Post 229: PWAS Member Tips

PWAS Members Share Their Art Tips

Prince William Art Society (PWAS) is a 51+ year old art group in Prince William County, Virginia with members of 18 and up. The members (currently at 100) range in all directions of art styles, experience levels, ages - you name it. But every artist has to begin somewhere and this blog post offers suggestions on a variety of art topics.

Learning the Art World

When I started taking my art more seriously in 2020, after some of life's bumps and bruises, I found a local art group (woohoo PWAS*!) - and got INVOLVED. It has been a learning experience, as I had never been in the business of art before. So what did I do after joining? I attended every possible art meeting, art show, I gallery sat, and got on a couple of committees - to start learning how to present my art in a professional manner. AND I asked questions. AND I did research.

Here are some answers to questions that I did ask or on topics you might be interested in from some of the responding PWAS artists.

*Prince William Art Society

Staci Blanchard

My biggest tip would be to buy canvases from Michael’s when they have a bogo, or 70% off sales. They happen several times a year and you can get quality canvases.

My favorite brands of acrylic paint are Amsterdam and Arteza.  I do acrylic pours and these brands have beautiful colors and the reactions between the colors make wonderful pour art pieces.

Staci does acrylic fluid art.

Linda Nedilsky

1. Where do you get your business cards from? Vista Print

2. Where do you get your art prints made? I used to do prints but no longer. 

3. What kind of paint do you use, your favorite brand? Golden Acrylic and Golden Open Acrylics

4. What software program(s) do you use to do what you do - especially FREE ones? My husband and I  have a music recording business, so we have used Photoshop to design CD covers for decades. I still use it to work on ideas on my computer. 

5. Where do you get your art merchandise printed from? (for resale)
Vista Print. 

6. Where do you get your artwork matted, framed?
Hobby Lobby in Woodbridge. My giclee prints that I used to make were custom framed in Old Town Alexandria by Carriage House Framing. They are no longer in business. 

7. Where do you order or shop for your art supplies?
Plaza Art or Jerry's Artarama

8. Is there a favorite art tip you have to SAVE MONEY?
I try to look for sales locally, or online. Golden paints usually have their paints on sale twice a year. They do not allow sales to be placed on their paints unless they are having a general sale. 

BUT, because I am military, I get 10% off at Michaels, and sometimes they have a 20% off sale on all store items. Unfortunately, they do not carry Gold Open and in many cases customers have "squeezed" the tubes causing damage. Not sure why customers need to squeeze paint tubes, or peaches for that matter. LOL  

My art is  50 percent painting and 50 percent drawing. 

Kelly Haneklau

1. Where do you get your business cards from? usually Vistaprint

2. Where do you get your art prints made? Artist friend

3. What kind of paint do you use, your favorite brand? Why? Golden Open-workable longer than standard acrylics

6. Where do you get your artwork matted, framed? do it myself

7. Where do you order or shop for your art supplies? Jerrys Artarama, Blick, Michaels

8. Is there a favorite art tip you have to SAVE MONEY? do your own framing, buy in bulk when you can, use coupons for supplies, recycle supplies and found-objects

 

 Photo: "Daydreaming" oil on canvas

Kelly Haneklau, www.kellyhaneklau.com IG: @kellyhaneklau FB: Art by Kelly Haneklau

Otis Stanley

To get my framing and matting needs taken care of I use Lakeridge Art and Frame Gallery, Inc located at 4164 Merchants Plaza, Woodbridge, Va. 22192.

Michelle Baker

8. Is there a favorite art tip you have to SAVE MONEY?

Repurposing is one of the ways to save. You can pick up supplies and frames to redo at thrift stores or look at your own stash with a new eye.

I have even grabbed items left curbside for the trash man. 

I also use items that might otherwise be tossed. I have a stash of plastic trays, packaging and egg cartoons to use as palettes.

Would love to see the PWAS share leftover supplies. Maybe have a “Odds and Ends Stash” spot where people can take items. Maintenance would be key. Maybe a plastic tub or box with a lid marked in a designated area. Take one, leave one type of place like a Little Free Craft Nook patterned after the Free Libraries.

I use a lot of leftover things for textures.

My other tip is hand up your paper towels and your painters tape to use more than once.

 

John Hartt aka Jortt

John Hartt: Strange and Wonderful Art.

1. Where do you get your business cards from?
https://www.gotprint.com/home.html

2. Where do you get your art prints made?

I own a Canon Prograph 1000 and make my prints in-house. It works for me, I do a lot of prints. Initial investment: $1200, yearly supplies (inks, paper): $1,000

3. What kind of paint do you use, your favorite brand? Why?
Oil paints. I’m using Williamsburg more often. It’s pricier than other brands, but I feel like there’s more pigment than other brands.

4. What software program(s) do you use to do what you do - especially FREE ones?

Procreate for sketching on the Ipad. It was $10 when I got it several years ago. I’ll be doing a tutorial on 5 November at Stonebridge.

5. Where do you get your art merchandise printed from? (for resale)
Locally, I get my shirts and apparel at East to West Embroidery. They’ve been around for years and are super helpful and reliable.

6. Where do you get your artwork matted, framed?
I paint almost exclusively on gallery wrap.

7. Where do you order or shop for your art supplies?|
I’ve traditionally shopped online at Jerry’s Ararama they’re prices are good and get the order out quickly. Dick Blick’s prices seem to be a little better, but shipping is kinda slow. I buy canvas in bulk at Wholesale arts and frames. The prices are great until you add shipping (from CA), then the prices are just “eh”.

8. Is there a favorite art tip you have to SAVE MONEY?

Yeah. Stop being an artist, you’ll save money then.

 

Photo: Eight Foot Tiki

Donna Liguria

Where to begin? I have learned so much!

Recently, while hanging art at Open Space Arts for the Hispanic Heritage Art Celebration, one of my fellow committee members mentioned to NOT hang artwork with a person's face with their eyes pointing toward the door. The patrons of your gallery will view it as a subliminal message - the patron's eyes follow the direction of artwork's eyes, and head for the door too! 

Save time when SAVING your art on your phone or computer by saving the artwork with your LASTNAME_FIRSTINITIAL-Title of your artwork. When you submit your artwork to a gallery, a Call for Art, or even with your Social Media person, you need to have your artwork properly formatted anyway, so get used to doing it the same way each time and it makes it easier to ID which photograph belongs to which person. I cannot tell you how many photos I get that have a lot of numbers and it can be confusing depending on what I am posting.

When buying art supplies or ANY shopping on Amazon, use Amazon Smile so that Amazon does the donating of a portion of what you spent to a non-profit like the Prince William Art Society. See the PWAS website and the Amazon links at the top or bottom of the page (initially you may need to specify who you want to donate to) and Amazon takes care of it. It does not cost you anything extra. https://smile.amazon.com/?ref_=smi_ext_ch_23-7300705_dl

 

1. Where do you get your business cards from? Vistaprint

2. Where do you get your art prints made? Currently using https://www.gicleetoday.com/

7. Where do you order or shop for your art supplies? EVERYWHERE! Amazon Smile of course, Jerry's Artarama, Hobby Lobby, Michael's

8. Is there a favorite art tip you have to SAVE MONEY? Buy on sale

 

https://donnaliguriaart.com @DonnaLiguria

 

 

Photo: Mountain Reflection

What tips would you add? Leave your comments below.

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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 199: Working the Gallery, Two Angles - 2 Angels of Art and More!

Working the Gallery, Two Angles - Two Angels of Art and More!

For those artists that have volunteered at Open Space Arts (OSA) at Stonebridge, we get to work with and get to know the other artist volunteers better each time we meet AKA- work the same shift. We enjoy the camaraderie with the guests that come to the door (or TRY to as they fly by the door) as well as the other volunteer artists we work with. Here are the stories of two such artists that I thoroughly enjoy working with at the gallery.

Two Prince William Art Society (PWAS) Members Tell the Art of Getting Guests to Come In

These two PWAS (Prince William Art Society) members, that I have had the pleasure to work with and have admired their style of welcoming the guests so much, have been asked to write something for the blog to share on how and what they do. The two gentlemen are Otis Stanley and Mark Murphy. Here are their Open Space Arts stories.

Otis Stanley

"If you have ever volunteered with Otis Stanley at the OSA you already know that he doesn't wait for patrons to walk in the gallery.  Otis pleasantly invites patrons in. After a friendly greeting, he informs those strolling by of the treasures that await them inside. 

"Because of our fantastic location in the center of the block I take advantage of husbands waiting for wives and girlfriends at Ulta, and families heading to Barnes and Noble." Once a few visitors are in the gallery, Otis comes in and engages in conversation about the mission of the gallery and invites them to join PWAS (the Prince William Art Society). 

Through this pattern, Otis has brought in several new members to PWAS. A People's Choice Award winner, Otis is glad of his choice to join PWAS and grateful of the information he has gathered since his membership. "I have sold several paintings and drawings since joining PWAS, and built friendships that I hope last for years to come. If I can help my fellow creative friends do the same, than I am making my volunteering have purpose.""

 

Otis Stanley working the door at Open Space Arts

Mark Murphy

"Some ideas on inviting visitors into the OSA gallery...

Engaging strangers walking by the gallery can feel awkward or uncomfortable.  Here are a few ideas I picked up by watching those who successfully pull in the crowds.

Politeness and enthusiasm are the key.  I don't interrupt people engaged in conversation or clearly "on a mission" to get to work, get to their car, etc.  Unless someone is actively avoiding eye contact or attention, I cheerfully invite them in saying things like, "Are you in the mood for a stroll through an air-conditioned art gallery?" or "Would you like to see a variety of art from 40 different Prince William County artists?".  If there is any interest I'll sometimes add motivators like "It's free" or "You're bound to see something you like".

Many times people are rushing to a restaurant.  In those cases I tell them, "We're open 'til 7 (or 5)".  If they say, "Maybe another day", I usually respond with, "We'll be here for you" or "We have different shows all the time."  If a family walks by with children, I'll sometimes say, 'This is a great way to encourage young artists".

It is easy to be enthusiastic about the gallery.  The facility is beautiful, the art is high quality, and visitors have the opportunity to interact with some of the artists.

Once visitors are inside and given the basic introduction to the gallery, I try to get a sense for their preferred browsing experience.  Do they enjoy chatting about the art or would they prefer to be left alone in quiet contemplation?  Knowing a little about every piece or every artist makes it easy to strike up a conversation when the visitor is staring at a given piece.  I often tell them what I like about the piece or why the artist is an interesting person.  If the response is cold then I just back off and say something like, "If you have any questions about the art or the artists just let us know."  I'll sometimes throw in, "XXX and I are two of the artists exhibiting here."

Our primary goal is helping visitors enjoy the art, but making sales is also very satisfying.  For tips on salesmanship I've watched Otis, Tony, Fatima, and Ken, all of whom seem to do it well.  If you have ideas on encouraging art visitors to become art owners please share.

Many of us have also found that setting up a table outside (weather permitting) and working on some art is an effective way to get potential visitors to engage.  When passers by pause to take a look, it is easy to open the conversation about the gallery.  I've found that you need to be comfortable with leaving your art unattended outside.  Particularly if there are only two people on the shift, when the gallery starts to fill, we can't always afford to have one volunteer sitting outside.  There are a couple lightweight plastic folding tables in the back.  If I can't find a folding chair I just borrow one of the high chairs behind the desk."

 

Mark Murphy at OSA's pop-up art show with PWAS artists for the "Taste of Woodbridge" event

 

Other Artists with Drawing Power

With that said (thank you Otis and Mark!), we often have artists that set up a table in the window area inside and they wave people in too as they stop to see what they are doing! 

 

An artist from the June student art show, Carlos

 

Kelly Haneklau working on her art and greeting visitors

 

 Richard Tyler at the window "studio" of Open Space Arts

 

Stephanie McGee working her fascinating quilling techniques at the window

 

The Visitors to Open Space Arts  

We are all thrilled to get the chance to meet and greet the visitors to the gallery as well. We are tickled silly how excited they are to walk into the gallery and how amazed they are to see the art! Some get on their phones and tell their friends, others come back later with those friends and family. And of course, we love telling them that "WE" the volunteers (often) have art up too, and they want us to point ours out. Talk about joy to an artists little ears (or ear if you are Van Gogh).

The July - August art show at Open Space Arts, "Summer Spotlight on Art" just came down on August 14. So you will need to come to the gallery to see Otis and Mark's artwork a little later in the year, but our next art show will be "A Walk Through Ghana" with photographer Kwadwo Birikorang Adjei.

Of course, now that I have "spilled the beans" on these two artist volunteers, the Signup Genius Volunteer Schedule will fill up whenever they are on a shift!

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Author: Otis Stanley

An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA 

Author: Mark Murphy

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:

Otis Stanley and Mark Murphy, Donna Liguria

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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 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

Post 144: PWAS Members at the Galleries in Woodbridge, Virginia

PWAS Members at the Galleries in Woodbridge, Virginia

The Art Topic this go around for the PWAS artist members was 'a picture of you with your artwork' and we have the following artists with the art selfies!

Prince William County Artists at Two Galleries in NoVa

Prince William Art Society displays art in 2 locations - Clearbrook Center of the Arts and Stonebridge Open Space Arts. Here are a few of the artists with various types of artwork on display.

 

 

Otis Stanley with 2 of his paintings at Open Space Arts April 2022 Show - "Rappahannock River Oystermen" and "Market Street Vendors". Both are in acrylic and are both 20x16.

 

 

Brenda Vann with one of her paintings at Open Space Arts April 2022 Show. The painting is called "Unexpected in Florida".

 

 

Urmila Kumari with her painting at Open Space Arts at the April 2022 Show (the painting sold!)

 

 

Stephanie McGee and one of her quilling art pieces, in the OSA April 2022 Show - Update on 4/20/22 this piece won 2nd place in the OSA People's Choice Award!

 

 

Tamao Nakayama with her artwork called "Sea Ice" 36x48

 

Kelly Haneklau is in front of a mural she has recently finished at Tackett's Mill in Lake Ridge, "Love Conquering Hate" acrylic on building (this portion is 8.5' x 9')

 

 

Donna Liguria with 2 of her paintings, "Mountain Path" Acrylic 12x24 and "Blue Glass Vase" Acrylic 9x12 at Clearbrook Center of the Arts March-April Show 2022. "Mountain Path" tied for second place at the Nov-Dec Stonebridge Open Space Arts Show in 2021 

 

Also see the PWAS Members at the Galleries 2

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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/.