Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Post 113: A House in Richmond, Virginia, 24x18 Acrylic Stretched Canvas

Painting Name: A House in Richmond, Virginia

I lived in Richmond, Virginia some years back as my brother once did, and a few cousins still do. It has some very old areas that are familiar to me so this was a pleasure to paint. Some artistic license taken, as this tree, when in bloom, buries the house.

SKU: 04BH21ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 24x18 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas
Price: Not Available
Edition Year: 2021
Commissioned? Yes

What Brought About this Painting?
My neighbor commissioned this painting from me and asked for some specific things to emphasize in the artwork. 

The flower "boxes" needed to have coleus in it, the yellowish "painting" (HA! A painting of a painting!) needed to be clearly visible as it has family implications and the "Welcome" sign needed to be visible. (Thank God for a zoom feature, I thought they were birds on the welcome sign, but they were cats.)

She also preferred a "summer-time" view of the house although the photo of the house was taken in the VERY early spring. A good thing, because the Google Earth ground view of the house must have been taken last summer when the tree was in FULL bloom and you could barely see the house for the tree and shadows!

So, artistic license is a marvelous thing, I took to bending time and space and added the "summer-look" of the full tree, but left the house clearly visible.

This is the painting here: 


And the photos of the house that I was working from are below:




Anyone familiar with the older part of Richmond, Virginia is well aware of these great old houses and all the great and not so great features that can be found in many of them. As you can see, there is barely any space between them, but oh, the personality and character found! I've always called them - all the nooks and crannies. 

Nonetheless, all those great trees that line the streets are a part of their personalities...as well as occasionally eating the sidewalks.

Update - Tuesday, June 15, 2021 12:39 PM - It is AWESOME to do the REVEAL when someone sees their finished art piece for the first time. My neighbor Lorraine commissioned "Richmond House" for her daughter for her birthday. Happy Birthday, Alison!!


Lorraine and her daughter, Alison with her daughter, Addie


Varnish deepened the whites a bit, but the shadowing of the house seemed appropriate anyway.


I am pretty sure the painting was a hit.

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

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Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member? Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

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Monday, May 10, 2021

Post 112: Upcoming Art Event: Sunshine Ridge Farm Winery May 25 Through June 29, 2021

Art Show at Sunshine Ridge Farm Winery

Location: 15850 Sunshine Ridge Lane, Gainesville, VA 20155
Dates: May 25 through June 29, 2021

Recently in PWAS (Prince William Art Society), we were asked if we wanted to participate in an art exhibition taking place at Sunshine Ridge Farm Winery in Gainesville. We were asked to submit 5 of our best works and they would be "juried". This meant that there was a third party person that would select the artwork that would be displayed. 

The only stipulation was that they preferred larger artwork, nothing under 12 inches on it's smallest edge. I submitted my entrees and we were notified Friday, May 7, 2021 if we were selected, and which piece(s).

Gratefully, 4 out of 5 of my pieces were selected!

These are the 4 paintings selected to show:


"No One Can Teach Riding So Well as a Horse" 18 by 24


"Saltwater Aquarium" 16 by 20, Framed


"Strutting My Peacock Stuff" 24 by 18


"Mount Everest" 16 by 20, Framed

This is so exciting! The artwork is of course for sale and they have very nice events so it is a grand opportunity to have my paintings on display!


How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

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Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member? Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!

Saturday, May 1, 2021

Post 111: An Art Show in Progress Saturday May 1, 2021: Tall Oaks Community Center Woodbridge, VA

Spring Art Show Saturday May 1 2021

Where: Tall Oaks Community Center 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA
Medium: Acrylics, Oils, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Photography
Time: 10 am to 5 pm

7:30 AM Set up Artwork. Apparently, first one to get there gets choice spot...I was there earliest! 32 pieces are up for me 2 on a table.


Paintings by: Donna Liguria


Photographer: Kenneth Meardon in background


Setting up Paintings


Paintings by Donna Liguria, back wall


Paintings by Donna Liguria, back wall




Richard B. Tyler painting


Sunrise at Tall Oaks Community Center


How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

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Like my paintings? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member? Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Post 110: Get Your Etsy On!

Get Your Etsy On

If you are an artist, a creator, a maker, a painter, a cook or a writer of a book and you want to try selling on Etsy, click on the Etsy link here.

Open your OWN Etsy Shop using this link: https://etsy.me/2QQHYo9

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

Open your OWN Etsy Shop using this link: https://etsy.me/2QQHYo9

Like my paintings? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member? Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.

Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!

Post 109: A Painting in Progress: A House in Richmond, Virginia

A Painting in Progress: Richmond VA House

SKU: 04BH21ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 18x24 Stretched Canvas
Price: Not Available
Edition Year: 2021
Commissioned? Yes

Painting in Progress Images…

I am blessed indeed to have such a great family and friends! A neighbor has commissioned a painting based on these 2 photos below:



The preliminary work for the painting has begun: the gesso on the canvas and getting my reference photos and sketches. So the painting photos in progress will begin appearing shortly.

My brother and sister in law lived near here in Richmond for a number of years so I am familiar with the area. These old homes have so much character! What a small world that my neighbor here in Woodbridge, that her daughter lived a few streets over from where my brother did and actually worked at the same place he did for awhile.

Wednesday, May 5, 2021 10:23 AM





Wednesday, May 5, 2021 7:26 PM



Tuesday, June 15, 2021 12:39 PM - It is AWESOME to do the REVEAL when someone sees their finished art piece for the first time. My neighbor Lorraine commissioned "Richmond House" for her daughter for her birthday. 

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member? Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!

Monday, April 26, 2021

Post 108: PWAS Spring Art Show Lakeridge, VA Sat May 1, 2021


PWAS Spring Art Show:

When: Saturday, May 1, 2021
Time: 10am to 5pm
Where: 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Lakeridge, VA 22192

Come by and see local Virginian artists paintings and creative works, various mediums and styles!

PWAS - Prince William Art Society https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/

Some of my work will be there too!





and more!

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog


Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member? Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Post 107: Spring in Occoquan, 12 x 12 Acrylic Stretched Canvas

Painting Name: Spring in Occoquan

Years ago, my mom and I came up to shop in Occoquan. There used to be a miniature dollhouse store, the Christmas shop and some really quaint stores that we loved browsing in. Both of those are long gone now...

SKU: 04BI21ACL2
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 12x12 Stretched Canvas
Framed?: Yes, Framed with a simple antique gold and black floating frame
Edition Year: 2021
Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?
One of my goals is to do some paintings of local places - around Woodbridge, Virginia and in Virginia in general. If you have seen some of my previous work (see on the Blog or on Etsy) I have painted the Marina at Belmont Bay, Great Falls National Park, Virginia Beach and the Main Beach at Blue Ridge Shores in Louisa, Virginia thus far. Now I can add Occoquan to the list! 

And what is prettier than that wee park in Occoquan as you drive onto Mill Street?!

Mamie Davis Park is right in the very quaint township of Occoquan, about 4 miles from me. Some great shops and dining experiences have come and gone over the years but its always a great place to be. 



Now, what's next on the agenda to paint!

How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

Open your OWN Etsy Shop using this link: https://etsy.me/2QQHYo9

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member? Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Post 106: A Painting in Progress: Spring in Occoquan

Painting Name: Spring in Occoquan

I once attended a marriage ceremony in Occoquan for some Italian friends when I lived in Louisa. It took place in the gazebo. Who knew, 25-30 years later I would live so near here?

SKU: 04BI21ACL2
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 12x12 Stretched Canvas
Price: $Pending
Edition Year: 2021
Commissioned? No

Painting in Progress Images…

I do like local - Virginia, subjects and Occoquan is such a nice subject!

Mamie Davis Park is right in the very quaint township of Occoquan, about 4 miles from me. Some great shops and dining experiences have come and gone over the years but its always a great place to be. 



Wednesday, April 21, 2021 4:14 PM This little painting should move along nicely...


Wednesday, April 21, 2021 8:46 PM After spending a couple weeks on my last painting, it is kinda nice to have one coming together a lot quicker...then again, the size is a LOT smaller.

It still needs a lot of detail but its coming together I think. How many of you out there in the Blogosphere have been to Occoquan? Do you know this spot? It is very pretty for small weddings - I have been to one here before myself.



How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
Instagram: DL Art on Instagram
Pinterest: DL Art on Pinterest
Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member? Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and I appreciate a Review!

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Post 105: Mountain Reflection, 24 x 24 Acrylic Stretched Canvas

Painting Name: Mountain Reflection

The owner was very pleased with the final and I am so glad! I am finding that it helps when painting from a photo of a real subject, to do the research on the subject and see it from as many angles as you can. And to zoom in on the image to really see if that lump of rock is part of the main mountain, or another in the background. 

SKU: 04BG21ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 24x24 Gallery Wrap Stretched Canvas
Price: SOLD
Framed?: No
Edition Year: 2021
Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?
A cousin took a picture of this painting below and I rendered this painting for him. Once again, I am at a tentative pause to study if anything else should be done. I am Master of the Tweak.

After a few tweaks, here it is, the final...


The photograph is below:


Photo by Dwayne Jackson

And the owner of the painting...April 30, 2021. You know on those house shows when they do a room or home fix up then do the great "reveal"? That's the moment that makes it all so wonderful, the reaction to a painting. It makes those hours and days (occasionally weeks) poking around with paintbrushes a really glorious memory just as it does for the client. Enjoy the painting for years to come!



How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member? Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!


Friday, April 9, 2021

Post 104: A Painting In Progress: Mountain Reflection

Painting In Progress: Mountain Reflection

A challenge this mountain was. I think I conquered it. 

SKU: 04BG21ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 24x24 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas
Price: Not Available
Edition Year: 2021
Commissioned? Yes

Painting in Progress Images…
This commissioned work is from a photo...and the photo is of Assiniboine Mountain which is located on the Great Divide, on the border in Canada of British Columbia/Alberta. It's a pretty big one, 11,870 ft. I am very glad my canvas is only 18 inches by 24 inches. 

Here is a Wiki link to learn more, Mount Assiniboine.


Photo by DJackson: Assiniboine Mountain

I like a challenge and I'm imagining hiking to that mountain may be only a tad bit tougher than getting this monster on canvas. I'll know more in the next few days. I love the colors on the water....let the fun begin!

As always, check back here as I post the progress.



Monday, April 12, 2021 6:25 AM Sometimes things don't go as planned. I started the drawing first on the canvas and undercoat...and decided to start all over again. If you can see the outline above, Assiniboine Mountain isn't centered. So, I repainted the canvas undercoat and redrew the scene again. 

Monday, April 12, 2021 8:20 AM Progress so far this morning. Redrawn the scene and starting to fill in the colors, especially shadows. A lot of black, deep blue, gray and the white of the snowy areas. Please pardon the funny diagonal line - that's the sun coming around the edge of the blinds from the window.


Seems appropriate to have the Mount Everest 16x20 painting in the back ground...





Monday, April 12, 2021 2:00 PM It has come a long way since this morning but still a long way to go.


Tuesday, April 13, 2021 9:34 AM - Reflections on water: If its a dark color in nature, on the water - its lighter. If its a light color in nature, on the water - it shows darker. Reflections on a stream, a creek, a pond, or a lake are quite different from reflections on moving water and quite different from tropical or ocean water. 

Pond and lake water because of their make up, tend to run "greenish".

Moving water fractures the reflection. These are some the "rules" that must be adhered to in order to make a reflection on water look correct.

Want to learn more about a water reflection?

Make Painting Water Reflections Easy!

by Jennifer Branch

Secrets to Painting Convincing Water Reflections



Of course, having the original photograph to go by helps too.

Still a good way to go on this painting - details, details, details - AND of course, on a gallery wrap canvas, the edges need to be finished as well. For example:


Bottom of the canvas

On a Gallery Wrap canvas, there is not a real need for the painting to be framed - BECAUSE the edges SHOULD be finished.

On a stretched canvas that has stapled sides or is back stapled (lesser quality than a professional Gallery Wrap or Museum Wrap canvas - about 1.5 inch depth) and is about .75 inches in depth, those should have a frame. Nonetheless, I typically try to finish the edges, at least to an extent. The fall back is to paint the sides solid black which is at a minimum what should be done.

Thursday, April 15, 2021 6:27 AM - Details, details, details. All the nooks and crannies that make a big rock a mountain. What is amazing to me is occasionally touching a canvas or an area on an artwork because the sort of "Trompe L' Oeil" effect makes it look 3-D. When I can achieve that, that makes me smile. 


Thursday, April 15, 2021 10:19 AM - working on Mount Assiniboine itself, center top.


Friday,  April 16, 2021 6:00 AM - Off to visit family today so no progress on painting temporarily.

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 10:31 AM - Back from Louisa, BRS to be specific, visiting family. It was good to see 2 of my Aunts, 1 of my Cousins, 1 of my Brothers, 1 of my Sister-in-laws, my Mom and a few family friends. Back home on Monday afternoon. 


My Aunt and I went for a walk Saturday afternoon and reminisced our histories during walk about. This happened here and that happened there...you know how it is.

Painting Progress so far today:


How to Shop, Follow, Like, Comment and do all the social things for my painting Artworks: 

Facebook: DL Art on Facebook
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Behind the Canvas Blog: Donna’s Cave Paintings Blog

Like this painting? Need a handmade, original painting as a gift for a friend or family member? Or if you want to commission me to do a similar painting for you, please contact me through this blog or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLiguriaArt to shop my available Artwork.
Side Note, if you have purchased one of my paintings, please send me a picture of YOU with the painting and I will post it on the corresponding blog page.

Thank you for visiting, and remember to Follow, Comment, and Review!