" here and there. The photo is added below as well that I worked from. It was a beautiful day in mid October when I took the picture with fall quickly seizing the leaves on the trees. A barge came past too, which was cool to watch.

And the photo I took of that day.

I may tinker a bit more with it...and try to remember to update the painting photo here. 

Update November 6, 2020 - After a bit of tinkering there is really a point the brush must go down or things can get ugly fast. I think I hit it just now so here is the latest...

Side note: A friend of mine has a hair salon there with this location as a VIEW!! What a view, right!

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member?
Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork. Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review! 

Post 23: Wood Plaque Seaside Beach (SOLD)

Wood Plaque Seaside Beach with real sand and shells

SKU:
Medium: Wood Plaque, Acrylic Paint, real sand, small shells, faux grass
Size:
Price: SOLD, no longer available
Edition Year: 2020

Post 22: Things that are...Red, Blue, Green or Yellow - Series of 4 10x10 Acrylic on Canvas

Things That Are Series

1.Things that are Red - SKU: #10W20AC

2.Things that are Green - SKU: #10X20AC

3.Things that are Blue - SKU: #10V20AC

4.Things that are Yellow - SKU: #10U20AC

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 10 x 10 Series of 4 Mini Paintings on Stretched Canvas
Price: $125.00 for all 4

Edition Year: 2020

Took a bit of a break with this series of 4 paintings. Maybe you need to really know your pop culture but can you name everything? There are anywhere from 16- 19 things per canvas. I had fun with these. Sure, you could have a red dress or a yellow dress or a blue dress (oh yeah Monica's dress, could have added that one...) but I was striving for more of a "this THING is THIS color vibe. Anyway, have fun trying to name them all.

"Things that are..." Series of 4

Things that are Blue

Things that are Green

Things that are Red

Things that are Yellow

Post 21: Hibiscus 11 x 14 Oval Acrylic on Canvas

Painting Name: Hibiscus

SKU: 10Q20AC
Medium: Acrylic

Size: 11 x 14 Oval Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2020

Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

Hibiscus 11 x 14 Oval Acrylic on Canvas - Flowers may appear easy to paint - maybe for some people they are. To me, they aren't - at least so far. I painted this one over a couple times and still am not "satisfied" as yet. An obstacle to overcome so I will try more flowers in the near future. Some flowers are so delicately beautiful it is hard to capture the detail. Wish me luck!