Post 447: PWAS Plein Air Posse

PWAS Plein Air Posse

In a recent survey of the Prince William Art Society members interests, it was found that Plein Air was a leading art topic that the members wanted to learn more about and get involved in. Thus, PWAS is launching an interested party inaugural Plein Air field trip for this new extension of the PWAS art group. But if Plein Air Painting is new to you, read on dear artist.

What is Plein Air Painting?

As an artist, we spend a ton of time in our studios (or wish we could!). Many studios have great natural light and maybe windows that can open to circulate the air and that's all great. But perhaps many other artists have that urge to get outdoors to paint what we see too, to be in the great outdoors, wind in the hair, the bees a buzzin'... Nonetheless, nature does call us to come out and play. Maybe with paints and brushes in hand.

From the French came the expression "plein air" meaning "in the open air" which means getting out of our studios and being in the moment, painting in nature and all its elements. Talk about hands-on! In your face!

The Prince William Art Society has a new group of members forming a group of Plein Air painters are calling themselves the PWAS Plein Air Posse. A few members have great experience with painting out of doors while others are newbies.

There are no rights or wrongs nor rules or guidelines really. Do your thing!

What You Will Need

Think lightweight items because you have to carry the equipment somewhere into nature and the wind and weather and mud are other considerations. So through the woods, walking the river paths, to the beach and over the dunes, crawling over the rocks, or hanging out with the wildlife, the birds and the bees (hey, the insects!) - from head to toe and everything in between, dress for the occasion.

Dress according to the day - layers are typically best as then if the day changes on you, your comfort level can adjust with it.

Equipment

• A Portable Easel/Tripod. A lightweight field easel, pochade box or simply a sketch clipboard may be all you need, depending on if your medium is oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, or other medium or if you are doing a sketch or using color pencils, etc.
  
• Essential Art Supply Items - No matter the medium, choose to bring only the colors, brushes, palette, or any appropriate mixing solutions absolutely essential for the project, or to get the artwork started. Some artists can complete a painting quickly, others will finish in studio. Smaller sized tubes, containers etc will lighten the load.
  
• Sketchbook - many artists sketch first to decide composition and color.
  
• Your Phone/Camera - Take reference photos of your subject with the time of day your main concern to capture the lighting the way you want to paint it. The light will change on you - fast! While some artists can knock out a Plein Air painting quickly and can capture the essence of the subject, others will finish up the painting later with their reference photos.
  
• Be Prepared - in case of changes in the weather, heat, cold, rain, whatever.  Also, if its quite breezy, think how your artwork can be anchored down to keep from being air borne.
  
• Water for clean up, water for you. Collapsible containers may work there too. Perhaps snacks too. Just remember, CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF!!
  
• Paper Towels or rags for cleanup.
  
• A Hat, Umbrella. Think in advance too, will you need to have applied sunscreen?

Another consideration is a simple, lightweight camping chair or stool of some sort.

Most of all, enjoy the fresh air and have fun. Get to know not only your fellow Plein Air Posse members, but enjoy the learning and growing experience of being in the moment of painting out of doors!

PWAS Plein Air Posse

If you want to join the "Posse" for their first outing, please contact Tom Payne, paynereliefartworx@yahoo.com

The first Plein Air meeting of the Posse will be at:

Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Meet at 9:00 am

15014 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville, Va

As far as the Bluebell Festival itself, there is a followup blog post and more information coming to the PWAS members for this entire event going on at Merrimac Farm. The Prince William Art Society will have a booth there!

For Further Reading

A Beginner's Guide to Plein Air Painting; Tips for Success

 

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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.

Photography/Video Credits:
Tom Payne

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Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Post 446: PWAS Represented at Art at the Mill Spring 2024

PWAS Represented at Art at the Mill Spring Show 2024

Millwood, Virginia. How about plugging 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, Virginia into your GPS sometime during April 20 to May 5 and taking that roadtrip to go enjoy some art in a real-live-working mill? Art at the Mill is the destination that several Prince William Art Society members traveled after being accepted to show some of their art.

Spring Art at the Mill

There are several PWAS artists that made that roadtrip over the March 22-24, 2024 Drop off dates. Typically, Art at the Mill sends out a Call for Art twice a year asking for artists to submit up to 5 artworks in various mediums. Click Submit. Then the waiting begins, to see if your art was selected to show. Insert the Jeopardy music here.

Finally, the emails arrive - the "Unfortunately" in red and/or the "Congratulations!" in green. Well, we all get the Unfortunately's on occasion. But do consider this:

Art at the Mill will jury in about 1000 art pieces and about 300 artists for each show.

That is a LOT of art. I need to ask at some point how many entries they usually get. Can you imagine jurying and selecting 1000 artworks?

The Show: Art at the Mill Spring Show Saturday, April 20 through Sunday, May 5, 2024

The Artist Reception is Sunday, April 28 from 2-5pm 

As far as the Prince William Art Society artists showing at Art at the Mill, here are the ones I know about. Congratulate these artists!

Bettie Sperty

This was Bettie's first time showing at Art at the Mill.

Two Bees or Not To Be

A Mother's Love
 

Who Me?

Sandra McClelland Lewin

Sandra has shown at the Mill several times.

 

Iris Moon

 

Jungle Orchid

Donna Liguria

This is the third time I have entered Art at the Mill; twice in 2023 for both the Spring and Fall Shows and again for the Spring 2024 show. When I first joined PWAS in 2021 and started taking my art business more seriously, Art at the Mill was often talked about within the group in very awed tones. After seeing it, I understand that reverence now. 

It is an incredible art show in Virginia, in an awesome location, is fantastically attended and very well managed. As Bettie said recently, the quality of the artwork is so high, it is a distinct honor to even have something accepted into this show. She mentioned she saw at least 10 pieces she wanted to take home with her. I agree with her!

Here are my two entries for the Spring Art at the Mill Show 2024:

 

Gunston Hall Virginia Historical Home Series

 

Monticello Virginia Historical Home Series

Art Drop Off

Here are some pictures from Saturday, March 23, 2024. After the art is selected, the artists sign up for the day and time to drop off. They stagger the artists throughout the day which definitely helps with the traffic flow and parking lots outside. 

 

When you drop off art, the blue T-shirted volunteers even may come out to your car and ask if you need help with your artwork bringing it in! 

 

Enter the Mill and if you hear the thrashing and "machinery" sounds, a grain of some sort is being ground. Looks like cornmeal was on the menu today. You can buy various flours while you are there. We head upstairs.

The first thing the artist does is go to check in. Several volunteers check your name in and hand you the pre-made art labels for your artwork. Going to the left, you unwrap your transportation wrappings and the labels are attached. Your artwork may automatically go up in a hanging position temporarily or go to the top floor holding area. Nothing will be in the same position by the time the show actually starts but ALL of it will be available for sale on the website link that will go-live just prior to the show start. And they sell art, yes, a lot of art is sold. (Hopefully we'll be bringing less art home at the end of the show too!) Those blue T-shirts are constantly replacing art as space is made.

 

As soon as a purchase is made, it comes off the walls and is replaced. The buyer can take their new artwork home with them right then and there. Their Call for Art/Art at the Mill website lets you know the status of the art at all times. Even at check-in, an email is sent letting you know it was checked in. (I'll share that Spring AATM art link once it goes live.)

 

Yes, the art can be sold if someone sees art they love online too. I believe they call in and make the sale over the phone but artwork is NOT shipped - it must be picked up. See any art you like?

Here is one of Sandra's and one of mine that are temporarily destined for the upper most floor, for now.

The volunteers steadily fill in the walls...

I LOVED the bunnies!

We spotted a couple of Bettie's paintings, can you? As always on this blog, you can click on a photo to enlarge it. Have a look.

Yeah, I like that one too.

And that one.

Impressed yet?

And they still have another day for drop off on Sunday after these photos. This was just Friday to Saturday as Sandra and I were scheduled for a 1-1:30 drop off.

Do go downstairs at the Mill too while you are there. Lots of artifacts and antiques and get a close up look at the Mill in operation.

 

I am starting to recognize and getting to know more and more artists, past and present PWAS members, gallery artists, etc. and their art at the various art shows all over the Northern Virginia area. 

 

March 22-24, 2024 is also the Fredericksburg Fine Arts Show at the Dorothy Hart Community Center at 408 Canal Street, Fredericksburg and we recognized an art piece by Maria Briganti, a PWAS member there. Sandra and I also have art in this Fredericksburg show which is also nicely done as well.

 

So is a roadtrip in your future?

More Art at the Mill Blog Posts

https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2023/10/donnas-cave-paintings-blog-by-donna.html

https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2023/05/donnas-cave-paintings-blog-by-donna.html

https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2023/03/post-311-pwas-member-upcoming.html

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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.

Photography/Video Credits: Donna Liguria    

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Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!

Post 445: PWAS Hanging Art at the Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farms

PWAS Hanging Art at the Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farms

There is an art to hanging art. Hanging art in a gallery or any art space takes a lot more than just hanging the paintings and photographs willy-nilly. Thought must be given to make it a cohesive show, even telling a story when possible as the viewer moves around the space. There are similarities in solo and group art shows as well as some big differences.

PWAS Hanging Art

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) Hanging Committee just hung an art show for the Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farms for display from March 18 to May 26, 2024. As artwork is delivered, the art is set on tables and counters to gather and see what all there is to work with before placement. The number of pieces accepted into the show will also dictate the entirety of the show and how its hung as well.

Group art shows means that there are typically ALL kinds of art done in ALL kinds of styles, mediums, and subjects which is probably the biggest difference between a group art show and a solo artist. There are sometimes themes for art shows, which could also be subject to artist interpretation of that theme - in medium and styles.

Solo artist shows are often a collection and/or series of paintings by the same artist so the story-telling of the display may work well more-so than a group show. An artist's series can also help identify that the same artist created the show as they are cohesive in format, composition, materials, concepts and/or theme.

For the PWAS group, often the largest pieces and focal points are hung first. Depending on the features and walls in the space, there are logical spots for certain pieces. Balancing the display around main features of the room is best, like having something similar on either side of a fireplace. 

The PWAS group moves the art around the room with the goal of hanging artwork in the most pleasing way, depending on the available art, the sizes of the artwork, wall space, the hanging system used, how or if art is framed, the colors used in the painting or photo and the frame, and what will look great if hung together. Nooks and crannies are considered as well with "what will fit where".

At some art shows, perhaps depending on the size of the show and number of artists entered, the artwork might be hung by palette, by subject, or theme. Some galleries hang in a stacked formation while many modern art galleries hang by allowing plenty of space around each piece, to allow a breather (negative space) between each piece for full appreciation when moving around the room.

Hanging Suggestions to Keep in Mind

• Don't hang art so low (or high) that the label with the artist name and title cannot be read, or the art cannot be seen comfortably. Art hung at eye level is the most comfortable way to view the art.
• Use bumpers on the bottom of each piece to prevent shifting and to help protect the walls.
• Use "white glove" treatment when hanging art and its always a good idea to set the artwork on something like cloth or clean cardboard while its resting on the floor.
  
• By placing artwork (on the floor and leaning against the walls) in the areas that they may potentially go on that wall, the group begins to clearly see what looks great together. Even then, the group will move art around the room as a clearer "picture" begins to develop.
  
• Find the visual links between artworks - and the contrasts.
  
• Do group by subject - landscapes or animals all grouped together.
  
• Hang by color - similarly used colors can work quite well together.
• Hang by framed pieces - black frames together, or white frames, etc.
• Use negative space to help "frame" each piece. We've also seen art shows with way too much negative space as well, which loudly says there is not enough art.
  
• Mix it up and see what works to make a stand-out collection! 
  

For the Artists

Always read the Call for Art and their hanging requirements before art drop-off. A gallery and most art shows will not accept those saw-tooth hangers at all. Fine art typically uses D-ring hangers and wires but there are occasional differences in hanging requirements for various art shows. Saw-tooth hangers will not be acceptable at art shows that use the gridwall panels either. See PWAS Display here.

Whether it was just the artist in a rush and they overlooked it, we have seen art arrive at drop off where there was no way to hang the art whatsoever. Which then lead to the artist scrambling to go home to wire or going to buy the wiring tools. And remember to LABEL the back with the required items - which also helps to identify who it belongs to.

Yes, yes, we know that rules are made to be broken but knowing the rules to begin with is more important toward the success of a good-looking show. I did type SHOW, not art show, on purpose.

The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farms Has PWAS Art Now

The Prince William Art Society Art Show at the Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farms  will run from March 18 to May 26. The Winery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Here are some pictures taken while setting up the show on Monday, March 18 from the outside, the inside downstairs, and the private room upstairs.

 

To the Right: The stairs going up to the party/private room area where the art is on display.

 

Upstairs: Looking toward the parking area as you drive in.

 

 Upstairs: A view toward Lake Manassas, where surprisingly, you cannot fish, boat, swim because it is a reservoir.

Here are more photos capturing the PWAS group deciding where art should go. See if you spot your paintings.

 

Some of the smaller walls could be hung, but the hanging system on other walls had to wait for configuration. Those hanging rail kits are very cool for hanging art and not punching holes everywhere with nails.

 

PWAS placed the art around the room until the hanging system was in place.

 

 

This area tends to be where the "food and bar" areas are as soon as you come up the steps. The artwork is awaiting hanging.

What other suggestions do you have for hanging art?

For Further Reading

7 Design Tips for How to Hang Your Art for a Show

Tips for Hanging an Art Show

A Short Guide on How to Hang Artwork for an Exhibition

How to Hang Your Solo Show: Show Your Works to Their Best Advantage 

Behind the Scenes of Planning Solo Art Show

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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.

Photography/Video Credits: Donna Liguria

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Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm

Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!