Post 335: Christmas at the Core Sound Museum, Harkers Island, NC

Christmas at the Core Sound Museum, Harkers Island, NC 

Harkers Island, North Carolina is the home to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center, which is within sight of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Beginning on November 17, 2023 and running through December 31, 2023 is the 2023 Gallery of Trees.

What is the Gallery of Trees?

I recently visited a friend that had moved to Harkers Island earlier this year and so enjoy my time spent with dear friends that are extended family there. We rode around the island and viewed the wonderful Christmas lights decorating the homes as well as the light show outside of the museum. And we visited the museum again, to see the 2023 Gallery of Trees - honoring local businesses, organizations, and families.

https://www.coresound.com/

Museum - Harkers Island

1785 Island Road | PO Box 556

Harkers Island, NC 28531

(252) 728-1500

Here are the trees featured all around the museum. Each tree has a story and my friend and I enjoyed looking at each and every one of them. 

Teresa standing next to her neighbor's "arts" tree.

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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 334: White House Having a White Christmas

Painting Name: White House Having a White Christmas

A commissioned painting of the White House in the snow at Christmas. Wow, this one will be a challenge. Then it was a choice of which entrance? And oh, and can I finish it before Christmas!? Think about that, a white house on white snow...what time of day so that we can really see the Christmas decorations? Light for thought. Artistic license may be what is needed here.

SKU: 11EN23ACGC

Medium: Acrylic, Acrylic Marker

Size: 12x16 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2023

Framed?: No

Commissioned? Yes

What Brought About this Painting?

One of the best things in the world is when a former client contacts you to do another painting! And the possibility to do something in Washington DC in all 4 seasons. See Cherry Blossoms An Annual DC Event hmmm what will be next? So many great options!

Painting in Progress Images…

Watch the painting as it progresses!

Friday, November 10 6:49am FINALLY decided on the angle and went with the front entrance. Sketching begins! Nothing to look at as yet, but once committed to canvas, color is coming.

8:21am - First things first is to get your painting blocked in. Then a rough idea of where things are and for me, whatever is the farthest away should then come in. For instance, if the sun or the moon is in the picture, THAT is the farthest away. Then comes in the sky and clouds. Those pretty much MUST be in place before the foreground gets very detailed. 

Then I can detail the Monument, then the White House itself. Then the snow and absolutely, the Christmas decorations are last. Here is the beginning...

Of course, as an artist, I can and do break the rules - even my own. Layers and more layers, let's see where we go.

This one was from Friday afternoon (November 10, 2023)

Saturday, November 11, 2023 9:14am, in the process of toning down the "yellow" but I needed it as a base to work up from...Again, layers, layers...white is a funny color anyway. Not many things are always pure white, depending on the light. If you have ever looked at paint samples in a store for your walls or wall trim - you know.

Saturday, November 11, 2023 1:16pm...Now we're talking I think. Made some major adjustments

6:40pm Much progress accomplished, yet so many details left to do!

Sunday, November 12, 2023 8:20am. I do believe the painting is done! Rock and Roll!. I'll look at it for a bit of course first. And I am a firm believer in turning the painting upside down and viewing it for awhile too. That helps to "see" oddities, believe it or not. Still has to be varnished and dry but right on the verge of done. What do you think?

Drop a comment below and let me know!

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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 333: Creative Brush Small Artworks Show

Painting Name: Creative Brush Small Artworks Show

Creative Brush Studio's Holiday Small Works Show will be from December 3 to December 24th, 2023, at 8951 Center St, Manassas, VA 20110. The art reception is Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 2-6pm. 

I was surprised and honored to have all 3 of my art pieces accepted! Here are 3 of the total of 5 Virginia Historic Home Series that I have painted since 2022, and these 2 were entered for the Small Works Show:

Gunston Hall Virginia Historic Home Series 11x14 Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Monticello Virginia Historic Home Series 11x14 Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Mount Vernon Virginia Historic Home Series 11x14 Gallery Wrapped Canvas

The other 2 paintings included the Virginia Historic Home Series were the Governor's Mansion in Richmond and Rosemont in Berryville, Virginia (unavailable). I've considered doing more - alas - time! Although in DC, I also just got a commission for the White House at Christmas in the snow. Woohoo! White on white - a challenge! 

I hope you go by and see my friends at Creative Brush in Manassas and stop in for the reception!

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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 332: Last Light LIghthouse NC

Painting Name: Last Light Lighthouse NC

With the Cape Lookout Lighthouse in the foreground, Shacklefort Island across the way and Harkers Island fading away in the distance to the right, the sun is setting on a day on the South Core Banks.

SKU: 11EL23ACG

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 24x24 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2023

Framed?: No

Commissioned? No

What Brought About this Painting?

Sometimes paintings take a lot of research and planning before paint, nay, even gesso hits the canvas. I went through all of the sunset photos I had from Harkers Island, NC and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, and viewed Shacklefort Banks maps and waterways. Occasionally, you go by the research and sometimes you throw it all up in the air and go with your vision.

I actually started the painting Wednesday, November 1, 2023 and while doing some research, I came across a Facebook post that had:

"One hundred sixty-four years old never looked so good! Happy Birthday, Cape Lookout Lighthouse!

On November 1st, 1859, the newly completed Cape Lookout Lighthouse was lit for the first time. Standing 163 feet high, made of red bricks, and its distinct daymarks, it has been a navigational aid through the Graveyard of the Atlantic for 164 years. It will continue to be a beacon of light, guiding mariners around the shallow ten miles of shoals that extend off Cape Lookout." - https://www.facebook.com/CapeLookoutNPS

Too cool I think! 

Painting in Progress Images…

Watch the painting as it progresses! A big mess but I suppose you can see where I am going with this...

Paintings NEVER EVER look like much in the beginning. At least mine don't. 

Recognize the lighthouse? Cape Lookout

Painter's Tape is my friend

Friday, November 3, 2023 5:25 pm I'm liking it more as I go. Let's see what I can do to it tomorrow.

Sunrise finds me painting a sunset. Saturday, November 4, 2023 9:20am. By clicking on an image, you can see the photo closer. Must be high tide - a few of those mini marsh islands appear. Those ponies swim (or walk) over to those to graze. Yes, there are the Shacklefort Ponies on that island.

Hmm. The painting to me is still no where near done. I'm not happy with the sky yet... 

Monday, November 6, 2023 4:36pm I'm thinking it is getting better. It's certainly not as dark. Not completely happy yet though.

Monday, November 6, 2023 6:16 pm When the signature goes on, I know its close to done. Camera kinda lightened it up some too. Perhaps the decision To Tweak or Not to Tweak is the question would be best answered in the morning light.

Sometimes I can't leave well enough alone but...
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 9:17am I like the changes, how about you?

And she's done! I'll be bringing this with me to Harkers Island Dec 1-3, 2023 for the 35th Annual Core Sound Decoy Festival - I'll be at my friend's house on Sound Point Drive for a popup art 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://donnaliguriaart.etsy.com to shop my available Artwork.

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Post 331: The Dove at the Jordan

Painting Name: The Dove at the Jordan

I hope you know the story on this one. 

SKU: 10EK23AC

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 11x14x.75 Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2023

Framed?: No

What Brought About this Painting?

I've watched "The Chosen" several times now. If you haven't, I highly suggest you do. Season 4 is supposed to come out in theaters in 2024 so you have Season 1 through 3 to binge on til then through the Angel Studios app on your TV. And this December, Dallas Jenkins (son of Jerry Jenkins, one of the writers of the Left Behind Series) has worked on combining "The Shepard" and "The Messengers" for a Christmas special.

I did touch up the faces some and tweaked here and there after taking the picture above. Getting the varnishing done now. Debated on the name of the painting as well (artists...we are always piddling, you know). "The Dove at the Jordan" or "The Lamb and the Dove at the Jordan"? 

The art label making folks LOVE shorter names for paintings and I understand that. When they are making those small labels, it is far easier to make and see a shorter name. Also, if the name is going into an online art store, limited characters in that line may cut something off. Oh the challenges. 

I've painted a few Christian-based paintings and here is another one to add to my list. Previously, I have these:

A mini acrylic painting 3x4 called "Genesis 1:1" on mini canvas with a mini easel. I hope you know the words..."In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth." I am a believer of this - my hope is that you do too.

"Genesis to Revelations, He's Got This" is 16x20 Acrylic on Canvas and is Sold. When you read about the crucifixion of Christ on the Cross, it is often said that the nails were probably actually in His wrists. The weight of His body would have torn His hands if the nails were driven through His palms.

16x20 Acrylic on Canvas "There Once Was a Boat". I based this on the Ark Experience style of Ark. The animals were INSIDE the ark and I'm pretty sure the giraffe's heads were not sticking out of the top window nor were the monkeys dangling off the railings or the elephants standing on the deck with their trunks in the air. Imagine what it would have been like to be Noah and his family in a world covered with water for months on end. And knowing you were the only people left on earth...

3 Mini 3x4 "Holy Bible" paintings in acrylic on mini canvases with mini easels. Holy Bible script is in gold leaf, 1 is Sold

"The Day the World Changed" is 4x5 small painting in acrylic. Everything changed on this day. What can we say about a God that loved us so much that He would die for us, and was actually killed by us? The foremost thing is that He became like us, hence the body CAN be killed, but we cannot actually kill God. He rose from the dead - He is a living God. That is how HE - saved - us. 

HE paid OUR price.

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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!