Red Poppy- Delilah Smith

Oriental Poppy
Oriental Poppy, painting by Delilah Smith

About This Painting:
Oriental Poppy
10x10x(1 1/2 deep)
oil on gallery wrapped stretched canvas

Media: oil1
Size: 10 in X 10 in (25.4 cm X 25.4 cm)
Price: $100 USD

How to Purchase:

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $100 USD plus $15 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

JEANNE ILLENYE Here's Yogi, Smokey's brother Westie pet portraits

"YOGI"
Here's darling Yogi, Smokey's brother!  Adorably windswept, Yogi sits contentedly on the dock with the color of Autumn grasses in the background.  What a beautiful day to be remembered!
(I've since added details in his eyes which I'll show when the sun comes up and I can get pics.)

JEANNE ILLENYE BERT Poodle Puppy on Oriental Rug Sage Celery Green Wall

"BERT"
8x10 inches, oil on panel
This is Robin's new puppy, Bert!  She'd just had three pet portraits done and when she recently saw my painting of "Sammi" (scroll down) she was so surprised at the similarities that she immediately requested a portrait of her darling little Bert.  Scroll down to see Bert's new siblings, Lilly, Penny and Sandy.

JEANNE ILLENYE pet portraits in oil SMOKEY westie

"Smokey"
8x10 inches / oil on panel
SOLD
Smokey is absolutely adorable standing here in dappled sunlight with that happy, perky expression!  Who couldn't fall in love?  Smokey's sibling, Yogi will be posted tomorrow.
To commission your pet's portrait email me.




Dance Shoes-Delilah Smith

Dance Shoes,Ballet
Dance Shoes,Ballet, painting by Delilah Smith

About This Painting: Dance Shoes a painting of ballet pointe shoes will be sold on ebay auction. The auction on this painting begins today and will end on Nov.5 2010.
Dance Shoes
This is an oil painting on stretched canvas. It is 6x4 and has some impasto work on it.


Media: oil painting
Size: 4 in X 6 in (10.2 cm X 15.2 cm)

How to Purchase:
click here to bid on this painting

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

A Natural Blonde ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini


"A Natural Blonde," 8" square, commissioned mixed breed (terrier of some sort I'm guessing) dog portrait, done in Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, private collection.

And if you recognize this cutie, please don't breathe a word of it. She's a Christmas gift, supposedly a surprise Christmas gift. I've been promised that the recipient doesn't know about this newsletter/blog - and they don't necessarily need to until after the holidays!

I had a cancellation this morning, opening up two portrait spots prior to the holidays. If you would like them, please let me know!

Meanwhile, my show at the Orion Township Public Library comes down at the end of the month. If you haven't gotten over to see the art, by all means high tail it over there!! Quickly!!

Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family -
Kim
DON'T FORGET: Artist Q&A Day Tomorrow!! Ask any arts related questions on the blog using the comments field, and I'll answer them in the order received.


Gift Certificates Available

Not sure you can get your hands on suitable reference photos without ruining the surprise?

Caught needing a gift with very little lead time?

That's OK - I can build a beautiful full color gift certificate that is perfect for gift giving, using a favorite painting or breed image as the backdrop.

Shoot me a note and we'll get the process started!

The Third Book ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini


I've been busy working on my new book. The working title is "Come Sit Stay, Good Dog.... Art," which was my slogan when the Painting a Dog a Day's first began.

Did you purchase or commission a painting in 2009? If so, chances are your Dog a Day painting will be included in "Come Sit Stay." This book is designed to be the follow up to "That's 14 in Dog Years" and "The First Year," as "Come Sit Stay" represents the third year of Painting a Dog a Day.

The hardest part of putting these books together (other than catching all my typos!!) is keeping the page count reasonable. My goal is approximately 120 pages. If there are many more, the cost goes up dramatically. However, it is nearly impossible for me to choose which paintings to include and weigh them against an appropriate quantity of text.

And I do hear you - some would prefer that I just reproduce the artwork, but there's another faction that would argue the essay provides added value and a perspective that the blog simply does not have.

Right now I've narrowed it down to around 220 paintings/images from 2009. This does not include additional content like "How Tos" or before and after shots of the studio remodel or anything about the creative journalling workshops and other sorts of tangental topics.

Clearly I have my work cut out for me!

The book will be ready for holiday gift-giving - however this year, in order to drastically reduce my personal workload, Blurb (the company that prints the books) will be processing all direct orders.

To accommodate those of you who might prefer a personalized copy of the book, I'll auction off a some copies complete with personalizations and sketches on the title page - with proceeds above and beyond my costs going to my local shelter. I am hoping to be able to schedule these in time for holiday gift giving. Stay tuned for more details.

Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family -
Kim

PSST - I'm still accepting holiday commissions. Email meto get on my calendar!

DON'T FORGET: Artist Q&A Day This Friday

Painting a Dog a Day Books - The First Year and That's 14 in Dog Years


The first two years of the Painting a Dog a Day project have been published in book format.

"The First Year" talks about how the project came to be and the evolution of the blog and my vision.

"That's 14 in Dog Years"highlights some of the details of the project's growth as it matured during the second year.

I have a few remaining copies of "That's 14 in Dog Years" that I can personalize and send your way. Email meif you are interested.

Additional copies of each title are available directly through the publisher. They also maintain a link that allows viewers to preview the books prior to purchasing (click on the titles above to view and order).

Cupcake-Delilah Smith

Cupcake Fun
Cupcake Fun, painting by Delilah Smith

About This Painting:
Cupcake Fun
5x7 oil painting on canvas mounted on museum quality hardboard ready to frame.

Media: oil painting
Size: 7 in X 5 in (17.8 cm X 12.7 cm)
Price: $100 USD

How to Purchase:

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $100 USD plus $8 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

Sam and Bella ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini


"Sam and Bella," 11" x 14", commissioned double Maltese portrait done in Golden Open Acrylics on a 2" cradeled Ampersand Gessobord (see below), private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries may always come to me.
I love working on these cradeled panels - I carry the painting around the sides, and there is absolutely no need to frame the piece. Let me know if you are interested in having your portrait done like this - it makes for a gorgeous presentation!

This painting has been "in the works" for a few weeks now - there's no way I could have pulled off something this size and complexity in one day!

Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family -
Kim

PSST - I'm still accepting holiday commissions. Email meto get on my calendar!

Artist Q&A Day This Friday

On Friday, October 29th I'll open up the Painting a Dog a Day blog and take all your arts related questions.

There will be a thread started first thing Friday morning. You can submit your questions using the comment option on the blog. As I publish each comment, I'll also answer each question.

This is a great way to start conversations up regarding materials or processes or even just choosing muses.

I look forward to sharing ideas with you this coming Friday!

Shhh...It's a Secret

In keeping with the whole holiday gift-giving bit, there may be some days where I am unable to post or share my painting.

After all, I don't want to ruin any surprises! But don't worry - I'll post them after the holidays when all gifts have been given.

Meanwhile, let's just say that the other painting I finished today was killer.

Gray Day-Delilah Smith

Gray Day
Gray Day, painting by Delilah Smith

About This Painting:
Gray Day
oil on canvas mounted on musemum quality panel
7x5
This painting is ready to frame.

Media: oil painting
Size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)

How to Purchase:
click here to bid on this painting

Or, send me an email

Belly Up ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Belly Up," 6" square, commissioned cat portrait done in Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, headed to her new home shortly. Inquiries may always come to me.

The story behind this painting is a wonderful one.

Cherie was in a life altering car accident, one that will involve months of healing. Her best friend (my client) thought the process would be a little more pleasant if Cherie could spend some time with her kitty Milla. But pets are not allowed in the hospital or the convalescent/therapy center.

Hence this painting, which will bring a small piece of Milla into places previously inaccessible.

I'm hoping "Belly Up" makes a positive difference in what will be a long recovery.

If you would like to cheer Cherie onwards, please drop me an email and I'll share an address to send cards and notes.

Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family -
Kim

PSST - I'm still accepting holiday commissions. Email meto get on my calendar!

ANOTHER PSST - Lots of you are asking how the dog and cat are getting along. Finnigan thinks Mona Lisa will go away if he doesn't look at her but he can't help himself. And Mona has gathered up the courage to ambush Finni on a couple occasions. We think they will become great friends eventually.

Artist Q&A Day This Friday
On Friday, October 29th I'll open up the Painting a Dog a Day blog and take all your arts related questions.
There will be a thread started first thing Friday morning. You can submit your questions using the comment option on the blog. As I publish each comment, I'll also answer each question.
This is a great way to start conversations up regarding materials or processes or even just choosing muses.
I look forward to sharing ideas with you this coming Friday!

JEANNE ILLENYE English Springer Spaniel portrait in bed

"Finn"
8x10 inches / oil on panel
SOLD
A most delightful scene of serenity, a darling black and white English Springer Spaniel sits quite contentedly amidst fresh blue and white floral sheets in a Victorian bed with inlaid floral swags.  I always say it, but as I'm a still life artist first, these extra details in my pet portraits are an extra joy for me while painting!  The moment I saw the photo reference of Finn I knew I had to paint his portrait!
There's still time to order your commissioned portrait in time for the holidays!

Three Wide ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Three Wide," 8" x 16", the newest Thoroughbred racehorse painting from the "Saratoga Series," done in Golden Open Acrylics on panel, $649 to the first one saying "pretty please." Inquiries may always come to me.

This painting is nearly finished, after today's approximately 8 hours of alla prima (meaning wet paint into wet paint) work.

There's nothing like a looming deadline to get my butt away from the computer and in front of the easel. There's a deadline of tomorrow to submit a painting with the theme of "History" for publication consideration. I've known about said deadline for a year. But inspiration grows strongest in the final hours......

Not sure why I chose as complex a design as this to complete in one day (anyone else voting for insanity?)....

Regardless, I thoroughly got into it - and stuck to it, despite a good 3 hours of being mired deep in "The Uglies." ("The Uglies" is the developmental stage paintings go through where nothing melds and every brush mark seems wrong - sort of like a painting's version of teen angst. The artist must persevere, hold tight to their vision, and power through.)

Tomorrow I'll spend a little time making a few final adjustments (fresh eyes will help tremendously) before sending my submission off. Then I'll light a candle, cross my fingers, and hold my breath.

And start a new painting.

Meanwhile, who do you think won the race?

Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family -
Kim

PSST - I'm still accepting holiday commissions. Email meto get on my calendar!

"Rusty" Muttitage Red Wine by Mutt Lynch

Need an excuse to stock up on some excellent wine?

Through Howl-oween (October 31st), Mutt Lynch is offering free UPS Ground shipping on all purchases. Enter "FREE SHIPPING" during checkout to qualify.

This comes just in time to grab a couple bottles for those winter family get togethers. And make sure you grab a few for yourself - "Rusty" pairs just as well with a good book and bunny slippers.

McIntosh Apple-Delilah Smith

This is a graphite drawing of a McIntosh Apple.

Brutus ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini


"Brutus," 8" square, commissioned Boxer portrait, done in Golden Open Acrylics on a canvas panel. If you recognize this guy, please keep quiet - Brutus's portrait will be a Christmas gift from his family. We don't want to ruin the surprise!

While I painted Brutus, I had an extra kitten appendage. I kid you not.

Mona's gotten rather spoiled, and thinks it is her right to be cradeled in a warm lap or perched on shoulders at her every waking moment.

I'm not complaining - I'm all for a demanding muse that will keep me on my toes. And love that she's a lap magnet when I'm on my butt.

But I'm so not a fan of the literal clawing up my legs if I don't pick her up immediately.

And the batting from said shoulder perch at the paintbrush in my hand - not such a great thing either.

Nor the freefall from said shoulder to taboret, resulting in spillage and a flurry of brushes and palette knives.

Finnigan just lies under the easel and ignores her. I'm guessing he thinks if he stops looking at her, she'll disappear. I'm afraid if I stop looking at her, she'll find a new mess to get herself tangled in.

So meanwhile, I painted with her cradled in the crook of my left arm, keeping paws away from the brush and my body between her and the taboret.

I wonder what Brutus would do with a kitten on his shoulder? Maybe that's why he looks grumpy - he's got a kitten appendage too.

Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family -
Kim

PSST - I'm still accepting holiday commissions. Email me to get on my calendar!

Keeping Mom & Pop
Shops Alive

Think about which 3 independently owned businesses you'd miss the most if they were gone.

If half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned stores, their purchases would generate $42,629,700,000. That's over $42 billion!

For every $100 spent in an independently owned store, typically $68 of it - over 2/3 !- returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. On average $100 spent at a national chain results in only $43 - less than 1/2 - remaining in the community.


I strive to keep my business (and personal) expenditures local. So when you support Painting a Dog a Day, you are also supporting Lake Orion, Michigan, a proud small town community packed with independently owned businesses. And you are helping this Mom keep her independence and support her family.


Mona Lisa says "Thank you."

Pick 3. Spend $50. Save your Mom & Pop Shops.

Look - I've even started your list:
1. Painting a Dog a Day
2.
3.

The Right Place at the Right Time ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Blinkered," 6" square, from the Saratoga Series, part of the Painting a Dog a Day project, acrylics on panel, available for purchase through Cazenovia College.

In 2009 I was fortunate enough to attend the opening week of Saratoga Race Track's season. I was joined by painter Linda Shantz and photographer Juliet Harrison, both skilled and knowledgeable horsewomen. I took full advantage of the opportunity to soak up as much information as possible (even mucking stalls at Linda's farm!).

After that trip, I began a series of paintings inspired by Saratoga. At this point I had no clear direction for the works other than to explore the energy and essence of life on the track. I shared the paintings via Painting a Dog a Day and enjoyed them here in the studio.

But now, for the first time, selected pieces from this series will be on display for the public. Six paintings will be included in an invitational show of equine artwork at Cazenovia College in upstate New York. Held in conjunction with the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, this presents a great opportunity for equine afficianados to view equine athletes in the flesh and the tremendous art they've inspired.

The opportunity to participate came as a total surprise - private recommendations of my work made it to the curator's ears. A subsequent visit to my website was intriguing enough for her to extend an invitation.

(So the moral of the story is to please keep talking up the things you love and enjoy in your life - and thank you 100 times over for your support, too!)

The show will open on November 3rd and remain in the Reisman Hall Art Gallery on the Cazenovia Campus in Cazenovia, New York through December 9th.

You are cordially invited to stop by and view this elite collection of equine art - please email the gallery for further details.

Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family -
Kim


PSST - I'm still accepting holiday commissions. Email me to get on my calendar!

Keeping Mom & Pop
Shops Alive
Think about which 3 independently owned businesses you'd miss the most if they were gone.

If half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned stores, their purchases would generate $42,629,700,000. That's over $42 billion!

For every $100 spent in an independently owned store, typically $68 of it - over 2/3 !- returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. On average $100 spent at a national chain results in only $43 - less than 1/2 - remaining in the community.


I strive to keep my business (and personal) expenditures local. So when you support Painting a Dog a Day, you are also supporting Lake Orion, Michigan, a proud small town community packed with independently owned businesses. And you are helping this Mom keep her independence and support her family.


Mona Lisa says "Thank you."

Pick 3. Spend $50. Save your Mom & Pop Shops.

Look - I've even started your list:
1. Painting a Dog a Day
2.
3.

JEANNE ILLENYE king charles spaniel in french shop

"Molly"
7x5 inches / oil on panel
Miniature Oil Portrait
Molly is a darling King Charles Spaniel who loves rummaging about Leslie's French Shop in Williamsburg, VA.  (I'll get her shop name / link for you!)  Being an interior designer, she wanted to show as much of her shop as possible in this tiny little portrait.  There will be another somewhat larger portrait of Molly and her sibling coming next week so keep looking!
If you'd like to commission a pet portrait email me at jeanneillenye@sbcglobal.net
my pet blog

CAPTURING NATURE'S TRANSIENT BEAUTY * COMMISSIONS WELCOME

De-Lish ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"De-Lish," 8" x 10", pet portrait of a mixed breed (black lab mix) completed in Golden Open Acrylics on Raymar panel, available for $469.

Inquiries regarding "De-Lish" (which might already be sold - I'm awaiting confirmation but will be happy to start a wait list for any interested parties), or questions about how to commission a portrait of your best friend, may always and forever come to me.

Please continue reading below for some very exciting news! I'm on cloud nine, and it's not from early ingestion of Halloween candy.

Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family -
Kim

Cazenovia College

I received confirmation today that select pieces from my Saratoga Series of paintings (including "The Tote Board" pictured above) will be included in this November's exhibition at Cazenovia College in upstate New York.

This is an exhibition that will contain work from a number of my equine artist heroines, most notably painter Kathy Peters and photographer Juliet Harrison.

I'd like to thank the powers that be at Cazenovia for including my work, and invite you to attend the opening and share in the beauty of all the equine art. Details to follow.

Pinky promise.

The Swim- Delilah Smith

The Swim
The Swim, painting by Delilah Smith

About This Painting:
The Swim
8,5 x 5.5
watercolor on 140 lb coldpressed watercolor paper

Media: watercolor
Size: 8.5 in X 5 in (21.6 cm X 12.7 cm)
Price: $50 USD

How to Purchase:

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $50 USD plus $8 USD s/h
Or, send me an email