Smiling at God. 6 x 8 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado
At the Chapel of the Cross in Sedona, there is a patch of small flowers with a sign that reads, “Please don’t pick us, we are smiling at God…”
Such a nice thought. My friend got such a kick out of it, she took a photo, and mentioned it several times on our drive home. She is a crafter, and I have a feeling I will see a sign like that pop up in her yard soon.
Chapel Cactus Do-over. 5 x 5 watercolor and gouache on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado
I made several attempts to improve my cactus piece. But I think I just need to move on, and start fresh. I just can’t get the foreground to look decent. I washed off the area, started that over. But it is not an improvement.
I added some darker areas, but the values still look pretty much the same.
Here is the original.
Chapel Cactus. 5 x 5 watercolor and gouache on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado
I had fun, and I am looking forward to painting more succulents!
Take a look at day 8 on Leslie Seata’s 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!
My Pinterest board for the event is bursting with flowers, and skies,
and campers, and cats…
I just love the joyful spirit in your work!
Thanks so much Christiane 🙂
What a charming saying – smiling at God – and a charming painting to go with it. I think the changes you made on the cactus make it better but, as you say, there is still something off – what a challenge! Have a great day Sheila.
Wish I could take the credit for it 😉 I might try Dotty’s suggestions and see what happens with the cactus. Thanks for stopping by Val 🙂 Great day to you as well.
What a lovely saying!!! They look like dancing poppies but not poppy season!!! Love your loose style!!!
Glad they look like something Carol! HAHA, Hope you have fun today 🙂
I like them all Sheila! I always look forward to seeing your entries for the challenges 🙂
Thanks Cindy! I love seeing your work my friend, and your WIP 🙂
Love, love, love your new painting!!! It’s perfect!!! Your cactus is looking really good too!
LOL, thanks karin 🙂
Wow another 30 day challenge. So great that you are participating.
I wasn’t sure I was going to make it, but I always look forward to these months. Best wishes to you April 🙂
I respectfully disagree, Sheila..the value contrasts are much more evident, and it makes a big difference. Great job! And the foreground is now in front. Nice. Every painting has the opportunity to bring learning experiences, right? (especially the frustrating ones).
The flowers- I noticed them immediately on Leslie’s blog. I love them, and your perspective you used. They really DO look like they’re smiling at God. Love that!
This was a learning experience, and that is why instead of being disappointed, I am eager to try again. 🙂 So glad you like the flowers Laurie! I can’t wait to see what you have been up to 🙂
Hi Sheila. I love that thought of flowers smiling at God (and I’m not a believer!). And the succulents. I think they look great. Even though your not happy yet, I say: the added darks between them is an improvement.
So glad Corinne 🙂 Thanks for visiting, I appreciate your input 🙂 Have fun today!
With “Smiling” I am particularly smiling at the sky, with its softnesses, color gradations, and textural touches.
With “Cactus” I love the changes you made in the background. Re your still not being satisfied and thinking you might just need to move on, I know next to nothing about watercolor and gouache so don’t really know what’s possible in the revision process. Some musings, if they might lead you somewhere:
• to me, the foreground bottom right doesn’t look abstract enough to be nothing, nor realistic enough to be something
• could you extend the foreground area to the left (keeping the diagonal)?
• trim the whole piece by a half inch all the way around
• or cut it into four squares and make a set of greeting cards
…
: )
Dotty I love your ideas, thank you 🙂 I was considering cutting out the cactus, and using it in a collage. I think you are absolutely correct about the foreground, and extending it is something that did not even cross my mind. I can trim and cut it virtually in Photoshop to get an idea of what is best. Hmmm… you might be seeing this one again 🙂