Post 396: Art Show Themes That Make You Go Hmmm

Art Show Themes That Make You Go Hmmm 

Calls for Art are interesting yet contemplative things for an artist. When a call for art shows up in your inbox or you see one in your social media, one of the first things you take note of is the title of the show. One of the next questions (for me at least), is where is it? This blog post looks at some of the perplexing art show themes, titles and other things where artists end up scratching their heads and going, "Hmmm". 

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Now, What Shall We Call Our Art Show?

I do realize of course that art galleries / art spaces need to name their upcoming scheduled art shows something. I could be wrong, but I'm thinking its more for the public's interest and promoting it than for the artist's sake except that how else are you going to refer to it? A call for art / art show name can make it appealing and a curiosity to the public and make it stand out, to even be a memorable event. Understood.

You can't very well name them "January", "February", "March", etc. for a lot of reasons. Many art shows don't sit in exactly those time frames either. So, what's in a name? I suppose a lot.

"Hey, do you remember that art show we did a couple of years ago called 'Coloring the County'?" - Yes, that name works better than saying, "Do you remember that art show we did in May 2022?" AND the name was pretty generic - a vague hint of submitting some colorful artwork... more or less.

And then there are the typical art show names, like "Art in Motion (insert whatever)...", "A Journey Through (insert whatever)...", and "Art Unleashed (insert whatever)...". Hmmmm. I'm thinking bicycling, traveling in my car, and freeing my canvases...

And THEN the questions that must be answered for you to figure out if you can enter the show:

1. Does the time frame work for me - from drop off/pickup and actual show dates?
2. Does the art I have fit the size or medium requirements they are asking for?
3. Does the location work for me - how far away is it? 

Yes, location. As in WHERE the heck IS IT? I come across a lot of art calls online BUT finding out what state or city or even the country the thing is in is absolutely missing. Put out a APB to find that art show! Very often I have to do an internet search to find out WHERE it is! Maybe its me, but I think that's an important thing to PUT ON THE ART CALL. Last I remember, the internet is global.

And finally...

What is the art theme, and what the heckles are they asking for? There are titles I have puzzled over definitely. I don't like the idea of submitting my art to the show and hoping it fits the puzzle.

Photo by Reid Naaykens on Unsplash

Hmmm. Google needs to come up with an art show app to decipher the names of art shows. Does anyone have an app for that?

Is the name actually the theme of art they want you to submit or it is just a generic name of the show? 

"April Showers Bring May Flowers" is rather obvious. "A Sense of Play - Young at Heart" would leave me baffled. Whimsical art maybe?

The art call should spell it all out for you - IN YOUR FACE! I'm talking neon light here in some fancy colors.

Like: 

"OPEN CALL - Landscape"

Ok easy enough there, they want landscapes. K.I.S.S.

"Call for Art Word and Image"

Also pretty easy, they want some kind of image and some text on the art in some manner. Whoever can mix that up in a meaningful and delightful way gets in I presume.

Befuddling Art Show Names 

I can't be the only one here...How many of you have read the title of the art show and thought, "What the heck are they asking for?" And they want you to write up a statement about the art that you submit for it! Including how your artwork reflects that theme. Hmmmm.

I did just come across an art call like this: "Call for Artists - Get ready for the biggest art show of the year! 8' x 8' Small Canvas Art Show". Do you see the problem with that one?

Even "Emerging Artists" shows - hey I'm still emerging. I haven't been doing art all that long. Or are they asking for the spring chickens here?

Sometimes you just must bring out the soapbox (maybe in this instance I should say the pochade box) and say a thing on your mind. Sure, it is good to have an interesting and appealing name for an art show's call for art. But I do like the clarity of a oh, they want THIS kind of art. Just hopefully, I have something that will fit the moniker.

I'd love to hear some art show names that have puzzled you as well. Drop a comment!

As a sidenote, check out this list 1,015 Memorable Exhibition Name Ideas to Spark Curiosity

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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.

Do you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member? Yes, I do most commissions, so 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 395: Transporting Art to Art Events, How Do You Roll?

Transporting Art to Art Events, How Do You Roll?

One thing you learn VERY quickly at your first art show, is that you must have a 'system' in place for ease of transport for your artwork to and from your art shows and events and carrying all the items you need without killing yourself. There can be quite a bit of distance between where your vehicle is parked to where the actual setup of the artwork is.

"No One Can Teach Riding So Well As A Horse" in acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas 18x24 by Donna Liguria

Questions to ask yourself:

1. What do I need to carry to this art show?

Good question and it pays to be thorough. Consider first and foremost, what ALL you need to carry, how will you carry it, and how far - from car to setup space. Very important are the sizes of your art pieces you wish to display and the amount of inventory.

What you will use to "carry" everything? Be aware of the total weight, ease of use, and how much space you have in your vehicle, as well as area to actually hang your artwork. Please see Art Show Check List

2. How do you transport unframed art canvases?

Consider shipping supplies - boxes, tape, etc, and acid free supplies and wrapping materials.  What if you do sell the item, how will you package it for the customer?

Another suggestion is to use is white cotton gloves when handling any and all of the artwork itself. Especially if you ate Cheetos on the way to the show.

I've used pillow cases, small blankets or towels, and purchased sheets of felt and sewn them like a large pillow case to protect the art.

An idea that came from a fellow Prince William Art Society member, Nicole Fisher, is this idea on Instagram for double reflective insulation. This idea really looked good too.

Here's a YouTube video on the making of the bag if you can't get to Instagram:

Making bubble bags to transport your artwork in!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quNal9m9wm4

3. How do you transport framed art?

Glass front items, think bubble wrap to protect the frame and glass.

When using bubble wrap with a canvas - put a layer of acid free paper between the artwork and the bubble wrap and ALWAYS put the bubbles AWAY from the artwork to avoid imprinting those little circles on the art.

When I ordered floating frames for some of my artwork, I kept the boxes they came in and once the artwork was installed, I simply put a sheet of archival paper between the front of the artwork and the cardboard.

4. How do you transport art prints?

Depending on the size of the prints, an appropriately sized art portfolio(s) would protect these, or sturdy boxes. I have used those sturdy plastic grocery bags and have cut layers of card board as liners for the bottom and front and back.

Also, do you have the appropriate print stands to display your prints? The typical options are table top or standing print stands.

5. Will you be painting AT the event?

You'll need a portable easel, which usually come with an art supplies drawer area. You'll need a painting surface: art board, canvas and also consider how you will transport a still-wet canvas home. Another consideration is at least a hat if not an attachable umbrella to protect yourself from the sun and glare. 

And something to sit on is not only important for painting at the event, but most locations and shows do not provide anything to sit on at all or only provide 1-2 chairs.

6. Can you carry it all in one trip?

What are some ways to get your artwork, art prints and art merchandise to your art event quickly and easily without breaking your back OR ruining the art? How will you get it from your door to car, to the art event AND if it doesn't sell, reverse transport?

I'm sure many artists can relate that some art events are easier to access than others. Although the Occoquan Arts and Crafts Fair in Occoquan, Virginia is typically an AWESOME place to set up your tent (literally), the getting to and out of the area is the challenge that comes to mind here.

Whether you are in an art group and sharing a booth and/or tent or you are a solo artist, you will need a way to get EVERYTHING you need to that show from tent and artwork to merchandise displays.

BEWARE the HEAT

Hot Cars: Be careful of leaving artwork in a hot car. 

To, from, and during transport protect the artwork to avoid sliding, marking, and ANY damage to your work. Also, be aware that you must protect artwork in a hot car - acrylic paintings or other artwork with a varnish can be damaged in the heat if they are butted face-to-face. Art that sticks to another surface is NOT good. Normally, when packing art in say, your studio, you can package the artwork (of the same size) face-to-face, but add heat to that when transporting, be much more careful. Also, avoid most plastics and non-acid free surfaces, especially in the heat.

BEWARE the BOUNCE

Even in the car or a cart, ensure your artwork, merchandise and displays aren't bouncing, shifting or sliding around without some support or packing material around it.

BEWARE the RAIN

Well that sucks, it started raining. Keep an ear to the weather reports and be prepared for the 'just-in-cases'. As you well know, water and most artwork don't mix. Wind is also another terror. A tarp, plastic trash bags - something must be ready, sometimes in a hurry, to keep the water off. Or bungee cords to anchor and/or strap anything down prone to fly-away.

Some Purchased Ways to Transport Art

Consider the size of the artwork you need to transport before you purchase, as well as the weight of everything you'll need to carry. The big questions are: can you do it in one trip and will you have some muscle (help)? Think WHEELS, baby.

• Collapsible Art Carts (wheels)
  
• Collapsible Art Wagons, Utility Carts (wheels) - these are lifesavers!!
  
• Portfolios
  
• Milk Crates  

  

Some Creative Ideas for the Transport of Art

I'd love to see other people's suggestions for how they effectively move their art without breaking the bank too! Here are a few things I've come across when watching fellow art group members:

• Used Amazon bubble envelopes for smaller works
  
• Craft felt, cut and sewn into various sized "pillow cases"
  
• Sturdy boxes (even Amazon boxes), assorted sizes to fit items
  
• Blankets, towels, pillow cases
• Luggage with wheels
• Various totes, backpack, shoulder straps are beneficial
  

Art Event Must Haves

A great idea at an art event is to have what I call a "Go Kit". In the Go Kit are essential items you wish you had remembered to bring. Please be sure and see Art Shows Check List for what to include in a Go Kit.

Then the Art Show Ends...

We wish we could have sold it all so that there is less to pack back up!
 
Very typically, after a long day at an art show, everyone is understandably ready to just go home. Amazing how fast it will come down as opposed to how long it took to set up sometimes. It is a good idea at this point to have a great way to quickly, yet safely, repack your unsold items. Again, you do not want items to rub against each other or shift while transporting. At a minimum, put something between them and be careful about stacking various sized canvases so you don't further stretch the canvases!
 
I have actually watched in horror -gasp- and seen artists just stack their artwork up and shove it in a bag and toss it in their car! Yikes! Nothing but a cloud of dust as their car departs the parking lot on two wheels and their portrait of "The Scream" looking out the back window. 

Photo by Alexander Krivitskiy on Unsplash

Anyway, I would LOVE to hear your tips, suggestions, ideas or stories about transporting your stuff to the show too! Drop a comment below!
 
A good read: https://fineartviews.com/blog/20870/art-display-systems-for-art-festivals

@2026 Donna Liguria. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited without permission

Love my content? Follow my blog!

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Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for 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. 

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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 394: In the Works - More Morning Glory Flowers!

In the Works - More Morning Glory Flowers!

I'm on a bit of a morning glory kick at the moment as my mini garden blooms this summer. Absolutely, I am loving the summer's gifts of fresh tomatoes and basil, but the daily changes in the whites, pinks, purples, blues, and lavenders in the morning glory flowers get my attention too.

"Oh, what a beautiful morning! Oh, what a beautiful day!*..." At least I don't come out of the house each morning singing at the top of my lungs, much to the appreciation of my neighbors. (Yes, guilty of watching so many musicals, growing up where everyone breaks out in a song.)

These morning glories love the sunrise! Then they get shy once the morning starts aging, falling in upon themselves.  But wait, more will open tomorrow.
Here is what I have painted thus far this summer.

Painting Name: Garden Flower Glories

More practice in the use of the watercolor pencils than anything, I enjoy using these little watercolor treasures since using them in Valerie Larson's class. Basically its a "Draw it and drown it" style with watercolor pencils - I'm loving it. 

Medium: Watercolor Pencils and Acrylic Pens

Size: 9x12 Mixed Media Paper

Edition Year: 2025

Framed?: No

Painting Name: The Morning Glory Climb

This one will have morning glories, they are coming. I promise. I planted the seeds! I played with watercolor markers to see what it would do...not a fan as yet. My yard is tiny living here in Woodbridge, VA. That's fine. Town houses often have tiny yards but I am determined to grow a few things other than weeds.

Even more practice with watercolor pencils and mixed media paper. This might be in preparation for the next one.

Medium: Watercolor Pencils and Acrylic Pens (so far)

Size: 9x12 Mixed Media Paper

Edition Year: 2025

Framed?: No

Updated July 25, 2025 7:39am. See, I said I planted those seeds!

Painting Name: no name so far

Acrylic paintings start off so sadly. Their beginnings are not much to celebrate. His destiny may be more morning glories. That's the plan.

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 12x20 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas

Edition Year: 2025

Framed?: No

Morning Glory Inspiration

Here are some snapshots of my morning inspiration...ok, maybe I am singing a more muted "Oh, what a beautiful morning..." in the backyard in the am, but my neighbors are not usually out that early. The plants don't mind.

Uh oh, something is chewing on my morning glories! Perhaps they like them better than the vegetables though. Choose your battles.

The first of the Morning Glory paintings I've started and he is 4x12 on canvas in acrylics

I didn't realize at the time I had captured this fellow's mug shot.

I may update the paintings as I get them finished up so check back!

*From the movie musical Oklahoma!" sung by Gordon MacRae

Thank you for visiting! I would appreciate it if you Share, Comment, a please Follow My Blog!

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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.

Do you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member? Yes, I do most commissions, so 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 393: Tech Series 4 The Art Blogging Story

Art & Tech Series 4 The Blogging Story

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) Artistry Spin Blog will explore the use of technology and its impact on the world of art. There are so many tools and resources that can benefit the artists to not only create artwork, but to inspire them, to share their work with the world and to potentially sell their artwork. We'll review and offer suggestions on some of the top trending tech on the web, popular for artists, and those wanting to find out more about art, and perhaps, YOUR art.

Why an Art Blog?

A blog is a good way to promote your art, your knowledge of art, your art business, and your art website without being overly in your face. As you may know, people buy art more often if they can relate, they can connect to the artist - by learning your story, the story about your artwork, and how it makes them feel. A blog can document the story of you and each piece that you create. 

Donna's Cave Paintings Blog on Blogger

A blog is another outlet for being creative, especially if you enjoy writing. You really don't have to write a book, you be you and communicate your message in a way that is comfortable to you, in the language you use every day. Share what you know about your medium, why you painted the subject of the artwork, how you felt or what happened in your life that you poured into the work and so much more.

PWAS Artistry Spin Blog on Blogger

Blogs are search engine optimization food for your art. Google and other search engines plow through the internet gobbling up new content, categorizing what it finds. By adding those sweet keywords and keyword phrases and building your blog content, the search engines will find you and will understand how to catalog your data.

Social media - your Facebook and Pinterest postings, are more limited on the content you post, perhaps by character count, the number of images, who can see your posts, etc. They are meant to be short blasts of info that the viewer can quickly digest. Blog writing means you can post as much info as you like to get your point across, and often all the pictures you took of an art show you are in. 

Your art website is your personal and professional online art gallery, a showcase, and an art shop that shows who you are and what you have created, and perhaps what is available for purchase. Your social media links direct traffic to your website and vice versa.  Your art blog gives you the space to share your story and your artistic journey in much more detail. That said, you should have a page or at least a link on your website that directs the viewer to your blog.  Check out Should Artists Have a Blog? Art Blogging Pros and Cons

You'll Need to Pick a Blogging Platform - Check out the tools and features of various blogging software and think about what you want to get out of it - now and into the future. See if its free, a free trial to try, or what the pricing options are. Not many are totally free as there may be hosting fees, domain name fees, or have more features and advanced SEO tools in the pricing levels. 

• Google owned Blogger is free and is what I use for my blog, Donna's Cave Paintings and for the Prince William Art Society blog, Artistry Spin. It has a user friendly interface and plenty of templates to suit my needs. Here is a A Step by Step Guide to Creating a Blog Using Blogger
• WordPress.com has a user friendly interface and a free starter plan: its a very popular blogging platform.
• Substack
• HubPages
• Squarespace (free trial)
• Tumblr
• Wix
• Medium 
• Ghost 
• Weebly

There are more out there of course. These are often recommended blog platforms for their ease of use with templates, intuitive interfaces, drag-and-drop features, etc. making setup fairly pain free. 

See also How to Use This Blog on Artistry Spin

How to Start Your Art Blog

Do some research to spot layouts you like to get an idea of what your want on your site.

• You'll need a Name for your blog, and specify the URL for your blog.
• Do you need to register your blog and get hosting?
• Select the theme and layout you like. Templates are often available. Customize the colors, the fonts, what goes where and more.
• Consider sidebars, pages, and other optional features. Be sure and check the Mobile and Computer view of your blog.
• Provide a keyword rich description for your blog.
• Create a Draft post, get a post started. You should always have at least one photo on a post.
• Publish the post and have a look at it live.
• Promote the blog. This is not Field of Dreams in that if you build it, they will come. You have to let your art public, friends, family, the world know that you have a blog and you just posted on it.
• Can you make money with your blog? Some offer this functionality in several ways. 

Just be aware that once you chose a design theme, there are some changes you may not want to do later as it might be too drastic a change. I once altered a theme layout on one of my blogs and some of my posts were temporarily no longer with us. Talk about a mad scramble toward recovery!

An option I like in Blogger is that I can create a Post Template so that whenever I begin a new post, I have my fonts and layouts, signature areas and info already added to the starter post and can then just adjust titles and the body as I like.

What Should I Blog About?

Anything you want to. But a main focus area for consistency is better and in this scenario we are talking about an ART blog. Are you passionate about art? That should show in what you write about. 

Create a list of Blog Topics of interest to you, a sort of blog idea list and add to it when another light bulb appears overhead. Sometimes I even have draft posts for blog ideas that I write up over time and publish when I feel its says what all I want it to.

1. Write about specific art pieces and the STORY behind the piece.
2. Blog about your goals and what you want to do in the future with your art talent.
3. Blog about shows, festivals and area art events you get into and want to apply to or go see. 
4. Write about what artwork and art series you have in progress. Before and After makes for good posts - we all want to see how the artwork turns out.
5. Have a favorite art tool? Why do you love a certain paint brand?
6. Obviously, any art shows you have coming up and will be showing in. Pictures of art receptions and definitely your solo exhibits all document your art journey.
7. Locations, people and places, pets and favorite art subjects that inspire your artistic self are what you post about. 
8. Places you go to paint - do you plein air paint? Do you take art classes?
9. How about any art groups you belong to?
10. Show how you do a specific technique in the media you use.
11. Your art studio.

This is just a starter idea list, but blog posts themselves make for great topics, pins, links to add to Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, etc. By sharing to all your social media, you're helping to promote your art and YOU!

Also see How to Use This Blog

When Should Blog?

Whenever you can. Find a schedule that works for you and stick to it as best you can. Posting at least once a week is often recommended. You can schedule posts in advance to perhaps post every Monday, or whenever you like. Content is King on the internet, so having fresh content regularly is search engine fodder as well as good your art fans.

Want to learn more? What is a Blog? Types, Benefits, and Why You Need One

Well, what do you think? I like that I have a way to say something that I may not always be able to articulate on the spot, but can put together my thoughts on various art subjects and then post them out to the world. There are stories about many of the art pieces that I have and I want to tell that story too. Maybe blogging will work for you, so will you be starting an art blog?

Thank you for visiting! I would appreciate it if you Share, Comment, a please Follow My Blog!

_______________________________________

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.

Do you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member? Yes, I do most commissions, so 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 392: Storing Your Artwork

Storing Your Artwork 

Bless those artists with a large studio space with the superb lighting, lots of room for huge canvases, a couple of easels, work tables, and archival-art-gallery-level humidity-free storage space for all the artwork they create. I don't know about you, but I'm NOT that lucky to have that kind of space, hence I need to come up with some creative ways to store artwork until it sells.

Where to Store Your Artwork

Many artists have an extra room in their home that they convert to an art studio, which is fine, you work with what you have. The art studio room could be an extra bedroom or bonus room, and the closet might be where the 'art storage' is as well as up on the walls throughout the home. Very often in studio images, you see artwork lined up and leaning against a walls and a path through the canvases. I keep picturing myself accidentally kicking in the canvas as I walk by or tripping over them. (Makes me wonder how often that happens.)

The actual storage of all those finished canvases does need to be addressed at some point.

Unless your basement is totally finished and has a consistent temperature and NO humidity, do not store your artwork in a basement (too damp) or in an attic (too hot). And think Gizmo here, no bright lights. Stay away from sunlight, direct sun, and fluctuating temperatures. Artwork needs to be in a moderate and consistent climate.

Another option for artwork storage is to pay for a climate-controlled self-storage unit; depending on where you live and budget of course.

 

Photo by Hayffield L on Unsplash 

How to Store Various Types of Artwork

Framed artwork tends to be a bit easier to protect, as the frame itself is a bit of space or "padding" between the surface of the art and its cover. It does take up more space though. Ensure ALL artwork has fully cured before wrapping/storing.

Use any of the following for framed artwork: Cardboard corners, storage blanket, taped, pad the front and back, shrink wrap as long as it doesn't touch the art surface at all. Group artwork by size.

 

Framed Canvases Acrylics - never framed under glass

Framed Canvases Oils - never framed under glass

Framed Watercolor (under glass), Pastels Oil or Chalk (under glass), Charcoals, Colored Pencils (under glass. Ink Drawings (under UV protected glass)

Unframed Canvases Acrylics - acid-free paper, pad the front and back

Unframed Canvases Oils 

Unframed Watercolor, Pastels, Charcoals, Pencils, etc. - an archival box or portfolio

Videos on Storing Your Artwork

I'm always looking for how other people conquer the art challenges of a small, cramped space, for storing art - maybe you do too. Check out these videos.

 

What You Might Need:

• Clean Cloth/Material, Storage Blankets, and/or felt
  
• Cardboard Corners
  
• Use All Acid Free Materials: Glassine Paper, Acid-free Paper
  
• Crystal Clear Bags, Archival Safe, Acid-free (lots of sizes)
• Bubble Wrap (acid-free paper FIRST) with bubbles facing OUT
  
• Frame Boxes that the frame came in, store artwork upright with acid-free paper on the front.
  
• Portfolios
• Archival Storage Boxes, Clamshell Boxes
  
• Crescent Board, Conservation Mat Board, but be careful if using regular Cardboard or Foam Sheets for padding
  
• Paint rack(s), art storage system by Art Boards Archival Art Storage Supply, a Canvas Storage Cabinet
  

Some Do's and Some Don'ts

1. Do wash off the residual Cheeto dust from your hands! Give your artwork the white glove treatment, it is a much safer way to handle artwork.
2. Do NOT use plastic wrap for storing art, you could end up with moldy paintings. 
3. DO archive your inventory before you store it, just-in-case via photography and physical as well as digital inventory .
4. Avoid those concrete floors and walls! Much too damp! Keep artwork OFF the floor.
5. Do NOT stack your artwork on top of each other. Store paintings upright, not on top of each other. 
6. Be aware of anything leaning into a painting that could potentially further stretch, your stretched canvas. That is why similar sized canvases should be grouped together. It's so easy to stretch those canvases!
7. Although I like storing artwork face-to-face, I don't like to have them surface to surface. Varnish can be tacky and the risk for damage is there. Put archival paper or store each artwork in an archival bag if they are touching. Use archival materials for storing any of your artwork, especially long-term.

And finally, even when you have stored your artwork correctly, periodically (every few months) do check on it to ensure all is well.  

For more information:

https://www.wikihow.com/Store-Art

https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/how-to-store-your-art-collection-like-an-expert 

https://www.storespace.com/blog/how-to-store-canvas-painting-artwork/ 

https://www.art-mine.com/collectorscorner/caring-art-storing-art/

I would LOVE to hear your recommendations and ideas for art storage too. What can I learn from you? Drop a comment below!

This blog post was originally published on the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog on February 3, 2022

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Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

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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 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.