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!

Post 324: Piedmont Regional Art Show -The Plains, Virginia

Piedmont Regional Art Show -The Plains, Virginia

Stretching our artist wings, right? I am too. I entered the Piedmont Reginal Art Show located at Grace Episcopal Church, The Plains, Virginia which runs Friday, October 20 to Sunday, October 22, 2023. Another trek over the river and through the woods on the horizon!

Piedmont Regional Art Show

The Opening Gala is Friday, October 20 with the Sponsor's Preview starting at 5:30pm. There is a general admission fee.

On the website, it touts the 75th Anniversary, let me know if that is for the church or the art show! Inquiring minds want to know! Oh, "Alexa...?" "Hey, Siri!"

My Paintings Entered into this Show

I am always excited to enter new (for me at least) art shows and experiences. The few pictures that I have seen so far show the space looking really awesome for the art that will be showing. 

For this art show, all of the artworks are required to be framed. I don't frame many of mine, but I do have a few...

"Cape Lookout NC" is 12x24 Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. I've visited a friend at Harkers Island in North Carolina several times so far this year and you can see the Lighthouse off in the distance from her deck. 

"Mountain Path" is 12x24 Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. This painting tied for second place in the 2021 Open Space Arts Gallery at Stonebridge in Woodbridge, VA People's Choice Award

"Washington DC Cherry Blossoms" is 12x24 Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. This painting won second place in the 2023 Open Space Arts Gallery at Stonebridge in Woodbridge, VA People's Choice Award

Hope to see you there too!

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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 323: 24 Mini Paintings and Counting!

24 Mini Paintings and Counting!

Many mini paintings have appeared! These are 3x4 inch small artworks that come with a mini easel and sell for between $25 to $30 depending on how much work goes into them. They are so fun to paint!

Bumper Crop of Minis

This current crop of minis are for the most part based on beach and water themes with lighthouses, duck decoys and mallard ducks, dolphins, sharks, shore birds, blue crabs, boats, a mermaid, sea turtles and sea shells - not pictured are sand dollar shells under water. I did paint more after this picture was taken.

Donna Liguria's 3x4 acrylic on mini stretched canvases - have a favorite?

My favorite one is center bottom - the "Tumblin' Ducklings" I recently watched a video with the momma Mallard leading her babies to the edge of a dock or the edge of a pond, then she leaps/glides to the water and urges her babies to follow her. It is hysterical to then see the ducklings bravely jump. Actually, its more like they throw their fuzzy bodies over the edge and splat into the water below. This is my version of the tumbling fuzzies.

This mini is called "Daffodil Inspection" 3x4 acrylic

I have purchased 3 boxes of 100 3x4 mini canvases since 2021 and I have painted around 275 of them so far. I take these minis to the art shows I go to, and I will be at Stonebridge, at Open Space Arts this Saturday for a popup show in front of the gallery with the Prince William Art Society. That and I have art inside the gallery for the "Strut Your Stuff" art show. So, the Chilifest is this weekend, come on by!

FREE - Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Open Space Arts Gallery AND PWAS Popup Art Show in front of the gallery

15000 #140 Potomac Town Center

Woodbridge, VA

(across from DSW)

Chilifest Saturday, September 9, 2023 11am to 6pm

 

https://www.kojamproductions.com/events/stonebridge-fall-fest-and-chili-cook-off-2023

Also, I will be at Arts Alive on Sunday, September 10 once again for this marvelous art show at Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110 12-5pm https://www.pwcartscouncil.org/artsalive/

So come by and say hello, see the art, and definitely browse the Minis!

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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 322: Fall Art at the Mill Art Show - A Nice Drive to Millwood

Fall Art at the Mill Art Show - A Nice Drive to Millwood 

Over the river and through the woods, to Millwood, Virginia we go! Sandra McClelland Lewin and I made the one hour and 16+ drive out to the far lands of western Virginia out to the rolling hills - with plenty of wineries and horses to Burwell-Morgan Mill. Our goal: to drop off our art at the mill.

What is Art at the Mill?

Art at the Mill is held at Burwell-Morgan Mill located in Millwood, Virginia in Clark County. The name of the art show is "Art at the Mill" held twice a year as a spring and fall art show with approximately 300 artists and about 1000 pieces of art. AMAZING!

https://www.clarkehistory.org/art-mill.html

Sandra and I from the Prince William Art Society (but representing ourselves) were both selected to show at the Mill. Artists pay a small entry fee and can submit up to 5 pieces - we each had 3 pieces chosen.

The check in process is like a well-running milestone...

And it is, a live mill, water running through it and various types of flour are ground there. It is very cool and the sound of the water strikes you as soon as you enter the doors. Then up the stairs we go...

For those artists selected to appear, they pre-schedule their drop off appointments to help with not only dispersing the volume of people descending on the mill all at once and check in process, but to alleviate the parking in and out. Our drop off time was Friday, September 1 at 1 pm, so not a lot of art has been dropped off as yet - some art is whisked away to store in the upper levels, while some is hung on the walls. 

That is not where it will stay though. The drop-off is a 3 day event - Friday through Sunday. After all the artwork arrives, the busy Millunteers will "hang" the space. Every nook and every cranny will be art-filled making this art show a delight to the eyes. If you LOVE art, creative people, and love supporting the artists - and the mill, come by and see, well, both. The mill and the art!

One of my paintings, "Saltwater Aquarium" in its temporary spot by a Millunteer.

Sandra at the the check-in tables. The Art at the Mill staff have a great, efficient method of checking in the volume of artists in the show - and it makes sense. First is to give your name at one table, the volunteer checks you in on their computers and gives you your pre-printed check-in labels. Next, another check-in point, where you verify the artwork and labels, then finally you hand your art over. The volunteer adheres the labels to the back of the artwork and other Millunteers whisk off the art to make way for the next wave of art and artists.

Sandra at the the check-in tables

One of Sandra's pieces next to the window (lower)

Quite noticeably, there is not a lot of artwork checked in as yet. I suppose the downside of getting there early on a Friday, is not being able to see what else has come in as yet. But early has its advantages too - a quick snack across the street was a nice break in the day too, especially on such a beautiful day.

Well the next important dates are the actual show times.

ART SHOW HOURS 
Art at the Mill will be open 7 days a week
Saturday SEPT 23 through Sunday, OCT 8, 2023 during the following hours:
Sundays through Fridays 12-5 pm
Saturdays 10 am-5 pm

The art reception will be on Sunday, October 1 from 2-5pm.

And another great thing about Art at the Mill is that close to the show opening, their Facebook and website will post a live link to ALL of the art that is on display. People can purchase art - but the Mill does not ship it to them. Artists can watch the progress and see if their own artwork has sold. Such an efficient and marvelous process!

Along with my Saltwater Aquarium painting, these are the other two pieces of mine that were selected:

"No One Can Teach Riding So Well As A Horse" Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 18x24

"Streams Never Stay the Same" Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 11x14

Hopefully we have less or NO art to pick-up when the show ends - wish us luck!

ART PICK-UP:
Friday, Oct 13 OR Saturday, Oct 14, OR Sunday, Oct 15

Art at the Mill on Facebook

More of my blog posts on Art at the Mill:

https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2023/08/post-319-art-at-mill-fall-2023-and-open.html

https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2023/05/post-303-art-reception-at-art-at-mill.html

https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2023/03/post-296-art-at-mill.html

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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 321: The Marshes of Harkers Island, North Carolina

Painting Name: The Marshes of Harkers Island, North Carolina

A painting progression of the marshes at Harkers Island. Follow the blog to see the finished painting!

SKU: 08CF23ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 16x20 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2023

Framed?: No

The Reference Photos Taken at Harkers Island 

It fascinated me to read up on those dead trees you see in the background. They are called "Ghost Trees" and they occur because of the continuous exposure of the tree's root system to the saltwater.  Here are some of the reference photos I took.

Now, let's get this painting in gear.

What Brought About this Painting?

One morning while visiting my friend at her home on Harkers Island in July 2023, we went for a walk with her neighbor on the side of the island near the bridge. I couldn't help myself, as I fell farther and farther behind their pace. There were just soo many great pictures to take. Reference photos, you know. This will be a combination of a couple of photos I took along the road (above).

Painting in Progress Images…

After doing a base color of light blue yesterday (Thursday, August 24, 2023), this morning I started taking this painting seriously and filled in where I wanted it to go. Let the games begin...

Friday, August 25, 2023 8:50pm I made a lot of progress today, but if you stay tuned, you'll see where I'm going with this.

Sunday, August 27, 2023 11:00 am...almost there...

Sunday, August 27, 2023 12:30pm Think this little painting is done. 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://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.

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

Post 320: A People's Choice Award, Book Shelf Art and More

A People's Choice Award, Book Shelf Art and More 

I've been a busy little Art-Bee recently - painting up a storm - actually painting up the beach paintings. And then surprisingly, I won second place in the People's Choice Awards at Open Space Arts for the July-August Show. I also am the Blog Admin of not only this blog, by the Prince William Art Society's (PWAS) blog called "Artistry Spin". Here are some of the things I've been Art-Beeing, AKA Art Binging, on.

For Those That Serve Art Show at Open Space Arts

In July and August at the Open Space Arts Gallery in Woodbridge, Virginia, my painting "Washington DC Cherry Blossoms" just won Second Place as voted on by the gallery visitors. What a surprise! There was so many, many wonderful paintings for that show - that just ended Sunday, August 20. 

My painting "Washington DC Cherry Blossoms" 10x20 Acrylic on Canvas

Open Space Arts Gallery 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, Virginia

The new show is called "Strut Your Stuff" which opens Wednesday, August 23, 2023 and will run until September 17. I have about 12-13 pieces in this show. As always, come by the gallery and enjoy ALL of the art.

Book Shelf Art

As many of you know, I paint a lot of mini paintings. They are typically 3x4 mini canvases on about ANY subject and I sell them with the mini easel. I'm also painting a lot of 4x4 gallery wrapped small canvases that do not have a hanging mechanism (wire or hook) that I am now calling "Book Shelf Art". They are meant to be sitting in a book case or shelf (any nook or cranny), and enjoyed there, not taking up any wall space. Here are some samples of what I am currently working on.,

"Bottoms Up" 4x4 Acrylic on Canvas - a swan doing a dive

"Cygnet Fluff Baby" 4x4 Acrylic on Canvas - a baby swan

"Lighthouse 2 Mini" 3x4  Acrylic on Canvas with Easel

"Decoy 4 Head Turn Mini" 3x4  Acrylic on Canvas with Easel

"Decoy and Duck Mini" 3x4  Acrylic on Canvas with Easel

"Sea The Turtle" 4x12 Acrylic on Canvas (wired for hanging also)

And there are so many more minis in my inventory with more on the way. Book Shelf Art makes great gifts too.

Blog Writing Is Ever Ongoing

The PWAS Artistry Spin Blog is found at https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/ On it we have art tips, art shows, member pictures and all the artsy things we are up to. 

Here on my own blog of course, are found what I am up to - paintings, shows, occasionally thoughts (believe it or not, I occasionally have a thought), and/or places I go.

On either blog, your follow, your comments are always welcome and appreciated. The Blog Admin (me) must approve them before they show of course, to weed out the spammers.

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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 319: Art at the Mill Fall 2023 and Open Space Arts - I got in!

Art at the Mill and Open Space Arts - Where My Art Is

Art at the Mill, here I come - again! Open Space Arts, I got art there! My art was accepted to appear in a couple of spots - whoo-hoooo!

Art at the Mill

What a wonderful way to start the day. The jurying process is done, my emails arrived. I got in - again! It is such an honor to be accepted into this show. For the Spring Art at the Mill, they had about 300 artists and about 1000 pieces of art juried into the show. Read that again, 1000 pieces were accepted into the show!

After a wonderful Spring Show at Art at the Mill earlier this year, 3 of my artworks were accepted to the Fall Show which begins Saturday, September 23 and will be up until October 8, 2023. Read more about this wonderful space for art, artists, and art lovers https://www.clarkehistory.org/art-mill.html

15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, Virginia 22646

Art at the Mill is an amazing art show in a wonderfully awesome location. The Mill is a live, working mill filled with artifacts as well as all kinds of artwork. It is a beautiful drive out in the rolling Virginia hills. What is also cool is that you can actually see all of the artwork that will be at the show online and see if your work sells. That part of the show will be available closer to the start date. The public is welcome to purchase online too, but they have to go to the Mill to pick it up.

Here are the three paintings of mine that were accepted for the Art at the Mill, so Clark County, here I come!

Streams Never Stay the Same 11x14 Acrylic on Canvas

Saltwater Aquarium 16x20 Acrylic on Canvas

No One Can Teach Riding So Well as a Horse 18x24 Acrylic on Canvas

Open Space Arts

15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA 

I'm currently showing at Open Space Arts, near Wegmans. I have three pieces on display there as well. This art show will be up until August 20, 2023. I have submitted artwork to appear at the next show, "Strut Your Stuff" so no news on that as yet. Fingers crossed... Here are my pieces currently on display.

America Backs the Blue, 10x10 Acrylic on Canvas (framed)

Harkers Island, North Carolina 16x20 Acrylic on Canvas

Washington Monument Cherry Blossoms 12x24 Acrylic on Canvas

I've got a road-trip coming up! And the Art Reception at Art at the Mill was good too!

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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!