Post 415: GoWell at Stonebridge

PWAS at GoWell at Stonebridge

The Prince William Art Society is pleased to announce that we now have some of our artist member's artwork decorating a new business at the Stonebridge Shopping Center called GoWell, that just opened this month, October 2023. Local artists showing art in a local business, what could be better! Even better is that all of the art is available for purchase through the PWAS web site!!

About GoWell

GoWell provides Bio-TE, which is bio-identical hormone therapy, also called hormone optimization therapy. It's basically hormone replacement therapy for situations where a lack or imbalance of hormones has caused physical, emotional, and mental health issues.

To Learn More, see https://www.gowellurgentcare.com/

Business hours are everyday, 8am to 8pm

14900 Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge. Virginia 22191 (originally the Unleashed space on the corner across from Wegmans). GoWell is right across from Wegmans, diagonally from them.

 

GoWell at Stonebridge

All of the artwork decorating the hallways and exam rooms around the business is created by members of the Prince William Art Society.

About Prince William Art Society

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) is a 50+ year old art group of artists and art lovers that live in and around Prince William County in Virginia. We range in artistic ability from art lover and beginner artists to professional artists making and selling art locally as well as around the country if not internationally. PWAS members show their art in local and area galleries, festivals, wineries, libraries, businesses and of course, art shows. 

To learn more about PWAS, see https://princewilliamartsociety.com

The art at GoWell is juried in, which means we have a group that selects the artwork to display according to the owner's desire to be calming, soothing, and relaxing. The selection includes original artwork of local places, beach scenes, beautiful landscapes and seascapes. We have an assortment that will work well with the business' decor of blues, grays, beiges, and greens.

We hope to also work with GoWell in future as their plan is to build out more spaces that will need the same requirements. (As well as other local businesses that will need artwork to decorate their walls.) AND GoWell will have an open house in a few weeks - so hopefully an announcement on that will be coming soon.

How to Purchase Art at GoWell

Hanging in the lobby at GoWell there is an image of a QR Code on a sign next to the main desk (where you check in). Using your smart phone, take a picture of the image and open the PWAS Art Store.

 

Photo by Otis Stanley

Sort through the art inventory of all the art pieces that were selected for GoWell to find the artwork(s) you love. Add the piece to your shopping cart and when finished shopping, go to check out. A notification is shown when your payment has been accepted and an email is sent to you, confirming your purchase. Please print that email out. And thank you! You will soon have your artwork in your hands by a local Prince William Art Society member!

The ARTIST is notified that one of his or her art pieces has been sold at GoWell and the name and contact info for the BUYER is on the forwarded email. The ARTIST will contact the BUYER to arrange pickup of the artwork. Note that artwork is NOT removed from the wall except by the ARTIST or a PWAS representative for the ARTIST, and the BUYER produces the confirmation email.

What if I have not visited GoWell?

 

Even if you do not visit GoWell, you could still purchase the artwork by visiting the PWAS Art Store at https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/category/all-products. We will work with the BUYER in the same way.

The Prince William Art Society looks forward to working with the wonderful people at GoWell and wish them much success in its beautiful new location at Stonebridge.

 

To learn more about PWAS and how the artists are showing at GoWell, please see https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/p/gowell.html - updates are happening as we learn and grow with the space. Please note that only members of the Prince William Art Society will receive the Call for Art for this business.

 

 

Monday, October 9, 2023 and the GoWell Committee working on strategy. L-R: Donna Liguria, Bettie Sperty, Mark Murphy, Sandra McClelland Lewin and Elizabeth Stathis. Not pictured is Otis Stanley because he was taking the photographs, and new committee member, Tom Payne.

 

Photo by Otis Stanley

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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.

 

Photographer:

Otis Stanley

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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 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!

Post 414: PWAS Oct 23, 23 Meeting Guest Artist Lynn Goldstein

PWAS Oct 23, 23 Meeting Guest Artist Lynn Goldstein

The Prince William Art Society's monthly meeting is coming soon - Monday, October 23, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Tall Oaks Community Center and will feature guest artist, Lynn Goldstein.

12298 Cotton Mill Dr. Woodbridge, Va

The public is welcome to attend our meetings. We often have a guest speaker giving a presentation or other activity, followed by light refreshments and then hold a PWAS business meeting with the members.

Ask the Artist

Discover the world of art and entrepreneurship in our upcoming presentation with Lynn Goldstein on Monday, October 23 at 7:30pm.

Lynn Goldstein is a seasoned professional artist with over twenty-five years of experience, and she is inviting you to delve into her artistic journey and business insights. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain valuable insights and inspiration from Lynn. Come armed with questions that are pertinent to you and your art practice.

Lynn’s work has garnered her recognition in both local and international publications, and she has had representation in multiple commercial galleries over the years. She’s not only a Torpedo Factory Artist but also a studio artist at the Workhouse Arts Center. Lynn is also a juried member of the prestigious Washington Society of Landscape Painters. As a result, Lynn has ample knowledge regarding presenting her work. 

Since 2015, Lynn has devoted herself to refining her skills in marketing and presenting her artwork. Now, she’s excited to share her wealth of knowledge and experiences with PWAS members. Whether you’re seeking guidance in your art-making process or looking to enhance your art business strategies, Lynn’s presentation promises to be an invaluable resource.

In order for Lynn to truly help you, and to formulate the best questions for her to answer for you, please take a look at her website, sign up for her emails, and take a look at her Instagram account. While you are at it, take note of any questions that may occur to you and bring them to the meeting or share them with Lynn in advance. The links are below, and since you can easily unsubscribe if you decide to, it's an easy risk free way to sample a successful, knowledgeable artist's business approach and tap into some of the experience behind the choices.

To see more of Lynn's work and accomplishments, visit her website at:  www.lynngoldstein.com

Sign up for Lynn’s emails here

View Lynn’s Instagram account here

P.S. Curious how artists live? Find out by joining my list here.

www.lynngoldstein.com

Short Biography

Northern Virginia artist Lynn Goldstein has been making art professionally for over twenty-five year. She has exhibited widely, winning awards, in nationally juried exhibitions and galleries, and her work is enjoyed in private and public collections throughout the United States and Europe, including the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and the United States Department of State. Notably, one of her paintings was selected for the permanent collection in the Jean-Haffen Museum, Dinan, France, upon her completion of an artist residency in 2011.

Additionally, Lynn was one of fifteen American artists selected to participate in the Caravan multi-cultural and international art project which took place at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC in 2014. Her installation work exploring her Jewish roots was selected for exhibition at the Smithsonian S Dillon Ripley Center in Washington, D.C. in 2015, and a different piece was selected for display there in 2017. Lynn has taught adult art classes for over two decades and has created her own online courses as well.  She has taught workshops in the mid Atlantic region and also in Southern France, Portugal, and Italy. Lynn is excitedly preparing to teach in both Arles, France and Cinque Terre, Italy in 2024.

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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.

 

All Photographs / Paintings by Lynn Goldstein

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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 413: Have Art, How Do You Travel?

Have Art, How Do You Travel?

I go to as many art shows in the area as I can and the question is always how am I protecting my art to get there? I have watched other artists to see what I can learn from them and perhaps find a great idea to help getting my art from point A to show B, then home again (if it doesn't sell). Hopefully on wheels. Definitely safely and without any damage to my priceless (to me) artwork.

Taking in the Sights

The longer I go to various art shows, the more I see. Occasionally my eyebrows go up in wonder. Even better is when I can go, "gee, why didn't I think of that?!"

 

Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash 

I've seen artwork that looks like its fresh off the easel, in pristine condition although it was painted years earlier and I have seen artwork that looks like its been through hell and back. Or maybe they just threw it in the back of car and raced home on two wheels. Not sure. And the price tag was still more than I would have thought after such abuse!

I've seen dusty framed artwork with dirty nicked-up frames and fingerprints or YUK, who knows what on the glass / plexiglass.

I've seen canvases with scraped up edges, frayed corners, etc. and it made me wonder if it was dragged across the floor somewhere? (My eyebrows are getting a workout.)

I've seen people come to an art show with their artwork in a cardboard box, nothing separating the canvases, just shoved in - no front to front, just shoved in. No blanket, no cushion. Just raw canvas or framed artwork faces rubbing noses against each other. Yikes!... 

    I don't know about you but in the heat, canvases can get tacky so some protection between paintings is a must in my book.

I have seen people just stack up the artwork and carry it away, and I've visibly cringed. Maybe that was the car that went out of the lot on two wheels...

    And stacking artwork with the wire and hardware on top of the front of another painting face can leave dents. Ouch!...

I've seen great artwork look really bad because of how badly the work was stored. I've even seen moldy matting, can you believe that? (My eyebrows fell off that time.) Some of that could be from how it is stored, and you can read more on that here. Storing Your Artwork

 

Photo by Beth Macdonald on Unsplash 

I am surprised occasionally when I see how, shall I say, nonchalantly some artists treat their art. And then I've been impressed when I see artwork delivered to a show or gallery with the artist having to "unwrap" the packaging, which could include a box, plastic (shrinkwrap), bubblewrap, cardboard corner protectors and the like. Kudos to these guys! - These folks are rocking the 'fine art protection rules', give these folks an awesome big gold star in my book! (Insert applause here.)

Transporting Ideas

In my mind, if an artist went to all the time and effort to do a painting, to take a photo, to make a sketch, wouldn't you think they would also take the steps to preserve their work? That would include not only in how it is stored, but how it is transported AND put out for display. They all affect each other. By the way, Display is here.

Artwork must be protected from dings, scratches, scrapes, and dents. Protection also means sunlight, temperature, and humidity. All of that can and will happen if you don't take the steps needed to prevent damage, warping and more, as best you can, especially if you want to get the amount you are asking for on that label.

We all are looking for ways to safely and easily transport our art. Here are some tips and ideas to get you going.

• Buy Archival Acid Free Clear Bags in various sizes. Not only are they great for storing, but they work well for transporting. You can find various options in sizes even for gallery wrapped canvases up to certain sizes. These work great for standing your art up vertically face to face to prevent the wiring and hardware from denting the paintings.
  
• Inexpensive fleece blankets are an option you can find in a lot of stores like Walmart, CVS and they like make decent cushioning.
  
• Remember if using bubblewrap - put the bubbles facing OUT. Bubbles facing in can make an imprint on your painting surface, and realize that the plastic is not acid-free for long term storage, so keep that in mind.
  
• Rolling suit cases - wrap those small artworks and see how many you can fit!
  
• Wagons, utility carts - find the size you need for what you have to roll around.
  
• Recycle types of shopping bags, even IKEA big bags.
  
• One of our former PWAS members used for his artworks that were photographs on wooden canvas blocks, he reused Amazon bubble envelops. Much of his artwork would fit in those and it was a great idea in recycling.
  
• Large sheets of felt sewed into various sized "pillow cases". All you need is to sew up potentially 2-3 of the sides and leave the fourth side open. I purchased inexpensive felt sheets from Walmart a few years ago and these make great covers. Cut the felt into the sizes you need and let your Singer at it. You could write FRONT and BACK on the felt and insert the artwork that way. If 2 are in the bag, put cardboard between them. Then when traveling with your artwork, put the fronts together so that the frame and wiring are on the outside. Note: cardboard is not acid-free either.)
  
• At your local fabric store, price a few yards of thick flannel and cut out the sizes you need and use a hot glue gun to make "sacks" out of them.
• If you have old quilts, you can make them into packing sleeves and sew on canvas straps. Break out those sewing machines folks. Wait! Someone could sell these things to artists. Nice idea for a side business. (Remind me to erase this paragraph before I publish this.)
  
• I have saved the boxes when I order frames and store paintings in those and use a large sheet of archival paper to protect the front from the cardboard.
  
• Towels, blankets, actual pillow cases - give some cushion and protection. Make sleeves out of those towels and blankets too!
  

Some of these ideas take a little more time when you are setting up to go to a show and set up your display. At the end of the show, maybe a few more minutes are added when you are breaking down the art and reloading to go home. Sure its been a long day, but at least your artwork may be better protected when wrapped up as you peel out of the parking lot. We'll talk about the car on 2 wheels escape debate at another time...

I know there are artists out there with brilliant ideas on protecting their artwork while traveling it about. I realize folks need to do what they can afford to do. And we know artists are a creative bunch, so let's see what kind of ideas you have too. C'mon, tell me something good, what ideas do you have?

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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 412: Fall Tall Oaks PWAS Art Show Sat, Oct 7, 2023

Fall Tall Oaks PWAS Art Show Sat, Oct 7, 2023

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) has a handful or art shows throughout the year that are held in various locations in Prince William County, with the Tall Oaks Community Center hosting 2 of them each year. The art group also has their monthly meetings in the same location on the fourth Monday of the month, at 7:30pm. 12298 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge, Virginia.

A Local Art Show in Lake Ridge

I don't know how many years the Prince William Art Society has had their Spring and their Fall Tall Oaks Art Shows at the Tall Oaks Community Center on Cotton Mill Road in Woodbridge. I wonder if anyone in the group knows? I was thinking it might be nice to say the "Tenth Annual" or the "Sixth Annual" Fall Tall Oaks Art Show was just held this past Saturday.... But I don't know the number.

Yet, we did have it, on Saturday, October 7, 2023. It started off with rain (as it has often done), then in the afternoon, POW! Big ole' sunshine and a beautiful fall day!

We had a good turn out and one of the ladies that stopped in said, "I come every year." I wondered how many years that was as I've only been a PWAS member since 2021. I took part in the Spring (usually held on the first Saturday in May...hey, like the Kentucky Derby!) and the Fall Tall Oaks Shows since then. 

Here are a few pictures of the show. The PWAS members with art up included:

Richard Tyler, Jewell Pratt Burns, Ana Quispe, Maria Briganti, Doreen Dauer, Rosemary Schatz, Mayra Itzul Torres, and I, Donna Liguria.

 

 

I've often found that participating in the PWAS art shows are great ways to really make good friends within the art community and learn more about what they do. And getting to talk to all the visitors is fun too - as well as showing them our art on display, which helps them to get to know YOU, as the artist.

A group art show also makes the work go faster as everyone pitches in to help set it up AND take it down. Funny how much quicker it always comes down.

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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.

Photography/Video Credits:
Donna Liguria and Ana Quispe

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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 411: What are the PWAS Members Working On?

What are the PWAS Members Working On?

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) is a group of artists and art lovers located in Prince William County, Woodbridge, Virginia. The group has been meeting and creating art for over 50 years. We have a lot of artists that like to show and share what they do, sometimes what they think about various aspects of art.

Leora LaGraffe

I’ve picked up some water mixable oils (I’m sensitive to solvent fumes) and am trying to learn how to paint with oils so I’m really bad right now but hope to get better with time and practice. I worked primarily in soft pastels but felt the need to try to learn oils.

Otis Stanley

 Acrylic 16x20 Guba, Gullah - word for peanut

Zee Berrios

I started this last month, title: Grateful Company, medium: Acrylic on canvas. size: 48" X 48" (based on a photo by Irving Penn (1967)

Donna Liguria

I’ve started a series of Mini Paintings 3x4 in acrylic of 7 different lighthouses in North Carolina (still in progress) and another of a looking up a tree in the fall (8x8 Acrylic).

 

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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 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!

Post 410: Donna's Cave Paintings Blog - by Donna Liguria Art: Post 327: Art Reception at Art at the Mill

Donna's Cave Paintings Blog - by Donna Liguria Art: Post 327: Art Reception at Art at the Mill: Art Reception at Art at the Mill   

 

Art at the Mill is the most outstanding of all the art shows that I have been a part of thus far in my a...

 

 

 

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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.

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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 and our monthly meetings which are held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 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! 

Post 409: Great Find Video - Artwork Labels

Great Find Video - Artwork Labels

Artwork Labels are an important part of the artist's repertoire of "need to know" in art display. There are labels on the back of the artwork and labels for the front (or viewer) that need to be created - although depending on where you are displaying, the show or gallery may need to create the front label for you.

Photo by Ricardo Viana on Unsplash 

Labeling Your Art

Absolutely, your art label is very important on your artwork. And I can think of a couple of great reasons for having it on your work!

1. It is nearly always required.
   
2. It helps the gallery or art show KNOW which artwork belongs to who. If you are accepted into an art show along with a lot of other artists, a clearly written out label on the back ensures the show hangers know which pieces are which between all the entries, especially when they need to hang their FRONT label to the individual pieces.
   
3. It helps verify that the title and price of the piece is the correct price for that particular piece. I have heard a story where a person switched labels for a less expensive piece with the more expensive one.
4. Depending on how you sign your art, that label is also important, especially if you use only initials, a symbol, or other method. Typically a check when artwork sells is made out to the real name of the artist, potentially making the show inventory and proper labeling more important.
   

Signature - the importance of signing your artwork on the front and the back clearly identifying you is equally important.

 

 

Art Exhibit Labels - 4 styles for 4 situations with Joel Anderson Art

For More information:

Examples of Artwork Labels

Pointers on Wall Labels for Your Art Exhibition

Also, if you haven't checked it awhile, see the Display Page for how the Prince William Art Society requires artwork to be ready for displaying at our shows and events.

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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.

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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 and our monthly meetings which are held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 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!