Category Archives: Art Exchange

Leslie Saeta’s 30 Paintings In 30 Days, Day 28

And they’re off! I mailed my submissions for the Richmond Art Gallery, Memory: International Mail Art Exhibition and Swap. The Richmond Art Gallery is in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. In close proximity to Vancouver. I am so happy with how the postcards turned out.

And I actually remembered to sign them before I mailed them off. I have been forgetting to sign my art for this challenge. I remember just after I have scanned it in, and because I am jammin’ to make a deadline, I have just let it slide and posted them unsigned.

Here is my final entry and my painting for today.

Tulips. 4 x 6 postcard, watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © Sheila Delgado 2013. RAG Memory: International Exhibition and Swap entry #3

There are some bits of turquoise that are not showing well. (the white patch on the left leaf, and a couple of other areas.) It really does look nice in person though. The memory theme I chose was “In Memoriam”. Red flowers such as roses, chrysanthemum, hydrangea, gladiolas and tulips are often used in memorial service flower arrangements.

The end of the challenge is right around the corner. I am a little sad that I won’t be seeing the work of over 325 artists each day. But I have made some new friends, and their art will still find it’s way into my mailbox. Yea!

One more small (and HUGE) thing I have learned from Leslie’s challenge. I have ruined so many paintings, seeking perfection. I have learned more about re-working things I don’t like and also when to quit and let the drips and blooms win. I love all the imperfect parts when I see them in other artists work, but in my paintings I would see them as flaws. I still have a TON to learn. But I feel, really just in the last few days, that I have more confidence.

That in part is due to all of the great feedback I have received from my fellow challenge participants. Thank You Lucy, Joan, Samara, Kim, Sandy, Katie, Julie, Mariette, Jim, Maggie, Karen, Joanie. Big thanks also to my friends who are not part of the challenge, and family! Seeing my art through your eyes, has been a gift.

Happy Saturday to everyone! Thanks for taking the time to look at my art, and if you have left a comment, Thank You! Thank You!

Here are the first two postcards I painted for this show:

Sunflower. 4 x 6 postcard, watercolor and pen on 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2013 Sheila Delgado. RAG Memory:International mail Art Exhibition and Swap.

Peace Lily. 4 x 6 watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © Sheila Delgado 2013. RAG Memory:International mail Art Exhibition and Swap.

30 In 30, day 27

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I had so much fun with my Sunflower! I have decided that I am going to do more of these too! Smaller, and whole, and they will be used to create a fabric/surface pattern. I think this has the makings of a great gift bag, gift wrap, shower curtain, or rug. Quite a few possibilities.

I think it may need some shadow on the darker petals that sit behind the bright ones. But I did not want it it to get too dark, so I left this one alone. This painting came together in less than an hour. I must be learning to work faster huh? Something to add to my list!

One thing I really love about this is that the viewer can chose which direction to display it. Would be interesting to know what looks best to others, we all have our own vision. What do you think? How do you like it best?

Tell me how you would display it!

I did not know that Sunflowers were considered a proper option for a memorial service. This is my second entry for the RAG Memory: International Mail Art Exhibition and Swap.

They are acceptable if the service or memorial has less of a somber tone and more of a celebratory one. Many families choose to celebrate the life of their loved one. Sunflowers offer a brighter tone, but still capture the ethereal feeling of a memorial. They are symbolic of a life lived with happiness and joy and, often, simplicity.

Don’t you just think that is a terrific idea!? When I was a kid, I saw a movie where someone had passed away, and the final scene was of the service. A New Orleans style band was parading down the street. Slow and somber at first, but the music turned loud and happy and everyone was dancing as they paraded by. I decided that is how I wanted my service to be. No sadness, just lots of great music and fun.

See you all tomorrow! I very much appreciate you stopping by. Only a few days left in the challenge. And I have at least a dozen paintings I wanted to do. I have 3 canvas panels started, and the 12 x 12 wrapped canvas I started too. But I have three portraits I would like to do, so we will see what happens.

Enjoy the day!

30 in 30, Day 17

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Watercolor on 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2013 Sheila Delgado

Blue Flowers

I bumped into a stranger as he passed by.
“Oh, …excuse me, please” was my reply.
He said, “Please excuse me too;
I wasn’t even watching for you.”
Oh, we were polite — this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said our good-bye.
But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My daughter stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked her down.
“Move out of the way!” I said with a frown.
She walked away, her little heart broken.
I didn’t realize how harshly I’d spoken.

Later that night wide awake in my bed,
God’s still, small voice came to me and said,
“While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy
you use, But the children you love, you seem to abuse!

Look upon the kitchen floor,
You’ll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers she brought for you,
She picked them herself — pink, yellow and blue.
She stood quietly not to spoil the surprise,
And you never saw the tears in her eyes.”

By this time, I felt very small
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by her bed;
“Wake up, sweetheart,” I whispered and said.

“Are these the flowers you picked for me?”
She smiled, “I found ’em, out by the tree.
I picked ’em because they’re pretty like you.
I knew that you’d like them — especially the blue.”

I said, “Daughter, I’m sorry how I acted to you today;
I shouldn’t have yelled at you that way.”

She hugged me and said “Mommy, that’s okay.
You know I love you anyway.”
I said, Daughter, I love you too!
And I do like the flowers — especially the blue.”
Author Unknown

Happy Tuesday Everyone! This will be a birthday card for the exchange I am part of. Maybe for December, it has a bit of a winter feel.

Don’t forget to visit Leslie’s site for links to all the terrific artists taking part in this challenge.