Post 353: Lincoln Memorial in the Fall, a DC Season Series

Painting Name: Lincoln Memorial in the Fall, a DC Season Series

A new commission for a new painting for a client is so exciting. Especially when the client is a repeat customer! We have a series of Washington DC artwork going, and so far we have spring and winter. This painting will be the Lincoln Memorial set in the fall. Watch the painting as it progresses here.

SKU: 08AJ24ACGC

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 12x16 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2024

Framed?: No

Commissioned? Yes

What Brought About this Painting?

I was contacted one day a couple of years ago on Etsy from a fellow that lives in Washington DC. At that time, he had seen one of my Washington Monument paintings with the spring cherry blossoms and he wanted one in a certain size. We agreed and I painted it for him. Some time after that, he wanted another painting. This time, he was thinking Washington DC in the winter, so I painted Christmas at the White House for him. Hence, this is how my Washington DC Seasons Series got started.

Spring in Washington DC

"Cherry Blossoms, an Annual DC Event" by Donna Liguria 12x16 Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas 

Winter in Washington DC

"White House Having a White Christmas" by Donna Liguria 12x16 Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Now is time for Washington DC in the fall, so the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool are up. I'm thinking DC in the summer should have fireworks next, but we'll see. 

Painting in Progress Images…

Watch the painting as it progresses! I'll add pictures as the painting moves along so keep an eye out here. The canvas preparation kicks off the painting and that isn't too thrilling to see, so give me some time to get this baby viewable...

Thursday, August 15, 2024 8:50am Filling in the shapes and laying down a base.

Thursday, August 15, 2024 4:35pm Laying down color in layers, deepening and putting in some outlines and shadows.

Friday, August 16, 2024 3:23pm. Steadily sharpening up the lines and colors. Water reflection is always interesting.

Sunday, August 18, 2024 5pm Detailing

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 3:23pm It's almost there. When the signature goes on it, its very close.

Monday, September 2, 2024 6:32pm

Fall in Washington DC

After speaking with the client, he wanted it to be MORE fall colors so I added more orangey, yellowy, and orange-reds, and some leaves already down. The finished painting (maybe) (minus varnishing)!

What do you think?

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Let me know if you like my paintings and if you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member. If you want to commission me to do a painting for you, 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.

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Post 336: Dixie for Christmas

Painting Name: Dixie

I painted Dixie in September/October 2023. As she is a Christmas present, this blog post on the painting can't be released until after Jesus' birthday for the (I hope) surprise it is supposed to be.

SKU: 09CU23ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 12x12 Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2023

Framed?: No

Commissioned? Yes

What Brought About this Painting?

My aunt contacted me to do this painting as a gift for her granddaughter of her beloved "Dixie", who had unfortunately passed last year. 

Dixie in Progress

And the final picture is of my second cousin with her painting on Christmas day. I hope it brings a smile everyday of the memory of a loved family member.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Let me know if you like my paintings and if you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member. If you want to commission me to do a painting for you, 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.

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Post 334: White House Having a White Christmas

Painting Name: White House Having a White Christmas

A commissioned painting of the White House in the snow at Christmas. Wow, this one will be a challenge. Then it was a choice of which entrance? And oh, and can I finish it before Christmas!? Think about that, a white house on white snow...what time of day so that we can really see the Christmas decorations? Light for thought. Artistic license may be what is needed here.

SKU: 11EN23ACGC

Medium: Acrylic, Acrylic Marker

Size: 12x16 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2023

Framed?: No

Commissioned? Yes

What Brought About this Painting?

One of the best things in the world is when a former client contacts you to do another painting! And the possibility to do something in Washington DC in all 4 seasons. See Cherry Blossoms An Annual DC Event hmmm what will be next? So many great options!

Painting in Progress Images…

Watch the painting as it progresses!

Friday, November 10 6:49am FINALLY decided on the angle and went with the front entrance. Sketching begins! Nothing to look at as yet, but once committed to canvas, color is coming.

8:21am - First things first is to get your painting blocked in. Then a rough idea of where things are and for me, whatever is the farthest away should then come in. For instance, if the sun or the moon is in the picture, THAT is the farthest away. Then comes in the sky and clouds. Those pretty much MUST be in place before the foreground gets very detailed. 

Then I can detail the Monument, then the White House itself. Then the snow and absolutely, the Christmas decorations are last. Here is the beginning...

Of course, as an artist, I can and do break the rules - even my own. Layers and more layers, let's see where we go.

This one was from Friday afternoon (November 10, 2023)

Saturday, November 11, 2023 9:14am, in the process of toning down the "yellow" but I needed it as a base to work up from...Again, layers, layers...white is a funny color anyway. Not many things are always pure white, depending on the light. If you have ever looked at paint samples in a store for your walls or wall trim - you know.

Saturday, November 11, 2023 1:16pm...Now we're talking I think. Made some major adjustments

6:40pm Much progress accomplished, yet so many details left to do!

Sunday, November 12, 2023 8:20am. I do believe the painting is done! Rock and Roll!. I'll look at it for a bit of course first. And I am a firm believer in turning the painting upside down and viewing it for awhile too. That helps to "see" oddities, believe it or not. Still has to be varnished and dry but right on the verge of done. What do you think?

Drop a comment below and let me know!

__________________________________________________________________________________

Let me know if you like my paintings and if you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member. If you want to commission me to do a painting for you, 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.

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Post 332: Last Light LIghthouse NC

Painting Name: Last Light Lighthouse NC

With the Cape Lookout Lighthouse in the foreground, Shacklefort Island across the way and Harkers Island fading away in the distance to the right, the sun is setting on a day on the South Core Banks.

SKU: 11EL23ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 24x24 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2023

Framed?: No

Commissioned? No

What Brought About this Painting?

Sometimes paintings take a lot of research and planning before paint, nay, even gesso hits the canvas. I went through all of the sunset photos I had from Harkers Island, NC and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, and viewed Shacklefort Banks maps and waterways. Occasionally, you go by the research and sometimes you throw it all up in the air and go with your vision.

I actually started the painting Wednesday, November 1, 2023 and while doing some research, I came across a Facebook post that had:

"One hundred sixty-four years old never looked so good! Happy Birthday, Cape Lookout Lighthouse!

On November 1st, 1859, the newly completed Cape Lookout Lighthouse was lit for the first time. Standing 163 feet high, made of red bricks, and its distinct daymarks, it has been a navigational aid through the Graveyard of the Atlantic for 164 years. It will continue to be a beacon of light, guiding mariners around the shallow ten miles of shoals that extend off Cape Lookout." - https://www.facebook.com/CapeLookoutNPS

Too cool I think! 

Painting in Progress Images…

Watch the painting as it progresses! A big mess but I suppose you can see where I am going with this...

Paintings NEVER EVER look like much in the beginning. At least mine don't. 

Recognize the lighthouse? Cape Lookout

Painter's Tape is my friend

Friday, November 3, 2023 5:25 pm I'm liking it more as I go. Let's see what I can do to it tomorrow.

Sunrise finds me painting a sunset. Saturday, November 4, 2023 9:20am. By clicking on an image, you can see the photo closer. Must be high tide - a few of those mini marsh islands appear. Those ponies swim (or walk) over to those to graze. Yes, there are the Shacklefort Ponies on that island.

Hmm. The painting to me is still no where near done. I'm not happy with the sky yet... 

Monday, November 6, 2023 4:36pm I'm thinking it is getting better. It's certainly not as dark. Not completely happy yet though.

Monday, November 6, 2023 6:16 pm When the signature goes on, I know its close to done. Camera kinda lightened it up some too. Perhaps the decision To Tweak or Not to Tweak is the question would be best answered in the morning light.

Sometimes I can't leave well enough alone but...
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 9:17am I like the changes, how about you?

And she's done! I'll be bringing this with me to Harkers Island Dec 1-3, 2023 for the 35th Annual Core Sound Decoy Festival - I'll be at my friend's house on Sound Point Drive for a popup art show.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Let me know if you like my paintings and if you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member. If you want to commission me to do a painting for you, 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.

*Thank you for visiting and remember to Share, to Follow, and please Comment!