Category Archives: Medium

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 26

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In Memoriam, Watercolor Peace Lily. © 2013 Sheila Delgado

Peace Lily. 4 x 6 watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © Sheila Delgado 2013

 

This is one of the postcards I will be submitting to the RAG, Memory: International Mail Art Exhibition and Swap. Hopefully they will be in the mail by the end of the day.

The theme is memory, and in the interest of time, I have chosen to do flowers given in memoriam. I want bold, graphic pieces so they will stand out when they are up on the wall. (And when I look at the online photos I will be able to find them easily.) Silly, but there you go.

I love this plant. The Calla Lily is my favorite flower, and this of course is it’s kissing cousin. I can draw a simplified Calla in one stroke, but I have yet to attempt to paint one. White flowers are difficult I think, but I would very much like to master them.

I had the veins on this much softer, and while they looked great on paper, they did not scan well at all, so I had to darken them. This was a fun one to do. I am also going to do a version with softer washes, maybe I will show you with tomorrow’s piece of art. Speaking of art – there is a ton of it at Leslie’s site. I have two days of viewing to catch up on, and my tail is wagging in excitement! Like the dog cravin’ bacon – Art, ART, ART!

Angel. Watercolor on 4 x 6, 140 lb. cold press paper. © Sheila Delgado 2013

Angel. Watercolor on 4 x 6, 140 lb. cold press paper. © Sheila Delgado 2013

This sort of fits the theme of memorial. Just a fun little accident. I was planning to add to this and make something of it. But I noticed right away, the fun little lady and her great big heart. I gave this to my Father and his wife Teresita, along with two of my pears.

 

 

 

Enjoy your day everyone! Fall arrived in Riverside county today! WOOOO WHOOO! Of course this might be the only day of it for a while, we will be in the 90’s this weekend. But it is a crisp, dark morning, and it is a welcome bit of heaven!

 

 

30 In 30, Day 25

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One last pear. Well not forever, they are too much fun.

I started a series of three postcards, which I will be submitting for an art exhibition and swap. I had planned to use those abstracts, but then decided to carefully re-read the instructions. There is a theme. Don’t know how I spaced that out. I was going to use the first card as my painting for today, but I used salt, and the drying time squashed that idea.

Leslie (the host of this challenge) mentioned the other day, that she hoped we had learned a lot from this daily exercise. And at that time, I was a little unsure about what I could say I have learned. But with this one rustic little pear, I realize I have learned quite a lot. That is not to say that I have perfected any of it. But I have made progress.

This is not a pretty pear. But there are some pear varieties that are not really “pretty”. I was going to find a photo to show you. What I found is that I actually painted a perfect version of a Forelle (for-ELL-ee) pear.

Spotted Pear. 4 x 6 postcard. Watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © Sheila Delgado 2013

Spotted Pear. 4 x 6 postcard. Watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © Sheila Delgado 2013

Serendipity doodle do! I Googled for pear facts before, but this never came up… bizarro!

(Oh and did you know that ungoogleable is a real word?)

I know there is a Chinese proverb that says something about finding what we need when we need it. Or what we need finds us when we need it. Sorry, it is 2 am and I might be a zombie right now. I will have to search for that later, but I am sure you know what I am talking about. And if you do, and you leave a comment with the proper saying, I would be eternally grateful. One of those things that will gnaw at me until I find it.

Now that I found a photo of a Forelle, I feel good about showing you my rustic little pear.

Get to the point zombie.

What I have learned:

  • I learned the way to hold my brush to tap spots of color, almost exactly where I want them.    ( yeah I went a little nuts with that one. I was having fun)
  • I learned what size brush to use to get the spot size I need.
  • I learned more about water pigment ratios.
  • I learned how to correct a mistake. I had too much dark reflection on the base of the pear, it went too far up and was a solid thick band… but I went back in with just water a few times, and voilà!
  • I learned that pears are easy for me. Holy revelation Batman! I chose to do a pear because I knew it would be quick, and I could get to bed. Where I should be right now.

I know I am tired because I have turned into a jabber-jaw!

I did not have time to visit my artist friends today, I will have to catch up tomorrow. I hate missing all the amazing art you have created! Thanks to all who visit my site, thank you for taking the time to comment and chat with me too.

Be well and enjoy!