Showing posts with label Mark Murphy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark Murphy. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Post 327: Essentials of Watercolors - A Class at OSA

Essentials of Watercolors - A Class at Open Space Arts

At Open Space Arts at the Stonebridge Shopping Center in Woodbridge, VA, the Prince William Art Society

Essentials of Watercolors

Saturday, May 13th from 1-4 PM at the Open Space Arts facility
Cost $50; All materials provided
This course provides an excellent introduction to watercolors for beginners as well as a reinforcement of the basics for more experienced painters.  After covering the needed materials and selection criteria, we will discuss the joys and pains of watercolors and compare the relative strengths of this medium to others.  We will engage in a series of exercises that will drive home the basic decisions to be made prior to starting your work as well as the techniques used during painting (e.g., planning washes, options for mixing colors, intentionally managing edges and transitions).  Finally, we will apply these ideas to one or more small paintings and each student will take home a finished product ready for framing.
To register, contact Mark Murphy at mark.a.murphy@hotmail.com
The class will be limited to 15 students
To see examples of Mark's work, visit www.markmurphystudios.com
 


 

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.

Photography/Video Credits: 
Mark Murphy

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!

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Post 311: PWAS Member Upcoming Exhibitions

PWAS Member Upcoming Exhibitions

An email goes out to our Prince William Art Society members at least once a month asking a question that the artists are free to answer if they have time. Past questions have included anything as simple as what they are currently working on, to what is their favorite art tool in their studio, what is their favorite art quote and more.

What Upcoming Exhibits are You Entered In or Planning to Enter?

These are the members that wanted to share their responses with you this go around.

Mark Murphy

Mark had 3 pieces accepted to Art at the Mill, all 11x14 watercolors:

Doorway from Naxos, Greece
Father and Daughter
Peaceful Harbor
 
Mark at a PWAS Art Show

Michelle Baker

Michelle has an art piece that was selected to be in Art at the Mill for their annual Spring Show.

Streetscape, ink on watercolor paper.


Michelle at Open Space Arts

Katherine Owens

This piece is titled Amber Rose, 36x24 mixed media on canvas. I just submitted this to Fredericksburg Center for Creative Arts For the April show called Artist Choice. I should hear this week whether or not it is accepted.

Donna Liguria

Currently, I am in the Open Space Arts March 2023 art show in Woodbridge. Hopefully in the upcoming Art at the Mill in Millwood, Virginia, the May OSA Flower and the Spring Tall Oaks Community Center art shows. https://donnaliguriaart.com  

Sunrise at Historic Manassas Train Station, 16x20 Acrylic 

Three of my submitted 5 pieces were accepted to be in Art at the Mill! This one above and my paintings of Mount Vernon and Historic Manassas Art Factory
 


Art at the Mill

Burwell Morgan Mill
15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA 

Artist Reception: Sunday April 30, 2023 2-5 pm

Art Show: Saturday April 22 through Sunday, May 7, 2023

https://artatthemillspring2023.artcall.org/

Congratulations to all!  It is a success when chosen to appear in any art show.

In theatre, when someone goes out on stage you wish them "Break a leg!" This is the theatrical slang for "Good Luck!" For an art show, what would be the artful slang for best wishes and success for an art show?

Break a Paintbrush?

Make it muddy?

Tear a canvas?

Do you have one? Nonetheless, let's wish them all well!

__________________________________________________________________

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 DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.


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!

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Post 282: What's on Your Easel Right Now?

What's on Your Easel Right Now?

Many artists love to show off what they do, even if its in its early stages - and people like to see the 'behind the scenes' story of how a piece of art comes to be. Approximately monthly, I ask the PWAS members, "What's on your easel right now?" And these are the responses to the question(s) I ask.

Artwork and Christmas Presents

PWAS has members that are painters, photographers, digital artists, mixed media and more, so not every work is on an easel. So the better question is, "What are you (as an artist) working on right now?" And actually the answer to that could be what they are actually painting, photoshopping, art supply shopping on Amazon - etc. OR it could be straightening out the art studio, shopping for new art supplies, equipment, or doing their art business TAXES! Especially this time of year.

I did send out the following questions as well: 

  • Did you get any art supplies for Christmas? 
  • How about a gift card that you plan on using for art supplies? 
  • Do you prefer buying your own art supplies/equipment? 
  • What did you get or what will you buy? 
  • Did you get the easel you always wanted? Do tell!

We'll see if we get any answers to these questions that inquiring minds want to know!

Donna Liguria

I am STILL working on "Ben's Chili Bowl" 16x20 in acrylic as the holidays did slow down my progress. And I had a wedding to attend too. Thank goodness, its almost done, the Feb Open Space Art Show will be here before you know it.
 
 

I LOVE getting gift cards for Christmas as an artist! I can go to Hobby Lobby or Michael's and basically get whatever new paint, paint sets, paints to experiment with, brushes, brand new blank canvases, new gadgets or tools - for FREE! Only I know what I need more of or what I don't already have so a gift card is a 'get out of jail free card'. Oh the joy. To bring a bag of art stuff home and break out the new toys. I'm doing the Snoopy Dance!

And of course, when Christmas shopping online, I always use the Amazon Smile link above which donates to PWAS. And I just must, buy myself a Christmas present (doesn't everyone?). I bought myself the Prismacolor Premier 72ct Softcore Colored Pencils and 7ct Colored Pencil Accessory Set - not sure I should thank Mr Dessert Mark Murphy's Donuts influence yet or not on that.

And in case you didn't know, if you take the page URL of the item you are shopping for in Amazon and go to the website https://camelcamelcamel.com/, they will show you the price history of your item so you know if you are actually paying a good price or not. Give it a try.

Otis Stanley

I recently used a rewards coupon from Michaels to get new paint. Sea Island Fishing is on the easel currently.  24" x 24" in acrylic.

Looking forward to bigger and better exhibitions at OSA gallery this year.

Staci Blanchard

I got some brushes and wax pastels for Christmas. I let my husband know exactly what I wanted so he could get something I would use. And this is what is on my easel right now.  I'm still working on it, so I don't have a title as of yet. I've been exploring abstract styles recently, and I am really enjoying the journey. The medium is acrylic and the size is  24x24 inches.  I'm pushing myself to go bigger.

Michelle Baker

Back to ink. Working on some new pieces tonight.

Inspired by the poems Herb shared for February.

Strong women is a theme I return to over and over. They come to me late at night. No planning. Inlet the brush take control.

All three are works in progress.

 


Scott McDonald

Underpainting for a floral with a Tufted Titmouse tucked in the corner. Flowers will be Rose of Sharon. This part is grey gesso and acrylic. The rest will be oil. 11 x 14”

 

Mark Murphy

On my easel now is the painting of red wine being poured into a glass.  I actually painted the foreground over a year ago to explore the interplay of light and the wine but could not decide what to do with the background.  It was interesting but clearly felt incomplete.  I decided it was time to roll up my sleeves and finish the work.

 

Rita Nolan

By God's provision, I'm working on a larger version of a portrait of my former neighbor and his daughter. He gave me permission to enter it in the gallery. I can't wait to add in the splashes at the end!

The second image is a sketch of Mary McLeod Bethune. It's a good thing it's a sketch, because it looks nothing like her. (See also https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Mary_McLeod_Bethune_portrait.jpg.) The intensity of her personality comes through, though. She's featured in a homeschool book my family reads called "Hero Tales," by Dave & Neta Jackson. I hope to have time this week to paint a portrait that shows her faith.

In December, I received duplicate gifts -- two full sets of Golden Acrylics interference paint. I'm keeping them all. I also received a copy of "AcrylicWorks 3," a lamp with "sunlight" bulbs, two huge bulletin boards for pinning up artwork, and a paint spatula. It was a very artsy Christmas.



 Thanks to all that responded. Please leave a comment and follow the blog too!



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/.


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!

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Post 275: What's On Your Easel Right Now?

What's On Your Easel Right Now?

Periodically I ask the Prince William Art Society what is on their easel, PC, or camera right now that they are working on. Here are their answers to the question.

Gotta Keep Creating!

PWAS artists are always creating, always working on something new. We have commissions to finish, possible gifts to certain people or functions, gallery themed deadlines to meet and more. And often the art on our easel is for fun or discovery, we just MUST, create! Here is what is on the easel right now for these members.

Scott McDonald 

 
This is what’s on my easel. It’s a gesso under painting for a Holiday floral. I’ll be painting this on Sunday during my docent duty at the gallery. You’ll be able to see the finished painting at the PWAS Holiday party.
 
 

Ann McCarty

This is a study for a larger version. Working on loosening my brush work and stressing less over photorealism. I am still working on that big orange boat that I posted here last publication.  Oy vey!

Mark Murphy


After seeing some of the beautiful portraits in the gallery, I decided to give colored pencils a try.  So far I've created two fun pieces, one with donuts and one with pieces of cheesecake.  At the Naval Academy, one of my nicknames was "dessert man" so I thought this subject would be appropriate for a series of renderings.  I may call it "Just Desserts".  I'm also considering watercolor versions of these subjects in a similarly realistic style to investigate which medium I prefer for this type of art.

Michelle Baker

Looking into 2023: Started a series of works last in recognition of Black History month show. I love the blues sound and blue paint. Have not titled this piece but I see movement and dancers. Waiting until the right words come to me or feel it is finished before I  select a title.

Maureen Guillot

This painting started as a still life set up and now I'm finishing it at home from a picture.   I only use three primary colors, plus white and use a rose color underpainting.  I am able to make all the colors I need with three colors. 

Linda Nedilsky

What's on my Easel? A painting I have tried to finish since December 3 for my upcoming show in January at McCall's Gallery. 

I started this painting and various roadblocks were put in my path that forced me to set it aside until last night. 

I am about half way done with it at this point and hoping to finish this evening.  

Donna Liguria

This is a painting I have worked on periodically for a couple of months in advance of the February 2023 art show at Open Space Arts for Black History month. Still a lot of work to do on it, but it is Ben's Chili Bowl at 1213 U St. N.W. Washington, DC 20009, 16x20 on canvas, in Acrylics.

Ben and Virginia Ali started Ben's Chili Bowl in 1958 and is, to this day, the go-to place to eat when visiting DC - from politicians to the famous to everyday folks.

Evelyn Chatters


This is on my easel right now. There are layers of black, yellow, red ,and green and it has a lot of texture. It looks a little frightening, but with acrylic pours, sometimes the results are surprising! 

Madelyn (Mickey) Winslow

This is a study for a larger version  This is a dog portrait that I just finished painting for a client. It’s on an 8x8” wrapped canvas. Acrylic. I am a long-time member of PWAS - joined when we were the Woodbridge Art Guild. Love to paint dog & cat portraits and lighthouses. Also flowers & scenic places.

Otis Stanley

This is called "Goldfish Blues"

Tom Payne


Here’s a jpg of what is on my Cintiq “easel” today. I call it “Afro Cyborg”. It’s about halfway finished. She will have a helmet and will be adorned with additional mechanical elements that will give her super human powers. I’m painting her by hand in Photoshop. She needs a name. Any suggestions PWAS??? 

Saul Roldan 


I am painting my granddaughter

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


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/.

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!