Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Post 443: The Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm

The Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm

Prince William Art Society will be participating in The Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm, sponsored by the Prince William Conservation Alliance and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Check out the website and take note of the activities and tours scheduled throughout the day at this outstanding natural area.

Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm WMA

PWAS at the Bluebell Festival

PWAS will have an information tableset up at the Bluebell Festival where PWAS member's small artworks will be displayed and sold. In addition, the PWAS Education Committee is inviting members interested in Plein Air painting to bring your painting and drawing materials and participate in an informal sharing workshop held among the bluebell flowers.  

NOTE: Be sure to wear appropriate footwear! Pathways may be muddy and slippery. Hiking shoes/boots would be best. Tennis shoes, are not good. 

Below is information and a contact person for the opportunities at the Bluebell Festival.

 

Call for Art

  

Hello all PWAS artistsKeep the sizes small. If you have tiny little canvases with tiny nature paintings on them, they would be fantastic, but please supply some tiny easels to display them. We want people to be able to see them. 

Come be inspired! We, as PWAS and the PWAS Education Committee, along with The Conservation Alliance of Prince William County, The Virginia Department of Wildlife Services, and support from the Marine Base Quantico are so excited to offer you the opportunity to display your lovely artwork depicting nature at a pop-up event at the Bluebell Festival in Nokesville, VA. 

The Three tenets of The Conservation Alliance of PWC 

People who care make a difference 

We are stronger together 

Acting locally is how we change the world. 

The Bluebell Festival is on April 7th and is held at the Merrimac Farm which is part of a Wildlife Management Area. I understand this event will most likely be attended by over 1,000 people! 

The address for Merrimac Farm is 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville, VA. GPS wont get you all the way there. You must follow the attached directions. I assure you, it is worth the drive! The festival begins at 10:00 am, but you must arrive at 9:00am. PWAS will receive its 20% commission, so please price your work accordingly. Sales will be conducted with Square cash box. 

Remember to bring boots, rubber shoes, or hiking footwear. Bluebells love the flood plains, and the paths are out of the way of flooding but can be a little mucky depending on recent weather. 

 

PROSPECTUS: 

Keep the sizes small. If you have tiny little canvases with tiny nature paintings on them, they would be fantastic, but please supply some tiny easels to display them. We want people to be able to see them. 

 

Subjects 

Art subjects that would be especially appreciated are: 

 

  • Birds - all kinds, cardinals, bluebirds, robins, eagles, hawks, etc 

  • Fish - all kinds, koi, trout, flounder, etc... 

  • Flowers - all kinds, but especially bluebells, of course

  • Trees - all kinds, especially woodsy subjects!

  • Water scenes - especially rivers, creeks, ponds, and canoeing, kayaking, etc... 

  • Natures creatures - all kinds, deer, coyotes, bear, frogs, bees, butterflies, grasshoppers, chipmunks, etc...

  • Pours - bring some inspiring pours, especially if they transcend the viewer like a bounty of blooms or a sunset!

  • Photography, oil paintings, acrylic paintings, pastels, chalk drawings, pen & ink, and digital art are all appreciated. 

 

Sizes 

Please adhere to the following guidelines: 

 

  1. No more than 3 small art pieces or canvases for each person. 

Examples: 3" x 4", 5" x 7", 8" x 10".If you have some 3" x 4" pieces, then you couldsubmit 4 of those, the smaller the better. 

  1. No more than ONE large piece, such as, 11" x 14" framed. 

If you only have an 11x 14size piece of art, then you can only submit one piece of art. 

  1. Please print out two sets of tags (one for the front, one for the back), your inventory list signed, and hold harmless agreement signed (see attachments). All must be handed on and signed the day you deliver your art to the event. 

  1. Business cards, I want people to know all about YOU as the artist! 

  1. If youd like to add a certificate of authenticity, please do! 

  1. Please follow the guidelinesfor art that is to be properly prepared for all PWAS pop ups. More on that 

  1. Proper wiring is required. No little sawtooth hangers. Typical standards apply for preparing your art; make sure it hangs securely. 

  1. Artwork on canvas is to be on gallery-wrappedcanvases and to have painted sides, or edges. 

  1. This Show is un-juried, but art should be appropriate (i.e., family friendly). 

Please come help with the display! Lets arrange everyones artwork for the advantage of all.  

For additional information on what to expect at pop up shows read Donna Ligurias PWAS Artistry Spin Blog article: 

https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/p/show-lessons.html 

Merrimac Farm is gorgeous. When you bring your art to the festival enjoy the day! Spend time walking around and talking to the other vendors! 

Tom Payne and I walked the Bluebell Trailto see for ourselves where these famous bluebells of Virginia have been allowed to spread throughout the woods naturally. What a spectacle! Its not a Bluebell Festival, its a Bluebell Adventure! You owe it to yourselves to experience this natural phenomenon at least once in your lifetime! 


 

Come be inspired.  

The Three tenets of The Conservation Alliance of PWC 

  1. People who care make a difference 

  1. We are stronger together 

  1. Acting locally is how we change the world. 

Contact: Elizabeth Stathis,  elzbthstths@gmail.com. 703-595-8747. 

If you are unable to make it to the festival on the 7th, but would love to be a part of it, I will gladly help you out and take your art with me to display with the others. Just drop it off at my house before the 7th. Text or call me and we will make arrangements. I live 34 minutes from the festival. 

 Plein Air Painting Workshop  

(a.k.a. Plein Air Posse) - meet at 9:00 am 

 

The PWAS Education Committee, invites you to participate in its first Plein Air meet-up. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced Plein Air artist, you are welcome to come, learn, and join in the fun. In doing so, you will be one of the founding members of what will be known as the "Plein Air Posse! This will be a very informal workshop. We will be learning from and sharing with each other at this first Plein Air gathering. See the poster and instructions with directions to Merrimac Farm More detailed information will be sent to those who are interested. To sign-up, simply email Tom Payne, if you havent done so already. 

 

Contact: Tom Paynepaynereliefartworx@yahoo.com. 

 





Authors: Elizabeth Stathis (PWAS President) and Tom Payne (PWAS Member At Large)

Photography/Video Credits:
Tom Payne

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!

Monday, March 18, 2024

Post 442: The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm and PWAS

The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm and PWAS

The Prince William Art Society is returning to the Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm at 15850 Sunshine Rdg Ln, Gainesville, VA 20155 for another art show! Nineteen PWAS members were juried in to display their art from Monday, March 18 through May 26, 2024. 

Sunshine Ride Farm Winery March 18, 2024

We're BAACK!!

The Prince William Art Society has been to the Winery before, twice in 2021. The art group celebrated their 50 year Anniversary in June of that year with an art reception/party and 2 art shows. PWAS is the oldest and largest art group in Prince William County, beginning in 1971 - and still going strong! For more info about the art group: Prince William Art Society

Sunshine Ride Farm Winery June 2021

https://www.thewineryatsunshineridgefarms.com/

Winery Hours: Sunday: 12pm - 7pm Monday & Tuesday: Closed (Except on federal holidays) Wednesday - Thursday: 12pm - 7pm Friday & Saturday: 12pm - 9pm Closed Easter

Sunshine Ride Farm Winery March 18, 2024

You are in for a real treat when you stop in for not only the great wines and beers of Sunshine Ridge Farm, but the lovely scenery of its lakefront location. And if your timing is right, the live music and food trucks are there for your enjoyment as well...


Sunshine Ride Farm Winery March 18, 2024

But upstairs there is a special room for events, weddings, receptions, and more. That is where the PWAS art will be. The event room will feature all types of art from the PWAS list of artists below. So, do plan your trip accordingly, some events upstairs are private, making calling ahead a good call, especially if the MUST-SEE ART is a main reason to go there!

Congratulations to the following PWAS artists that were juried-in to this show:

Anna Gatling
Anna Huerta
Bettie Sperty
Dawn Pritchett
Donna Liguria
Doreen Dauer
Elena Jochum
Elizabeth Stathis
Evelyn Chatters
Katie Keller Dugan
Kelly Haneklau
Larry Burch
Mandy Powell
Mark Clifton
Mark Murphy
Nicole M Fisher
Sandra McClelland Lewin
Sheri Herrick
Tom Payne 

Well done my friends! PWAS is planning an art reception to "meet the artists" so more info on that later. 

Monday, March 18, 2024 was the drop off date for the PWAS members to drop off their artwork - so the games begin on the art hanging disbursement around the room.

Sunshine Ride Farm Winery March 18, 2024

I Want to See the Art at the Winery!

Well, we can show you here too!

On the Prince William Art Society website, we have an Art Shop with all of the art on display at the Sunshine Ridge Farms Winery.

https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/category/sunshine-ridge-farm-winery

 All of the art is available for purchase at the Winery and in this art shop!


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:
PWAS, Donna Liguria

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!

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Post 441: PWAS Members Calls for Art/Show Calls

PWAS Members Calls for Art/Show Calls - Winery, Bluebells, and AIS in Manassas

Busy artists, indeed! The Prince William County Artists have a flurry of activity at the moment with some wonderful opportunities to show their art. See these THREE art shows available to the Prince William Art Society members

Sunshine Ridge Farm Winery, Gainsville, VA

Deadline to enter: Wednesday, March 13, 2024

This show has an immediate deadline so get into this one NOW. This show will be juried for showing at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm 15850 Sunshine Ridge Ln, Gainesville, VA 20155. The details for this show is already in your Inbox for current PWAS members.

Delivery art date is March 17 and show dates are March 18 to May 27, 2024.

Your contact person for this show is Sandra McClelland Lewin.

Artist Inventory Sale, Harris Pavilion, Manassas, VA

April 6, 2024 is the show date and the deadline for entries is March 30, 2024.

PWAS Artists need to reserve their spot to show in this twice a year - Spring Artist Inventory Sale show currently setting up and the Fall art show at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas. An entry form was already sent out to the current PWAS Members so fill that in and REGISTER with the small fee on the PWAS Website at https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/register 

This show is NOT juried.

Your contact persons for this show is Staci Blanchard and Donna Liguria.

Bluebell Festival, Nokesville, VA

April 7, 2024 

15014 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville, VA

The Call for Art Participates will be coming out shortly from your contact person, Elizabeth Stathis - "This will be a pop-up style of exhibit".


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

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!

Monday, March 11, 2024

Post 440: To Gesso or Not to Gesso, That Is the Question

To Gesso or Not to Gesso, That Is the Question

Do you prime your canvas before you begin to paint? Gesso is something that is a personal decision for every artist, encompassing different situations; HIGHLY recommended for raw canvas, gesso is subject to artist likes and dislikes in textures and smoothness, perhaps optional on pre-primed ready-made canvas, but applying a gesso base goes a long way toward priming your surface before you lay down your painting. Let's learn all about gesso in this blog post.

Justyn-Warner-VH8w75u3LE0-unsplash

What is Gesso?

According to Wikipedia, gesso is:

"Gesso (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdʒɛsso]; 'chalk', from the Latin: gypsum, from Greek: γύψος), also known as "glue gesso" or "Italian gesso", is a white paint mixture used to coat rigid surfaces such as wooden painting panels or masonite as a permanent absorbent primer substrate for painting. Gesso is used in painting as a preparation for any number of substrates such as wood panels, canvas, and sculpture as a base for paint and other materials that are applied over it." - Wikipedia Gesso

 

Here's Emmy from Jerry's Artarama, Jerry's Live Episode #JL307: All About Gesso

By the way, subscribe to the Tuesday afternoon Jerry's Live shows - always good, endless topics, and occasionally you can win something! This video is well worth your time to learn more about the what, why, hows and choices available about gesso.

Usually you will find gesso in Titanium White when you purchase it, but you may find it in Black as well. But, good to know, you can color your own gesso too, which I think can make a great base to begin on for many purposes.

How to Gesso

There isn't necessarily a right or wrong - its up to you and what you want to achieve on your surface. This is where applying gesso goes "off the edge of the canvas" (as opposed to "off the rails"). And it is interesting to understand that there are as many ways of applying gesso as there is in brands of gesso. Again, its all in the artist preferences and you don't know that until you give it a go one way or another. Here are a few suggestions.

  • You can apply gesso with a soft brush, palette knife, or trowel
  • On an acrylic-based gesso, you can apply with a wet brush or you may admire the texture of the non-watered down application. 
  • Acrylic based gesso has very easy cleanup of your brush or tools with water.
  • You can use an acrylic-based gesso UNDER an oil painting but you cannot use an oil-based gesso UNDER an acrylic painting. 
  • If doing an acrylic painting, you can start painting gesso as soon as the gesso is dry to the touch, which is fairly quickly. 
  • If your doing an oil painting, wait at least 24 hours before applying the paint over the gesso.

Do You Use Gesso? - From our PWAS Members  

The question about gesso was asked of our Prince William Art Society members and wow, I'm sure glad I asked! I learned even more just by sending the question out there. The PWAS membership consists of artists at every level, from art beginners to VERY experienced professionals. Some members studied art while in school and college while others are self-taught.  

Here is the wonderful feedback that they sent in...

From PWAS Member Patti Durbin

"Sometimes I use one coat of gesso to create texture on the canvas before painting."

From PWAS Member Otis Stanley, PWAS Photographer

Yes, I use gesso, usually one coat . I do not mix it with water.

From Elizabeth Stathis, PWAS President 2024-2025

"I was taught how to build my own canvas from scratch. Raw linen or canvas stretched then gesso'd with water.
Let dry.
Sand it smooth.
Gesso'd thicker.
Let dry.
Sand again.
Gesso full thickness.
Let dry.
Sanded smooth.
One Gesso coat on back of canvas.
Let dry, no sanding needed.

When you no longer see the canvas weave on the front, you are done.
I'm sure there are other versions out there."

From PWAS Member Janice "Cookie" Bell

"I'm sending this to you for Raymond Bell.  It's what he used for preparing his board
for his soft pastel paintings. I believe he originally got this from the Pastel Society.
Hope it's useful for those interested.....  it worked so well for him for years.
 
                           Fill a pint jar one-third of water. Then add one or two
                           tablespoons of Gesso and stir. Next, add another
                           one-third pint of water.  To this, add one tablespoon of
                           white glue, three tablespoons of pumice (powder FF
                           medium at hardware store, usually in paint or furniture
                           refinishing area), and one or two more tablespoons of
                           Gesso and stir well.  Finally, fill the jar almost to the
                           top with water and add three more tablespoons of 
                           pumice and one or two more tablespoons of Gesso.
                           Stir the mixture well.
 
                           Apply the mixture to the board with a brush, using
                           horizontal strokes in one direction, apply to both sides.
                           When dry, apply second coat vertically to both sides.
 
I know this sounds like a never-ending procedure but it worked miracles in getting the pastel to stick to the board, although it does not smell too good!!  The outcome
was worth it all.  You know, Raymond did not like the pastel paper.......never held up as good as the board.
 
Hope this has been a help.  Wish he was here to help more!"

From PWAS Member Mickey Winslow

"In answer to your question about gesso; when I used to stretch my own canvasses I did use several coats of gesso on them & also on purchased canvasses. It just made for an interesting surface to work on.  If the gesso was too thick, I would use water to thin it down.  Hope this helps."

From Bettie Sperty, PWAS Co-Secretary

"I have used Gesso on occasion, but since most of my canvases and surfaces are pre- gessoed, I don’t use it on a regular basis. Where I have used it is when preparing naked wooden panels. Or, if a canvas is unusually coarse, I will apply a layer of gesso and once it is dry, I’ll sand it a bit and wipe with a damp cloth. Repeat if necessary."

From PWAS Member Mark Clifton

I paint with oil and use acrylic gesso. 3 or 4 coats on canvas straight out of the container, undiluted, lightly sanded. Store bought pre-gessoed canvas gets the same 3 or 4 extra coats. Sides are also gessoed so they don't rot. Hardboard panels get 3 or 4 coats front, back, and edges.

From PWAS Member Kacy Egan

"Thanks for the Question. This prompted me to research what is Gesso. 
I’ve always use pre-primed canvas. I had no idea that this could improve my art work. Is it possible to add color to the Gesso?"

From Donna Liguria, PWAS Blog Admin

"I didn't use it at first...as a self-taught artist I had to learn to use it and why. Since then, all of my canvases have at least 2 layers of gesso, sometimes 3 (except for the mini canvases). At 3 or more coats, the acrylics start acting weird, so I have found that I like the 2 coats better. Occasionally, I use sandpaper on it for more smoothness, and I apply the gesso with a plastic straight-edged trowel. Next time, after this blog post, I'd like to try it with a brush - this has been enlightening!" 

A big thank you to all the PWAS Members that sent in their gesso notes.
And so do we, Cookie. 
And Kacy, I asked the same questions when I began taking ART more seriously a few years back. I've actually learned even MORE about gesso just asking our PWAS members!

Do you gesso? What can you share about your process? What brand do you like and how do you apply it? Drop a comment below.

For Further Exploration on the Topic

What is Gesso?

Oil Over Acrylic Application Guidelines

How to Prime a Canvas using Gesso for Acrylic Painting

 
How to Gesso from Siso Art 
Note that a few more responses are coming in from PWAS Members, I'll add them in as they arrive!


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.

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!

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Post 439: Prince William Art Society in Manassas Saturday, April 6

Prince William Art Society will be at the Artist Inventory Sale in Manassas Saturday, April 6, 2024

The Prince William Art Society will be represented at this Spring's Artist Inventory Sale at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas on Saturday, April 6 between 1 and 5pm. A variety of the PWAS artist members will have a variety of art so come by and see us!

Artist Inventory Sale Flyer from Mike Flynn

Artist Inventory Sale at the Harris Pavilion

Located near the Manassas Train Station and the water tower, the Harris Pavilion is a great place to come to on a early April spring day and enjoy the art on display, strolling through the art walls. Such a variety of mediums, styles and subjects to see! The ART DAY at the Harris pavilion is set for Saturday, April 6 from 1 to 5pm. From original art paintings to fine art prints, you are sure to find something perfect for your home - or for a friend. The pavilion is located at 9201 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110 and there is also a Fall Artist Inventory Sale as well.

The rain date is Sunday, April 7.

Prince William Art Society

PWAS is the name we call our nonprofit art group which started in 1971, making PWAS the longest running group in Prince William County, and also the largest - with a large, healthy artist membership. The group displays the artwork of its artists all around the county and beyond, in various art shows, exhibits, galleries, and festivals. 

They are also known for their annual art scholarship program, named after our original founding member, Jewell Pratt Burns. The scholarship is given to a graduating high school senior that is moving on to an education in the arts.


Photos of the Spring Artist Inventory Sale from 2023
So mark your calendars for Saturday, April 6 and we hope to see you there!


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

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!