Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Post 143: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores, Virginia, 10x20 Acrylic on Canvas (v1)

Painting Name: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores, Virginia (v1)

SKU: 06CC21AC
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 10x20 Stretched Canvas
Price: SOLD
Edition Year: 2021
Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?
There are a lot of birds I have been wanting to paint and a blue heron is one of them. Recently, an old friend of mine, Peter Olsen, visited Blue Ridge Shores in Louisa, Virginia. He is known for taking some GREAT pictures especially when he comes up to BRS from North Carolina.

After this past Memorial weekend (May 28 - May 31, 2021) he posted a bunch of photos on Facebook. I spotted his blue heron photo and asked his permission to use it for a painting. Permission granted, the painting began.


As I usually do, I will look at it for a bit to see if it needs any more tweaking before I varnish it but I think its about there. What do you think? This picture may show the colors a bit better.



By the way, see the original photo at the "Painting in Progress" post.


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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.
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Monday, June 14, 2021

Post 142: A Painting in Progress: Blue Heron

Painting Name: Blue Heron at Blue Ridge Shores, Virginia

SKU: 06CC21AC
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 10x20 Stretched Canvas
Price: SOLD
Edition Year: 2021
Commissioned? No

The Image for Reference:


Photo Credit and Permission Granted from Peter Olsen, May 2021 at Blue Ridge Shores in Louisa, Virginia

Painting in Progress Images…
What would you name this Painting? Blue Heron just does not seem quite enough. Maybe a name suggestion will happen as the painting develops. Follow "the painting in progress" here and leave your comments!

Monday, June 14, 2021 5:10 PM - Roughed in the heron and the background

Monday, June 14, 2021 5:43 PM - He looks kind of ghostly doesn't he?


Monday, June 14, 2021 6:47 PM - bird has a bit of a hunchback. Blue Heron of Notre Dame. I'll have to smooth that out. 


Tuesday, June 15, 2021 8:32 AM - Still no legs but he has an eye. I like painting birds, and other critters. (That's the southern influence on me.) Feathers are such intricate delicate things. Our God and Creator really let His imagination soar (<- get that?) when it came to birds if you think about it. Their colors, how they are so exotic and different from each other, eh? (Eh? - That's the Canadian influence of friends and family there.)


Blue Ridge Shores is a lake in Louisa County, Virginia. The lake is man-made lake that began in 1960 as a resort community. The water has a lot of sediment in it, therefore the "color of water" has a green look to it. 

Coloring water also depends on other things like its bottom (or substrate), what's in it (even as recently as a good rainfall), the surface - refraction and reflection, and a biggie is the light which is directly influenced by the surface.

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 11:11 AM - Still no knobby knees or those long luxurious "strings" of feathers. Coming along but a long way to go yet. Detailing feathers takes awhile. 

What NOT to paint opposed to what to include

Also, from the real picture at the start, I am assuming that the lumpy stuff on the dock are things I do not want to paint. When you blow up the photo, the nails on the dock are actually quite raised. Much for bare feet to be aware of.

I also did not include the stick on the pier as there wasn't really enough room to do it justice. So far I did not include the red reflector on the side of the pier. I'm thinking it over. Attention should be on the bird not the pier one might think.

I was just wondering what these guys sound like? Anyone know?


Tuesday, June 15, 2021 1:15 PM - Pause in the painting for a bit. My neighbor had commissioned a painting for me to do for her daughter, Alison's birthday. Alison is visiting a couple of days and we "sprung" the surprise on her. See the entries listed under the keyword "Richmond VA". Warms your heart when someone sees the work for the first time.

Face details on the heron coming together...


Tuesday, June 15, 2021 3:30 PM - She's got legs, and he knows how to use them. ZZ Top, right? At least these little rinky-dinky things will become legs. HOW do they hold themselves up with those stick legs? Baffling. Like bumble bees. How DO they fly with those big bodies and rinky-dink wings?

I am reminded of the famous painter that painted geese, ducks, etc and she never painted feet. The birds were ALWAYS in the water or sitting down. She had a thing about feet. If you don't know who she is, she's P. Buckly Moss, of Waynesboro, Virginia. http://www.pbuckleymoss.com/

I am currently really liking the idea of no feet. Guess I cannot get away with having the heron standing in a bucket of water.



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, June 12, 2021

Post 141: An Apple a Day, 10x10 Canvas in Acrylic

Painting Name: An Apple a Day

Does an apple a day actually keep the doctor away?

SKU: 06CB21AC
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 10x10 Stretched Canvas
Edition Year: 2021
Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

Painting in Progress Images…
Started this painting this evening, Saturday, June 12, 2021 and this is what I have so far...


Doesn't look like much yet but it will get better. It's 10:05 on a Saturday night. I think I'm hanging up the paintbrush for the evening.

Sunday, June 13, 2021 8:30 AM Are they starting to look like apples yet? What a difference in the lighting from the picture last night and the one this morning! That's not the painting colors - that's the lighting!


Monday, June 14, 2021 6:52 AM - I volunteered at Clearbrook Center of the Arts both Saturday and Sunday. It was so nice to get to know other members of PWAS and be able to ask more experienced artists questions about various art business and art techniques and how their experiences shaped how they conquered those challenges. 

Back to "An Apple a Day" today...

Monday, June 14, 2021 9:53 AM - Now, do they look like apples? I hope so because - completed painting...



What Brought About this Painting?
Sometimes you need a theme painting for art galleries, shows, certain months, etc so for a collection of "Fall / Autumn" pieces, this will add to that collection.

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!

Friday, June 11, 2021

Post 140: A Painting in Progress and Done: I Turn Orange and Fall

Painting Name: I Turn Orange and Fall

SKU: 06CA21AC
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 10x10 The Edge Stretched Canvas
Edition Year: 2021
Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?
"I Turn Orange and Fall" is a painting geared toward the PWAS (Prince William Art Society) gallery at Clearbrook Center for the Arts at Tackett's Mill for the September / October Fall Theme wall. The theme is of course, autumn / fall seasonal paintings.

Painting in Progress Images…


Friday, June 11, 2021 10:32 AM: I don't see any orange yet.



Friday, June 11, 2021 7:23 PM - Now I see some orange! I think I'm done with this guy, what do you think?

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!

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Post 139: Winter Series: Black Icicles, 4x12 Acrylic on Canvas, set of 3

Painting Name: Winter Series Black Icicles

Title: Black Icicles 1
SKU: 06BX21AC
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 4x12 Stretched Canvas
Edition Year: 2021
Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop

What Brought About this Painting?
For the PWAS (Prince William Art Society) art gallery at Clearbrook Center for the Arts at Tackett's Mill, in Woodbridge, Virginia, the gallery has a theme wall to the immediate right when you come in the door. (Free to visit, so you know) The theme changes bi-monthly and of course for November and December the theme is Holiday/Winter. In preparation of that upcoming theme I am offering this (probably) 3 canvas series on Black Ice, or Icicles as it were.


Black Icicle 1

Black Icicles 2 and 3 are currently on the canvas and will be uploaded here as they are completed. I have an idea for something on the theme wall for September and October which also follows is a Fall theme....I look for ideas that are not the usual fall leaves, pumpkins etc. 

Title: Black Icicles 2
SKU: 06BY21AC
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 4x12 Stretched Canvas
Edition Year: 2021
Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop


Black Icicles 2

Title: Black Icicles 3
SKU: 06BZ21AC
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 4x12 Stretched Canvas
Edition Year: 2021
Check Availability and Prints on my Etsy Shop


Black Icicles 3

All 3 Winter Series Black Icicles



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!

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Post 138: Bee Series 1: Buzz the Bee, 4x5 Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

Painting Name: Buzz the Bee

Bumbles and Honey Bees welcome to my garden! There is a small store next to Clearbrook Center of the Arts at Tackett's Mill that is called The Bee Store. It is adorable. Everything having to do with bees. A lot of the traffic that comes through Clearbrook are going to or coming out of The Bee Store.

SKU: 06BW21ACL2
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 4x5 Stretched Canvas
Price: SOLD
Edition Year: 2021
Series: Busy Bee Series 1
Commissioned? No

What Brought About this Painting?
With a garden in my backyard this summer, and anyone that knows me well knows it is a small garden, it attracts the small creatures. A fence deters the larger ones. But "Buzz the Bee" is welcome here, any time.


I like doing small art. It's quick (usually) and cute in my opinion. Let me know what you thing too. 

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!

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Post 137: PWAS 50th Anniversary More Pictures Part 2

PWAS 50th Anniversary continued - Part 2

Recently, the Prince William Art Society celebrated 50 YEARS! Isn't that awesome! The members celebrated that golden milestone on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm located at 15850 Sunshine Ridge Lane, Gainesville, VA 20155. Their website is https://www.thewineryatsunshineridgefarms.com/

In my previous post I had my photographs as well as a few that a friend of mine took and those are found in this blog post: https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/2021/06/pwas-50th-anniversary-celebration-at.html so be sure and view those too.

On with the show...


I wish I had asked what was on the mantle, an interesting object is it not? If anyone knows, let me know! Artwork above L to R is 1. "Strutting My Peacock Stuff" by Donna Liguria, 2. Jim Gallagher, 3. unknown, 4. Jim Gallagher, unknown.


The photographs were taken by various PWAS members so I am not sure to whom the credits toll.  The first two artworks above from left to right is by Bettie Sperty, 3. unsure, 4. Bettie, 5. unsure. I will update if I learn more, so please let me know!


Artwork L to R: 1. unknown, 2. unknown, 3. Wendy Zaidman



Artwork above L to R: 1. unknown, 2. Sandra McClelland Lewin, 3. Kelly Haneklaus






This is the upstairs of the winery which is available for lots of events. The view from the windows is AWESOME and the view in the room is awesome because of the artwork AND the PWAS members!


Above artwork is by Jim Gallagher


Prince William Art Society is 50!


Nothing Bundt Cakes, delicious morsels of giddy goodness. Located at 7324 Atlas Walk Way, Gainesville, VA 20155 and their website is https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/products?utm_source=google&utm_medium=menu


Margaret Angela Franklin, Herb Williams, Nancy Kyme and my mug shot.


Margaret Angela Franklin, the Woodbridge District Supervisor


Bettie Sperty and Herb Williams, the Arts and Recreation Specialist for Prince William County


Nancy Kyme


Sandra McClelland Lewin, PWAS President did the opening honors and introductions, and Mr Sperty played guitar, although not at the same time.


Table Decorations were lovely, doubly so because artwork was also added for door prizes by PWAS members.


The view from the upper room at the Sunshine Ridge Farm Winery of Manassas Lake


Jewell Pratt Burns, a founding member of PWAS and the Scholarship Program initiator.


Rosemary Shatz with a door prize


One of mine, "Saltwater Aquarium" 16x20 framed acrylic on stretched canvas by Donna Liguria


Table Decorations, some of them edible


Victor Angry, the Neabsco District Supervisor

AND these are the other 3 paintings of mine on display at the winery until about June 29, 2021:


"No One Teaches Riding So Well As A Horse" 18x24 acrylic on stretched canvas by Donna Liguria


"Mount Everest" 16x20 framed acrylic on stretched canvas by Donna Liguria


"Strutting My Peacock Stuff" 18x24 acrylic on stretched canvas by Donna Liguria



Photo Curtesy of Ana Quispe: Me between my horse and peacock paintings.


Photo Curtesy of Ana Quispe: My good friend, Teresa Jackson of TG Hair FX in Belmont Bay won a door prize as well.



A good time was had by all. Special thanks to the PWAS Anniversary committee for making the day so NICE! And also to Sunshine Ridge owner Maria Rafferty and staff and to Nothing Bundt Cakes!

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 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!