Christmas is Special

A Raggity Ann Christmas

Christmas is special to most of us.



As a child, making the trip into town for the holiday shopping with my parents was an adventure of lights and store fronts. In those days trips to town were rare. The streets were decorated in lights and all kinds of Christmas finery; it was a child’s adventure.


Today every house has a yard full of Christmas plastic stuff, but then only Christmas trees were in most homes and sometimes a wreath on a door. These were the days before the big box stores; a day when shop keepers decorated their stores with all kinds of wonderful joys to trigger the imaginations and dreams of children. Down towns were alive.


There were times in my childhood when money was tight; as it is now for many families. Daddy and Mom would make our gifts. I wonder are artist the only ones who still make gifts. I remember one Christmas when the dollies we saw and wanted could not be purchased. Daddy made a cradle for the one we had and Mom sewed new clothes for our dolls and a bed spread for the cradle. We were so excited Christmas morning with all the new things for our dollies; there was no disappointment, we loved our gifts. We had had our dreams of new toys but loved the things we had gotten just as much, because wanting was as much fun as getting.


Maybe someday when I grow up I will no longer need Christmas. For now I still live in the dreams of Christmas past, Christmas now and all the Christmas’ in the future when wanting is as important as getting.



It is the dream that is important.
As artist we are the dreamers we live in the Christmas of our soul and like Santa we create.

Best Friends,rag doll toys

About This Painting:
Best Friends
8x10
oil on canvas mounted on hardboard

Media: oil
Size: 10 in X 8 in (25.4 cm X 20.3 cm)
Price: $150 USD

How to Purchase:

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Price: $150 USD plus $10 USD s/h
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Santas Helper, cat christmas oil painting toys doll

About This Painting:
Santas Helper
16x29 oil on gallery wrapped stretched canvas with painted sides. The back is wired and it may be hung as is or dress it up with a frame.
BUY IT NOW

Media: oil
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)
Price: $640 USD

How to Purchase:
click here to bid on this painting

Or, send me an email

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com

Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

Back for Las Vegas

Finally back from my trip to Las Vegas.

I have been back from Las Vegas for a week now and I am knee deep in paintings that must be shipped before Christmas. I'm an oil painter so when I get last minute request it's the drying time that really slows things.

My trip to Las Vegas was restful and fun. I saw lots of wonderful stage shows.

I got in a little shopping A make ove with an artisyic air brush.

Ka from the Cirque Du Soleil, all of their shows are wonderful and if you get the chance see one when you are in Las Vegas.




Penn and Teller offer up some humor and tricks, Le Reve was an aqua theater, and topping of the last night we were there Barry Manilow did a wonderful hits show after having a double hip replacement the week before.

Friends

Penn and Teller offer up some humor and tricks, Le Reve was an aqua theater, and topping of the last night we were there Barry Manilow did a wonderful hits show after having a double hip replacement the week before.

a few great restaurants and a bit of local site seeing. I now have lots of sketches and pictures to work on later this year.

What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas, still life dice and martini glass

About This Painting:
What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas
8x6 oil on canvas mounted on hardboard ready to be framed

Media: oil
Size: 6 in X 8 in (15.2 cm X 20.3 cm)
Price: $100 USD

How to Purchase:

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Price: $100 USD plus $10 USD s/h
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" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com

Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

For the Long Haul

Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, "I'm tired, and it's late, I think I'll go to bed."

She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches. Rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table.

She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes into the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button. She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the phone book in the drawer.She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry.

She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom but stopped by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the fieldtrip, and pulled a text book out from under the chair. She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store. She put both near her purse.

Mom then washed her face, put on her Night Solution and moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails.

Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed." "I'm on my way," she said.

She put some water into the dog's dish and put the cat outside, then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was on.

She looked in on the kids and turned out their bedside lamps, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks int o the hamper, and had a brief conversation with the one still up doing homework.

In her own room, she set the alarm, laid out clothing for the next day, straightened up the shoe rack.

She added three things to her most important things to do list.
She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals.

About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular, "I'm going to bed." And he did...without another thought.

Anything extraordinary here?Wonder why women live longer...?'CAUSE THEY'RE MADE FOR THE LONG HAUL....

Send this to five phenomenal women today...they'll love you for it!

Then: Go to bed.

I am not sure who wrote this wonderful litle bit of humor, it was eamiled by a friend who emailed it him and so on. I just thought I wouold share today.




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Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

A Celebration of Thanks

Most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving this week, and wherever you are and whatever your family traditions, here’s a reminder to practice gratitude.

I will be traveling this week. A trip to Las Vegas to see the shows. I love to travel. Why I travel as an artist: travel gives me unforgettable memories, I meet the most interesting people, and I see so much that I want to paint, it refreshes me. I take pictures of everything for references to paint later.

I have gotten to the point when I travel that I just take watercolors, watercolor pencils,pencils, eraser and a sketch book with me when I fly. It seems to be the easiest thing to do. It's not easy to travel as an artist any more and I like to travel as light as I can.

This trip I will be taking pencil and camera only. What happens in Vegas, won't stay in Vegas so I will post some of the sketches when I get back. Until then have a wonderful holiday with family and friends and be thankful.

Airport Travlers Reagan National Airport

About This Painting:
Airport Travlers
6x8
oil on canvas mounted on hardboard

Media: oil
Size: 8 in X 6 in (20.3 cm X 15.2 cm)
Price: $100 USD

How to Purchase:

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $100 USD plus $10 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com

Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

The Artistic Inspiration of the Cupcake

I some times think of myself as the Andy Rooney of Cupcakes.
Andy would take a few minutes at the end of 60 min to talk about a trivial everyday issue. It could be something as simple as all the types and brands of bottled water we have; when in the US we have the highest quality of drinking water in the world .

I take cupcakes and bring them to a whole new level. I just love to painting them. I paint them in so many different ways, with so many different colors, I never run out of inspiration. Cupcakes are a rainbow of ideas for me topped with frosting.

Cupcakes with other things.
Lots of cupcakes

Party cupcakes.

Cupcakes for birthdays.

Cupcakes for Holidays.

Cupcakes with fruit.

Cupcakes with thick yummy frosting. Cupcakes with candy a double treet,

Cupcakes for the seasons fall,spring, summer and winter.

Cupcakes that celebrate our Nation.

Tiny little aceo cupcakes

Have a yummy day and go enjoy a cupcake.

















" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com

Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

Modern Art and Texture

Wassily Kandinsky is said to be the father of moden art. In the history of art, however, the term ‘modern’ is used to refer to a period dating from roughly the 1860s through the 1970s and describes the style and ideology of art produced during that era. This painting has heavy impasto work. Impasto has been around for a long time, and it wasn’t until Van Gogh came along that impasto was used for it’s expressive qualities.

Abstract Trees with Texture

About This Painting:
Abstract Trre with Texture
This is a very large painting 30x40 on stretched canvas with heavy impasto work

Media: oil
Size: 40 in X 30 in (101.6 cm X 76.2 cm)
Price: $500 USD

How to Purchase:

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Price: $500 USD plus $30 USD s/h
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" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com

Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

Vincent VanGogh Sunflowers and Pears

I was fortunate to visit France a few years ago and did travel to the area in the South of France where the Yellow House in Arles where Vincent and Gauguin lived together for a brief time. So when this challenge came up it was just what I was looking for. The most commonly known facts about Vincent Van Gogh are that he cut off his left ear and presented it to a prostitute, that he sold only one painting during his lifetime and that he committed suicide. I highly suggest reading the Yellow House by Martin Gayford it is wonderfully written.Vincent van Gogh. His wonderful, unique style of painting seems like it would be a lot of fun to emulate. This is why it was picked for Challenge Number Eight at Follow the Masters.

I have put lots of texture into this painting. It is much larger then my normal daily work because I have been working on it for a few days. The painting is 14x11 with heavy impasto.

Delilah Smith, Michigan USA

Van Gogh Sunflowers and Pears

About This Painting:
Van Gogh Sunflowers and Pears 14x11 oil on stretched canvas

Media: oil
Size: 11 in X 14 in (27.9 cm X 35.6 cm)
Price: $200 USD

How to Purchase:

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $200 USD plus $15 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

"post your opinion in the comments"
or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com
Thank You
Visit my web site Art by Delilah http://www.artbydelilah.com

Beer Bottles

We have two son of a Dr who are our summer neighbors and these young men are so much fun, one is an attorney and the other will soon be out of law school at the " University of Detroit Law School ( top of his class) . These two Young men spend the weekends with their parents at there summer cottage( both single and great looking, where are all the ladies?). The one is an excellent chef while his brother prefers to take the sail boat out. But at night the neighbors all come over to the lake side fire. That is where the day become interesting.

Dad "The WINE DR" makes the best wine and I have taken up the gauntlet on this and I am learning the skill. He imports his grapes from California to mix his brew. I order kits to make mine .

Both the boys like to try different beer so they share their discovers with the rest of us at the camp fire. What could be better :great stories, marshmallows, a campfire, and interesting beverage to enjoy.
Delilah Smith, Michigan USA

Beer Bottles

About This Painting:
Beer Bottles
6x6 oil on canvas mounted on panel, ready to frame

Media: oil
Size: 6 in X 6 in (15.2 cm X 15.2 cm)
Price: $100 USD

How to Purchase:

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $100 USD plus $5 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

"post your opinion in the comments"
or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com
Thank You
Visit my web site Art by Delilah http://www.artbydelilah.com


" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com

Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

THE SELF-PORTRAIT

I had told myself at the beginning of the year, that I would do a self portrait a month. I think I did 3 then let that project slip into the forgotten piles" of should think about doing".Now I am back to it the goal of at least one self portrait a month.

Here's Delilah,figurative oil painting

About This Painting: When the mirror became available to the public, the artist used themselves as the modle. It seemed like the easiest and least expensive way to paint the human subjects.
Here's Delilah
6x8
oil

Delilah Smith, Michigan USA

Media: oil
Size: 8 in X 6 in (20.3 cm X 15.2 cm)
Price: $100 USD

How to Purchase:

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $100 USD plus $10 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

"post your opinion in the comments"
or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com
Thank You
Visit my web site Art by Delilah http://www.artbydelilah.com



" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com

Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

A Limited Palette of Color

I have spoken before of the value of using a limited palette. Having an organized paint palette is an essential part of oil painting. I used a double primary palette with white. A warm and cool red, a warm and cool blue, and a warm and cool yellow.

I have recently added a brown to my palette because I have been painting plien air and it is just quicker to have it then mix it. I usually mix my brown from Cadmium Red and Pthalo Blue which gives me a nice warm brown.

I mix my black from Alizarian Crimson and Ultramarine Blue. This gives me a deep black with out it becoming too flat.
The miracle of the fall landscape is in full swing now. Maples are turning bright red and the other trees add the yellows,oranges, and browns as the green fades from the landscape. Soon it will be painted shades of white and gray but today it is in full splendor.

Delilah Smith, Michigan, USA

The color of a Fall Landscape

About This Painting:
The Color of a Fall Landscape
16x20
oil on hardboard

Media: oil
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)
Price: $600 USD

How to Purchase:

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $600 USD plus $20 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

"post your opinion in the comments"
or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com
Thank You
Visit my web site Art by Delilah http://www.artbydelilah.com



" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com

Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

Halloween 2009

The word itself, "Halloween," actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from a contracted corruption of All Hallows Eve. November 1, "All Hollows Day" (or "All Saints Day"), is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints.

But, in the 5th century BC, in Celtic Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31. The holiday was called Samhain (sow-en),


The Gauls claim all to be descended from Father Dis [a god of death, darkness and the underworld], declaring that this is the tradition preserved by the Druids. For this reason they measure periods of time not by days but by nights; and in celebrating birthdays, the first of the month, and new year’s day, they go on the principle that the day begins at night.


Some other names are also associated with the Celtic New Year:
The Third Harvest
All Hollows Eve
The Day of the Dead



And the famous Halloweens Day.

The Celtic Druids eventually came to be viewed as witches, and the subsequent witch craze led to the horrific murders of vast numbers of women, men, and animals, particularly nocturnal animals, with cats most frequently targeted. It was believed that witches could shapeshift, and that they would most often take the form of cats, which were believed to be their familiars. In some cases cats were thought to be reincarnated witches as well.

The widespread slaughter of cats during this time contributed to the human death toll from the black plague, as cats had kept the population of rats that carried plague-bearing fleas under control.

Okay what about all those good treats?

The tradition of trick-or-treating dates back to the early All Soul’s Day in England, during which poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called “soul cakes” in return for their promise to pray for the family’s dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits

I love Halloween. The costumes, the candy, the parties, and the memories. Thinking back I don't know which I enjoyed more: the costumes or the trick-or-treats.

I'm still a kid at heart. The lure of the spooky whether I am doing the monster mash or drinking Bloody Mary's with the undead.

Have a very scary Halloween

Petunias, Flowers in the Window

Petunias Flowers by the Window

About This Painting:

I like the sound of the word Petunia . It makes me smile and think about Petunia Pig in the cartoons. I was charmed by these little flowers because of the way they crawled out of the pot.They quietly wiggled their way to the table top trying in vain to escape the clay pot prison that keeps them from the window.

Petunias Flowers by the Window
8x6
oil on canvas mounted on hardboard

Petunias Flowers by the Window

About This Painting:
Petunias Flowers by the Window
8x6
oil on canvas mounted on hardboard

Media: oil
Size: 6 in X 8 in (15.2 cm X 20.3 cm)
Price: $100 USD

How to Purchase:

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $100 USD plus $10 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com

Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

Trick or Treat

Trick or treat
The history of "Trick'O'Treating" can be traced back to the early celebrations of All Soul's Day in Britain .
The poor would go begging and the housewives would give them special treats called "soulcakes". This was called "going a-souling", and the "soulers" would promise to say a prayer for the dead.
Over time the custom changed and the town's children became the beggars. As they went from house to house they would be given apples, buns, and money.

With the economy being down some artist feel like beggars. It is important to look successful when you are in business for your self. Who wants to talk to a down and out artist? It is just more fun to dress well and drive a killer car. Mine is a bright red convertible. So treat yourself to a little something whether you are an artist or a collector it will put a nice spring in your step and a smile on your face.

Fall Harvest, pumpkin squash,flowers,still life

About This Painting:
Fall Harvest
6x8 oil on canvas mounted on panel (RayMar)


Media: oil
Size: 8 in X 6 in (20.3 cm X 15.2 cm)
Price: $100 USD

How to Purchase:

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $100 USD plus $10 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com

Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

Google Wave

The Breaking Waves

About This Painting:
The Breaqking Waves
12x16
oil on hardboard

1. You signed up early on for a Google Wave account. Google put up a request form for Wave invites not long after Wave was announced. Most of the invites arriving tomorrow will go to people on that list. Your chances improve if you signed up early on and wrote a message to the Wave team.
2. You have an account on the Developer Preview of Wave. The Sandbox version of Google Wave has been active for a select group of developers for several months now, allowing them to test Wave, report bugs, and build Wave extensions. They will all get accounts.
3. Some paying users of Google Apps will get accounts. It’s likely several companies asked Google for invites when the real-time tool launched. They will get accounts. Some schools that use Google Apps will also get early access.
4. You are invited by someone currently using Wave.

Want to know more about the wave here a little look. The Wave

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Home Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com