There is an About... Donna Liguria Art page on the About page, if you missed it, but the basics that are that I am a fine art painter of landscapes, seascapes, animals, and places in the style of realism. I am also and a blogger - see me on:

Donna's Cave Painting Blog - follow, share and comment. And throw my art some hearts while you view my Galleries!

The link to an artwork in my galleries may go to an Etsy page for the print (select the desired size) or to the original (if its available). Artwork originals will sell, making them no longer available, but prints might be. Occasionally, I have to turn off an Etsy listing if that artwork is showing elsewhere as I cannot sell it while its in an art gallery. While in MY Etsy shop, I recommend shopping around before making your choice out of the offerings. Donna's Etsy Shop Prints and go to the Prints Category

Yes I do - depending on subject though. I am not comfortable with painting specific persons for example. I've been asked about painting children and babies and I just don't think I could do then justice. I am a self-taught artist, and am trying to learn how to paint people. It is an ongoing thing. 

Depending on my workload and time of year, some artwork may need to be scheduled. If several people want something painted by a specific date - holiday and/or birthday gifts at the same time, an artist must take the first come-first served (or first deposit received) option.

Please see my Commissions Info page to help you and I both understand what you are looking for. And see the lower section of the About Me page to see a gallery of previous commissions.

There are so many variables with these questions that it is hard to answer! A painting's time and cost are based on several factors including: my available time, the size of the painting, the subject of the painting (are good photos available if needed?) and some simple things like our clear communications between the artist and client (email, texts, phone calls), the agreements, the contract, and deposit/payment received. Then there is the preparation, sketching, the actual painting and the curing times for the paint and the varnishing processes. Shipping may be another consideration for a completed painting to be received as well. The Cost of the painting can only be configured once several decisions are made specifically - the size, subject, how long it will take me - in particular.

​Occasionally an artist will post that they are not taking commissions at this time and they could have a lot of reasons for this as anyone would. They could be on a break from art, on vacation, a lot going on with their life, family or work, or could have so many commissions lined up that their work load precludes any additional work for a time. Typically, once the artist is ready to take the extra work on again, they change their status.

Typically commissions are more expensive than purchasing something already created and there are several reasons. Artists are already working on their own projects and series of work, timelines, and due dates in preparation for their own solo exhibitions, group art shows, other commissions, etc. A lot of time and preparation can go into a commission and the process of completing your project. Look at it this way, if an artist is doing their own project, they are working for themselves. If they are working on a client's project, they are in essence, working for you.

Yes. Typical deposits can be 1/3 to 1/2 the total price. A contract should be drawn up and signed stipulating the exact expectations to protect both the client and the artist, spelling out a timeline, any shipping or pickup details, and more. The deposit is due once all agreements are in place, before ANY work is done and final payment is made before art shipping, delivery, or pickup.

If I am painting a pet portrait, I need clear images of your pet in order to capture the exact coloring and facial features. More than one image will help tremendously. And include their favorite toys, a certain position or expression are fun as well.

For a painting of a home, good, clear images of the house - especially in the time of day or time of year will go a long way in helping to understand the best lighting and best season and foliage in the art.

Great pictures help the artist to create the painting - and really SEE the subject. Light changes so much in a day, which means that the color changes too.

PW​AS is the Prince William Art Society in Prince William County, Virginia. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit group of local artists. Their mission is to "To promote the creation, understanding and exhibition of the visual fine arts in Prince William County, VA" - and they are!! I joined the group in March 2021 and the experience, the friends I've made, the knowledge I have gained, has benefited me greatly. I highly recommend artists to join at least one local art group near them, there is always something to learn and great friendships to be made. - AND get involved in the workings, you will learn a LOT!

Open Space Arts (OSA) was an art gallery at 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - near Wegmans. The gallery is no longer in operation and the Prince William Art Society is no longer affiliated with that group.

When I first joined the Prince William Art Society in 2021, the art group was in essence, the residence artists at the gallery, located at 2230 Tacketts Mill Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22192 - that's on the back side of the Tacketts Mill Shopping Center off Old Bridge and Minniville Road. The art group held art shows there every weekend for a few years.

​Comments are monitored and managed - to avoid being spammed and perhaps to stay on topic. Once I approve the comment, it will show.

I'm learning to paint people...I am mystified how people paint other people and it actually LOOKS like that person. When I grow up, I hope to be able to do that too. For now, the people I paint do not appear to be aliens so far. But of course, those aliens may have been on purpose too.

Not on purpose...I've only made a few things I consider abstract.

Yes! And I hope to do more! Check the Animals and Happy Clients section for examples.

I have in the past and I hope to do more. The same with Watercolors. And I want to learn palette knife painting as well. And Calligraphy. I would love to be able to do that too!

It depends. For Commissioned pieces, I have not because I typically use Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvases which do not need to be framed. I like to paint the edges of the artwork to give the piece a more finished look and appeal. I also feel that frames can sort of 'make or break' the finished piece and I leave that to the client to match the frame to their décor. 

For displaying artwork in local shows and galleries, there are quite often 'rules' for displaying artwork correctly. If a Gallery Wrapped Stretched Canvas was not used, a frame must be included on the artwork. In these cases, I have used "floater frames", quite often in basic black as I like the ability to set the canvas into the frame and still see some of the edging of the painting. The artwork that has the frame included will be updated to show that in the gallery.

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Obviously, if a frame is required, the cost will go up. If shipping is added, the frame changes the shipping costs as well.