Showing posts with label PWAS Members. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PWAS Members. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Post 398: Artist Pink Hair Club - the Pink Ladies!

Artist Pink Hair Club - the Pink Ladies! 

When I first started running around in artistic circles (usually not literally), I did notice the occasional dyed hair styles and dress styles of some artists - to me, displaying that in fact, they ARE artists. An expression and statement of who they are, with confidence and creativity, a human walking piece of art. Kinda cool, I thought, followed by....Do I dare?

What Brought About the Pink Ladies?

It did cross my mind at some point that there were a lot of artistic folks, perhaps ladies more so than men, that must have wonderful relationships with hair dressers that will help us delve into the blues, the purples, reds, green, the pinks, and the multi colored hair dyes (or extensions). AND for that fun and very cool 'fairy hair' or hair tinsel. That's those glittery strands that are tied to strands of hair giving the person a glittery, sparkly look. Nothing wrong with any of that by any means. 

Not just their hairdressers know for sure any more.

On Saturday, August 2, 2025, several of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) members made the journey to the Bull Run Library in Manassas to pickup their artwork from the recent art show. Bettie Sperty was the show coordinator for this art show featuring multiple PWAS member's art. August 2 was scheduled as the art pickup day, ending this display. (Yet the show lives on until August 31 online...)

Kelly Haneklau, Staci Blanchard and Donna Liguria all showed up at the library to gather our art when we all laughed at each other's pink hair and said, 
"Hey, we're the Pink Ladies!" This is a picture that Bettie took while we were there.

A Colorful Trio. Left to Right: Kelly, Donna, and Staci. Behind the camera: Bettie

Donna Liguria says:

"I've colored my hair for a TON of years - but in a mostly more subtle approach. I've had highlights, red tones including burgundy tones, and I've had blond highlights and went total blond for awhile too. At a point in life, I also had to make a decision of either continue to perm occasionally OR to color. As age does the inevitable gray creep, I went with coloring my hair. (Yeah, I said it out loud.) Only this year has my friend (who happens to be my hair dresser) and I agreed upon bright PINK (inserted) as a previous attempt at dying pink highlights failed. I like the rebellion of the norm. I like color coordinating the pink to what I wear. Self expression, sure. I'm lovin' it. It just feels more artsy!"

Staci Blanchard - the Goddess of Glitter says:

"I chose pink for my hair to cheer me up.  It lightens my mood knowing I have pink hair.  I’m not ready to embrace my grays yet, and I think fun colors is well, fun.  When I was younger I couldn’t do it because of jobs or because I worried too much about what other people thought.  I don’t care so much any longer except to make myself happy however I can."

Bettie Sperty 

We did try to convince Bettie, with her already sparkly, glittery personality and artworks, she should at a minimum do the fairy hair! Of course, Bettie with her typical humor replied that, "Maybe I could foil my own hair with gold leaf." A painter has got to paint, right?

With that in mind, see these posts:

Learning to Gild with Bettie Sperty

Inside the Studio of Bettie Sperty 

PWAS Spotlight Artist Bettie Sperty 

The Artwork of Bettie Sperty, a PWAS Member

Thank you, Bettie for coordinating this show at the Bull Run Library!

A lady went by us when we were taking pictures in the foyer of the library who had this fantastic purple hair that looked great on her - we told her she should join us in on the picture.

Bull Run Library Art Show Still Available

The Bull Run Library is found at 8051 Ashton Avenue and is a wonderful spot for not only the books and digital media, various events and study rooms, but a spot that also includes a makerspace, AND an area in the display art. Artists - it is well worth a trip to the Bull Run Library to get a tour of the makerspace and see all the tools and resources that are open to YOU!

The Prince William Art Society has had member art shows there a couple of times with the latest one running from June through July 2025. As Bettie was taking the art down for pickup, a couple of people stopped to speak to her about the art coming down as well as the new art going up.  One lady was interested in a couple of the artworks from PWAS.

The libraries that we hold art shows in do not handle the art sales of the art. The artist or group on display need to provide a link, a QR Code for any interested party to go to for more information. The PWAS art group has an online art store featuring all of the member art on display at the library's art show.

After a potential buyer has purchased art in the store, the artist can then be notified to work out the art hand off.

Because of ongoing interest in this show, the PWAS Online Art Store, located at  https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/category/all-products will remain open until August 31. 2025.  The Bull Run Library specific artworks are in the Bull Run Catalog at https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/category/bull-run-library. We have previously shown art at the Montclair Library in Dumfries and hope to again.

My Fellow Artists...

Ok PWAS and other area artists - post a picture if you are a pink lady, a purple person, a blue or any other colorful artist in the area!

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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.



Saturday, May 17, 2025

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.


Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Post 274: Artist Inventory Sale October 8, 2022 Manassas, VA

Artist Inventory Sale October 8, 2022 Manassas, VA 

The Artist Inventory Sale and Fall Festival in Manassas, Virginia was on Saturday, October 8, 2022 with the Manassas Art Guild (MAG), p-ART-ners, some Prince William Art Society (PWAS) members and more under the Harris Pavilion canopy. Here are some pictures from that rather chilly day in early October. Thank goodness for the hot chocolate nearby!

A Beautiful Day but a Chilly One

The temperature sure didn't get where everyone thought it would get to that Saturday. After the rainy weather from the previous weekend though, we did enjoy the crisp blue sky and the glow from the sunrise over Manassas. After dropping off our supplies at the pavilion, we went to the top of the parking garage and I took these snap shots.


Photo of Manassas from the top floor of the parking garage as the sun rises


Photo of the Manassas Train Station from the top of the parking garage

I also needed some reference photos for the upcoming Paint Manassas art show sponsored by p-ART-ners.


Photo of the Historical Manassas Train Station


Photo of the ARTFactory from the parking lot of the train station - that's Mark Murphy walking across the train tracks. PWAS had our 50th anniversary art show celebrated at the ARTFactory in May-June 2022 - where I sold 2 paintings!


Photo of under the Harris Pavilion canopy with the Fall Festival all around us, Michele Franz walking toward her easel there in the center


Photo of some of my paintings to the left


Photo of some of my paintings and print stand


Photo of my mini table setup


Photo of the water tower from the Harris Pavilion


Photo of the gazebo next to the Harris Pavilion


Photo of the wonderful lampstands all over historical Manassas. Michele Franz was painting this view - a photo I didn't get...


Photo of the Manassas Water Tower next to the train station


Photo of Laura Lavarnway of MAG, "en plein air" (outdoor) painting along with many of the artists - upcoming photos...



Photo of Maureen Guillot painting the water tower


Photo of Maria Briganti


Photo of Ken Meardon of PWAS displaying his "photoart"


Photo of Mark Murphy of PWAS and his watercolor artwork


Photo of Maria Briganti


Photo of Maria Briganti cracking up about something, Michele Franz walking away


Photo of Mike Flynn painting from a digital reference photo





Photo of Laura Lavarnway


Photo of Maureen Guillot painting the water tower, gazebo in the background

Photographs taken by Donna Liguria on October 8, 2022 - look for my Paint Manassas paintings coming soon!
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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!

Friday, September 30, 2022

Post 270: A Weekend in Occoquan

A Weekend in Occoquan 

The alarm goes off at about 5 am and artists all around Prince William County open their eyes and think, "It's Occoquan Arts and Crafts Festival today!" Breakfast - check, car loaded - check, artist inventory list - check, water - check, snacks? In Occoquan along with COFFEE! 

Out the door we go to the PURPLE Lot at Tackett's Mill. That's the thing with Occoquan festivals, the getting in and out during the weekend. With much relief, Tony Muller picked up Richard Tyler, Staci Blanchard and I at the purple lot. It pays to have friends and PWAS members at or near Occoquan!

The Prince William Art Society Booth 34 and 35 

At the opposite end of Union Street this year, on the corner of Commerce and Union, the PWAS members set up the tents (2) and the gridwalls, tables and break out their art, with stars in our eyes....Maybe dollar signs...

Anyway, here are some pictures of the wonderful weekend we had. Saturday was glorious. Perfect weather. Sunday threatened rain but actually held off although a thundering roll quickly closed down the show about 3:00.

Nine PWAS members woke up early to head to Occoquan this year - Richard Tyler, Ana Quispe, Tony Muller, Ken Meardon, Kelly Haneklau, Staci Blanchard, Luiz Munoz, Kyryhan Rodriguez, and I (Donna Liguria). That's our story and we are sticking to it.

My little corner of the gridwall world

Donna Liguria Art - lots of small works, Pinata was the first to go to a new home

Donna Liguria Art Mini City had a good weekend and broke out all the minis on Sunday

Luis setting up his artwork

Luis' artwork

Tent Back Row set up with Kelly

Kelly and Donna's artwork

Prince William Art Society front of tent artwork - Ana Quispe, Kelly Haneklau and Richard Tyler's artwork just inside

Looking down Union Street toward Mill Street

"Comeon in and see the artwork by 9 local PWC artists!" Where is Austun Cherry when you need him? 

Kelly Haneklau x 2

The artwork of Staci Blanchard, Kyryhan and Kelly

Luis setting up his artwork

Staci and Ken at the ready

Ana Quispe and Ken Meardon artwork

Tony Muller's photography artwork

Ken Meardon setting up his artwork

Kelly Haneklau and I were on the back row of the tent

We had a fun weekend, a lot of laughs, especially with the discovery of slushy drinks! A special thanks to Tony Muller and his friend Kyrian and his kids - they were all so much fun and so helpful with the show. We saw many friends, family, PWAS members, neighbors and met so many more. Maybe the Spring Occoquan show....? 

By the way, anyone else go by and try that Chocolate Sauce booth?

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

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.