Saturday, August 5, 2023

Post 379: Art Tips 8 - Social Media

Art Tips, Tricks, and More...8

You never know when you might hear an art tip about something that is just the suggestion that will solve an issue for you or help you and your work in some way. This is an ongoing series of tips and I would LOVE to have your suggestions as well!

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

Art Tips, Advice, Suggestions

Social Media and Online Tips

Research and use tags and hashtags whenever and wherever you post online. Do you post on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, X? Use the best keywords so that your post and art can be found. Use the best hashtags according to what you do. Examples: #DonnaLiguriaArt #PrinceWilliamArtSociety #PWAS #acrylicpainting #beachphotography #visualart #artlife #supportthearts
Use the emoticons 🖼🖌🎨📷 when posting on your social sites. Beach artwork? Use those emoticons.
Share what you do - visually. Create a video about the process you use to create your art (OR photography, OR digital art)
Be a role model for other artists. If they find you and love your art, they'll look up to you and you can teach them various aspects of what you do. Record workshops, classes, and do live spots.
Engage with your followers, comments the post, feedback they give - and find various ways to do that.
What's the story behind the scenes? Can you engage your audience with the hidden meaning of your artwork, the inspiration and/or the reason you do what you do?
Collaborate with other artists. Perhaps create a joint live session. Help each other out with the comments, reposting, sharing, etc.
Content is KING! New, fresh, consistent posting is how to keep your followers engaged and coming back for more. See https://www.allshemakes.org/blog/50-social-media-content-ideas-for-artists
Cliffhangers...build suspense. Slowly reveal what you are working on. Find enticing ways to do that.
Don't be that used car salesman. Do use a call for action.
Remind your followers of past work. Not everyone sees everything so periodically resurrect older artwork.
Track your Stats. See what is working, what is engaging and what is not.

Art Tips is a series of blog posts with 12 tips per post. See the rest of the Art Tips Series on this page for more tidbits of advice: https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/p/art.html

Send me YOUR art tips too or drop them in the comments below. AND let me know if you find an art tip here that you LOVE!

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.

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

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!

Friday, August 4, 2023

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

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

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Post 377: PWAS Will No Longer Manage the Open Space Arts Gallery

PWAS Will No Longer Manage the Open Space Arts Gallery

July 2023. A new management group will take over the duties of managing the art gallery at Open Space Arts (OSA) at Stonebridge, located at 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, Virginia. The official changeover is set for October 1, 2023 and more information will be forthcoming. All inquiries about the gallery, its operation procedures, any new rules, calls for art, volunteering, art promotion, events, etc should be directed to the PWC OSA Gallery representative directly at

Email: OsaWoodbridge@gmail.com

Desk Phone: 703-944-0336

This PWAS Blog, Artistry Spin, will be updated to reflect these changes.

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.

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 and our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, 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!

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Post 376: Art Tips 7

Art Tips, Tricks, and More...7

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

Art Tips, Advice, Suggestions

Experimenting in art is sort of like practicing art - you'll learn more and get better the more you do.
Chemicals and art supply safety - many of the art supplies we use can be harmful whether odorless or not. Put a lid on whatever needs a lid, use air circulation and wear gloves and/or a mask/
Never stop learning new techniques - see #1.
While volunteering or while helping to 'man" the art booth, TALK to other artists about their art, their techniques, tools and inspiration. You'll learn more and you may make a life long art friend.
Respect your equipment! Clean up when done, store things properly, and for goodness sake, transport your artwork carefully.
Art files for inspiration. Use your computer and your phone or in your file cabinet, save ideas, photos, snippets for the day when you run into artist block.
Get your art "out there". Enter art shows, competitions. Hang your artwork in restaurants, gift stores, cafes, coffee shops, libraries, bars, hotels, county office buildings, friend's office spaces - just ASK. Find the places that love promoting local art, local artists, local places. (Get an agreement and conditions in writing and TRY!)
Social media is another part of #7. Get your art name out there too. Who better to promote YOU than YOU? Just because you are a part of an art group, you cannot expect that to be your only avenue to promote that your art is on display too.
This is a harsh one but get used to rejection. I emphasize this one again because it is going to happen and it will happen more than once so it is to be expected. You may not get into an art gallery or show you entered. Not all of your art was accepted. You may not make a sale. Stuff happens but keep on trying.
Go to your art reception(s) and art shows to better promote YOU. People love getting to know the artist(s) on display and if you aren't there, how can they? How can you say, this is my art? Or answer their questions? Or hand them your business card if they want to learn more?
If you have the talent for art, do not waste it. You've been blessed with a wonderful gift so use it some how, some way, some where.
Grow. If you only do art occasionally, if you don't learn more, take classes, rub elbows with creative people, get to know your local art scene, if you do nothing, how will you and your art business grow? Get to museums and art galleries, look at art books and magazines, take inspirational pictures and examine how you can recreate those colors.

Art Tips is a series of blog posts with 12 tips per post. See the rest of the Art Tips Series on this page for more tidbits of advice: https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/p/art.html

Send me YOUR art tips too or drop them in the comments below. AND let me know if you find an art tip here that you LOVE!

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.

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!

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Post 375: An Art Reception at Open Space Arts

An Art Reception at Open Space Arts

Friday, July 28, 2023 6:00pm An art reception was held last night at Open Space Arts at the gallery at Stonebridge Shopping Center in Woodbridge, Virginia. Art receptions are great ways to 'announce' a new art show now-on-display-opening and for the public to not only see the show, but meet the artists that have artwork in the show.

Military and First Responders Show

The current show is called "For Those That Serve" which honors those in the military and our First Responders. Most of the art on display reflects the title in a variety of ways.

Many thanks to PWAS artist member Otis Stanley for taking the pictures as seen below.

Art Reception "goodies" table - besides the AWESOME ART on the walls, a great snacks and beverages are part of the welcoming art reception

PWAS Artist Member Penny Shaw at the bling-out your kicks table

New PWAS Artist Member Kenneth McKether

PWAS Artist Member David Bannan

PWAS Artist Member Mandy Kennedy - thanks to Mandy for stepping up and helping out with the reception's success!

PWAS Artist Member Katie Keller Dugan

PWAS Artist Member Sandra McClelland Lewin

PWAS Artist Member Ken Meardon who is moving away this week and leaving us. Ken and his wife Evelyn will be missed! Ken was a long time member of PWAS and served as Treasurer on the Board. His Photoart is always a favorite at any art show. (...and who knows WHAT I was saying to Ken at that point!)

PWAS Artist Member Jesmin Rashid

Mr and Mrs. Davis (CJ. Davis Parents)

PWAS Artist Member Donna Liguria

PWAS Artist Member Tom Payne and Connie Huebner

New PWAS Artist Member Scott Spurr

PWAS Artist Member Ahmad Khalid Gatdizi

Tony Macaluso

PWAS Artist Member Connie Huebner

PWAS Artist Member Nicole Fisher

Patrons including Evelyn Meardon

PWAS Artist Member Robert Dew

PWAS Artist Member David Dillon

PWAS Artist Member Topaz Campbell AKA Shadow

PWAS is a growing art group and I am still learning the names of the new members! Welcome to the group! In trying to put the name to the members and their paintings above, I hope we have matched up correctly. If you see room for improvement, let me know!

Photography/Video Credits:
Otis Stanley

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!

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Post 374: For Those That Serve - New Art Show at Open Space Arts

For Those That Serve - New Art Show at Open Space Arts

A new art show has begun at Open Space Arts at Stonebridge on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 called "For Those That Serve". Much of the featured art will be inspired by the military, the patriotism, the First Responders, the heroes that serve others in and around the United States and the world. The art reception is Friday, July 28 at 6:30pm.

An Art Gallery in Woodbridge, Virginia

Open Space Arts is located at 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA and is open Wednesday - Saturday 12-7pm (occasionally later on Fri/Sat) and Sunday 12-5pm.

A Big Congratulations to the Artists Selected into the Show

These 24 LOCAL Prince William County artists were juried into this art show.

Ahmad Khalid Gardizi Mandy Powell April McKether CJ Davis

Connie Huebner David Bannan David Dillon Donna Liguria

Doreen Dauer Evelyn Chatters Kate Brogdon Kathleen Gates

Katie Keller Dugan Kenneth McKether Kervin Simon Mark Murphy

Nicole Fisher Robert Dew Sandra Lewin Saul Roldan

Shadow Tom Payne Tony Mullen Wanny Blackman

Come by and see the artwork for this show which will run July 26 - August 20, 2023. It is always free to see the art - it is for YOU to enjoy while you visit the Stonebridge Shopping Center or dine at one of the many fine restaurants. If a particular artwork strikes your fancy - or an art print is more in your budget, we DO appreciate your support of the arts in Prince William County.

Art Reception

Friday, July 28, 2023 about 6:30 pm for the new show - come by and meet the artists! Open to the public and FREE!

See you there!

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

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Post 373: Art Tips 6 - Art Career

Art Tips, Tricks, and More...6

You never know when you might hear an art tip about something that is just the suggestion that will solve an issue for you or help you and your work in some way. This will hopefully be an ongoing series of tips and I would LOVE to have your suggestions as well!

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

Art Tips, Advice, Suggestions - "Art Career"

If you get the vibe from someone looking at your art (or hear them say its too expensive) you need to offer them other alternative options - do you have art prints? Do you have smaller, less expensive works available? You may say something like, "This piece seems to maybe not fit into your budget, this other option may work better for you...."
If you haven't already figured it out, if you have artwork in a gallery, it benefits YOU to be at the gallery as much as you can while your works are there. People want to meet the artist that created the work. People respond and feel more inclined to purchase your artwork IF they feel like they know you.
Along with #2, you might be a shy person - you have to learn to promote YOU and YOUR art! Tell a story, be genuine. What motivates you, what are you inspired by? What are you passionate about? Write it down and be ready to tell your story.
Curate your art submissions when entering art competitions, calls for art, and trying to get in a gallery. That means to purposely ensure there is a visual cohesion, a union of similarity in some way. Think about that one - if your artwork is very random, it's easier for a juror to throw out what they don't feel "fits". Yet if the artwork is ALL done very well, and just sort of fits together, it may make it easier for pieces to get in as its harder to pick "just one". The confidence and professionalism of the artist shines through.
When you hear, "Don't put all of your eggs in one basket", you know what that means, correct? The same with your art. Don't be in just one place, be everywhere you can manage and handle.
Be organized and work on this side of your art business because it is just as important as the creation side. Being organized will help in so many ways!
Be patient. Be realistic. I have seen artists that come into the gallery for an art show and if they don't sell anything that one time, they don't show their art again at that gallery.
Realize that over-night-success can take YEARS.
How to Create a Professional Artist Website by Julien Delagrange
Here is a GREAT Tip: Follow the instructions you are given for a Call for Art.
A career in art is HARD WORK. If you can't do the hard work and you have a Plan B, you will probably do your Plan B.
I just found this tweet by Jerry Saltz and liked it, "Three career tips for artists: 1. About 80% of making good art is regularly showing up in your studio. 2. About 80% of having a career is regularly showing up at art things out there. 3. About 80% of what you know & share comes from regularly staying up late with other artists.

Art Tips is a series of blog posts with 12 tips per post. See the rest of the Art Tips Series on this page for more tidbits of advice: https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/p/art.html

Send me YOUR art tips too or drop them in the comments below. AND let me know if you find an art tip here that you LOVE!

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

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

PWAS Artistry Spin

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Saturday, August 5, 2023

Post 379: Art Tips 8 - Social Media

Art Tips, Tricks, and More...8

Art Tips, Advice, Suggestions

Social Media and Online Tips

Friday, August 4, 2023

Post 378: PWAS Member's Pet Helpers and Inspiration

PWAS Member's Pet Helpers and Inspiration

PWAS Members Pets

Leah Boynton

Donna Liguria

Bettie Sperty

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Post 377: PWAS Will No Longer Manage the Open Space Arts Gallery

PWAS Will No Longer Manage the Open Space Arts Gallery

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Post 376: Art Tips 7

Art Tips, Tricks, and More...7

Art Tips, Advice, Suggestions

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Post 375: An Art Reception at Open Space Arts

An Art Reception at Open Space Arts

Military and First Responders Show

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Post 374: For Those That Serve - New Art Show at Open Space Arts

For Those That Serve - New Art Show at Open Space Arts

An Art Gallery in Woodbridge, Virginia

A Big Congratulations to the Artists Selected into the Show

Art Reception

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Post 373: Art Tips 6 - Art Career

Art Tips, Tricks, and More...6

Art Tips, Advice, Suggestions - "Art Career"

PWAS is Social

Need an Etsy Shop? Use this link!

Blick Art Materials

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