Day 20 – Leslie Saeta’s September 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Billowing Blue. Watercolor and gouache on Yupo. 4.5 x 6 © 2014 Sheila Delgado

Billowing Blue. Watercolor and gouache on Yupo. 4.5 x 6 © 2014 Sheila Delgado

I hope you are not getting tired of these experiments. I seriously think, I could paint with just these two colors for a year, and not get bored. Prussian blue gouache, and Sap green watercolor.

This makes me think of deep-sea diving. On my bucket list. You know, the part where you are falling through the water, surrounded by bubbles and ripples. Or maybe you are swimming through an algae patch.

Seaweed is an algae. Did you know that? I didn’t. I always loved playing with the rubbery seaweed on the beach. Sturdy stems, textured “leaves” and interesting “grapes”. Just looked it up, the leaves are blades, and the grapes are bladders, or gas bladders. Sounds a lot less interesting now.

My dad and brother and I once ate seaweed soup at a Chinese restaurant. In Colorado. It was my idea, and it was horrible. I am guessing it was because the seaweed was not fresh. I eat sushi, and the seaweed on the rolls is always good. Maybe it just needs to be eaten cold.

I am really enjoying Leslie’s challenge this time. I don’t know why, but I am less stressed. Except for staring at a couple of blank canvases, the ideas have flowed much more easily. I am going to count that as an improvement. Loosening up, and going with the flow more.

I hope everyone taking part in the challenge is enjoying it just as much. Looking at all the amazing work being produced, my guess is that they are.

Happy day and Happy creating to you!

 

 

16 thoughts on “Day 20 – Leslie Saeta’s September 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

  1. Jim Carpenter

    I was talking to my cousin about it this weekend – turns out that the seaweed is so important that it determines where you are going to have the bake – you have to be able to get fresh seaweed. And you have to be able to find good smooth round stones to line the pit. We lived in a town in CT on Long Island Sound so finding seaweed was not a big problem. It all gets covered with a canvas and then buried in the ground where it bakes – in addition to the seaweed popping the clams also open up and steam the food – it’s pretty amazing.

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      I know it is a big production, saw a show on the travel channel years ago. I am sure the food is WONDERFUL. And of course the good time that is had while waiting for the food to cook 🙂

      Reply
  2. shadowlilies

    Love these colors, too. Love sushi too, I actually make it myself with nori, something very few people know about me. My favorite to make is with avocado, smoked salmon and cream cheese rolled up in rice. Love it! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      Oh that sounds wonderful! I have a cousin who makes it, but he lives in Tahoe. He is a professional chef. Have a great day Karin, looking forward to seeing your finished painting 🙂

      Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      Thank you so much for commenting CagleyArt. I have been searching your site and blog, couldn’t find your name. I am so glad you visited my blog, so that I could discover yours! I love your work, and your fiber work is awesome too! Following your blog now.

      Reply
  3. Jim Carpenter

    I think there are a lot of benefits to the challenge, especially if you approach it as an opportunity to enjoy what you love to do. I love your experiments with Yupo, and your working with just two pigments. Sounds like a series might be starting!
    Regarding seaweed: our family had traditional New England clambakes in the backyard for decades on Labor Day weekend. Clams, sweet potatoes, and clams are surrounded by seaweed they gathered at the beach – you can imagine the seaweed popping and sizzling, providing the steam. Everything – tastes like seaweed.

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      I never knew that seaweed was used for clambakes. Now you have me hungry for some seafood Jim! Thanks so much for your lovely comment, I am really enjoying our conversations 🙂

      Reply

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