Post 135: New in Prince William County an Art Space at Stonebridge

New in Prince William County an Art Space at Stonebridge

Prince William County has a new art gallery for its residents to enjoy located at Stonebridge called Open Space Arts that will open its doors this Saturday, April 2, 2022. The gallery will be open Wednesday - Saturday from 12 to 7pm and on Sundays from 12 to 5pm.

Who is Open Space Arts?

There are a LOT of people behind Open Space Arts that made this gallery happen. 

First of all, the Management Team of Stonebridge is JBG Smith company and their Lead Property Manager, Anastasia Podorski worked with Herb Williams, the Parks and Recreation Specialist of PWC, made the decision of allowing a fine art gallery to be in an empty space at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA. In turn, contact was made with the Prince William Art Society (PWAS), a non-profit art group that has been active in PWC for over 50 years. 

In actuality, the first art show in Open Space Arts took place on November 26 to December 12, 2021. The artists of PWAS setup the art show then displayed their art and hundreds of guests were thrilled, some shocked, and all very happily enjoyed the art on display. The duration of the show was only a few weekends at that time, but the seeds were sown.

Saturday, April 2, 2022 the art will be back. Some changes are in place that Prince William County should enjoy! The art show will run from April 2 to May 1, followed by a Students of PWC which is currently being 'setup'. The plan is to have various art shows, art events and MORE each month going forward. 

What Kind of Art Will You See?

The art show for April is called "Coloring the County". A call for art went out to the various art groups located in Prince William County - meaning that any artist 18 or older that resides in PWC OR anyone that is a member of an art group in PWC is welcome to submit their art when a call for art goes out. All art is to be juried into the gallery, which means that art work is submitted via email and 'judged' by a jury committee to ensure that the artwork meets basic gallery criteria for fine art in execution and display.

For "Coloring the County", we received over 20 artist submissions. The artwork includes oil and acrylic paintings, inks, sketches, mixed media, photoart, quilling, some ceramics and sculpture as well as jewelry. There are some VERY talented artists living here in Prince William County!

 

• There are landscapes, seascapes, garden fences and flowers. 
• There are animals - a dog, birds and bees, sea turtles, owls, a blue crab and a fish aquarium.
• There are buildings and locations you may recognize - the Capital, Monticello, Gunston Hall, the Governor's Mansion and Mount Vernon. 
  
• There are abstracts and Trompe L'oeil.
• AND there are art prints from the various artists for you to peruse. 
  

 

The styles run the gauntlet - from photorealism to fantasy. There is certainly something you will love and we do ask for you to vote your favorite in out People's Choice Award. The winning art pieces will be given blue, red or white ribbons as they are decided.

Now, Where is that Gallery?

If you know where Wegmans is at Stonebridge, you can find Open Space Arts. Or just set your GPS to 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, Virginia. The gallery is between the NEW Barnes and Noble, the Loft and Ulta. You will be amazed!

 

 

 

About Prince William Art Society in PW County, Virginia

My very first Artistry Spin blog post will cover the PWAS About Us thoroughly - see it at Prince William Art Society (PWAS) for Artists and Art Lovers. We currently have over 40 artist members of very diverse backgrounds, styles and artistic levels. There are some that are more or less getting started in art and some that have taught art in school and have been painting and selling art for years. We are also blessed to now have 2 art galleries for our artist members to show off their art!

Meanwhile, At Clearbrook Center of the Arts

But wait! There's MORE! Clearbrook Center of the Arts is open every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4pm at 2230 B Tackett’s Mill Drive, Lake Ridge, VA 22192. MANY of the same artists that will have art up at Stonebridge also have art up at Clearbrook often with art prints for your perusal. 

The Clearbrook gallery is also hosted by the artists of the Prince William Art Society and the artists volunteer their time to 'man' the desk. Stop by Clearbrook AND Stonebridge and say hi and tell them you where you read this!

 

 

 

 

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Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at 2230 B Tackett’s Mill Drive, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4
AND at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.

Post 134: Where do the Easels Go?

Where do the Easels Go?

I've been shopping for a heavy-duty studio easel for some time now in the hope's of scoring a great deal on a great easel at starving-artist prices. Oh, I want it to fold up and bend every way imaginable including tilting and laying flat. I want it have locking wheels. And most assuredly be very stable - no shake, rattle and roll (except when needed to). It's good to have a dream...Maybe you need a great deal on an easel too?

Buying New Easels

I'm dreaming of an H-Frame Studio Easel (sing that to "White Christmas" please). I look at the online art websites and I look at Amazon and Wayfair. I read the easel reviews for the year. I browse my local Hobby Lobby and Michael's in person and online. For awhile it was so overwhelming because there are SO MANY choices. And oh my gosh, SO MANY prices! I've seen them from just under $100 to $6000 plus.

 

Anyone's Main Easel Considerations:

• Your budget
  
• Your space dimensions (pay special attention to the height!)
  
• Where you are using it - indoor and/or outdoor
  
• What size canvases do you plan to paint with it?
• What type of art you produce?

How much are you willing to spend on the easel you are considering? You can probably find an easel to fit your budget and needs if you do your homework.

What will fit best in the space you plan to use it in? You must look at the amount of floor space the easel uses as well as how high your ceilings are. Measure before you buy! Look at the footprint of the easel.

If you want to carry it outdoors to paint, you will need something portable and lightweight enough to get it where you need it AND not so light that it will blow away on a windy day.

Generally, what size canvas do you prefer to paint on? If you paint large canvases and you have high ceilings, great. You'll need an easel that is sturdy enough to handle that. 

Some easels have features that make it easier to work with depending on the medium you use. The tilt forward to the tilt to horizontal should be considered.

Types of Easels

Compact Easels

A-Frame or Lyre

Bench or Donkey Easels

Table Top

I-Frame or Single Mast

 

Outdoor and Portable Easels - Set these guys up anywhere

French 

Field

 

Heavy Duty Easels - the Mack Daddy of Easels

H Frame

Wall Mount 

 

Painting Stations / Taborets / Art Desks

Basically, art furniture

Stool or Chair?

Do you paint standing or seated or optionally both? Then you need a stool or chair, with or without a back, preferably with height adjustment.

 

 

Photo by Taylor Floyd Mews on Unsplash 

Easel Bells and Whistles Features to look for:

• Materials used - wood (beech, elm, oak, mahogany) or aluminum
  
• Stability
• Portability
  
• Ease of use 
• Size
  
• Tilt
  
• Ease of putting it together
• Weight
• Masts 1 or 2
  
• Adjustable height - minimum and maximum
  
• Ability to handle multiple canvases and/or very large canvases
  
• Quality hinges, lockable castors, floor levelers, knobs, ratchets, crank
  
• Storage space included
  
• Built in palette

Used Easels

Then there is the question of why can't I find a used easel, a nice easel that needs a new home? I watch Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist Northern Virginia to search for an easel that would suit my needs. So far, no luck. Maybe they get snatched up so fast that I miss it. 

But where do all the easels go when an artist no longer uses those easels? Do they pass them along to their kids or artist friends? Do they move them to the attic or the back of the garage for layers of dust to accumulate? -GASP- do they put them in yard sales?

Where do the used easels go?

 

 

Photo by Justyn Warner on Unsplash 

 I do need to make a decision on "the right easel for me" soon...back to the search...

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Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at 2230 B Tackett’s Mill Drive, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4
AND at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.

Post 133: Composition 3. Leading Lines Create Depth

Composition: Leading Lines Create Depth

Part 3 of my series on Composition

Sort of like a flow chart, the lines directing your eyes through the page point where the creator wants you to follow to SEE the whole picture. A composition with leading lines can direct what you want to "point out" in your painting or your photo, your design.

What is a Leading Line?

Positioning objects just so in your design help to point out a feature. Much like you use your arm to point at something, someone can follow your arm to your hand, to your finger and the direction you are pointing to look at the object. In the design, the leading line can be a straight line, a curved line, an S-curve, or an 'implied' line. 

 

In the photo below, the lines on the sides of the river lead toward the city, the reflection lines in the water and the curve of the line above and in the water all frame and have you focus on the city in the background.

 

 

Photo by Hao Zhang on Unsplash  

A leading line can create a sense of depth for the viewer.

 

Photo by Oliver Plattner on Unsplash

Repetitive objects, which we know are the same size, gives you a sense of depth and the sidewalk lines, the column rows, the row of lamps all lead you to the final end point.

 

Photo by Chris Curry on Unsplash 

 Other elements that can be leading lines are a row of benches in a park, or a bridge leading to another spot across the water. The reflection in the water and the clouds stretching above the horizon can be leading lines as well.

 

Other examples are sidewalks, roads, paths, street lights - all leading to a subject.

Think about those ways to direct the focus in your next composition.

______

This is part of a series of blog posts on the guidelines, or rules of composition. Look for all of them in the Search this Blog feature at the top right by searching for the word "composition". I hope you enjoy the posts!

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Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at Tackett's Mill in Lake Ridge, VA on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 – it’s free to see the artwork! Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.

 

Post 132: Art Show Under Construction at Open Space Art

Art Show Under Construction at Open Space Art

The artists submitted their entries. The judges viewed, reviewed, and painstakingly poured over all the images from the artists. The selections were announced and now is the time for the artists to deliver the art to the gallery. 

 

Open Space Arts - between Barnes and Noble, the Loft and Ulta

Behind the Scenes of Open Space Arts

The gallery is called Open Space Arts. Located at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA the show will open Saturday, April 2, 2022 and run until Sunday, May 1, 2022. With the show only a week away, the artists of the Prince William Art Society are buzzing around like busy bees in preparation. 

• The Artwork has been prepared for hanging. *See about the best practices when displaying your art in a gallery at this link.
  

 

Some of my artwork submitted and delivered to the gallery

• Checking in the art delivered by the juried artists with their selected pieces.

 

Open Space Art is about to get "Coloring the County"

• Preparing the window display.

• Scheduling the artists that will volunteer their time to work the counter and do the meet and greet for the visitors. And of course, explain who we are, what we do and all the questions. 

• The artwork will be artistically hung so that it all displays to its best advantage.

And so much more!

About Open Space Arts in Prince William County, Virginia

Open Space Arts at Stonebridge in Woodbridge, VA will be opening on April 2, 2022 with their first art show in that space since November and December 2021 with "Coloring the County". Through the generosity of JBG Smith and PWCAC, the Stonebridge space was granted for use by the Prince William Art Society to help promote art within the entire county. Any artist 18 or older, residing in PWC, and the members of any PWC Art Group were invited to enter.

Meanwhile, At Clearbrook Center of the Arts

But wait! There's MORE! Clearbrook Center of the Arts is open every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4pm at 2230 B Tackett’s Mill Drive, Lake Ridge, VA 22192. MANY of the same artists that will have art up at Stonebridge also have art up at Clearbrook often with art prints for your perusal. 

The Clearbrook gallery is hosted by the artists of the Prince William Art Society and the artists volunteer their time to 'man' the desk. Stop in and say hi and tell them you where you read this!

There is so much to do in setting up an art show and so many people behind the scenes too. They all do such a great job every month. Clearbrook has one committee of artists that setup the gallery and Stonebridge Open Space Arts has another committee. The work to get a show going can start MONTHS before hand. We appreciate everyone involved! For all the work that Shadow and Sandra do, thank you! And we have many thanks to John Wooten, Herb Williams, and Anastasia Podorski of JBG Smith. 

Remember, Open Space Art opens Saturday, April 2!

See you at the gallery!

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Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at 2230 B Tackett’s Mill Drive, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4
AND at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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

---

Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.

Photography/Video Credits:
Donna Liguria

Post 131: PWAS Artist's and their Easels

PWAS Artist's and their Easels

I find it fascinating to see what other artists use to get their art work done, don't you as well? I like to see the tools they use from small to large, how their setup is, and probably the most important piece of equipment - what easel they use. As my continuing search for the best easel for ME continues, the artists at the Prince William Art Society share a look into their studio easels.

PWAS Artists Share Easel Info

Otis Stanley

I use a Studio RTA easel. It's a folding travel easel. Easy to set up with built in storage for paints and brushes and has adjustable height for different frame sizes. 

I like this one because it's easy to fold away and light weight for travel. Any frames larger than a 16x 20 I would recommend something more sturdy.

Bettie Sperty

About my easel: Years ago I bought an aluminum Stanrite easel. I had used one in a class, I didn’t have any experience with any other easel and it was affordable. It did the job ok, but had it’s limitations. 

Then a few years ago I decided to treat myself to a better, more versatile easel when I saw a phenomenal sale online at Jerry’s Artarama. And I’m happy I did. I have limited space - like many artists - and this one didn’t take up too much floor space, could be easily moved and is very versatile. It adjusts from completely vertical to totally flat and every angle in between, holds up to a 71” canvas. I’ve been very happy with it.

Barbara Abel

I have large drawing table which I've had for about 40 years.  It can tilt from flat to straight up.  The picture shows the wood, but I usually cover it with thick cardboard and the wood is about 1 1/2 inch thick so I can clip photos or lists or whatever to the wood.  When the table is flat, I can pad it and use it to cut mats, which I don't do much anymore.

I love the table and haven't seen any modern ones that I would rather have.

Sometimes I think of getting a small portable easel for outdoors, but probably wouldn't use it much.

John Hartt

In my studio I nailed a few sheets of homasote to the wall. I thinks it’s made out of recycled boxes and is designed as a sound insulation. It takes nails and pushpins well, so can hold big and lightweight pieces well. It’s super convenient to hang tools and pallet paper at the ready. I have one sheet I use in my home studio that I’ve been using for over thirty years.

This Christmas I got this easel by Artistic (https://artristic.com/product/artristic-tripod-mounted-easel/?wmc-currency=USD). It’s great when I’m bringing a large piece to a live painting event. It attaches to the back of the canvas, allowing access to all four sides of the gallery wrap canvas. It tilts, and rotates easily, great when you need to find that comfortable painting position.

Donna Liguria

At the moment, I have table top easels, several of them and very inexpensive folding easels that will not do for large canvases. They are much too flimsy. My search is helped with the above recommendations as I do want something to handle bigger pieces, but something that will also tilt and fold up when needed. I agree with Bettie above - it's all about the space.

Thanks everyone for your input!

I did have to look up "homasote" as I had no idea what that was. From Wikipedia: "Homasote is a brand name associated with the product generically known as cellulose based fiber wall board, which is similar in composition to papier-mâché, made from recycled paper that is compressed under high temperature and pressure. Homasote contains no adhesives. It is held together by the surface tension between the paper fibers, a process that is augmented by hydrogen bonding and the presence of a wax binder (2% volume). It is available in multiple thicknesses and comes in sheets 4 by 8 feet (1.2 by 2.4 m)."

 What do you recommend as an easel?

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Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at 2230 B Tackett’s Mill Drive, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4
AND at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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

---

Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.

Post 130: Congratulations to the Following Artists in PWC

Congratulations to the Following Artists in PWC

Open Space Arts at Stonebridge in Woodbridge, VA will be opening on April 2, 2022 with their first art show in that space since November and December 2021 with "Coloring the County". Through the generosity of JBG Smith and PWCAC, the Stonebridge space was granted for use by the Prince William Art Society to help promote art within the entire county. Any artist 18 or older, residing in PWC, and the members of any PWC Art Group were invited to enter.

All of the Stonebridge Open Space Art Shows including this event will be juried. The artists showing in the show will also help 'man' the space, so visitors stopping at the gallery will be speaking to the actual artists with art hanging!

OSA Art Exhibitors Selected via Jury for April's "Coloring the County"

Here is the list of artists that were selected to show at the gallery from Saturday, April 2 to May 3, 2022. Let's give them all a big congrats! Woohoo - it's going to be an awesome show!

Michelle Baker

Staci Blanchard:

Maria Briganti

Kelly Haneklau

Sheri Herrick

Milford John-Williams

Urmila Kumari

Sandra Lewin

Donna Liguria

Scott McDonald

Stephanie McGee

Kenneth Meardon

Tamao Nakayama

Pat Palmieri

Ana Quispe

Penny Shaw

Bettie Sperty

Otis Stanley

Richard Tyler

Brenda Vann

Congratulations to one and all!

If you are an artist living in Prince William County - Woodbridge, Occoquan, Manassas, Gainesville, Bristow, Buckland, Catharpin, Dale City, Dumfries, Montclair, Haymarket, City of Manassas, Nokesville, Lakeridge, Quantico, and Triangle - OR you belong to an Art Group in Prince William County - this space is HERE! There is NO FEE to enter when the call for art goes out.

  

We have lots of plans ongoing for the rest of the year so when other Calls for Art come out over the coming months, get involved! Follow this blog, our social sites, the Prince William Artist Society website at https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/ or come by Stonebridge Open Space Arts Wednesday - Saturday 12 - 7pm or Sunday, 12 - 5pm to learn more!

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Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at 2230 B Tackett’s Mill Drive, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4
AND at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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

---

Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.