Sunday, October 1, 2023

Post 326: Almost Always, Something on the Easel

Almost Always, Something on the Easel

Painting Name: Fall Up and Down

I've done a few paintings of looking up a tree - I really enjoy the angle. I've sold 2 of them and have one large one left. This one is a smaller version of looking up at a tree and captures that point where all the leaves have changed color in the fall and are about to come down.


SKU: 09CT23ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 8x8 Stretched Canvas
Edition Year: 2023
Framed?: No

Paintings in the Works

There is almost always something in progress on one of my easels or awaiting varnishing or it's hardware. I like that. Sometimes people ask me how often I paint, how long does a painting take and how many do I paint in a year. The first 2 questions are harder to answer but the last one is much easier.

2020 - 35 pieces (I didn't start till September 2020)
2021 - 219 pieces
2022 - 174 pieces
2023 - 122 pieces, so far. Granted, the small 3x4 mini paintings certainly don't take as much time as the larger art pieces like the "Sunrise at Manassas Train Station". And I have done about 280 minis so far since 2021.

I do like having several things going at once so that I can let one dry out before coming back at it. Good thing acrylic dries so fast but occasionally you do need to ensure its thoroughly dry.

I'm also working a mini series of NC Lighthouses. They are all 3x4 and in acrylic. Recognize any of them so far?


Ok, enough show and tell. I have more paintings waiting on me AND I have to go to the Art Reception out at Art at the Mill. Have a great day!

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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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Sunday, September 24, 2023

Post 325: A Short Trip to Charlottesville, VA

A Short Trip to Charlottesville, VA 

I recently made the almost 2 hour drive to Charlottesville, Virginia and visited with Family (one in the hospital) and made a few stops while there; including Trump Winery, Yoders, and Carter Mountain. As you can see from the pictures, a beautiful day it was on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

Trump Winery

On the way to Charlottesville, on 29 North (although I was going south), about 25 miles outside of Charlottesville is a very cool store called Yoders Country Market. It is well worth the visit as it has wonderful jams, jellies, flours, baking supplies, candies, baked goods, ALL types of wonderful spices, frozen goodies, refrigerated goodies, a deli and SO much more. 

2105 S Seminole Trail, Madison, VA 22727
https://www.yoderscountrymarket.net/

I guess I should mention the Petting Zoo as well with Leonardo di Goat "I'm King of the World!" up on the ramp over head.

After spending some time visiting with the Family on Tuesday, my aunt and I decided to revisit Trump Winery. We had gone there prior to Covid, around Christmas-time maybe in 2018 or 2019 and had such a great lunch there and the wine tasting was really exceptional as well. We remembered the lovely view and had a wonderful time there and hoped for a repeat. Well....

Over the river and through the woods we go, past the Carter Mountain Orchard entrance, past Michie Tavern https://www.michietavern.com/ and the gift shop, past Monticello and Jefferson Winery (I have GOT to go back to these spots too!). And then we realized the GPS wasn't stopping where we once entered the Trump Winery...on we drove, over hill and dale. And then discovered, low and behold, a NEW Trump Winery! Jaw-dropping. I'm hoping you heard my, "WOW".

We did not realize that the huge 'mansion' viewable from the previous spot across the valley on the mountainside had been under renovation and was now THE Trump Winery for the last 2 years. It was gorgeous. It was awesome. It is now the largest winery on the East Coast.

https://www.trumpwinery.com/

Click on the image for a larger view.





The original Trump Winery was on the far distant tree line and will become a cidery. The ground nearby is going to be planted with apple trees.


There was plenty of outdoor seating, also with tables and chairs in the shade, and plenty of people enjoying themselves. We met people from Florida, Colorado, and Ohio. Lunch was devoured, wine tasting was GREAT and what an interesting presentation! Select the wines you want to try (and size) and they served on a wooden tray with small glass container inserts. Or you could build your own sampler. 

We enjoyed the flat bread pizzas and LOVED the wines we sampled.









Only one tasting room was officially open but we counted 2 other rooms that had tasting areas. And LOTS of indoor seating as well, in nooks and crannies and great views all around. Wouldn't this be an incredible spot for a wedding! Of course, that is what it is built for as well and they could handle several going on at once, I suspect.

The Gift Shop included not only all the wines, but the wine merchandise - wonderful selections and the quality of everything, the BEST!


The courtyard. Immaculate was a word that came to mind besides beautiful.











After leaving the winery and winding our way back past Monticello, we decided to stop and Carter Mountain...apple cider, just picked apples and MORE. An ice cream cone was in our future. Charlottesville lays there between Carter Mountain and the distant mountains.

https://chilesfamilyorchards.com/carter-mountain-orchard/

It's been awhile since I've been to Carter's. I remember getting peaches there before, but those are past their time. The drive UP the mountain is now paved - good to see. Apples and pumpkins are the featured items this time of year, along with apple doughnuts. Ohhhh yeah. Along with a large gift shop with all kinds of goodies and souvenirs. 
















The opposite side of Carter Mountain.


I told my aunt that even though she had visited Trump Winery many times in the past, everyone will need to come back again and see it now. Lucky her, she's only about 12 miles away or so.

Definitely more time was needed to go back to Monticello and there are so many other wineries in the area. Not sure we could ever get such a beautiful, perfect day with a light breeze the next time! But it would be worth it.

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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!