Post 420: PWAS Members Share What They Are Up To

PWAS Members Share What They Are Up To

Several Prince William Art Society Members share what they've been up to and where their art is.

Bettie Sperty

This one is a commission for someone. I hope to finish it this week.
It is a gift for the woman’s husband and is a painting of their dog. The woman is also a quilter and made the quilt for the dog’s bed, so it’s important that I get the quilt accurate, too. It is 11”x14” and done in oil.

Donna Liguria

This painting is in progress and will be called "Last Light Lighthouse NC". It's 24x24 and painted with acrylics on a gallery wrapped canvas. I just did a commission for someone for Christmas, so I can't post that one until after the holidays. I'm going to North Carolina, Harkers Island for Thanksgiving and I hope to be taking this one with me as I'll be setting up for an art show there. Also, was working on another commission that will be called "White House Having a White Christmas".

Find Donna's art here: https://donnaliguriaart.com, on her blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/, on Etsy at https://donnaliguriaart.etsy.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/donna.liguria. Also, some of my art is in our PWAS Art Shop too!

Sandra McClelland Lewin

SLMLart.com Sandra's website

Bettie, Donna and Sandra are currently part of the GoWell Stonebridge and Warrenton locations committees, have been members of the gallery committee and other PWAS positions.

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, 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.

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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 378: PWAS Member's Pet Helpers and Inspiration

PWAS Member's Pet Helpers and Inspiration

Sometimes an email goes out to my fellow Prince William Art Society members with a question, some artists respond, many do not. Free advertising/promo...The question could be "What's on your easel?" or something like a favorite quote, favorite art tool, etc. This one was a little different.

PWAS Members Pets

Do you have a pet(s) that 'helps' you with your art or been a muse or inspiration for what you do? Leah actually posed the question, so thank you Leah...

Leah Boynton

I've got three little helpers! 
Ellie - 6 year old yellow retriever whose favorite thing in the world is playing tennis ball (jpg attachment Ellie Inspo and Ellie Art) the artwork is a 5x7 acrylic painting

Suki- 4 year old torti who is queen of the household and oversees projects (jpg attachment Suki Inspecting and Suki Art) artwork is an ATC (artist trading card) 3x5 watercolor/mixed media

Loki- 3 year old black cat is my mischief maker who lives up to his name and has gotten his own little "Loki Adventure" series

(jpg attachments Loki Helping and Loki Necklace plus the Loki Digital Collage) the necklace being real butterfly wing jewelry and the digital art is 8x8  

Donna Liguria

It took me a long time to paint my last cat, who passed awhile back. I did a cartoony version of her on a 3x4 mini canvas

 

Tupy, 3x4 Mini Canvas

It's been awhile since I had my aquarium going, but this was a nod to my fishy friends in a freshwater aquarium. 

 

Bettie Sperty

This is Mack. He was my daughter’s dog. I did this as a birthday gift for her a few years ago. It is acrylic on canvas. 12”x12”. 

By the way, fellow Prince William County artists - the deadline for the Call for Art for the Strut Your Stuff art show is Saturday, August 5, 2023 midnight https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/call-for-art

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

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Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 52-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.

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

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

Post 349: PWAS Spotlight Artist Bettie Sperty

PWAS Spotlight Artist

The Artistry Spin Blog has started a series for Prince William Art Society (PWAS) members called "Spotlight Artists", where those artists that want to be featured will submit a prearranged template for posting here and spread on our PWAS social media sites.

This week's featured PWAS Spotlight Artist...

Bettie Sperty

Date: 5/11/2023

Artist Style: Realistic, Whimsical, Trompe L'oeil

Artist Mediums: Acrylic, Oil, Pen & Ink, Colored Pencils, and Pottery

 

Artist Bio:

Bettie Sperty is a local artist living in Manassas, Virginia - in Prince William County.

Her style runs from the fun, colorful and whimsical to the fine detail of Tromp L’oeil. She enjoys working in a variety of mediums, which include acrylics, oils, pen and ink, colored pencil and clay. Most of her pottery pieces are hand built and showcase her attention to detail.

Most of Bettie’s artwork showcases her attention to fine detail. And it seems that her paintings and her pottery pieces will usually have some type of shine or sparkle. It may be a touch of metallic foils, color shifting paints, fine glitter or even minute gems.

In her own words she says, “I don’t hope to change the world or make a social or political statement with my artwork. My goal is simply to enjoy what I am doing and create something for others to enjoy, as well. Hopefully I will make your eyes happy, touch your heart or make you wonder with my art”.

Artist’s Awards:

Bettie Sperty has won awards in galleries in Maryland and Virginia including the Torpedo Factory, the Lorton Workhouse and local Prince William County art galleries. Her artwork is held in private collections all across the United States.

She has had her work shown at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, The Lorton Workhouse, Creative Brush Studio in Manassas, The Martha Spak Gallery at the Wharf in Washington, D.C., the Capital One Gallery and Artful Dimensions in Fredericksburg. Bettie has also participated in various shows at wineries, libraries and various government buildings.

Artist PWAS Member Since:

Bettie Sperty has been an active member of PWAS an Manassas Art Guild (MAG) for approximately 5 years (around 2018). Previously she was also a member of a gallery at The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.

Artist's URL: https://www.bsperty.com

Artist’s Social Media:

Facebook: Bettie Sperty, Artist

Instagram: Bettie Sperty Art

Artist's Contact: bsperty@comcast.net

 

 

 

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Author/Artist/Photographer: Bettie Sperty

Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, Donna's Etsy site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

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Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 52-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

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

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

Post 286: Open Space Arts People's Choice Winners Jan 2023

Open Space Arts People's Choice Winners Jan 2023 After the Master's Style Art Show

As we draw towards the end of this month's art show at the Open Space Art gallery, we count the votes. During the month, we ask the gallery visitors to vote on their favorite art piece of our art shows and then we give out ribbons for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place for People's Choice based on the vote counts.

And the Winners Are...

This art show was called "After the Master's Style" where we asked our artists that answered the Call for Art to submit work that is "inspired by" their favorite master artists. It is fun to watch the gallery visitors really consider the artwork for their choice and we often hear, "Can I only pick one?" And their faces reflect the difficulty in selecting only one! That's a good thing!

It really tickles me to watch the visitors taking in the art as they studiously go from piece to piece trying to decide their favorite. To me, the choice for first place this month was an easy and obvious choice, but still there were so many GREAT artworks! Well done, artists - all of them! Prince William County artists and art groups got talent!

Drum roll please...

1. 1st Place is Tom Payne's "Vermeer's Vision"

The master artist Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), was a Dutch painter that created the "Girl with a Pearl Earring" which was what inspired Tom Payne's "Vermeer's Vision", which as Tom says is "Girl with a Pearl Earring" meets African Cyborg Queen. Update Thursday, January 26, 2023 9:25pm - this painting SOLD, contact Tom Payne for prints. https://www.payne-relief-artworx.com/

2. Second Place is Bettie Sperty's "Sweet Dreams"

Bettie Sperty's painting was inspired by the artist René François Ghislain Magritte (1898-1967) who "was a Belgian surrealist artist known for his depictions of familiar objects in unfamiliar, unexpected contexts, which often provoked questions about the nature and boundaries of reality and representation." (-Wikipedia)

3. Tied for Third Place are Kate Brogdon's " Redwood Forest Nymph Losing Hope" and Donna Liguria's "Only God Can Make a Tree"

 

Kate Brogdon's " Redwood Forest Nymph Losing Hope"

 "This piece continues my series of nymphs: strong female guardians of a complex environment she fills with energy.  The redwood tree nymph is losing hope in the face of threats to her tree and the forest, as continued degradation and fragmentation reduce the ability of forests to shelter valuable ecosystems and mitigate warming.  Candy wrappers are the base of the image providing shine and sparkle, but also highlight the often invisible trash filing our natural areas.  The nymph is drawn in pencil and the environment is a photograph  with paint." - Kate Brogdon

 

Donna Liguria's "Only God Can Make a Tree"

"The master creator and painter, God, inspired my rendition of a looking up at a tree. There is a squirrel, 2 birds, and a couple of lady bugs sprinkled around the canvas." - Donna Liguria

Please note that all of the artwork at the gallery is for sale if you are interested.

After the Master's Style will only be up until Sunday, January 29, so come out and enjoy the show. It is FREE to come in and view the art. The next art show beginning on Wednesday, February 1 and running until Feb 26 is "African American Voices and Visions". And the voting will start all over again.

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all that visited and voted.

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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/.

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Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
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.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

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

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

Post 252: After the Meeting with Bettie Sperty

After the Meeting with Bettie Sperty

The Prince William Art Society had a meeting this past Monday, October 24, 2022, and the program speaker was Bettie Sperty. For those that have been in PWAS for awhile or have been to the Open Space Gallery at Stonebridge, you may recognize some of Bettie's work and her use of shiny, glittery things in a lot of her art pieces.

 

Some of Bettie Sperty's artwork

The Next Day at Michael's

Who among us does not love shiny objects? I found Bettie's program mesmerizing! So enchanted was I by all the shiny surfaces I found myself researching the products that Bettie described...oh, I should have taken notes at the meeting! Besides, I'm working on Christmas flavored paintings!

So via text and a phone call here is the gist of the day-after convo:

Smartphone Text to Bettie: "I'm researching some of the paints you were describing last night."

From Bettie: "I'm heading to Michael's now to use my coupon."

Me to Bettie: "I'll meet you there." (Thank all the power's that be for an un-used Christmas gift card that can be used any where - in hand and on way to Michael's)

An art store is like a Toys-R-Us for adults. Get two artists together and see the gleeful adventures and discovery...Especially in the paint aisle(s).

If it wasn't on the shelf, oh mighty Amazon, a life preserver to an artist. 

Golden Acrylics Fluid Interference Acrylics Set 8 Colors Interference Paint Blue, Gold, Green, Red, Violet (Fine), and Green-Blue, Green-Orange, Violet-Green, 1 oz Multicolored

We were profoundly disappointed to hear that they are no longer carrying the Martha Stewart paints we were looking for. (Oh gloom and despair and agony on me.) But the discovery of the (new) Dragonfly paints brought forth all the "ooooo's" and "ahhhhs" and made up for the loss of the MS specialty gold paint.

Bettie's Supply List

Under discussion was of course, all the products she used and described from her program and my thoughts ran to, we need a supply list. Our thoughts also were in agreement to a Gold Leafing workshop, a Michael's shopping workshop excursion, and more. For now, the Christmas list...well, Bettie's supply list.

Art Supply TOYS List

• Gold Leaf, Bronze, Silver, and Variegated Leaf - plus adhesive
  
• Golden Interference Fluid Acrylic - many colors
  
• Martha Stewart's Gold Acrylic paint
  
• FolkArt Color Shift paint - lots of colors
• E6000 Glue
  
• FolkArt Dragonfly Glaze - some awesome colors
• Various glittery powders
• Assortments of "jewels", beads 
• The Ultimate Tool for an artist, a Toothpick
  

As far as applying Gold Leaf as we don't have a workshop on it scheduled (YET), I discovered this fantastic video by Nancy Reyner on YouTube - it is packed with some very good all around art tips and well worth a view.

Ok fellow artists - you have your mission, go forth and create something shiny.

Hmmm, next stop Hobby Lobby, if I can find that other gift card!

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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/.

Photography/Video Credits: 

Bettie Sperty

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Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
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.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

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

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

Post 243: October PWAS Meeting - Monday, October 24, 2022 7:30pm

October PWAS Meeting - Monday, October 24, 2022 7:30pm

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) meets the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30pm. - So, come join us for our monthly meeting, October 24, at Tall Oaks Community Center, 12298 Cotton Mill Dr. Woodbridge, VA.  Meetings are free and open to all.  After the business portion of our monthly meeting, we will be featuring another local artist, Bettie Sperty.

Bettie Sperty Brings the Program

Ms. Sperty is a mostly self-taught artist who enjoys working with a variety of mediums. Her pieces - both paintings and pottery - are quite often enhanced with metallic foils, iridescent paints or other sparkling accents.  She will be sharing some of her techniques and secrets with us at the October 24th PWAS meeting, so come and find out about local opportunities for artists, have some refreshments, and then enjoy a free presentation that just might inspire you to add a bit of gleam to one of your works.

 See you at the meeting!

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Author: Emily Hawes
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge,VA

 

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: 

Bettie Sperty

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Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
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.

Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.

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

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

Post 161: Art Reception at the ARTfactory Featuring the 50th Anniversary of Prince William Art Society

Art Reception at the ARTfactory Featuring the 50th Anniversary of Prince William Art Society

Saturday, May 14, 2022. Manassas, Virginia. The ARTfactory at 9419 Battle St., Manassas, VA held an artist reception for the Prince William Art Society's 50th Anniversary this evening. With music playing outside from a wonderful band entertaining the public as they walked by, PWAS artists, guests and visitors came inside the gallery to enjoy the artwork, to mingle and enjoy the nibbles. Many thanks to Jordan Exum for such a lovely evening.

Golden Anniversary Celebration

PWAS member art is showing at the ARTfactory from May 4 to June 4, 2022 with 11 artist's artwork on display. The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) is the oldest art group in the county and currently boasts nearly 60 members! Find out more here: PWAS History

PWAS Artists Exhibiting

Michelle Baker
Maria Briganti
Kelly Haneklau
John Hartt
Sheri Herrick
Sandra McClelland Lewin
Donna Liguria

Ken Meardon

Pat Palmieri

Bettie Sperty

Brenda Vann 

Some of the photos below will show the incredible talent to be found in Prince William County - go by and see the show! AND get your favorite art piece before its gone - we've spotted the glorious red dots on several pieces.

 

 

Artist Reception with the Prince William Art Society member's art on display at the ARTfactory

 

The art of John Hartt in the foreground

 

Kelly's dove painting sold

 

Donna Liguria's "Up in the Trees"

 

Lukman Ahmad, a recent Seefeldt Award winner - on May 12th!

 

Donna Liguria's "Belmont Bay Marina, in Occoquan, VA"

 

 

Prince William Art Society member's art on display at the ARTfactory

 

Prince William Art Society member's art on display at the ARTfactory

 

The ARTfactory in Manassas, Virginia 

 

Betty Sperty

 

I never could smile on demand - Donna L. (Photo Credit courtesy of Bettie Sperty)

 

 

Kelly Haneklau

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Local Art: ALSO, Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 50-year old non-profit art group in PWC for the the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. 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/.

Photography/Video Credits: 

Donna Liguria, Kelly Haneklau and Bettie Sperty