Thursday, April 29, 2021

Post 110: Get Your Etsy On!

Get Your Etsy On

If you are an artist, a creator, a maker, a painter, a cook or a writer of a book and you want to try selling on Etsy, click on the Etsy link here.

Open your OWN Etsy Shop using this link: https://etsy.me/2QQHYo9

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

Open your OWN Etsy Shop using this link: https://etsy.me/2QQHYo9

Like my paintings? 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.

Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!

Post 109: A Painting in Progress: A House in Richmond, Virginia

A Painting in Progress: Richmond VA House

SKU: 04BH21ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 18x24 Stretched Canvas
Price: Not Available
Edition Year: 2021
Commissioned? Yes

Painting in Progress Images…

I am blessed indeed to have such a great family and friends! A neighbor has commissioned a painting based on these 2 photos below:



The preliminary work for the painting has begun: the gesso on the canvas and getting my reference photos and sketches. So the painting photos in progress will begin appearing shortly.

My brother and sister in law lived near here in Richmond for a number of years so I am familiar with the area. These old homes have so much character! What a small world that my neighbor here in Woodbridge, that her daughter lived a few streets over from where my brother did and actually worked at the same place he did for awhile.

Wednesday, May 5, 2021 10:23 AM





Wednesday, May 5, 2021 7:26 PM



Tuesday, June 15, 2021 12:39 PM - It is AWESOME to do the REVEAL when someone sees their finished art piece for the first time. My neighbor Lorraine commissioned "Richmond House" for her daughter for her birthday. 

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

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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.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!

Monday, April 26, 2021

Post 108: PWAS Spring Art Show Lakeridge, VA Sat May 1, 2021


PWAS Spring Art Show:

When: Saturday, May 1, 2021
Time: 10am to 5pm
Where: 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Lakeridge, VA 22192

Come by and see local Virginian artists paintings and creative works, various mediums and styles!

PWAS - Prince William Art Society https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/

Some of my work will be there too!





and more!

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

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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.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Post 107: Spring in Occoquan, 12 x 12 Acrylic Stretched Canvas

Painting Name: Spring in Occoquan

Years ago, my mom and I came up to shop in Occoquan. There used to be a miniature dollhouse store, the Christmas shop and some really quaint stores that we loved browsing in. Both of those are long gone now...

SKU: 04BI21ACL2
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 12x12 Stretched Canvas
Framed?: Yes, Framed with a simple antique gold and black floating frame
Edition Year: 2021
Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?
One of my goals is to do some paintings of local places - around Woodbridge, Virginia and in Virginia in general. If you have seen some of my previous work (see on the Blog or on Etsy) I have painted the Marina at Belmont Bay, Great Falls National Park, Virginia Beach and the Main Beach at Blue Ridge Shores in Louisa, Virginia thus far. Now I can add Occoquan to the list! 

And what is prettier than that wee park in Occoquan as you drive onto Mill Street?!

Mamie Davis Park is right in the very quaint township of Occoquan, about 4 miles from me. Some great shops and dining experiences have come and gone over the years but its always a great place to be. 



Now, what's next on the agenda to paint!

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

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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.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Post 106: A Painting in Progress: Spring in Occoquan

Painting Name: Spring in Occoquan

I once attended a marriage ceremony in Occoquan for some Italian friends when I lived in Louisa. It took place in the gazebo. Who knew, 25-30 years later I would live so near here?

SKU: 04BI21ACL2
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 12x12 Stretched Canvas
Price: $Pending
Edition Year: 2021
Commissioned? No

Painting in Progress Images…

I do like local - Virginia, subjects and Occoquan is such a nice subject!

Mamie Davis Park is right in the very quaint township of Occoquan, about 4 miles from me. Some great shops and dining experiences have come and gone over the years but its always a great place to be. 



Wednesday, April 21, 2021 4:14 PM This little painting should move along nicely...


Wednesday, April 21, 2021 8:46 PM After spending a couple weeks on my last painting, it is kinda nice to have one coming together a lot quicker...then again, the size is a LOT smaller.

It still needs a lot of detail but its coming together I think. How many of you out there in the Blogosphere have been to Occoquan? Do you know this spot? It is very pretty for small weddings - I have been to one here before myself.



How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

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.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and I appreciate a Review!

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Post 105: Mountain Reflection, 24 x 24 Acrylic Stretched Canvas

Painting Name: Mountain Reflection

The owner was very pleased with the final and I am so glad! I am finding that it helps when painting from a photo of a real subject, to do the research on the subject and see it from as many angles as you can. And to zoom in on the image to really see if that lump of rock is part of the main mountain, or another in the background. 

SKU: 04BG21ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 24x24 Gallery Wrap Stretched Canvas
Price: SOLD
Framed?: No
Edition Year: 2021
Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?
A cousin took a picture of this painting below and I rendered this painting for him. Once again, I am at a tentative pause to study if anything else should be done. I am Master of the Tweak.

After a few tweaks, here it is, the final...


The photograph is below:


Photo by Dwayne Jackson

And the owner of the painting...April 30, 2021. You know on those house shows when they do a room or home fix up then do the great "reveal"? That's the moment that makes it all so wonderful, the reaction to a painting. It makes those hours and days (occasionally weeks) poking around with paintbrushes a really glorious memory just as it does for the client. Enjoy the painting for years to come!



How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

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.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!


Friday, April 9, 2021

Post 104: A Painting In Progress: Mountain Reflection

Painting In Progress: Mountain Reflection

A challenge this mountain was. I think I conquered it. 

SKU: 04BG21ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 24x24 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas
Price: Not Available
Edition Year: 2021
Commissioned? Yes

Painting in Progress Images…
This commissioned work is from a photo...and the photo is of Assiniboine Mountain which is located on the Great Divide, on the border in Canada of British Columbia/Alberta. It's a pretty big one, 11,870 ft. I am very glad my canvas is only 18 inches by 24 inches. 

Here is a Wiki link to learn more, Mount Assiniboine.


Photo by DJackson: Assiniboine Mountain

I like a challenge and I'm imagining hiking to that mountain may be only a tad bit tougher than getting this monster on canvas. I'll know more in the next few days. I love the colors on the water....let the fun begin!

As always, check back here as I post the progress.



Monday, April 12, 2021 6:25 AM Sometimes things don't go as planned. I started the drawing first on the canvas and undercoat...and decided to start all over again. If you can see the outline above, Assiniboine Mountain isn't centered. So, I repainted the canvas undercoat and redrew the scene again. 

Monday, April 12, 2021 8:20 AM Progress so far this morning. Redrawn the scene and starting to fill in the colors, especially shadows. A lot of black, deep blue, gray and the white of the snowy areas. Please pardon the funny diagonal line - that's the sun coming around the edge of the blinds from the window.


Seems appropriate to have the Mount Everest 16x20 painting in the back ground...





Monday, April 12, 2021 2:00 PM It has come a long way since this morning but still a long way to go.


Tuesday, April 13, 2021 9:34 AM - Reflections on water: If its a dark color in nature, on the water - its lighter. If its a light color in nature, on the water - it shows darker. Reflections on a stream, a creek, a pond, or a lake are quite different from reflections on moving water and quite different from tropical or ocean water. 

Pond and lake water because of their make up, tend to run "greenish".

Moving water fractures the reflection. These are some the "rules" that must be adhered to in order to make a reflection on water look correct.

Want to learn more about a water reflection?

Make Painting Water Reflections Easy!

by Jennifer Branch

Secrets to Painting Convincing Water Reflections



Of course, having the original photograph to go by helps too.

Still a good way to go on this painting - details, details, details - AND of course, on a gallery wrap canvas, the edges need to be finished as well. For example:


Bottom of the canvas

On a Gallery Wrap canvas, there is not a real need for the painting to be framed - BECAUSE the edges SHOULD be finished.

On a stretched canvas that has stapled sides or is back stapled (lesser quality than a professional Gallery Wrap or Museum Wrap canvas - about 1.5 inch depth) and is about .75 inches in depth, those should have a frame. Nonetheless, I typically try to finish the edges, at least to an extent. The fall back is to paint the sides solid black which is at a minimum what should be done.

Thursday, April 15, 2021 6:27 AM - Details, details, details. All the nooks and crannies that make a big rock a mountain. What is amazing to me is occasionally touching a canvas or an area on an artwork because the sort of "Trompe L' Oeil" effect makes it look 3-D. When I can achieve that, that makes me smile. 


Thursday, April 15, 2021 10:19 AM - working on Mount Assiniboine itself, center top.


Friday,  April 16, 2021 6:00 AM - Off to visit family today so no progress on painting temporarily.

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 10:31 AM - Back from Louisa, BRS to be specific, visiting family. It was good to see 2 of my Aunts, 1 of my Cousins, 1 of my Brothers, 1 of my Sister-in-laws, my Mom and a few family friends. Back home on Monday afternoon. 


My Aunt and I went for a walk Saturday afternoon and reminisced our histories during walk about. This happened here and that happened there...you know how it is.

Painting Progress so far today:


How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

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.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!


Thursday, April 8, 2021

Post 103: Sunrise Over Nags Head North Carolina, 16x20 Acrylic Canvas

Painting Name: Sunrise Over Nags Head North Carolina

After painting this sunrise, I know I want to paint more sunrises and sunsets. The colors are so glorious to try to get them just right!

SKU: 04BF21ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 16x20 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas
Price: Not Available
Framed?: No
Edition Year: 2021
Commissioned? Yes

What Brought About this Painting?
I have a cousin that is a very good photographer. Wait. I have several cousins that are VERY good photographers. One of my cousin's that took the photograph wanted a painting done from a photo so here is the result.

This was a fun painting to do - because of all the colors! I think I used every color known to man, or at least a version of it.

I think I am about done with it. I am still studying the canvas to see if anything feels odd or out of place. If I change anything, I'll update the photo(s).


Now for the actual photo (below) that the painting (above) came from...


Some artistic license, but the general atmosphere is there I believe. 

And the proud owner of the painting...April 30, 2021



How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

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.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!


Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Post 102: PWAS, Painting and Progress

PWAS, Painting and Progress

Updates to painting progress: I am now on the PWAS website...my page is still being built but I see my name on the website with some of my artwork. https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/ See the Artist Gallery section. The name of the art, size and medium will be updated along with the URL soon.

The Prince William Art Society is a great group of artists here in the Prince William County, Virginia area with quite a lot of talent, styles, mediums, etc. We get to have our artwork displayed at the Clearbrook Center for the Arts at Tackett's Mill - Lakeridge area of Woodbridge, VA which is open on weekends for anyone to visit.

I am hoping to get some art pieces entered in a "juried" event-art-show coming up at a local winery in a few weeks. That means that a specific third-party person decides which pieces of work will be hung at the event from our group of artists at PWAS. Of course, your prayers are appreciated that I can be included! What great exposure that would be!

We are asked to only submit our best larger works (over twelve inches)...I sometimes wonder if my opinion on my best work would agree to another person's opinion on my best works. Opinions are requested here...(hint, hint, wink, wink)



I've been steadily working on my North Carolina painting which is a commissioned work. The pier has begun to make an appearance, but I may hold my updates on images at this point for the final, the big "reveal" especially for the requestor.

See the "Sunrise Over Nags Head North Carolina painting in progress at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2021/04/painting-in-progress-sunrise-in-north.html

Now, back to the palette...Actually, if I said, "Back to the drawing board," that would sort of work here as well.

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

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.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!


Friday, April 2, 2021

Post 101: No One Can Teach Riding So Well As A Horse, 18x24 Acrylic Stretched Canvas

Painting Name: No One Can Teach Riding So Well As A Horse

Like cats, there are certain favorite animals I have to, or had to, paint. This is my first horse painting in about a zillion years. I like how he turned out.

SKU: 03BE21ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 18x24 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas
Framed?: No
Edition Year: 2021
Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

Update: September 22, 2021

This painting was entered into a juried event called "Best of the Region 4" - wish me luck! Creative Brush is once again hosting the Best of the Region 4, which is sponsored by p-ART-ners and the Manassas Art Guild

What Brought About this Painting?
The name for this painting came from this quote:
“No one can teach riding so well as a horse.” - C.S. Lewis

I did like this horse quote as well, but "A Large and Liquid Eye..." didn't quite feel right for the name. That sounds more like a whale maybe.

“A large and liquid eye… the swirl of dust around pounding hooves… these, then, are the images that move us.” - Author Unknown

I was the typical little girl growing up - CRAZY about horses. Everything horses. 
"Horses, horses, horses" (line from the movie "Sleepless In Seattle"). Horse books, seeing horses, drawing horses, a few early paintings of horses and even horse racing (can you say Secretariat?). 

I was thinking it was high time to get a horse painting on record!

This is a larger canvas than my typical works so far, it's 18 by 24 by 1.50 - a gallery-wrapped heavy duty canvas. It looks pretty good on my green wall too!





I would keep this painting but it is bigger than my house (kidding, but not, it's 18x24 inches). So "No One Can Teach Riding So Well As A Horse" is looking for just the right home of another horse lover.

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!


How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
Instagram: DL Art on Instagram
Pinterest: DL Art on Pinterest
Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

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.

Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!


Post 100: A Painting In Progress: Sunrise Over Nags Head North Carolina

Painting in Progress: Sunrise Over Nags Head North Carolina

A milestone! My 100th blog post. Go me!

SKU: 04BF21ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 16x20 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas
Price: Commissioned Work
Edition Year: 2021
Commissioned? Yes

Painting in Progress Images…
First, I will show the photograph that this painting will be based on, taken by D. Jackson of Virginia.


Photo by DJackson, Nags Head, North Carolina Pier

Prep work on the canvas has begun. Gesso is the base, a minimum of 3 coats but as many as 5 can be applied no matter the quality of the canvas. Gesso improves the "tooth" of the canvas surface of even the lighter weight canvases.

Undercoating is in progress.



Subtle changes, but the features slowly are making an appearance.


And the sun puts in an appearance...





See the completed Painting at (coming soon)

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

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.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!


Thursday, April 1, 2021

Post 99: A Painting In Progress: No One Can Teach Riding So Well As A Horse

Painting in Progress: No One Can Teach Riding So Well As A Horse

Occasionally when trying to find a name for a painting, I will traverse the subject's quotes to see a line or reference that triggers a decent name for the painting I am planning. This is one of those times.

SKU: 03BE21ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 18x24 Stretched Canvas
Price: $Pending
Edition Year: 2021
Commissioned? No

Painting in Progress Images…

The name for this painting came from this quote:

“No one can teach riding so well as a horse.” - C.S. Lewis

I did like this horse quote as well, but "A Large and Liquid Eye..." didn't quite feel right for the name. That sounds more like a whale maybe.

“A large and liquid eye… the swirl of dust around pounding hooves… these, then, are the images that move us.” - Author Unknown


I was the typical little girl growing up - CRAZY about horses. Horse books, seeing horses, drawing horses, a few early paintings of horses and even horse racing. I was thinking it was high time to get a horse painting on record!


Time to sit back and look at it for awhile and see what doesn't feel right. The debate begins...horse done, horse not done, what does horse need, what area needs more, what area needs less, am I done?
See the completed Painting at

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
Instagram: DL Art on Instagram
Pinterest: DL Art on Pinterest
Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

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.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!