Post 391: After the Workshop with Valerie Larson

Workshop with Valerie Larson 

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) offers various art workshops about once a month all around the Prince William County area on a variety of art subjects. I recently attended a workshop given by Valerie Larson in Manassas on "Marketing Made Easy Plus Fun With Watercolor Pencils" where the attendees learned about marketing on Instagram, followed by using watercolor pencils.

Marketing Made Easy

Valerie Larson, whom many PWAS artists are familiar with, has been a guest speaker before at our member meetings. (By the way, PWAS meetings are open to the public and are held on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30pm at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA. )

See these 2 posts on PWAS Artistry Spin: Blog Post and PWAS Meeting with Valerie Larson

Valerie is well-known for her pet portraits and in her workshop, she describes her painting process, her commission process, and the in depth process of videoing, editing, and producing Instagram reels. The reels she creates are not only used to market her paint business on social media, but to relay to her clients the progress of their pet's painting.

Valerie's workshop was extremely helpful in understanding the value of Instagram reels and how she creates the reels she posts. She described the specific equipment and apps that help her design interesting posts that help promote her work and thereby generate commissions. Check out her Instagram.

There was a point where Tom and I discussed that we needed to share with our art group members the use of technology - the internet - social media use - the benefits of using the various tools that are within a keyboard or mobile phone's reach away. Sure, many of our members do post the artwork they create, but many members don't use social media at all, let alone promote their art business online. That's probably true of many artists worldwide to a degree.

We do realize that a lot of artists may not be computer savvy. Hey they've been doing important stuff like making art and making babies and working on those grandbabies! Life is all about those priorities, right!?! Technology is the least of their worries, I am sure. But perhaps that curiosity is there to learn more...

Since this workshop, I have been so inspired by Valerie and have written and posted on this blog and the PWAS Artistry Spin blog several articles I think may help artists to at least become interested in learning more about the technologies available, if not learn some art tips that may help. Am I right?

Tech Series 1 Instagram for Artists

Tech Series 2 Are You Reeling on Instagram?

Tech Series 3 How to Be Pinteresting

Tech Series 4 is on the horizon...

There could very well be more in the Tech Series to come, so follow both blogs so you don't miss out.

Sure, we may not become "influencers" but learning to use, to post our art for the world to view online has far more potential reach than a small pop up art show. 

I would be remiss not to include my own social media as well as PWAS - and Follow too, while you are there!:

https://www.instagram.com/donnaliguriaart/

https://www.facebook.com/DLiguriaArt/

https://x.com/DonnaLiguria

https://www.pinterest.com/donnaliguria/

https://www.instagram.com/princewilliamartsociety/

https://www.pinterest.com/PrinceWilliamArtSociety/

https://www.facebook.com/princewilliamartsociety/

https://x.com/PWASVirginia

Watercolor Pencils

I use watercolor occasionally. Nope, let's say rarely use watercolor - its use is certainly a different mindset than acrylic painting. I've taken a couple of watercolor workshops offered by the Prince William Art Society with Mark Murphy and Marni Maree. But this was the first time using watercolor pencils - that was different! And we used Valerie's favorite painting surface, Aquabord by Ampersand - now that's a pretty cool surface.

Notwithstanding my minimal skills as a watercolorist, here is my attempt at painting with watercolor pencils:

I know, I know...practice, practice, practice. 

The trouble I find, although I do like playing with watercolor, is that you do have to then mat and frame or package the watercolor artwork. I'll more than likely stick with acrylic as my main man, but it is nice to delve into the water world occasionally.

Let me know your thoughts on the subjects in the comment area below. Or at least follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook!

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Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting 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. 

Photography/Video Credits: Tom Payne took most of the photos above

*Thank you for visiting! I would appreciate if you Share, Comment, a please Follow My Blog! *I LOVE reading your comments on my posts! Just remember that the blog comments are monitored so they may not appear right away.

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.

Post 377: PWAS Member Art Exhibition at the ARTfactory

PWAS Member Art Exhibition at the ARTfactory 

The Prince William Art Society Member Art Exhibition is currently showing at the ARTfactory in Manassas, VA. Sandra McCelland Lewin and I stopped in yesterday to check out the show and see Jordan Exum the ARTfactory's Gallery Director.

Around the Art Gallery

I suppose the first thing we all do when we go into a gallery where our art is hanging is to look for our own art...Guilty here! So have a look and find your own - although I may not have quite captured all of the pieces on display.

Online Web Gallery - check this out, it is all of the artwork with details

Over the river and through the woods on Friday, May 16, we had to first pickup our unsold art from the recent Spring Art at the Mill art show at the Burwell Morgan Mill in Milwood, VA. Then we stopped in Manassas. We heard rumors that some artworks had sold already at the new show that just opened at the ARTfactory this week. 

And so that the PWAS artists are aware, the ARTfactory does, and prefers to have all of the art stay up on the walls for the duration of the show whenever possible. Occasionally - and understandably - some gallery visitors don't live nearby so that if they want to purchase an artwork, the gallery has arranged so that the purchased artwork can be taken with them. 

Katie Keller Dugan is above and my "Going for a Run" is below, which I painted this year.

Bettie Sperty's artwork above, and "Patio Garden" is below, that I painted early 2025.

Staci Blanchard's artwork sold

"Spring at Merrimac Farm" is a 16x20 gallery wrapped canvas that I painted in 2024 after going to the Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm. I was very pleased to see that the piece was purchased and will be picked up next week as a gift for someone.

"Stormy Seas" is another artwork that I did late in 2024

Art Reception Saturday, May 17, 2025 6-8pm

I do believe the ARTfactory will be filled with Prince William Art Society artists, friends, and family this evening along with gallery visitors to see and enjoy the show. Wall-to-wall art lovers - I'd love to see that for the ARTfactory's Artist Reception tonight (ohhh let's just say, all day). 

And by the way, VOTE for People's Choice while you art there!

Come out and meet the artists and see all of the very diverse art from Prince William County's oldest art group (est. 1971). See you at the show!

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*Thank you for visiting! I would appreciate if you Share, Comment, a please Follow My Blog! *I LOVE reading your comments on my posts! Just remember that the blog comments are monitored so they may not appear right away.

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.

Post 371: Meet You at the Bluebell Festival!

Meet You at the Bluebell Festival!

The Bluebell Festival is this Sunday, March 30, 2025, 10-3pm at the Stone House, Merrimac Farm WMA. I'll be at a table with the Prince William Art Society where we will have lots of great art, from lots of local to you Virginia artists, lots to see and lots of Bluebell Art!

15014 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville 20181

Walk the Trails, See the Bluebells

You'll need to register before you go! This will help a lot with the parking and getting into and out.

Be sure to look for the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) Plein Air Posse artists - they'll be out there on the trails painting too!

And stop by the PWAS table and see the artwork we'll have for you to browse. 

Register Here

https://pwconserve.org/staging/3382/sunday-april-7-2024/

Directions Here

https://www.pwconserve.org/merrimacfarm/directions.html

See you amongst the bluebells! (the ART that is!) You really don't want to be off the paths!

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*Thank you for visiting! I would appreciate if you Share, Comment, a please Follow My Blog! *I LOVE reading your comments on my posts! Just remember that the blog comments are monitored so they may not appear right away.

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.

Post 344: Mini Bluebell Series

Mini Painting Series: Bluebells 

The Prince William Art Society has an art show coming up on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at the Bluebell Festival. I painted some minis for it.

Merrimac Farm is 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville, VA

Painting Name: The Path of the Bluebells

SKU: 03F24ACM

Medium: Acrylic and Acrylic Pens

Size: 3x4 Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2024

With Mini Easel (SOLD)

Painting Name: Virginia Bluebells 1

SKU: 03G24ACM

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 3x4 Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2024

With Mini Easel

Painting Name: Virginia Bluebells 2

SKU: 03H24ACM

Medium: Acrylic and Acrylic Pens

Size: 3x4 Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2024

With Mini Easel

Painting Name: Virginia Bluebells 3

SKU: 03J24ACM

Medium: Acrylic and Acrylic Pens

Size: 3x4 Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2024

With Mini Easel

Painting Name: Virginia Bluebells 4

SKU: 03K24ACM

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 3x4 Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2024

With Mini Easel

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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.

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

Post 343: Sunshine Ridge Farm Winery Art Show

Sunshine Ridge Farm Winery Art Show with PWAS

I was recently juried into the art show with the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) for the Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm in Gainsville, Virginia. Here are the paintings that will be on display at the Winery and on our PWAS Shop at https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/category/sunshine-ridge-farm-winery

My Artwork at the Winery

These are the five pieces I have at the Winery.

For the Love of a Horse, 18x24 Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Pony Day at Shackleford Banks, NC 20x20 Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Mom, I Don't Want to Take a Bath 9x12 Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Sunrise at Historic Manassas Train Station 16x20 Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

A Walk Along a Woodland Stream and Around the Corner 9x12 Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

For Further Reading

The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm and PWAS

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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.

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

Post 305: Spring Tall Oaks Art Show in Lake Ridge

Spring Tall Oaks Art Show in Lake Ridge 

Saturday, May 6, 2023 Tall Oaks Community Center - 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA. A wonderful part of being in an art group like the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) is being able to hang out with my art friends at art shows and talking "shop", which is of course, art. That's a lot of art - literally. We do it for the love of the creativity in all of us.

Local Artists in Prince William County

Ten artists from the PWAS group were set up for the show, and we had a good many visitors for the day. 

Here are some photos of my day at Tall Oaks...

My art table - MINIS! 

My art prints, various sizes available from my art inventory

My art up on the wall

More of my art

My art group's table - the Prince William Art Society

More of my art mini's

More of my stuff, of course...

The art show was from 10 am to 4 pm - and the artists HAD to get the show closed for ANOTHER event, their art reception for the "April Showers Bring May Flowers" Show at Open Space Arts at Stonebridge, which started at 6pm! 

And what a spectacular event that was - and it was open to the public as well. Over 50 artists from PWC with art up for this show!

Photos by Otis Stanley:

If you missed the Tall Oaks Show, we will be back in Lake Ridge for our monthly PWAS art group meetings on the 4th Monday each month at 7:30pm (the public is welcome) and in October for the Fall Tall Oaks Art Show. 

See also: https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2023/05/post-open-space-arts-gallery-art.html

You can also see our art at Open Space Arts at 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA for the various art shows schedule through the year. Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 12-7pm and Sunday 12 - 5pm. Note that we are also adding 7-9pm hours on Fridays and Saturdays as we have staff availability. See you at the show!

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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.

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

Post 304: Art Week in Woodbridge, Virginia

Art Week in Woodbridge, Virginia 

Two art shows this week and two art receptions. Open Space Arts at Stonebridge opens Wednesday, May 3 - June 18 and the Spring Tall Oaks Art Show for the Prince William Art Society artists is on Saturday, May 6 10-4pm. One art reception is past, one is upcoming. An artist's work is never done.

Art Receptions and Art Shows

The week started on Sunday, April 30 with an art reception at Art at the Mill in Middleburg, Virginia. Although a rainy weekend (much needed), the rain reminds us of the saying "April Showers Bring May Flowers" and it does! The art show title at Open Space Arts goes by that saying with a full-on floral art show.

PWAS Members at the Art Reception at Art at the Mill on Sunday, April 30, 2023. L/R Donna Liguria, Mark Murphy, Michelle Baker and Maureen Guillot

Sunday evening and into Monday at Open Space Arts was spent checking all the art into the gallery that was juried in from the 51 artists selected to appear. Monday afternoon was the hanging of the art. A lot of art. All sizes and types of art. Then tweaking the art. Then the volunteer hanging folks label all the art.

Somehow the thought of the stockings were hung by the chimney with care - but more like the artwork was hung by the volunteers with care, in the hopes that the visitors would soon be there... 

Artist Volunteer Hanging Committee preparing Open Space Arts for its Opening May 3, 2023

And coming up this weekend - An art reception at Open Space Arts 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA from 6-8pm. This is our largest art show thus far so come meet the artists and see what they do! 

Also, extended hours at the gallery on Friday and Saturday evenings will begin shortly. The Stonebridge Shopping Center is such a marvelous place to dine then walk about and enjoy, so make a point to stop in at the gallery too.

And in Lake Ridge, the Prince William Art Society's annual Spring Tall Oaks Show will be held Saturday, May 6 10-4pm at 

Tall Oaks Community Center 12298 Cotton Mill Dr. Woodbridge, Virginia

That's on the corner of Hedges Run and Cotton Mill off Old Bridge Road where the Giant Shopping Center is. We believe in supporting the arts and enjoying the art created my artists local to us all. 

The Tall Oaks Community Center in Lake Ridge

Here are some pieces of my art work that are displayed and from "hanging out" at Open Space Arts Monday, May 1, 2023. Art Prints are now very much featured at the gallery as well and is often a great price point to begin when collecting art by artists you enjoy. Green dots symbolize that prints are available for that piece of art. Click on the image for a larger view.

Get Flowers Paint Them by Donna Liguria, 16x16 Acrylic

Hydrangeas Over Rock Wall by Donna Liguria, 16x20 Acrylic

Mercury Glass Flower Arrangement by Donna Liguria, 16x20 Acrylic

A Pot of Purple Pansies by Donna Liguria, 8x10 Acrylic

Spring in Occoquan by Donna Liguria, 12x12 Acrylic

Blue Glass Vase on Table by Donna Liguria, 9x12 Acrylic

Cornflower Sunrise by Donna Liguria, 11x14 Acrylic

African Violets in a Terracotta Pot by Donna Liguria, 10x10 Acrylic

Daffodil Inspection by Donna Liguria, 3x4 Acrylic Mini with Easel

Rose Garden Walk by Donna Liguria, 20x20 Acrylic

Have a favorite? Let me know! And come by and vote for it at the gallery! Leave it in the comments below too. I do love feedback.

The small army of artist volunteers hanging, rearranging at making the gallery look GOOD!

So next things are this week is for the Art Reception volunteers to prepare for what we hope is a great turn out on Saturday, May 6 for the art reception. AND for the PWAS artists participating in the Tall Oaks Show to prepare for that.

Will you be able to attend? Have a favorite art piece? What's on your mind? Hope to see you at the SHOWS!

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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.

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