Friday, June 30, 2023

Post 314: Duck Landing and Swan Incoming Minis

Duck Landing and Swan Incoming Minis

In a recent trip to North Carolina to visit a friend, I enjoyed sitting out on their wonderful 'extended living room' deck and watching the water, the pier, clouds and birds. The birds were especially fun to watch. Some traveling in groups - one right after the other, some raising their families.

Also, note that in my Etsy Shop, I am currently having a sale of 10% off anything $50 or up! June 28- July 10, 2023.

Painting Name: Duck Landing Mini

SKU: 06AT23ACM
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 3x4 Mini Stretched Canvas with Mini Easel
Edition Year: 2023


Duck Landing and Swan Incoming are inspired by a recent vacation in North Carolina. These images were very close to finished when the picture was taken.

Every morning, we had to watch for the duck family. Upon arrival Mom Duck had 5 babies. The next day, only 4. But the babies following their mom around and their antics were so cute. 

And there were what we called "the teenagers". We wondered what the story was on these ducklings that wandered about every day on their own, but had no mom. They were a number of weeks older than the other batch of wee ducklings, but they were on their own.

Watching the birds that "fished" were also interesting to watch, and hear. Suddenly you would hear a large splash and see whatever bird dived in for their breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Also, the bird landings...flying in low and SPLASH! Gliding in for stop.

My plan is to do a few water and bird paintings inspired by flight, swim, and landings on the water.

Painting Name: Swan Incoming Mini

SKU: 06AS23ACM
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 3x4 Mini Stretched Canvas with Mini Easel
Edition Year: 2023




Have a great 4th of July weekend!

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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!

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Post 313: Red Wine Glasses on Mini Easels in the Works!

Red Wine Glasses on Mini Easels in the Works!

I often look at painting these days as why paint just one? If space allows, I often have more then one painting going on and occasionally of the same subject. Here are a couple of my latest mini paintings, with the red wine glasses in progress.

Also, note that in my Etsy Shop, I am currently having a sale of 10% off anything $50 or up! 

Painting Name: Red Wine Glass 1

I like a challenge when painting - usually. Glass and reflections are/or can be a challenge. Clear glass, liquid, transparency are all interesting explorations. And its definitely too early in the day to break open a bottle of wine but I can try to paint one or two.


Red Wine Glass 1 on the left and Red Wine Glass 2 on the right...watch the mini painting progress in pictures below. Follow my blog and comments are welcome!

SKU: 06AU23ACM
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 3x4 Mini Stretched Canvas with Mini Easel
Edition Year: 2023

Now I have this video stuck in my head...


UB40 - Red, Red Wine...goes to my head...

Painting Name: Red Wine Glass 2

The second glass will be on a tilt, let's see how this one turns out.


SKU: 06AV23ACM
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 3x4 Mini Stretched Canvas with Mini Easel
Edition Year: 2023

See the Paintings in Progress Images…


June 29, 2023 10:44am The wine is poured, care for a glass? Still working on these guys.


June 29, 2023 11:42am Wine splash

Update 2:07pm - and these minis are done!


Red Wine Glass 1


Red Wine Glass 2

Are you a red wine fan or white wine? Maybe a Rose? Been to any nice wineries lately?

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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!

Friday, June 23, 2023

Post 312: Artist Support System

Artist Support System

Thank God for friends and family! Especially as an artist, trying to get your art "out there"! I don't know about how you got started in your art journey but I see many an artist, as a youngster, with our biggest fan -your very own mom- putting your major art works (or attempts) on the refrigerator attaching them with those little magnets. 

What Brought About Your Painting Journey?

Many thanks to the Moms out there with their mighty magnets! What an encouragement to the youngsters that explore with crayons, pens, pencils, paints and fingers, doodling and sketching. Maybe some artists take art in school, some go on to college and art classes in some form. Some are self-taught, others learn all the basics and art history in college. I'm the self-taught varietal. 

Thanks Mom - I know there were a LOT of horse sketches around, early on. And she still has this painting I did in my twenties (I think) of Sunday, our beloved dog from a LONG time ago. Hmmm, no cat paintings out of the many felines we had...

Sunday was our family dog when I was very small living in Alexandria, Virginia. Well, my Mom's dog truthfully. She loved Mom's slippers. One great dog.


Another one of my paintings that is at Mom's house from about 2005ish. Mom loves snow... My biggest art fan is a most demanding art patron.

Around 2005, this painting of hollyhocks is still at my Mom's house. Clouds were typically Virginia shaped, don't ask me why. They say, don't compare your art to other people's work but compare it to your own to see how far you've come.

At a friend's house and my version of a Thomas Kincaide's art above her fireplace, my brother (the Dave) in the foreground.

As we grow, sure, many artists take on other jobs to pay the bills, but our love of creating is always there, hovering. In my art journey, there were MANY detours. But periodically, a doodle or an art piece or project popped up. The thought was there briefly, "I still got it" when it was completed.

And then there comes a day, often later in life, when job changes or retirement comes and there is more time to create. And your family, your friends step in again with encouragement and support to help you on your way. Thanks to all those cousins, aunts and uncles, and awesome friends that offered art/work projects! Rooms, murals, canvases - painting jobs that allowed me opportunities to work and grow! And a BIG family always helps an artist's support system too!

Joining a local art group and building new friendships has been a marvelous opportunity too! The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) and the Manassas Art Guild (MAG) have both help develop many new friends and ways for my art to be seen.

Getting out to art show and art galleries is another way to show off what I do, often because of those art groups. Finding someone that LOVES what you do as much as you enjoyed creating it - well, that just makes your day!

Pictures of Paintings With Their New Owners

I have enjoyed getting pictures of family, friends and NEW friends that have purchased my art and I post them on my website whenever possible. Your continued support of me and my art are very much appreciated!



At a friend's house at the beach...
A painting from 2014 but I've done several versions of it in a few sizes since then.

The above painting in my friend's home. Having and seeing my art in its home is just simply one of life's pleasures. Thank you, my friend!

A painting as a birthday gift for a friend, her 2 little dogs in the foreground. 3x4 acrylic mini painting

A recent painting of "Wading Shackleford Pony" plus an art print of "No One Can Teach Riding so well as a Horse" on a friend's local art wall.


"Wading Shackleford Pony" 2023 Acrylic

At my brother's house in Louisa...
Another beach painting because he loved the first one or two I did.

A mini painting 3x4 Sea Turtle

A mini painting 3x4 Woodpecker...my bro and sis in law have a bird feeder at a nearby window and they see these characters.

And this wood plaque painting of the Blue Ridge Shores Main Beach - the way it was when we were kids. Oh the memories! I did some other wall plaques with real sand in them too!

And this is "There's No Place Like Home" (Dorothy's Ruby Slippers) and the peacock mini painting, both at my Aunt's house.


All this to say, thank you to all that have enjoyed and supported my artistic journey. You are all appreciated and I hope these little touches of me, in your homes, brings you joy each day.

Who can you thank that appreciated what you love to create?

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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!

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Post 311: Ponies of Shackleford Island NC

Painting Name: Ponies of Shackleford Island NC

These are a few of my favorite things...ponies, water, beaches. I really love painting these things! 


SKU: 06AQ23ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 12x16 Stretched Canvas
Edition Year: 2023
Framed?: No

What Brought About this Painting?

A friend recently retired to the beach - namely, Harker's Island, NC. I've been to visit and plan on going again soon. And I'll get more pictures for inspiration! Follow along with the painting in progress and see how it turns out.

Painting in Progress Images…

Click on the image for a closeup.


Wednesday, June 21, 2023 11:05am. Ah, yes. It just seems proper to help ID the painting that the lighthouse puts in an appearance

Watch the painting as it progresses! More to come...

Wednesday, June 21, 2023 1:20pm. The stars of the show are starting to walk onto the set.
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 3:40pm Details, details...some birds flew in, the lighthouse is growing. Debating on one of the mares giving birth.
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 8:03pm Done for the day. We'll see if I do any more tomorrow.
Thursday, June 22, 2023 8:38am. One of the mares finally gave birth. Working on the new little guy and then tweaking - I'm thinking I'm at that point.


See more Shackleford Pony Paintings

Wading Shackleford Pony and 2 more



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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!

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Post 310: Wading Shackleford Pony

Painting Name: Wading Shackleford Pony

A lone pony wading in the shallows of Shackleford Island, North Carolina, with the Cape Lookout Lighthouse in the background. Birds are constantly on the move, along with the pony, their daily hunt for nice morsels.


SKU: 06AJ23AC
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 12x16 Stretched Canvas
Edition Year: 2023
Framed?: No
SOLD

What Brought About this Painting?

A friend recently moved to the beach this year and I have gotten to visit them - and inspiration is everywhere.

Here are two other Shackleford Pony paintings I have recently completed.

Painting Name: Mom, I Don't Want to Take a Bath

SKU: 05AB23ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 9x12 Stretched Canvas
Edition Year: 2023
Framed?: No



Painting Name: Lighthouse and Shackleford NC Pony

SKU: 04AA23ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 9x12 Stretched Canvas
Edition Year: 2023
Framed?: No


How do you like them?

Another pony painting at "Ponies of Shackleford Island NC"
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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!

Saturday, June 3, 2023

Post 309: Art Girls Field Trip to Western Loudoun Art and Studio Tour

Art Girls Field Trip to Western Loudoun Art and Studio Tour 

June 2 - 4, 2023. When the thermostats rise and the big blue sky reigns, the Art Girls venture out to the thriving art wilderness of Northern Virginia to take in the Western Loudoun Art & Studio Tour. 

What Is the Art & Studio Tour?

Spread across Loudoun County in Northern Virginia are 30 studios and 2 art centers featuring the artworks of 57 juried artists. You need to break out the GPS for this adventure as you pick the route and spots to visit and be inspired by. The artists open their studios and workshops for you to visit and enjoy. 

If you spend time on Facebook or Instagram, or enter calls for art across the region, you may start recognizing the artist names and their artwork. The styles and mediums cover it all:

Ceramics
Collage
Fiber Art
Glass
Jewelry
Lapidary
Metalwork
Mixed Media
Painting
Pastels
Pen and Ink
Photography
Printmaking
Sculpture
Wood

Many "ooo's" and "wows" were uttered today. We got to visit both of the art centers and about 6-7 studios. We enjoyed them all - the talent runs deep in this art tour.

Art Girls Pose with the Artwork

As you can see, Sandra, Bettie and I took advantage of one of the artist's artwork...







The next Art Girls Field Trip...under discussion. The artwork lies thick in these lands. 

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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!

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Post 308: Cherry Blossoms, an Annual DC Event

Painting Name: Cherry Blossoms, an Annual DC Event

A commissioned painting of the Washington DC Spring Cherry Blossoms with a morning sky, and the Washington Monument. At least it will be as the painting progresses! 

SKU: 05AI23ACG
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 12x16 Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas
Edition Year: 2023
Framed?: No
Commissioned? Yes
SOLD

What Brought About this Painting?

I LOVE it when someone contacts me because they have seen some of my artwork or a particular painting they love...then ask if they can have something created for themselves.  The size, the orientation or other variables might be in the person's request which makes each painting of a similar location its own special piece.

Painting in Progress Images…

Watch the painting as it progresses!

At least for me, paintings don't tend to start off looking like much when they begin. Blocking in color can be a one tone thing to give a base on a plain white canvas and it looks really blah. I have thrown down a few layers so far to build up the sky and water base already for this painting, so here is my starting point if you want to follow the painting as it develops. 

Often, I begin top down or the thing that is farthest away, in this case, the sky, then the clouds as the painting builds. Artists have various versions of starting points - perhaps based on what they are painting as well. How about you?



Friday, May 19, 2023 12:57 pm. A base of the blues gets sky and water started.

Saturday, May 20, 2023 7:07 am. A line of pink cherry trees are starting to grow. I'll need to finalize the sky and get the monument in there this morning too. Tis my destiny.


Saturday, May 20, 2023 11:42 am. Good progress I think. The Monument has put in an appearance and the trees are starting to bloom.


Saturday, May 20, 2023 7:30 pm. Still much more to do! The water with the reflections, the trees, details-details-details...


Sunday, May 21, 2023 11:50 am. Tweaking away. Debating the addition of a branch slightly hanging down on top left side (close up blossom). I will be tweaking the water quite a lot going forward. Have to work on the bridge to the right.


Tuesday, May 23, 2023 7:01 am. Hoping to get some more done on this painting today, a lot going on the next week. 

Friday, June 2, 2023 9:06 am. Back from vacation and tweaking the painting. An art show this weekend: Occoquan RiverFest Saturday and Sunday June 3-4, 2023. An art show booth with the Prince William Art Society at U16.


Tuesday, June 6, 2023 8:37pm. The final painting prior to varnish. This has been a fun painting to do - I LOVE the colors! Let me know what you think too.

Another commission in its final stages prior to going to the client. I can hardly wait - its like those TV home renovation shows when they "show" the final results and reveal it to the home owner. I can hardly wait to meet the client and have him see his painting.
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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!