Post 143: And the Winners Are...People's Choice at Stonebridge Open Space Arts

And the Winners Are...People's Choice at Stonebridge Open Space Arts

The 'Coloring the County' art show is currently running between April 2 and May 1 at Open Space Arts at the Stonebridge shopping area in Woodbridge, VA. Have you been by the gallery to see the artwork by local Prince William County artists yet? If YES! - we wanted to let you know who the winners are of the People's Choice Awards that you voted on.

If NO, well, this show will be up until Sunday, May 1 so come by and see the show and the WINNERS!

An art gallery at Stonebridge? Yes! Open Space Arts was first opened in November and December 2021 for about 3 weekends with art from the area non-profit artist group called the Prince William Art Society (PWAS). The space is sponsored by JBG Smith and PWCAC - the Prince William County Arts Council. AND they have let the space be used by local PWC artists and art groups, with PWAS managing the gallery. By the way, PWAS also manages an art gallery over at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at Tackett's Mill, so we are some BUSY artists!

Oh, I guess I should tell you the People's Choice Winners, shouldn't I?

People's Choice Awards for Coloring the County

During the art shows at Open Space Arts, we actually ask the visitors to vote on their favorite piece of artwork, not their favorite artist. The votes are counted by name of artwork voted on, not artist. We have had entries with only the name of the artist, but those are thrown out because each artist has more than one piece. The voting is for individual piece of art. The artist’s name actually isn’t needed at all. We had a LOT of votes and we currently have 20 artists displaying art in quite a few different mediums

But there has to be a first place winner, so...Drum roll please...

1st Place

Bettie Sperty

Bees on Pink Flower

Acrylic with Silver Metallic Leaf on Canvas

36x36

2nd Place

Stephanie McGee

Octopus Fan

Approx. 20"x28"

3-D collage and paper filigree

3rd Place

Stephanie McGee

The Owl and the Pussycat

Approx. 21"x21"

3-D collage and paper filigree

 

It is a beautiful space for artwork. Everyone that visits is A M A Z E D. They LOVE it. If you are an artist in Prince William County OR an art group based in PWC, you are welcome to get involved in this space. Contact PWAS or come by the gallery and talk to the artists to find out more! It is an opportunity that should not be missed.

Enjoy and SUPPORT the Arts in Prince William County!

 

The next art show will begin Wednesday, May 4 and run through Sunday, May 29 - the call for art for that show just ended, April 20.

*Please note that the gallery will be closing about 3 in the afternoon and for the evening of Thursday, April 21 for a private event.

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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 – 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 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.

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!

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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 101: The Artwork of Bettie Sperty, a PWAS Member

The Artwork of Bettie Sperty, a PWAS Member

Bettie Sperty is a local, Virginia artist who enjoys working with a variety of mediums. Her painting style runs from fun, colorful and whimsical to the fine detail of photo realism. Her pieces - paintings and pottery - are quite often enhanced with metallic foils, iridescent paints or other sparkling accents. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, the artwork of Bettie Sperty...

 

 

"Golden Nest" 24”x24” Acrylic on canvas, w/metallic and sparkling accents

 

 

"DragonFly" 10” x 12" Acrylic, micro beads, silver leaf, more shiny stuff on canvas

 

 

"Sneak Peek" 16”x16” Acrylic on canvas w/ sparkling stars (SOLD)

"Blue Bird of Happiness" approx 6”x7”x2”deep - wall hanging. Fired pottery, glazes, acrylic paint

 

 

"Thinking of Home" Approx 6”x5”x2”deep - wall hanging. Fired pottery. glazes, acrylics

"Two winged vases" - Tall one is 10”x2’, small one is 4”x2” Fired and glazed pottery, acrylic paint

The Art Gallery - Clearbrook Center of the Arts...

The members of the Prince William Art Society display their artwork at Clearbrook Center of the Arts in Lake Ridge, Virginia which is typically open every Saturday and Sunday. But because of the ongoing health issues plaguing the country (AND big piles of SNOW AND threats of more snow...it IS January!), Clearbrook is closed for the month of January unfortunately.

You can still enjoy seeing the art of the PWAS members here on Artistry Spin, the PWAS Blog! We have some ongoing Art Gallery posts for other members, see: The Artwork of Otis Stanley, John Hartt, Scott McDonald and Donna Liguria.

Contact

Bettie Sperty

bsperty@comcast.net

https://www.bsperty.com/ B Sperty Art & Stuff

She can be found on Facebook and Instagram:

https://www.facebook.com/BettieSpertyArt

https://www.instagram.com/bettiesperty/ 

 

You are welcome to leave a comment below - we would love to hear what you think!

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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/.

 

 

Photography/Video Credits: 

Bettie Sperty