Post 361: BRS Bird Watching

Painting Name: BRS Bird Watching

Having grown up at Blue Ridge Shores in Louisa, Virginia, I keep my eyes open for spots around the lake and great photos of the area that I might be interested in painting. This is the second photograph taken by Peter Olsen that I have asked for permission to use as inspiration artwork.

SKU: 10AO24ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 14x14x1.5 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2024

Framed?: No

What Brought About this Painting?

Peter Olsen comes back to Blue Ridge Shores typically several times each summer and on Facebook, I often find and see the results of his camera. Always great photographs from around the lake, which goes by its acronym BRS and sometimes Lake Louisa. This summer of course, with the water level lowered because of the work being done on the new dam, all of the new growth of grasses made for a much different visual than is the usual. Nonetheless, Peter caught a Blue Heron and a White Egret in one photo, which also caught my eye.

I added the duck and the cardinal. Look closely to find the cardinal...

This painting is called "BRS Bird Watching" and is 14x14 painted with acrylics on a gallery wrapped canvas. I plan to bring this painting with me to the BRS Craft Fair held at the BRS Community Building on Saturday, November 23, 2024 in Louisa, Virginia.

The first photo by Peter that I asked permission to use was of an old pier on one side of the lake that was for all intents and purposes abandoned and left in disrepair for years. This is my version of his photograph, and I added a flying Blue Heron going past the broken down decking.

This painting is called "A Day at Blue Ridge Shores" and is 24x24 in acrylics on a gallery wrapped canvas. This one I will bring to the Fair as well.

See you at the Fair!

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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 261: A Day at Blue Ridge Shores

Painting Name: A Day at Blue Ridge Shores

Thanks to photographer Peter Olsen for the use of his wonderful snapshots of his visits to Blue Ridge Shores in Louisa, Virginia and the influence for several paintings I have done of BRS. And thanks to the Beckett's at BRS for those boat rides around the lake on summer evenings with my mom, bro and sister-in-law.

SKU: A Day at BRS 7-27-22 B

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 24x24 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2022

Framed?: No

Check availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?

Growing up at BRS was a wonderful experience for the most part and I've written about that before, and it's quite nostalgic - every visit. I've had this painting in mind for awhile, and finally started it while in Richmond, Virginia - house sitting, dog and cat sitting for a cousin with my aunt. My cousin's husband has an art studio in the pool house (thanks for the use, cousin!...for the POOL and the ART STUDIO!) so I set up my canvas on the easel with my paints.

When I asked Peter for permission to use his photo of the old stairs down to the pier, I believe he said they are no longer there. Someone must have cleaned that lot up but the black and white photograph of them was definitely not only striking, but a long memory of life around the lake, from years ago, having a boat and skiing around the lake and more recently boat rides with the Beckett's and family.

Painting in Progress Images…

Watch the painting as it progresses!

It's coming along, more to go though! Stay tuned for updates.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022 - Now I think I can call this one done. Tweaked it and tweaked again.

July 27, 2022 2:30 PM and I continued to tweak

Not sure if I like the previous one better or not, as you can see, the water changed. One of those, "to tweak or not to tweak, that is the question". Ugh. 

July 31, 2022 7:33 PM What can I say?

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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://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.

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Post 157: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores, Louisa, Virginia - v.3, Acrylic 15x30

Painting Name: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores, Louisa, Virginia v.3

In some previous posts about Blue Herons at Blue Ridge Shores, and "Growing Up Blue Ridge Shores", this is my third in a series of 4 blue heron paintings of various sizes (and a commissioned work!).

SKU: 07CD21ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 15x30 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Price: SOLD

Edition Year: 2021

Framed?: No

Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

Blue with His New Owner and in His New Home

Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores with his new owner, Gina - of BRS and Ashburn!

What Brought About this Painting?

"I want it bigger." Those words can be music to the ears of an artist. I had previously painted 2 smaller Blue Herons at BRS paintings that were only 10x20, so a bigger one? Absolutely!  So here is the new Blue at 15x30 on a gallery wrapped canvas. Varnish and wiring will happen here shortly along with his "photo shoot." 

See the Painting in progress at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2021/07/blue-heron-at-blue-ridge-shores-3-15x30.html

What kind of artist would I be if I didn't have my next canvas on my mind? Actually, the next several canvases! I am thinking - jellyfish.

Do you like my paintings? Do 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, 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 Share, to Follow, and please Comment!

Post 156: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores 4, 5x7 Acrylic Painting

Painting Name: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores 4

A painting tip if there ever was one. Do you have leftover paint after mixing it up for a certain painting? Start a smaller version of it to use that paint up!

SKU: 07CG21AC

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 5x7 Stretched Canvas

Price: SOLD

Edition Year: 2021

Framed?: No

Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?

While mixing up a color for a painting, especially back ground colors, I find it useful to use up that paint on another canvas or two of any size necessary and do another version of the same theme. This is my fourth version of Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores and he is only 5 by 7 - someone expressed interest in a much larger version (hence, the commission of BH at BRS 4 [15x30]) and another person was interested in a smaller painting.

Well, sometimes you just paint with hope that maybe this one will connect with the right person...

I may tinker a tad bit more with him and I see sunlight from the window across this mini painting so an update will be necessary.

Find him here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1038032196/blue-heron-great-blue-heron-blue-heron?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1

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Commissions are open!

To Shop for paintings, please go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.

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Post 154: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores 3, 15x30 Gallery Wrap Acrylic Painting

Painting Name: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores 3

Apparently I have a Blue Heron series going on! Various sizes of the same bird.

SKU: 07CD21ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 15x30 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Price: SOLD

Edition Year: 2021

Framed?: Yes

Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?

I recently painted a 10x20 Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores painting and it sold before I even completed it! I had a lot of people asking about it, so I did a second version of the "BH at BRS 2" - also 10x20 but slightly different. While on vacation at the end of June, I met a very nice lady at Blue Ridge Shores that LOVED "BH at BRS 2" but she wanted one larger for her place. Hence, this commissioned work "BH at BRS 3".

Gesso is the beginning of nearly every painting so its anywhere from 3 to 5 coats with plenty of dry time in between. Let the Gesso begin...Meanwhile on the easel, a couple of mini paintings going on while the Gesso dries. (Play the Jeopardy music here.)

Have a peek at my Etsy Shop if you haven't already https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt

Painting in Progress Images…

Everyone has seen a blank canvas so there is no need to post an image of that and watch it drying. Images will be posted once Blue starts being somebody...

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 8:46 AM Progress thus far since early on this Tuesday morning. A long way to go but shapes are forming.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 1:04 PM The floating legless Blue Heron...

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 9:10 PM - Didn't get a lot done on BH at BRS 3 today but I did notice the Blue Herons are multiplying....

Left to Right: Blue Heron at BRS 2, Blue Heron at BRS 3, and I did a quick knocked of BH at BRS 4 who is a 5x7. Useful sometimes to use the paint you have already mixed up and do a mini guy.

BH at BRS 4 Mini is 5x7. I'll need to make a separate post for this little guy and get him on Etsy.

Back to Blue Heron 3 tomorrow.

Friday, July 16, 2021 3:04 PM - a busy week. A bit slower on this painting than I wanted to be. He's coming along though. Now he is eying me.

Update: Monday, July 19, 2021 12:12 PM - I wasn't happy with Blue's legs, so I am redoing them. 

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 12:48 PM - Alrighty, I think Blue is about there. I will look him over for a bit to see if he needs any tweaking, then its on to varnishing, wiring and presenting him to the new owner!

Shop, Share, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks!

See the Share options and Where to Find Me Links.

Commissions are open!

To Shop for paintings, please 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 Share, Follow, and Comments are welcome!

Post 148: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores in Louisa, Virginia V2, 10x20 Acrylic

Painting Name: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores, Louisa, Virginia Version 2

SKU: 06CD21AC

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 10x20 Stretched Canvas SOLD

Edition Year: 2021

Framed?: No

Commissioned? No

What Brought About this Painting?

There was such a great response for the first Blue Heron painting (v1) that I just had to do a version 2!

Version 2 - "Blue" doesn't have feet in this one.

Sides of painting are painted as well, so it does not necessarily have to be framed.

Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores, Louisa, Virginia versions 1 and 2 are shown here. Version 1 on the left sold immediately (before I even completed it!). 

Maybe not so subtle variations in the versions. Version 1 is a little bit deeper colors and you see a little more of the pier and a pole in the water in the background. Version 2 on the right, "Blue" does not have his feet showing.

See the Painting in progress at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-painting-in-progress-blue-heron-at.html

See the Version 1 Painting in progress at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2021/06/blue-heron-at-blue-ridge-shores.html

Again, many thanks to Peter Olsen for the use and permission to use his original photo taken on Memorial weekend 2021 of a Blue Heron as my "model".
See the original photo at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-painting-in-progress-blue-heron.html

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

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Like my paintings? Need a handmade, original painting 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 in the form, or on my Facebook link. To Shop for paintings, please go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.

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Post 146: A Painting in Progress: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores (v2)

Painting Name: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores (v2)

SKU: 06CD21AC

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 10x20 Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2021

Framed?: No

Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?

I had a LOT of people ask me about version 1 of this painting so I started another one. I am very grateful for the interest in it! This one will be slightly different, they always are.

Painting in Progress Images…

Friday, June 18, 2021 10:45 AM Moving along on another big blue heron bird painting. Ooops, looks like I missed filling in the background between the legs and tail. I can fix that.

Monday, June 21, 2021 11/35 AM Version 2 (v2) of "Blue" - he is starting to look like a bird and the lake is starting to look brackish. (See, I fixed it.)

Monday, June 21, 2021 2:31 PM Starting to fill in the bird, but I must get the background leaves in too before it gets too far along.

Tuesday, June 22, 2021 8:15 AM The floating Blue Heron with no legs

See the completed Painting at coming soon

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

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Like my paintings? Need a handmade, original painting 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 in the form, or on my Facebook link. To Shop for paintings, please go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.

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Post 143: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores, Virginia, 10x20 Acrylic on Canvas (v1)

Painting Name: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores, Virginia (v1)

SKU: 06CC21AC

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 10x20 Stretched Canvas

Price: SOLD

Edition Year: 2021

Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?

There are a lot of birds I have been wanting to paint and a blue heron is one of them. Recently, an old friend of mine, Peter Olsen, visited Blue Ridge Shores in Louisa, Virginia. He is known for taking some GREAT pictures especially when he comes up to BRS from North Carolina.

After this past Memorial weekend (May 28 - May 31, 2021) he posted a bunch of photos on Facebook. I spotted his blue heron photo and asked his permission to use it for a painting. Permission granted, the painting began.

As I usually do, I will look at it for a bit to see if it needs any more tweaking before I varnish it but I think its about there. What do you think? This picture may show the colors a bit better.

By the way, see the original photo at the "Painting in Progress" post.

See the Painting in progress at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-painting-in-progress-blue-heron.html

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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.

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Post 142: A Painting in Progress: Blue Heron

Painting Name: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores, Virginia

SKU: 06CC21AC

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 10x20 Stretched Canvas

Price: SOLD

Edition Year: 2021

Commissioned? No

The Image for Reference:

Photo Credit and Permission Granted from Peter Olsen, May 2021 at Blue Ridge Shores in Louisa, Virginia

Painting in Progress Images…

What would you name this Painting? Blue Heron just does not seem quite enough. Maybe a name suggestion will happen as the painting develops. Follow "the painting in progress" here and leave your comments!

Monday, June 14, 2021 5:10 PM - Roughed in the heron and the background

Monday, June 14, 2021 5:43 PM - He looks kind of ghostly doesn't he?

Monday, June 14, 2021 6:47 PM - bird has a bit of a hunchback. Blue Heron of Notre Dame. I'll have to smooth that out. 

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 8:32 AM - Still no legs but he has an eye. I like painting birds, and other critters. (That's the southern influence on me.) Feathers are such intricate delicate things. Our God and Creator really let His imagination soar (<- get that?) when it came to birds if you think about it. Their colors, how they are so exotic and different from each other, eh? (Eh? - That's the Canadian influence of friends and family there.)

Blue Ridge Shores is a lake in Louisa County, Virginia. The lake is man-made lake that began in 1960 as a resort community. The water has a lot of sediment in it, therefore the "color of water" has a green look to it. 

Coloring water also depends on other things like its bottom (or substrate), what's in it (even as recently as a good rainfall), the surface - refraction and reflection, and a biggie is the light which is directly influenced by the surface.

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 11:11 AM - Still no knobby knees or those long luxurious "strings" of feathers. Coming along but a long way to go yet. Detailing feathers takes awhile. 

What NOT to paint opposed to what to include

Also, from the real picture at the start, I am assuming that the lumpy stuff on the dock are things I do not want to paint. When you blow up the photo, the nails on the dock are actually quite raised. Much for bare feet to be aware of.

I also did not include the stick on the pier as there wasn't really enough room to do it justice. So far I did not include the red reflector on the side of the pier. I'm thinking it over. Attention should be on the bird not the pier one might think.

I was just wondering what these guys sound like? Anyone know?

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 1:15 PM - Pause in the painting for a bit. My neighbor had commissioned a painting for me to do for her daughter, Alison's birthday. Alison is visiting a couple of days and we "sprung" the surprise on her. See the entries listed under the keyword "Richmond VA". Warms your heart when someone sees the work for the first time.

Face details on the heron coming together...

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 3:30 PM - She's got legs, and he knows how to use them. ZZ Top, right? At least these little rinky-dinky things will become legs. HOW do they hold themselves up with those stick legs? Baffling. Like bumble bees. How DO they fly with those big bodies and rinky-dink wings?

I am reminded of the famous painter that painted geese, ducks, etc and she never painted feet. The birds were ALWAYS in the water or sitting down. She had a thing about feet. If you don't know who she is, she's P. Buckly Moss, of Waynesboro, Virginia. http://www.pbuckleymoss.com/

I am currently really liking the idea of no feet. Guess I cannot get away with having the heron standing in a bucket of water.

See the completed Painting at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2021/06/blue-heron-at-blue-ridge-shores.html

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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!