Painting Series: Millstones at Burwell-Morgan Mill
A couple of times a year, in the Spring and the Fall, I love the opportunity of making the trek out to Millwood, Virginia to take part in the biannual art shows called Art at the Mill at the Burwell-Morgan Mill. This historic landmark is lovely, and on a beautiful day on top of that just calls for "take pictures of me!" And I do. And I always take pictures of the millstones, which led to, "what am I going to do with all of these pictures?"
What is a Millstone?
If you have ever been to a gristmill, you've probably seen or even walked over a millstone. They are the grinding stones used in crushing, milling, or triturating grains and flours. There are runner stones and bedstones. They are often big, look very heavy, and several are propped up outside of the Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood, VA.Burwell-Morgan Mill
The Burwell-Morgan Mill is located in Clarke County, Virginia at 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA. It is a water-powered live working mill that was built in around 1780 or so. They still grind various flours when they aren't having their biannual art shows called "Art at the Mill".
See more about the Mill here Clark County Historical Burwell-Morgan Mill
Art at the Mill
Is an biannual art show held in the Spring and the Fall at the Burwell-Morgan Mill for which approximately 300 artists apply for each art show, and jurors select about 900-1000 pieces of artwork to be shown at each show. Can you imagine jurying between 1300-1500 pieces of art?
We understand that the very first thing that happens after an art call deadline passes is that the jurors select the "Show Piece" for the show, which will go on all of the Mill's promo materials. Wow, what an honor that would be.
This is a huge art show. And as typed above, whenever I am gratefully juried into this art show, on drop off, art reception, and art pickup days (if art doesn't sell), I take a lot of pictures. Do a search on this blog for the multiple blog posts and stories I have previously posted.
I wondered how old those millstones are that are in the picture below.
I painted this mini series (4) of the millstones in front of the mill. If you are a history buff, this live working Mill is such a lovely spot, and it is fascinating to watch the waterfall, and how the Mill functions. See https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2023/03/post-296-art-at-mill.html for some photos of the Mill at work.
I do urge our Prince William Art Society members to see Art at the Mill and sign up to be included on their mailing list for the calls for art.
Do you want to peek at the Millstones Series? Here are some photos of the paintings close to being finished.
The Millstone Series In Progress
Have I painted the Mill before? YES, I have!
George Washington's Gristmill
Grist Mill Park, featuring George Washington's Gristmill and Distillery, is another mill near to me. I've been by that mill a few times while going to Mount Vernon, and I plan to go there again soon. The first time I went there was an Elementary School field trip! I'm going to Mount Vernon again in a couple of weeks so the plan is to stop at the Gristmill too. Perhaps there are millstones waiting for my trusty camera there too.
See https://www.mountvernon.org/the-estate-gardens/gristmill
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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.
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