Post 415: Sep 28 Art Reception at Art at the Mill Fall Art Show

Sep 28 Art Reception at Art at the Mill Fall Art Show 

Sunday, September 28, 2025 was the artist's reception at the Fall Art at the Mill Art Show held biannually at the Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood, Virginia. Sandra McClelland Lewin and her husband, John and I went out to the Mill to enjoy the day and the show.

What Brought About this Painting?

Ever since I joined the Prince William Art Society in 2021, I've heard several of the artists talk about Art at the Mill. I soon learned why. And ever since then I try to encourage other PWAS members to apply to that show! Just getting IN, having your artwork accepted in the jury process, is an honor in itself. They are currently accepting up to about 900 or so pieces, depending on size, from about 250-300 artists. 

Don't you love seeing plein air painters out doing their thing at a beautiful spot?

The first order of business when you get tot the Mill is 'Find Your Artwork'...well, at an art reception it could also include 'Get a Beverage' followed by a plate and then walk around and look for your artwork.

We understand that they can currently display about 500 pieces at one time, which means that some artwork - although available on their online Web Gallery - is stored upstairs (the fourth floor). As artwork sells, art of a similar size is quickly brought down and put on display for the visitors. Their goal is to have ALL artwork UP on the walls by the art reception, which is midway point of the show.

PWAS Member Bettie Sperty's painting on the second floor.

My painting on a table called "Art Delivery to the Mill" on the second floor.

My painting called "Going for a Run" is the horse painting above, on the second floor.

Barrel painting by PWAS Member Bettie Sperty, we found this on the second floor.

My painting of Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington DC, on the main floor at the back. You have to walk past the look over spot and see the wheel spinning as the water goes through the mill. Pretty cool.

Sandra McClelland Lewin between 2 of her paintings, on the main floor - the blue jay to her right, and the skull on her left.

We found PWAS Member Mark Clifton's painting on the main floor next to the check out counter, the larger painting.

Sure, its a bit of a drive from Woodbridge, but on a beautiful day, the scenery sure makes the drive worth it. On top of even that, The Burwell-Morgan Mill at 15 Tannery Lane, Milwood, Virginia is a live working mill! The mill may not run during the art show - because of the potential flour dust, but oh that wheel is a-spinnin'!

See https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2023/03/post-296-art-at-mill.html
and https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2023/05/post-303-art-reception-at-art-at-mill.html for more Mill workings photos including the lower level where the milling happens.

We did see another of our PWAS members, Terry Sandlin, and talked with him several minutes. We also saw our art friend Maureen Guillot. It is so lovely to meet and speak with the artists at the show and be so inspired by all of the wonderful art - literally, in every nook and cranny, surface and space.

We will continue to encourage the PWAS Members to enter this show! We heard about an art group in Maryland that enters every year and about 15 of them rent a van and all come at once to deliver their art. Oh how wonderful to just make a day of it!

And congratulations to the artists that have already made sales!! Several of us have had at least one sale already. The fall show runs from Saturday, September 20 to Sunday, October 5, 2025 and is open every day. During the show, the artwork can also be viewed online at Art at the Mill Web Gallery.

As Art of the Mill is an art show that is held in the Spring and in the Fall, we all look forward to that next show and the opportunities it gives an artist. Sign up for alerts, and maybe see you there in 2026!

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 414: Artists Pricing Their Artwork Fairly

Artists Pricing Their Artwork Fairly

There is a lot of advice on the subject of pricing your artwork, even on this blog. Yet the question is an often asked artist to artist topic of conversation, and often very misunderstood. Some artists go into it pricing way to high for their experience level, some sell out everything they have because their prices are way too low for the quality of their work. It will probably always be an ongoing issue for artists, but perhaps, the discussion here will help you know where you are on the radar.

The Artist Pricing Myths

So you have decided to create some art and want to sell it. But for how much? There are misunderstandings by some artists AND by some art lovers, and would-be collectors, that mistakenly think:

• All artwork is expensive. 
• Artwork is a luxury item. 
• Being an art collector is for the well-to-do.
• Art is expensive because artists have overpriced their work. 
• My art is so beautiful, it will sell itself.
• My art degree means I can price my art above the little people.
• I'm the true meaning of starving artist. 
• Artwork prices appreciate over time. 
• Emerging artists aren't worth investing in. 
• Artwork value goes up once the artist is dead. 

These misconceptions can all be debunked, thrown out, stomped on, and kicked to the curb.

Art Pricing Truths

• All original art is the product of a combination of skill, creativity, and of labor that definitely deserves fair compensation for that artist's efforts.
• Art in a gallery will be priced higher than in a non-gallery event or location, such as a festival, a library, or popup show. One reason for this is that the gallery is charging a much higher commission, so the location of the gallery, the city or town will also affect the price of the art that is on display. This could be as high as 30 - 60% of the price on the label.
• Other factors of major importance, is the reputation of the artist. How well-known is the artist, do they have a strong following? Does the talent and ability of that artist display strongly in their body of work? How unique is their art and presentation?
• Artwork prices go up for the artist by demand. Selling out your collection means prices can and should go up - (usually) gradually. 
• Don't wait to be discovered. Do the hard work of pounding the pavement to be seen. 

I've met artists that charge per size of canvas, no matter the complexity of the art and materials and I've met artists that go with Cost of Materials plus Hourly Rate times Hours Spent. There are also artists that go by a square inch rate. But to get an awareness of where to even begin, start with these baby steps in your GPS (General Pricing Strategy):

Track your Costs in detail:

• Keep track of the Time put into each piece and size of work you do.  
  
• Include the prep work on computer, on paper, designing, sketching.
• The actual time spent painting, manipulating, creating that art into the end product. 
• Keep track of the Expenses of each artwork and materials used to create it.
• Costs of canvas, surface used: board, panel, paper.
• Costs of paints, varnish, gesso, specialty items/paints like gold leaf.
• Watercolors and Acrylics may have different pricing than Oil paintings which are the more expensive medium. 
• Cost of framing, mat boards, backing boards. 
• Hardware: Wire, D-Rings 
• Overhead Costs like marketing, packaging, utilities, studio rental, shipping, website and hosting fees and gas/expenses to get there. Shall I include insurance?
• Prices charged for Calls for Art, show entry fees.
• Commission fees are also taken out of an art sale which can vary as well so an artwork will need to be priced so that YOU get out of the sale what you want to get paid for the artwork, less the commission charged to you to show it there.
• Do the Research! Look around at art similar to your own and sized similarly. You are not comparing your work, you are getting an understanding of price points. Ask questions, get to know those artists. See how long they have been doing what they do. And - is artwork selling at that location for those asking prices?

The Beginner Artist, Are You at the Novice Level?

I would think that many artists do start off drawing and painting when they are young little Picassos and our mums show off those artworks on the family refrigerators held up with magnets. Oh, remember those days when Mom thought we were all so clever?

Then our family members and friends all LOVE what we do and want our artwork, so we may give away a lot of our early stuff. Or we happen to enter an art contest and win first place - Great! Yet...we haven't really sold any artwork and our art portfolios are pretty sparse. Or we haven't yet built up our art inventory and our inexperience, our art style is potentially in its early stages. 

We all come into the world of art at different times. Some people don't really begin their art lives until they retire and have more time to create art. Some young people grow up with full intention and dedication that they are going to BE an artist. Some folks get into schools and colleges and study art, but until they start actually selling art, they are NOVICE artists.

Someone that is just starting to hit the art shows, galleries, popup shows, art festivals is not at the level of a seasoned artist with lots of art shows, juried art shows, gallery exhibitions, solo shows, and building a client list of commissions. Your hourly rate just cannot and should not be the same as an artist with a lot of art sales behind them. And these artists are way beyond selling their art to family and friends (although we do thank God for their support!).

Your experience level as an artist should affect where you are in the pricing strategy, as well as the medium used, the size of the artwork, and the demand for your work.

You must build your art sales up before you can garner the so-called "big bucks". And that happens over time for nearly every artist since the beginning of art being sold.

Tidbit Trivia: Did you know that Vincent van Gogh, although creating over 2,000 artworks in his lifetime, only sold ONE artwork in his life?

I recently heard a story about a beginner artist that was actually quite good and does exquisite work. The artist had not ever been in an art show or been in a gallery, nor offered art online, until one day he put a price tag on his art. The artist had priced his artwork in the thousands of dollars - and wondered why they were not selling. Truthfully, there could be a lot of factors behind that statement and much disappointment for the artist,  but I don't know any artist that can start with an artwork priced that high. (And if anyone has, that is a rare exception and SO not the rule!) If you are sitting on your artwork with a big tag on it and nothing is selling...as the well-known comedian once said, "There's your sign".

And it is NOT the fault of anyone if you spent multiple hours, days, weeks, months, or longer on any piece of work. Especially when after you have become more experienced, you can develop a similar work in far less time. What I mean is that when I know I'm trying to get a technique or a look in the painting and I have to keep painting it over again and again, that time spent shouldn't have to apply to the time spent, ticking up the price per hour. 

The potential "buyer" doesn't care how long it took you to paint it. The buyer wants to understand WHY you are asking $500 for a 16x20 painting on this wall, and around the corner is another 16x20 painting of yours for $1000.

People and Pet portraits - true, these artworks must represent and be recognized as the persons and the pets being presented, but does that mean those subjects are any more work than another? Interesting point, I think, as I recently understood from another artist that I got the feeling portraits deserved special pricing.

Build Your Resume

Keep track of every ribbon won, every People's Choice, every solo show, every gallery exhibition, shows you were juried into, and any press releases. As the resume builds, these items will help to show the art world around you what you have going on. 

Getting recognized also means, like has been said consistently on this blog, get out there to art shows, art receptions, go to galleries, TALK to people! Enter as many shows as you can for the artwork that you create!

The Mid-Level Artist, Things Are Selling

This level of artist has been selling regularly and is a competent artist, mastering his or her style, beginning to sell some art to people that are NOT our relatives and getting commissions from people that we aren't related to as well. Our body of work is increasing, with a nice selection of work we could enter into various art shows. And we have art that HAS been juried into art shows around us and potentially won first, second, third places, or People's Choice awards. 

Many art shows and calls for art do not want repeated entries nor older artworks, so you'll need to be replenishing and constantly creating art inventory.

Look at it this way too - when you are accepted to have a solo show somewhere, you will also need a cohesive body of artwork, and often a lot of it, to actually put up on the walls for display! 

The mid-level artist is showing plenty of growth, is amassing a good number of inventory and steady sales. Again, if artwork is pretty much selling out...there's your sign.

The Professional, the Expert Artist

As the artist grows and develops into an established, professional, sought-after and recognized artist locally and perhaps even more far-reaching, their hourly wage would be considerably higher than a mid-level artist. These artists consistently sell art, get into art shows, juried shows, and solo shows, have a large following that want to see what they are working on to perhaps have the first option to buy.

Your experience level as an artist should affect where you are in the pricing strategy, as well as the medium used, the size of the artwork, and the demand for your work. Critical acclaim, exhibition history, artist reputation, and yes, rarity, all play a part in that price posted on the art label along with the cost of the materials used, the labor (time spent creating that canvas), and the outright years in the refinement of the skills honed by that artist.

More Thoughts on the Subject of Pricing

I'd love to hear your thoughts about pricing your art. How would you answer any of these questions?

• Do you think its a good idea to have multiple price points for your art so that it is affordable to more people?
• Do you bargain/haggle with your prices in any way?
• Do you offer a section in your solo show with lower-priced paintings?
• Do you have a better response to your art when showing "out of town"? 
• Do you feel your clients demand the quality of higher-end pricing of art?

An artist certainly does not want to undervalue or over-value their artwork. Either way can hurt their bottom line, but the artist must also develop the confidence in the value of their own artwork. The artist must become visible in person as well as their artwork being seen in art events, festivals, shows, galleries, social media - everywhere they can be - especially being seen by the right collectors for their style of work. 

For fair pricing in your GPS, doesn't it make sense to consider where you are in your art journey? The struggle in art pricing is real and ongoing. Are you confident in your pricing strategy?

For Further Reading 

See also the PWAS Artistry Spin Page on Pricing by Donna Liguria  Several previous PWAS Artistry Spin blog posts about pricing your art.

Understanding Art Pricing: Why This Costs That by Vik Chadha  A very concise look at fair pricing.

See How to Price Your Art: Art Pricing Guide for Every Type of Artist  This has a great breakdown on building your pricing schedule. Author Skylan Abraham walks from Novice, Advanced Beginner, Competent, Proficient, to Expert. 

This blog post first appeared on the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog on September 6, 2025.

_______________________________________

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 413: Artists Are Not Creating Art All Day

Artists Are Not Creating Art All Day

Ask any artist and they definitely wish they could be making art much more than they are. Painting their little hearts out is what all of them want to be doing as making art is where their passion lies. Artists may have jobs, a family, kids, pets, meals to cook, cleaning, and so many other responsibilities that demand time and energy away from the easel, that's just part of life. Yet, somehow, we all find the time to do what we love to do...Often in the very early or very late hours.

Let's take a look at the artist's journey of getting that artwork in front of you, the viewer.

Create a Bunch of Art 

Artists begin by creating artwork. Dreams and feelings, hope and fear, joy and sadness are put onto canvas or paper. Sometimes its the practicing of techniques and fine tuning what we love to do, but eventually we have created some artworks, and gradually, we might feel like we want the world around us to see what we do. Eventually, a few questions arise...

• Will people like what they see?
• Will the world understand where I am coming from?
• Can I make some money selling it? 
• Can I make a living being an artist?
• How much artwork do I need to have enough to show it?

Arts Alive! 2025 Manassas, VA

Another good question with a good answer is how to get started? Just jump in is one answer as well as do the research! Look at the advice given and ask questions. See what rings true for you. Most artists LOVE what they do and want to help the up and coming artists - we support each other in this journey.

Post Art on Social Media

Many an artist will begin by posting on social media - which could be any or all of the popular sites, chat groups or other sites. They may have Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter/X, TikTok, and/or YouTube - you'll need an account, email and start putting yourself 'out there'. And the artist will need to post regularly in order to be seen. 

Begin by creating your artist name, as how you want to be recognized, contacted, and remembered by. Sure, use your own name if you like. You'll have a signature, a logo, business cards and much more eventually that will all carry your name.

See these link series for help:

Tech Series 1: Instagram for Artists 

Tech Series 2: Are You Reeling on Instagram? 

Tech Series 3 How to Be Pinteresting

Tech Series 4 The Blogging Story 

Tech Series 5 Who Art Thou? (Coming Soon on this blog) 

Keep Track of Your Art

Keeping track of your art inventory is something very necessary for the artist to do as well as having a photo inventory of it all, really from the start. Update your inventory and SAVE, SAVE, SAVE the data in multiple ways (in case of disaster). This is something you don't want to save until later to do as you may not remember what is where, or do I still have it? Did it sell?? When? What size was that painting? Or, didn't I have that piece in this show already?

An artist will need to develop a way to inventory all of their artwork and keep a visual record as well. Learning to photograph their artwork correctly is a must. Some computer savviness for some general knowledge is a must have too.

See Art Inventory and Tips

See Artist Documents - What Do I Need? 

See Tips to Photograph Your Art for Jury Submission by Leah Boynton

How to Sell Your Art at What Price?

The most often asked of questions! And one of the most challenging to answer. These links offer methods and suggestions in pricing your art and building up your inventory by levels.

See Point of Sale System

See Pricing Your Art - Be Realistic and Pricing Your Artwork

Do You Need an Art Website? 

Having your own website, blog, an artist page on your art group's gallery - there are options for the artist. Based on your budget, time, skills, and talent, the artist will need to decide what works best for them. Again, an important item that needs to be managed and kept timely with fresh content as well as monthly and various fees in the maintenance of a personal artist website.

Join an Art Group

Some artists are perfectly fine going solo for their art career. But maybe you like the idea and socialization of being around other artists, and sharing the costs and resources offered by a local art group. The benefits are real! Friendships with people with similar interests is a definite possibility! And being part of an art group may open doors for you that would take a lot longer to achieve than a solo artist on their own.

An annual fee to join an art group is very common which helps the group manage their mission statements, goals and possibly management fees for nonprofit status, website fees, etc.

Volunteering time in an art group is a very fast way to learn invaluable lessons relating to the business side of art. 

Art meetings go on the calendar too - as I like to say, "You miss a meeting and you can miss a LOT!"

See Art Groups

Enter a Popup Art Show or Festival 

Having a popup art show or going to an art festival is another time consuming but necessary (to a degree) venture along with potentially needing all the equipment, supplies, art inventory, and Point of Sale System (POS) so that you can attend. And there is the promotion of letting everyone know you'll be in the show.

Submitting to art shows often means a fee to pay in order to enter a certain number of pieces.

The time to setup a show depends on many factors, but usually for a popup show with an art group, you'll need to be there a couple hours before and at least an hour afterwards. Funny how what goes up so carefully, comes down so much quicker.

Occoquan Arts and Crafts Show

An art gallery space will take a lot longer to setup depending on the number of pieces that will be displayed. A large show with a lot of artists is an orchestrated maneuvering of pieces that look great together, and tell a story around the display space.

See Lessons Learned at an Outdoor Art Show and Art Shows, Art Galleries - Showing Your Art

Answer a Call for Art for an Art Show

Deadlines are a part of the artworld when art calls come out asking for works based on mediums, themes, and/or sizes, and the artist will consider if what they have created would fit into the request. The location, timing, and art fees of the show, and all important due dates and notifications are mapped out on the calendar to make the decision if they are interested in being a part of that art event.

Some artists create art for specific shows as well, so allowing for drying times, photo taking, and getting the application in on time are considerations.

An artist that gets a solo show will need to have quite a collection of a body of work for a cohesive art display that people will want to come and see. 

Knowing that there is often a fee to enter an art show, there is also a commission that the gallery or art group will take out of the artworks sale price with the remainder going to the artist. 

Let's look at a common example. Say the price on an artwork is $1000. A gallery may take 30 to 60% of that price. Often we see a 35% commission here in Woodbridge, VA.

$1,000 x .35 = $350 So... $1,000 - $350 = $650 goes to the artist with $350 going to the gallery. This is one way art galleries and art events make their money or raise money to stay in business, pay their expenses, etc. But if the gallery is well-known and/or in a big city, that gallery commission is on the higher end. 

(note: not including sales tax on this example)

See Call for Art

Volunteering

While art galleries may have staff that work in that art space, many art shows and smaller art galleries rely on the artists and/or art groups to help work in the space with setup, takedown, help the visitors, even art receptions, and even make the art sales. Every show is different as well as each space. 

In working with the Prince William Art Society art group, we've all found that volunteering time in a gallery space as invaluable. When you talk with a gallery visitor and you tell them you are an artist in that show, they will always ask, "Where is your art?" And you can start building a one-on-one relationship with that visitor by artfully describing what you do and why you love it. Your inspiration and your story help to sell the art. People do love to buy from artists when they love what they do and they've MET him or her!

See Getting Involved with Your Local Art Group

Getting Creative with Supplies, Storage, Equipment, Replenishment

Artists will need to manage their artwork in getting it to the show, and if it doesn't sell, getting it home again without damage. There may be equipment to buy or ways to use what you already have to move and get stuff to the show. Think wheels, think cushioning and protection.

Then there is art storage in your home/studio. Go UP whenever possible! Up on the walls, and storage going up.

Replenishment is an ongoing inventory topic in the artist's studio. Artists shop for the best they can afford, searching for art sales from their favorite art supply stores, online and offline. Here is a very basic look of an artist supply list based on prices found on September 25, 2025. (Hey...that's 3 months to Christmas!)

Painting Surface Cost Examples

• Michaels.com 18x24x1.5 Cotton Stretched Canvas $39.99 for 1
• DickBlick.com 18x24x1.5 Linen Stretched Canvas $49.43 for 1
• Jerry's Artarama Aqua Watercolor Paper 18x24 Cold Press 140lb for 15 sheets $68.22
• Amazon Ampersand Aquabord Painting Panel 18x24 $33.90 for 1

Painting Mediums Kit Cost Examples

• Amazon Golden Fluid Acrylic Paint Kit, set of 10 Colors, 1 fl.oz bottles, professional Paint $44.99
• Amazon Winsor & Newton Artist's Oil Colour Paint Introductory Kit, set of 10 colors 21ml tubes $68.37
• Amazon Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 24 whole pan $64.76
• Oil Pastels Sennelier run about $5.35 per stick
• Jerry's Artarama Schmincke Soft Pastels Assorted Box Set of 15 is $91.29 or about $6.09 each
• Jerry's Artarama Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil Tin Set of 48 Assorted $53.50
• Jerry's Artarama Artfinity Alcohol Inks run about $4.39 each fro a 25ml bottle
• Jerry's Artarama Winsor & Newton Gouache Paint Designers Gouache Intro, set of 10 assorted colors 14ml $56.70
• Amazon Nicety 72 Colors Acrylic Paint Pen Markers $23.45
• Jerry's Artarama Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Sketching Pencil Sets run between $5.87 and $13.43
• Jerry's Artarama Copic Sketch Marker Sets run between $70.20 and $421.20

For art surface preparation there are Gesso (Acrylic Gesso 1 gallon about $48.89) and Grounds.

Paint Additives include retarder, thinner, and wetting aid. 

Paint Finishes include varnishes, top coats, isolation coats and more, per medium used.

Tools and Equipment: based on sizes of paintings, the artist should have an assortment of Professional Brushes for each medium used, palettes, knives, artist tape, a brush cleaning product, a mahl stick, and sponges. At least one good easel is a requirement and the options are endless and choice should be based on budget, your needs, and space available. And finally, the topic of Displaying is addressed so that the art can be hung in the manner the show dictates.

Many artworks need to be framed and frames can run a gauntlet of prices, sizes, styles and colors. Additionally costs are matboards, backing boards, archival bags for prints, labels, business cards, Certificates of Authenticity.

See Have Art, How Do You Travel? and Storing Your Artwork

Manage Your Art Calendar 

Typically in the spring and again in the fall (pre-holidays), the calendars fill up with all the art shows, art receptions, art calls, deadlines to enter, notification dates of accepted or unaccepted art, drop off dates, and pickup dates that are sprinkled all over a calendar's days and months - on paper and/or phone.

Get a calendar with large enough spaces to fill in multiple to dos and events per day! Hello Pencil! Allow for space and changes and additions. It will happen occasionally that you'll have to go north to deliver art and south to pickup art, and east to go to that meeting and west to go pick up those art supplies on the same day.

Photo by Ed Hardie on Unsplash

Manage Your Art Business

Whether your art is a hobby or a business, there does involve managing the artwork, the accounting, the finances - income and expenses (costs of supplies, fees, commissions), scheduling, promotion, taxes and more.

Do keep track of all invoices, receipts, commission fees, entry fees, mileage to get there, - all of those items for the inevitable tax season. Know how much time you put into your creation so that you can price it fairly - but allowing for the mark up of gallery commission, art fees, etc too.

See Art Business Basics

Create a Bunch More Art 

Hopefully, your art inventory is depleting. Good, I hope it sold at a reasonable price.

You have a ton of inspiration and things you want to create. Great!

You've discovered more art shows you want to enter and make artwork for. Super!

You'll need to be in your studio and making a bunch more art. Some of these art venues only want new artworks, not something submitted previously, or they have certain things, themes, or sizes they are interested in. The artist will need to have the best of what they have ready for upcoming shows. Time to get in the studio and creating!

Learning More About Art

Art is ongoing. Many artists will continue their art education in so many ways. They may be watching hundreds of YouTube videos or taking a free or fee-based workshop and various classes to expand what they already do and learning new techniques. Exploring new ideas makes it all the more glorious as artists are such curious and creative folks. 

My Dear Art Lover, AKA Art Viewer, Gallery Visitor

So my dear reader, as you can see in this blog post, an artist has a long list of things that are done, need to be done, day in and day out to not only create the art, but to maintain that artwork you see at an art show. A ton of time, learning, practice, promotion, went into getting that artwork up on the wall you are viewing. As well as a LOT of heart, hope, and love.

There are artists that paint faster than others. There are awesome self-taught artists as well as artists with glorious art educations. But if you love the art - that is all that matters. If it speaks to you, we have done our job.

Photo by Klaudia Piaskowska on Unsplash

Support the artists! Especially LOCAL artists!

_______________________________________

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 412: Arts Alive 2025! Manassas, VA Art Show

Arts Alive 2025! Manassas, VA Art Show

The Prince William County Arts Council (PWCAC) is the sponsor of the annual Arts Alive! art show held at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, VA each year. It is a fantastic celebration of the visual arts and attended by many artists showing what they do. The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) was in attendance as well, and I had a table and some art up on the gridwalls with them.

A Big Show Day

Here are some of the photos of I took while at the show and on the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog here is the post with more. https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2025/09/post-573-artists-alive-sponsored-by.html

My table with my Bookcase and Mini Art

It is always fun to do this show and actually see folks that were there previously - and they remember your art! There were a lot of artists and art groups this year, which is good to see, and to visit with. 

Have you ever been to an Arts Alive Show?

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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.

Post 411: Have Art, How Do You Travel?

Have Art, How Do You Travel? 

I go to as many art shows in the area as I can and the question is always how am I protecting my art to get there? I have watched other artists to see what I can learn from them and perhaps find a great idea to help getting my art from point A to show B, then home again (if it doesn't sell). Hopefully on wheels. Definitely safely and without any damage to my priceless (to me) artwork.

Taking in the Sights

The longer I go to various art shows, the more I see. Occasionally my eyebrows go up in wonder. Even better is when I can go, "gee, why didn't I think of that?!"

 

Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash 

I've seen artwork that looks like its fresh off the easel, in pristine condition although it was painted years earlier and I have seen artwork that looks like its been through hell and back. Or maybe they just threw it in the back of car and raced home on two wheels. Not sure. And the price tag was still more than I would have thought after such abuse!

I've seen dusty framed artwork with dirty nicked-up frames and fingerprints or YUK, who knows what on the glass / plexiglass.

I've seen canvases with scraped up edges, frayed corners, etc. and it made me wonder if it was dragged across the floor somewhere? (My eyebrows are getting a workout.)

I've seen people come to an art show with their artwork in a cardboard box, nothing separating the canvases, just shoved in - no front to front, just shoved in. No blanket, no cushion. Just raw canvas or framed artwork faces rubbing noses against each other. Yikes!... 

    I don't know about you but in the heat, canvases can get tacky so some protection between paintings is a must in my book.

I have seen people just stack up the artwork and carry it away, and I've visibly cringed. Maybe that was the car that went out of the lot on two wheels...

    And stacking artwork with the wire and hardware on top of the front of another painting face can leave dents. Ouch!...

I've seen great artwork look really bad because of how badly the work was stored. I've even seen moldy matting, can you believe that? (My eyebrows fell off that time.) Some of that could be from how it is stored, and you can read more on that here. Storing Your Artwork

 

Photo by Beth Macdonald on Unsplash 

I am surprised occasionally when I see how, shall I say, nonchalantly some artists treat their art. And then I've been impressed when I see artwork delivered to a show or gallery with the artist having to "unwrap" the packaging, which could include a box, plastic (shrinkwrap), bubblewrap, cardboard corner protectors and the like. Kudos to these guys! - These folks are rocking the 'fine art protection rules', give these folks an awesome big gold star in my book! (Insert applause here.)

Transporting Ideas

In my mind, if an artist went to all the time and effort to do a painting, to take a photo, to make a sketch, wouldn't you think they would also take the steps to preserve their work? That would include not only in how it is stored, but how it is transported AND put out for display. They all affect each other. By the way, Display is here.

Artwork must be protected from dings, scratches, scrapes, and dents. Protection also means sunlight, temperature, and humidity. All of that can and will happen if you don't take the steps needed to prevent damage, warping and more, as best you can, especially if you want to get the amount you are asking for on that label.

We all are looking for ways to safely and easily transport our art. Here are some tips and ideas to get you going.

• Buy Archival Acid Free Clear Bags in various sizes. Not only are they great for storing, but they work well for transporting. You can find various options in sizes even for gallery wrapped canvases up to certain sizes. These work great for standing your art up vertically face to face to prevent the wiring and hardware from denting the paintings.
  
• Inexpensive fleece blankets are an option you can find in a lot of stores like Walmart, CVS and they like make decent cushioning.
  
• Remember if using bubblewrap - put the bubbles facing OUT. Bubbles facing in can make an imprint on your painting surface, and realize that the plastic is not acid-free for long term storage, so keep that in mind.
  
• Rolling suit cases - wrap those small artworks and see how many you can fit!
  
• Wagons, utility carts - find the size you need for what you have to roll around.
  
• Recycle types of shopping bags, even IKEA big bags.
  
• One of our former PWAS members used for his artworks that were photographs on wooden canvas blocks, he reused Amazon bubble envelops. Much of his artwork would fit in those and it was a great idea in recycling.
  
• Large sheets of felt sewed into various sized "pillow cases". All you need is to sew up potentially 2-3 of the sides and leave the fourth side open. I purchased inexpensive felt sheets from Walmart a few years ago and these make great covers. Cut the felt into the sizes you need and let your Singer at it. You could write FRONT and BACK on the felt and insert the artwork that way. If 2 are in the bag, put cardboard between them. Then when traveling with your artwork, put the fronts together so that the frame and wiring are on the outside. Note: cardboard is not acid-free either.)
  
• At your local fabric store, price a few yards of thick flannel and cut out the sizes you need and use a hot glue gun to make "sacks" out of them.
• If you have old quilts, you can make them into packing sleeves and sew on canvas straps. Break out those sewing machines folks. Wait! Someone could sell these things to artists. Nice idea for a side business. (Remind me to erase this paragraph before I publish this.)
  
• I have saved the boxes when I order frames and store paintings in those and use a large sheet of archival paper to protect the front from the cardboard.
  
• Towels, blankets, actual pillow cases - give some cushion and protection. Make sleeves out of those towels and blankets too!
  

Some of these ideas take a little more time when you are setting up to go to a show and set up your display. At the end of the show, maybe a few more minutes are added when you are breaking down the art and reloading to go home. Sure its been a long day, but at least your artwork may be better protected when wrapped up as you peel out of the parking lot. We'll talk about the car on 2 wheels escape debate at another time...

I know there are artists out there with brilliant ideas on protecting their artwork while traveling it about. I realize folks need to do what they can afford to do. And we know artists are a creative bunch, so let's see what kind of ideas you have too. C'mon, tell me something good, what ideas do you have?

This post was first published on the PWAS Artistry Spin blog on October 11, 2023.

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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.