Where Do Art Ideas Come From

Frequently I'm asked where I get my ideas.

The answer is simple, everywhere. I am constantly picking up bits and pieces; a picture from a magazine here, a photo there and the internet has so much to give me ideas.. It seems any place I look something interesting catches my eye. It sometimes is hard for me to get all the ideas down.

I have a small notebook I keep notes.

Today I am back working on my large painting,

I have the figures in place and putin the a start on the back ground.


" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Daily Routine baby steps in the right direction to become an artist

For better or worse, life is made up of our small daily habits. High achievers have habits that reflect their values and aspirations in life.

 Unfortunately, most people have habits that keep them comfortable but do not achieve the things they want in life.

 Over time, work to remove habits that hold you back, but it's even more important to add positive daily habits that reflect your highest and best qualities.

I paint each day. I finish a small painting each day I strive for progress not perfection.Today I have sketch out two small painting that I will finish but the large 24x48 that has been percolating in my mind is just starting to form on canvas. This is one of my fun whimsical painting and is a joy to paint.

It doesn't look like much right now but it is a great start.



" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Backgrounds

For most paintings, regardless of subject matter or media, it’s essential to consider the background as part of the composition. Even if you decide to just leave empty space around your image, then you're still creating a background.


I have started a large 24x48 inch painting and have benn trying to work out the details. I have been going over ideas for about a month now and have just starting placing images, I have lightly sketch the placement of the images.I think the back ground will be very dark. This is a whimsical oil painting.

Here is the start.

The light pencil drawing is easy to remove and try something else.

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Spotting Scammers

Have you ever gotten an email like this one?:

I'm interested in your ( Life Guard)How long have you owned it?And how much are you asking for it?please i can only pay using PayPal.email me your Paypal email or invoice antonymarcus007@gmail.com

Usually if it is a Gmail account you think you have a real person not a scammer ring not so anymore. Artist beware. Now they can only pay with PayPal looks good. A few typing errors, oh well we all make them still might be okay.

So you are thinking PayPal is safe what is the scam. I sent them a bill from PayPal with a note pay and it will go in the mail in the morning. Here is the scam:

Hello,i just got a mail from the shipping company that i will need to pay for the freighting fees before they can schedule pr-shipping/ pickup date,they charged $100 for the pick up and delivery,but the problem is they only accept Money Gram transfer as form of payment which is sent to their HQ in USA.As you are well aware of that i don't have access to my bank account online,but i have it attached to my Pay pal account.That's why am using Pay-pal payment,most post offices have Money Gram section,will it be OK with you if I include the fee together with the amount I am transferring? and as soon as the money goes through you can help me make the freighting fees through Money Gram transfer? You are not obliged to help me, but i will indeed appreciate your help as I am a little incapacitated here. Cheers.

Don't fall for it.


" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Plein Air Painting,How the site is important

 I do both studio and Plein air painting. If studio space is a problem for you Plein Air painting is the answer. You have the great out doors for you studio. When you go out to paint Site selection is important. I often drive around looking for great spots to paint in the future.

Site selection is one of the most overlooked steps. Just because a scene is beautiful or interesting doesn’t necessarily mean it will translate well into a painting.

 Because nature fills our subjects with resplendent color and light, it’s easy to assume that any scene will become a beautiful painting. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

 The three-dimensional “reality” that we see at the actual location and the two-dimensional reality of our painting are two different things. Nature always looks “right” because it’s real and we see it in three dimensions. A painting, though, is a constructed illusion. For a painting on a flat picture plane to be “readable” and suggest depth, its shapes and colors must distinguish themselves from one another and the painting must incorporate as many spatial cues as possible.

Crystal River

My interpretation of nature.

About This Painting:

Crystal River
5x7 oil painting
plien air

Media: oil painting

Size: 7 in X 5 in (17.8 cm X 12.7 cm)

Price: $100 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 All work © 2006-2014

How to stay motivated with you art

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." (Albert Einstein)

I have a vivid imagination but sometimes I lose the strength to keep going. All it takes is a few negative comments on my art a week or two of no sales and I have lost my magical glow. How do I get that spark going again? A soft warm kitty hug helps but I still need more.

I am a full time self employed artist. I spend 90% of my day in my studio alone. In the summer I have yard work and a ton to other demands on my time but I still have to log the hours in the studio. I become overwhelmed. I get up at 5 go to bed at 12 and still everything does not get done.Its hard to stay creative and motivated when you are tired.

1. Allow yourself a day of rest.


“If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all.” Michelangelo




2. Sell some artwork!

 Nothing more motivating than selling some of your artwork. It’s immediately gratifying and motivational that other people find value in your artistic expression. How? List a few pieces on Ebay, enter some local shows, add some Paypal buttons to your website, try newsletter art marketing, contact friends who might be interested and join social media sites. There are tons of things you can do to sell more of your work. Just realize it doesn’t happen automatically. YOU initiate the conversations that result in sales. Once you see that $500 (or whatever) in your PayPal account or an email inquiry to purchase one of your works you will be motivated beyond belief to create more and more work to sell.

Put something small or that has been in stock forever on ebay auction at 1.00 its fun to watch the bidding.


3. Daily Routines and be a self starter
When I feel deflated like an old red balloon. I just keep  to my daily routines. This is hard for me right now I have lots of interruptions so I must push on and try to get those routines back.

4. Don't wait for inspirations just say I am going to paint " pick a number" of paintings this week and painting. DON'T JUDGE JUST PAINT.

5. Organize your studio
I find when things get messy I lose my motivation. Today I clean my studio.

Let me know what helps motive you.

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Tangerine Painting Demo

This is a quick painting demo of a tangerine on a plate.

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Daffodil Painting Demo

This painting of Daffodils was done Alla Prima as is much of my work. I think Alla Prima paintings look more spontaneous. I start with a thinner base color thin add thicker paint as I work to define the subject, I always start with a darker value base and add lighter paint in areas over it. Using the darker under painting for objects that are behind and lighter over painting for objects in front.


 " POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2016

Improving your art by telling a story

 Filling the Frame

1. Central subject adds interest

2. Eliminate unnecessary background clutter

3. Know what story you want to tell

4. Filling the frame allows you to show texture and detail

5.  Create drama with your subject to tell your story

6. Fill the frame or crop your image to tell a better story

Sometimes I paint the same subject several times to find the best way to tell my story.

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Persimmons painting demo

Still life painting demo.

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Video on painting Half an Apple in oils

This was a small daily painting that did. I have gone over a few of the steps that I used in making the painting.

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Daily Paintings Done in Feb 2016

Here are a few of the daily paintings I did in Feb of 2016.

"post your opinion in the comments" Or, send me an email
Thank You:
Art by Delilah, with a Passion for PaintingAll Images © 2006-2016

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Avocado No. 3

Avocado No.3

About This Painting:

Avocado No. 3
24x24x1.5 inch
oil painting on gallery wrapped stretched canvas

Media: oil painting

Size: 24 in X 24 in (61 cm X 61 cm)

Price: $600 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 All work © 2006-2014

Watermelon Painting Tutorial

The processes I use when painting.

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Getting Ready to Paint

Getting ready to paint:
1. Start with paint already set up on your palette. I paint everyday so paint is out and ready to go. If you don't paint everyday or you are a plein air artist then pop your palette in deep freeze. Take it out a half hour before your ready to paint an viola you are ready to go.

This is my left over paint and palette set up from last night. I will add some fresh paint and be ready to start today. I have a few piles of left over mix that I will use also.

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Pepper painting Demo

Chili Pepper

Click to Bid

"post your opinion in the comments" Or, send me an email
Thank You:
Art by Delilah, with a Passion for PaintingAll Images © 2006-2016

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Jan 2016 Daily Painting review

Both watercolor and oil painting done in Jan 2016.

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Blue Crab Painting Demo

click here to bid on this painting

Or, send me an email

"post your opinion in the comments" Or, send me an email
Thank You:
Art by Delilah, with a Passion for PaintingAll Images © 2006-2016

" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014

Be a Risk Taker

"Every good painter paints what he is." Jackson Pollock"

Take a risk, get out of your comfort zone to make a living as an artist you must be a risk taker.

Most artist are not skilled in all areas of Art Business, yes I said business. You must think of your art as a business, here are some of the skills you will need to develop if you do not already have them:

1. Accounting
Good book keeping is a must. I know to many artist that have no idea on how much cost is involved in the sale of their art. They are just so excited about selling something they never consider the canvas cost more then what they sold it for.

2.Marketing
Selling yourself and your art, just because you made it and its great truly great doesn't mean anyone will ever see it.

3. Tax preperation
You will need to keep good monthly expense and sales records whether you prepare your taxes or someone else does. Become familiar with what are legal  deductions and what are not.

4. Sales
This includes selling and pricing your work.

5.Planning
Planing your studio,yearly expenses,shows,goals,education,marketing and much more. I know when I first started I had no idea that in order to get into an art fair  you had to apply months in advance. I also had no idea of the cost to do these shows. Start your research now.

When it comes to marketing artist have so many excuses as to why they just can not do it.
Here are a few:

1. I still work at a full time job
2.I don't know how to price my work
3.I'm really shy
4. It sounds like bragging to talk about my own work
5. The art market is is full
6. I don't have business abilities
7. True artist are not in it for the money

If you believe any of these you will get nowhere. To make a living as an artist you must be a risk taker.

Be prepared to take rejection it's part of life. Just keep trying and you will find your niche.

As an artist you have two jobs: 1.Creating wonderful amazing art and 2. Marketing your art.

So start today with a plan and make some amazing art.











 POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.comHome Page Art by Delilah = http://www.artbydelilah.com

Are you Tired of Dreaming? or Do you Dream Big?

I'm tired of... “I'm tired of dreaming. 
I'm into doing at the moment. It's, like, let's only have goals that we can go after.”

 - Bono (1960-), Irish singer-songwriter, musician, venture capitalist, businessman, and philanthropist

I will have to admit that I'm a big dreamer, but I make my dreams real by going after things that I want with goals that are all most dreams but with work can be reached.

How about you are you tired of dreaming? Well if you are a dreamer like me....Let's Dream Big!

“Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.” – James Allen

Orange Still Life No.4

About This Painting:

Orange Still Life No.4

  "post your opinion in the comments" Or, send me an email
Thank You:
Art by Delilah, with a Passion for PaintingAll Images © 2006-2014
" POST YOUR OPINIONS IN THE COMMENTS" or email me at delilah@artbydelilah.com All work © 2006-2014