Post 493: Learning to Gild with Bettie Sperty

Learning to Gild with Bettie Sperty

The Prince William Art Society has been sponsoring various art workshops for the last few months around the area on various art topics. The classes have all been very well attended - and enjoyed. The latest in our workshop series was Gilding (Metallic Leafing) with Bettie Sperty on Saturday, September 7, 2024. What a fun, creative tool to add to our artist skill sets!

 

Bettie Sperty with some samples of Gilding with Metallic Leafing

Learning About Leafing

Bettie Sperty is a Prince William Art Society member and the current Secretary of the art group. She is an outstanding self-taught artist of often whimsical and fantastic subjects. And she loves adding a bit of sparkle to her art pieces, hence making gilding right up her alley.

We had 8 students taking her workshop and all of us so enjoyed it. A really eye opening and inspirational workshop and the students asked some great questions about the process, things to try, and more.

Gilding Workshop Photos

 

Bettie going over the basics on the gilding supplies like types of adhesive, types of foils, many tips and techniques, some do's, some do nots, and some work-arounds. Plus, the bonus of you CAN gild almost anything.

 

We had 5 Prince William Art Society members, 6 including Bettie, and several others that weren't - but they found out about the gilding workshop on Facebook. The registration filled so fast! Hopefully, Bettie can do another class soon.

 

Sandra, me, Nicole and our new friend Dawn showing off our "Pizza Boxes" 

 

Our Pizza Box Gilding Supplies and artwork to take home!

 

Bettie's husband, Brian, Sandra McClelland Lewin, Nicole Fisher, and Penny Shaw

 

Staci Blanchard and I using the hair dryer to quick-dry the adhesive

 

Dawn trying gold leafing with water colors, and it worked!

 

Nicole experimenting with gilding on one of her artworks, and it ended up so cool! Note that her work is still in progress and many areas are still taped off.

I said at one point during the class, when have you ever had 9 women together in one room and it ever be so quiet? Everyone was so intently focused on their gilding projects that the silence was 'golden'. And oh my goodness, the artwork and the creativity that surfaced that was shown was outstanding! And for some of the gilding students, this was their first time doing the craft too!

 

Amazon, here we come for more gilding supplies! This stuff comes in lots of colors and variegated too. My little artist heart is gilded!

 

Leave a comment below about the class or if you would like to take a leafing class!

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Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and 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 Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

Photography/Video Credits: Bettie Sperty and Donna Liguria

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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 492: Inside the Studio of Bettie Sperty

Inside the Studio of Bettie Sperty

A newish feature for our PWAS Artistry Spin Blog is "Inside the Studio of..." which will feature the Prince William Art Society member's studios. For our third studio in this series of blog posts, this studio belongs to Prince William Art Society member, Bettie Sperty who gives us a view into her creative space.

Prince William Art Society Member, Bettie Sperty

Bettie Sperty joined PWAS before COVID (BC) so she's been in the art group a number of years. We were thrilled at one meeting in October 2022 where she was our guest speaker and gave an exciting program on her tips and techniques of "adding a little sparkle to your art". Here are a few past posts with Betty:

After the Meeting with Bettie Sperty

Spotlight Artist Bettie Sperty

And she is giving a Metallic Foil Leafing class this weekend (Sept 7, 2024) that I was able to sign up for and am very much looking forward to. As a matter of fact, the registration for the class filled up so fast, I'm sure she will need to do a second one!

Gilding with Bettie Sperty

Let's Take a Peek into Bettie's Studio

“When my daughters left the nest, I took over the bedroom with the most windows to use as my art room. And I think I’ve done a great job of cramming as much as possible into the space! We have an “older house” with small bedrooms and even less closet space, so I store my artwork all over the walls of the house. This room has my small stuff covering the walls. I have a great view, good light and it’s all mine. My husband has taken over the lower family room as his music room, so I often get to listen to him work on his “art" as I work on something myself. It’s an ever changing mess in here (and somewhat like a big cartoon) but I love having the space to call my own.“

(click on images to enlarge)

 

My view from the front window. Nothing gets past me!!!

 

My security system in one window sill. These guys are on the ball!

 

Some of my friends hangin’ out.

Thank you Bettie for sharing your studio with us!

Who is the next in the studio tours?

Hey PWAS Members! If you want your studio to be featured on a similar blog post, please send me several photos of your studio space, a little about you, how long you've been a PWAS member, and what you would like to say about your creative space, no matter the size. I enjoy these "Inside the Studio of..." series, don't you? Say so in the comments below and let the studio owners know!

Previous Studios: 

Inside the Studio of Sandra McClelland Lewin

Inside the Studio of Zee Berrios 

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Author/Photography/Video Credits: Bettie Sperty

 

Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and 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 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 491: PWAS at Fall Art at the Mill 2024

PWAS at Fall Art at the Mill 2024

Several members of the Prince William Art Society are once again trekking to Milwood, Virginia for the bi-annual Art at the Mill Fall Show once again. This is a fantastic show - one of the best I have seen. It pulls from artists all over the area and beyond each spring and fall.

PWAS Members at Art at the Mill

It's that time again. Every spring and fall, the call goes out for artists to submit their art to Art at the Mill. And several Prince William Art Society artists answered the call: Sandra McClelland Lewin, Bettie Sperty, Elena Jochum, and Donna Liguria. The show will begin on Saturday, September 21 until Sunday, October 6, 2024 - 7 days a week. Sundays through Fridays 12-5pm and Saturdays 10-5pm. The Artist Reception is Sunday, September 29 from 2-5pm.

I asked how many entries they had this year and was told 1534 and juried in were 926 pieces. Let's take a look at the who has what in the show.

PWAS Member Sandra McClelland Lewin

Here's the three I have at the Mill:

Morning Coffee, acrylic, 20x16 (Sold)

Red Hybiscus, acrylic and gold metallic ink, 12x12 (Sold)

Fox in the Snow, Colored Pencil, 23x19 framed

 

I always enjoy taking part in the Art at the Mill show. There's a huge display of art that is awe-inspiring and they have a great reception for the artists!

PWAS Member Bettie Sperty

This is only my second time participating in the Art AT The Mill shows. When I first saw the number of artworks and the quality of every single piece, I can only say that I was blown away! (And a bit intimidated.) The Art at the Mill shows attract artists from all walks of life, all ages, from numerous regions, every medium you can imagine, and brings them together in a huge exhibit in this beautiful, historic rural setting. When you visit the show you not only get to gaze upon stunning artworks, but also get to drive and explore the areas nearby. 

When we picked up my artwork from the spring show, my husband and I spent the rest of the day exploring the area, stopping at historic markers, little shops, took winding roads and just made a day of it. It is well worth the trip to see the Mill - which is an actual working mill, to see the artwork and to experience the area. Go for it!

 

Row Your Boat by Bettie Sperty 20”x20”  Acrylic with iridescence

PWAS Member Elena Jochum

The first one is called “Tarp” and it’s 30”x48” acrylic on canvas. Tarp represents how not everything is what it looks like, facades can be deceiving. It’s a cautionary tale that there might be nothing underneath. I do believe it’s up to the viewer to interpret fine art, and I leave it to them to contemplate on the meaning of it as well.

The second one is “Spring Peonies” acrylic on canvas, 15.5”x19.5”. I painted it for my daughter. I bought fresh peonies and they really inspires me and filled me with joy, love, energy and spring. 

 

(Sold)

PWAS Member Donna Liguria

I'm just amazed at this art show in Milwood, VA. It has such a turn out of artists, seriously really great artists, and it sort of sits way out there in a tiny town at such a cool historic spot. A live, working mill! Who knew? These are the three pieces of mine that were accepted to be shown at this fall's show.

 

Spring at Merrimac Farm by Donna Liguria 16x20 Acrylic PWAS went to the Bluebell Festival back in April this year and I took LOTS of pictures, including pictures of some of the PWAS Plein Air Posse members painting pictures.

 

Blue Glass Vase on Table by Donna Liguria 9x12 Acrylic

 

Charcuterie Board by Donna Liguria 16x20 Acrylic This one makes me hungry

Art Incoming!

As the art is delivered by the artists, who have already registered on Signup Genius their delivery times, and ours was between 1 and 1:30pm on Friday, August 30, 2024, the artwork is logged into their computers and our tags are handed out. Sandra and Bettie are having their works labeled by Ann McCarty. In the meantime, emails are sent for each piece that is received. Art will be delivered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Then other volunteers scamper off with the art and hang it on the walls. Some pieces are tagged for reserve and go upstairs. As you can see, with 926 art pieces art of every conceivable size the walls are filled, floor to ceiling. I think if a volunteer stands still long enough, he or she will end up having to hold a piece of art for the duration of the show!

Although some artwork is held in reserve, that doesn't mean it will not be seen. Art at the Mill loads ALL of the artwork online and will open a link when the show opens and many collectors will purchase directly. One thing about the Mill's art show, art is ALWAYS coming back downstairs and being put up on the walls as space opens. The show is in constant motion and movement!

The show will end up on two floors of the 4 story building. Do check out the lowest floor where the mill grinds various flours that they have for sale. The main floor will have art in every nook and cranny and then up on the second floor will be the bulk of the art. And, by golly, the day of the artist's reception is a fun day of a great spread for everyone to enjoy and to meet other artists.

This is an art show at a whole different level and well worth the drive from here in Woodbridge. It will take a little over an hour from here - and if you're up for it, a few different wineries and breweries along the way!

See also Spring Art at the Mill 2024

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Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and 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 Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

Photography/Video Credits: Donna Liguria

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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 490: Onyx Art Group Show with 6 PWAS Members

Onyx Art Group Show with 6 PWAS Members

In an effort to create more opportunities to display and sell art, six members of the Prince William Art Society established the Onyx Art Group. Their inaugural art exhibition was on May 18, 2024. The next exhibition is entitled, “A Journey Through Art” and will be held on September 21,2024, 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. The venue will be the Westridge Swim and Dive Clubhouse at 12764 Quarterhorse Lane, Woodbridge, VA 22193. The six artists displaying their work are Evelyn Chatters, Nicole M. Fisher, Anna Gatling, Akon Otoyo, Penny Shaw, and Otis L. Stanley.

Evelyn Chatters

I just finished this acrylic pour for the Onyx Art Group show. It could be a butterfly. Yes?!  It can join Akon's  group of butterflies fluttering upwards in the wind. 

Akon Otoyo

In the early stages of a butterfly medley as they flutter about.  I visualize yellow and black hues, but we'll see what I end up with!

Penny Shaw

I have just completed my mixed media series of four called Lookout Seasons - Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter taken from my memories of finding solitude at Point Lookout, Missouri overlooking Lake Taneycomo near Branson. Finding a special place to explore your muse is difficult for many artists when they have the hustle and bustle of stuff surrounding them or interupting their special zone. I found this spot for all seasons. 

Anna Gatling

Swan song. An ode to the orchid, an evaluation. 

Otis Stanley 

Bluesman Gus Gibson 16x20 Acrylic

Nicole M. Fisher

These pieces are currently unnamed. They are part of a series on paper that I’m working on. Inspired by the colors of holiday berries.

Art takes you on a journey. Discover the journey of each artist! You are invited to attend the exhibition!

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Author: Evelyn Chatters

 

Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and 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 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 489: PWAS Artistry Spin Blog Birthday and PWAS Members

PWAS Artistry Spin Blog Birthday and PWAS Members

So this Prince William Art Society (PWAS) Blog called Artistry Spin has been around a little while to help spread the word on what the oldest art group in Prince William County is up to and for information for the members and others to learn more about, well, anything ART. AND the Artistry Spin Blog is celebrating its third birthday!

 

Photo by Deva Williamson on Unsplash

Learn More About PWAS

Three years of blog posts so far! We are currently at 489 posts and counting, so the readers can certainly learn a lot about our art group here in Prince William County. We have covered our history (past), what we currently have going on (present), and what we have planned for the future.

The PWAS Artistry Spin Blog started on August 29, 2021 with our very first post:

Prince William Art Society for Artists and Art Lovers In this post is the history of PWAS with its beginnings that I garnered from Jewell Pratt Burns. Jewell is a founding member and she is a wonderful source, a fount of knowledge, and a lovely lady as well as a wonderful artist. 

Artistry Spin is where you can learn more about upcoming art events that PWAS has coming, well in advance, what we are involved in and where the members show what they do. We let everyone know the details of our meetings and guest speakers, art receptions, art tips (we have a lot that are given by various PWAS members themselves) and so much more.

Expectations on how PWAS members are required to Display their art is an important post on how to prepare your artwork for galleries and shows. Lessons Learned is a huge compilation of tips of things learned after an art show, to be prepared for your next show.

Art Committees are an extremely important part of any non-profit art group as is Volunteering. Learn about Commissions, about Pricing, and Calls for Art. Interested in joining our merry band of dedicated and wise artists? Have a look at Membership. And any and all artists need to know how to handle Art Rejection. It happens to ALL of us.

The Blog is setup as most recent blog post first and important art topic pages in the top navigation. Your view will depend on if you are on your mobile device or laptop. Topics can be searched for, or found in our Blog Archives, in the Labels, Tags and Keywords list, and/or in Most Popular All Time Posts or Popular Posts this week. See also How to Use This Blog

I'm often asked if there is something in the blog about "XYZ" and I more often than not have to say, like Ragu Spaghetti Sauce, "It's IN there!"

Of course, PWAS has its own website, found at https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/ but a blog can go so into so much more detail and doesn't necessarily have to adhere to the expected savoir-faire of the official website.

Blog Schedule and About Blog Posts

PWAS Members can find the information on past shows, upcoming shows, and show what they have going on. But how can PWAS members get involved?

Schedule - find information about the blog schedule and types of blog posts available to the PWAS membership. Learn how YOU can use the blog to help in the promotion of your art as well as everything that PWAS is and does. 

Any blog thrives with good content. A good portion of our content comes directly from our members, especially when they provide their information and images. *AND why wouldn't any artist not use the free promotion available to them???

How can you get more info about yourself as a PWAS member artist? Well here are some topics that can help do that. Periodically, I, as the Blog Admin send out a request or a question asking the PWAS members to send me pictures, or to answer the question as in the following examples you will see if you go to the Schedule Page.

• Art Topics and What's on Your Easel? - an email asking what you are working on.
  
• Inside the Studio of... - a single artist member post featuring YOUR studio and YOU
  
• Artist Interviews - a single artist member post featuring YOU
  
• The Art with the Artist Posts - great posts of gatherings with all artists with their art
  
• Get Your Art In the PWAS Art Store
• Upcoming PWAS Events, Member Events, and NON-PWAS Events or Shows
• What's on Your Radar? - an email asking what's coming up for you.
  
• PWAS Plein Air Posse - a subgroup of PWAS members that enjoy plein air painting
  
• PWAS Meeting Recaps
• PWAS Event Recaps
• PWAS Member Awards and Recognition and Woohoos! - did your artwork get a ribbon or recognition?
  
• Vacationing or Visiting Somewhere Awesome?
• PWAS New Member Intro - are you a new member and want to write a intro post about yourself?
  
• Member Advice and Suggestions, Art Tips
  
• Don't Spill the Paint - art comedy, comics, especially if YOU created it
  

Other ideas worth chasing are member Shoutouts, any art class notes and advice, definitely the sharing of your favorite art tips. The PWAS Board is welcome to share periodic Board Notes too.

Send the info on What's on Your Easel? and What's on your Radar? by the deadline requested so that I can build a blog post with your info.

Blog Comments

Under every single blog post (and Page post too) you'll find either a small link called 'No comments' or a number of comments. Not all PWAS members know that when Commenting on a blog post, which we encourage, that in order to filter out spammers, haters and duplicate posts, the Blog Admin must approve or disapprove a comment on a post before they are viewable. Thus, it may take a few hours or to the next day before they are approved so they will show. Be patient. You don't need to repost it. And we love a name with the comment, so click here to learn more on how to not post as Anonymous - Comments.

 

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash 

Anyway, it is a happy birthday for The Spin and I hope you all find the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog useful and will drop your comments in this post. Give "The Spin" a happy birthday and let me know what you think of it.

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Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and 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 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!