Post 281: After the Master's Style at Open Space Arts

After the Master's Style at Open Space Arts

I really love this art show! The local Prince William County artists really got creative - sort of a 'back to the basics' or a push out of their usual painting and creating styles. Open Space Arts is celebrating "After the Master's Style" art show Jan 4-29, 2023 at the Stonebridge gallery in Woodbridge.

Photos Just Don't Do the Artwork Justice

Some would say, "why are you inviting people to come to a gallery when they can see the artwork in the photos?" To truly experience art, art must be seen. In person. Sometimes up close and personal, sometimes from a seat or standing a few feet away.  Only then can you really appreciate the work, the size, the space it fills and how it speaks to you, the viewer. Only then can the detail, the texture with no glare be appreciated.

Then again, in this internet world, many of our friends, family, and art appreciators do not live close by so this is a way for them to get an idea of what we have at Open Space Arts. Thus, a hint, a clue, a small view into what you could see at the gallery.

 

Inspired By a Master Artist

Much of the artwork on display has a label that has of course, the artist's name on it followed by "Inspired By...." and the Master Artist's name. The artwork is grouped around the gallery and you can certainly see the influences or the artist's interpretation of that Master Artist. Are you a fan of Picasso? Van Gogh? Ansel Adams? Come by and see what the Prince William County artists have in store for you to enjoy...or purchase for your own home. 

There are large canvases, medium and small to mini artworks to see. There are acrylic, oil and mixed media paintings, digital art and photography. 

By the way, those green dots on the label mean that art prints are available.

 

"You gotta love Prince"

 

 See the location and hours below and come by the gallery soon. Enjoy!

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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 280: Call for Art February 2023 at OSA

Call for Art February 2023 at Open Space Arts

The art show at Open Space Arts for February 2023 will be titled "African American Voices and Visions", in honor of Black History month. What this means is, if you are an artist and you are 18 or older, there is an open Call for Art to submit your work. You need to be a resident of Prince William County OR you can be a member of a local PWC art group. Out of the artwork submitted, selected pieces will be chosen to appear in the gallery at 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA.

Please read and enter at https://pwcartscouncil.org/black-history-exhibit-application/

Here is a flyer to help understand what the gallery is looking for, so all artists that meet the above criteria have the opportunity to submit works. The deadline is Jan 14, so go through your art inventory SOON!

 

 

 

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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 279: A New Month, New Year, New Art Show at OSA

A New Month, a New Year, a New Art Show at OSA

A new art show begins at Open Space Arts on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 that is called "After the Master's Style". The show is mainly about which of the "old" master artists influenced the art on display - and how.

After the Master's Style

The gallery at Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge, VA will open this new art show on Jan. 4 and run until Jan. 29, 2023. Artists from all over Prince William County were tasked with art influences from any of the master artists, from artists like Picasso, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Georgia O'Keefe, and so many more. It could be an artwork, the colors used, the technique - really anything.

 

You are invited to come by the gallery and treat yourself to the interpretation of this art show and how the Prince William County artists rose to the challenge. 

 

 

Donna Liguria's mini paintings 3x4 acrylics inspired by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Vermeer, and Leonardo di Vinci (see some of these at the gallery)

 

Starry Night Blues inspired by Vincent van Gogh by Donna Liguria 16x20 in acrylics.

From Penny Shaw: "26 artists are showing inspirational influences from over 30 famous artists ranging from The Book of Kells, Greek Nymiads, Neoclassical, Modern art using oils, acrylic, digital media, and mixed media as an inspirational basis."

There is other artwork that may or may not be sited with an "old master's name" but really, aren't we all influenced or inspired, from and by them?

More pictures will be posted as I get them. See the gallery hours 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 278: New Techniques, Tools, Thoughts Learned in 2022

New Techniques, Tools, Thoughts Learned in 2022

As 2022 comes into its final weeks, I asked the Prince William Art Society members what they wanted to share with the other PWAS members - be it a new technique, a new tool, a thought.

PWAS Members Share Their Thoughts, Lessons Learned in 2022

 

Photo by Kenta Kikuchi on Unsplash 

Ann McCarty

I found an art instructor/muse named Snow Fielding.  She owns the Mill at Carter Hall Gallery Studios.  Her knowledge of art is amazing. Snow has helped me immensely. 

Michelle Baker

I get a charge from repurposing and recycling items. Repurposing more plastics and showing others how various materials can be used is one of my 2023 goals.

I love using items to create instead of traditional brushes. Hoping to make more connections with businesses on taking items out of the trash stream and turning them into art this coming year. Would love to see a show or one bay featuring recycling  in April!

Linda Nedilsky

What 2022 taught me with regards to art. Commissions do not have to be stressful! 

Commission work can be rewarding and challenging. Many of my art friends tell me they do not like doing commissions because of the stress of giving the customer exactly what they want. ||

I used to be that way, but I have learned one important lesson. You can please some of the people some of the time, you can please some people all the time, but you can never please all the people all the time. 

People see their animals differently than you see them via a photo you may have for reference.

The important thing is that you stay true to yourself, your style and what you love to do. 

If you try to do exactly what is in their head (unless you are physic) you are going to eventually hate what you are doing and your art will show it.   

As I gain more customers, I am learning to be more picky as to who I accept as a customer. This year I have turned down 3 customers after brief interviews. reasons? 1. Poor photos 2. Wanting the painting to look like a photo 3. Telling me how they want it painted, knowing my style of painting might not be what they are looking for. 

Sure, the extra money is nice, but my peace of mind is more important.  Love what you do, or don't do it.

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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 277: PWAS Member Art Awards and Recognitions

PWAS Member Art Awards and Recognitions

Here's a blog post we haven't done for awhile...what awards or recognition have our Prince William Art Society members been awarded this year? We had a few responses...

Ann McCarty

This painting titled "Gulf Sunset' won second place People's Choice award at the Harvest of Artist show at OSA in November 2022.

Donna Liguria

I entered this year's 15th annual Paint! Manassas contest sponsored by P-ART-ners (with Michelle Franz) this past fall. The rules were simple, enter online and have your canvas(es) initialed per the requirements BEFORE beginning the painting. The subject matter had to be something within the Historic Manassas guidelines and you could use reference photos. I needed to be in Manassas early on October for the Artist Inventory Sale and took some early am photos.

My painting "Sunrise at Historic Manassas Train Station" 16x20 in acrylic was awarded first place!

 

The painting hung at Grounds Central Station Coffee Shop through the month of November and will be at Open Space Arts in January 2023.

Linda Nedilsky

No art awards or artist recognition, but lots of acclamation from peers and friends regarding my wildlife series. That's really more important than awards. ;)

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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 276: PWAS Christmas Party 2022

PWAS Christmas Party 2022

The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) celebrated their annual Christmas party on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at the Open Space Arts Gallery (closed to the public). Traditionally, the PWAS December meeting is always turned from the meeting format to a PWArtyS! format.

Open Space Arts Makes a Great Setting for a Christmas Party!

I wasn't able to go this year, unfortunately, but it looks like a GREAT time was had by all and some of these pictures (thanks to all that took them BTW), really need captions...or an explanation. Maybe both!

The Nibbles: Food Feast

What happens when you put a bunch of creative people together and ask them to bring hor d'oeurves / appetizers to a party?

Here is what happens:

 

First place - Reindeer Platter from Sheri Herrick

Second place - Grinch Dip from Tom Payne

Third place - Charcuterie Christmas tree from Sheri Herrick

 

We should make this an ongoing tradition!

 

 

 

 

 

The Fun:

 

 

Door prize:

Thanks to Jeff Holman for donating the beautiful easel as our door prize.  Congratulations to Kofi as the winner.

Dancing:

Thanks to Cookie and Raymond Bell for providing the musical entertainment and dancing.  The Electric Slide and Cupid Shuffle were a big hit.  Next year Tony promised to teach us the Cleveland Shuffle.

Pictionary:

PWAS artistic talent was on full display during the highly competitive Pictionary game.  Congratulations to the red team for their brutal smack down victory.  Better luck to the blue team next year.  Tony will be selling prints of his beautiful rendering of a goat (or aardvark if you prefer to interpret it that way).

Decorations:

Thanks to the party committee for all the planning, setup, breakdown, and clean up.  It was a great party!

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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/.

 

Author: Mark Murphy
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA

Photography/Video Credits:
PWAS Partygoers!

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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!