Category Archives: Watercolor

Splatter Stripe

This week Spoonflower’s Design challenge is for an Abstract Whimsical Watercolor. My original idea turned out to be a very complicated repeat. I just could not get the design to work as a seamless pattern. I saved the file, so I can continue to work on it. Do some research maybe, and find a solution.

On top of that, the abstract watercolor was not cooperating. Ughh! So I switched gears, and selected a watercolor piece I created a couple of years ago. I was down to the wire, had about an hour and a half to complete a design and upload it to the site. A stripe seemed the quick solution. It also seemed to fit the summer feeling these colors gave me. Click on the image above for a closer look.

I have a collection started. I need to upload the designs, but here is a peek. I started thinking the design might lend itself to quilting projects. Seaside cottage or nautical. That gave me the idea to do a cheater quilt. More on that later.

Splatter Stripe Collection.

Just for fun, a couple of clothing mock-ups.

Splatter stripe skirt mock-up.

Splatter Stripe, youth dress mock-up

The top winners each week will take home Spoonflower credit and a Skillshare Premium subscription to start learning everything from how to create a surface design using motifs to “The Basics of Photoshop”, “Hand Lettering” and so much more! Skillshare is an amazing an online learning community where anyone can discover, take, or even teach a class. All submissions into May’s design challenges are automatically entered to win the grand prize full of design goodies worth over $1000!

A super opportunity, and why I am so grateful for your vote!

LYA SIDE SWAP

Christine Brooks LYA 2017 side swap. Painted on wood, with USA stamp.

So happy to receive this wonderful postcard from Christine Brooks. The piece is painted on wood and includes a postage stamp as part of the art. The texture is really wonderful. I just love it! Christine lives in Flagstaff. Just a hop north of here, an hour and a half. She is also taking part in the current round of Love Notes Postcard swap.

Thanks so much Christine for surprising me with this side swap extra! It is a treasure!

Wishing-You-Joy-Orange

Something Silly This Way Comes

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Something Silly Made. Mixed media. 2017 Sheila Delgado

In her recent newsletter, Carla Sonheim invited us to follow her lead and make something. Sitting next to me on the desk were the watercolors I painted for the Seaing is Believing surface design. I reached for my scissors, and a few minutes later I had a wonky bouquet.

I glued the pieces on the back of a failed painting. Added some stems, a bit of patchy sky. I scanned it into the computer, and added outlines digitally. I was hoping the shadows from each piece would be visible. Proof of the “made”.

I don’t have a Wacom, and trying to draw with the mouse is a chore. The lines came out crooked and I had to start over a few times. But they suit the silly and imperfect arrangement. Check out Carla’s 30-day blog project for some mid-week inspiration.

LAST LYA

Question mark. Kathy McIntire’s colorful card arrived, and made me panic for a minute, wondering if I had sent one in return. Whew! I did. Checked my list.

Kathy McIntire LYA side swap.

Kathy shared a mini gallery of her work. I’m not sure, but I think the flower is a felted piece. Isn’t this card fun? On the back Kathy shared a bit of her story. Wife, mother, grandmother, friend, volunteer, beach lover and artist. She loves sharing art with others, whether it is mail art, swapping, teaching or selling. She works in glass, clay, textiles and mixed media assemblage. So lucky that Kathy shared her art with me!

Kathy is part of The International Union of Mail Artist’s. Take a look at her Facebook page for some really fabulous postcards. Kathy is also doing some wonderful work for adults with disabilities. So awesome Kathy! And that leads to a connection with Kathy. I worked with United Cerebral Palsy in San Diego. Just a little something. I miss that job, and the people!

Thanks so much Kathy for sharing your thoughts and fabulous art with me! I wish you the best of luck with your inspirational “‘lil bizness”! Such a gift for your community!

Blessings-shiraz

Days End Light

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April Hills. 6 x 6 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper postcard. © 2017 Sheila Delgado

The light was fading. I thought, O.K. work fast and see what happens. One way to stay loose. The hills were glowing one second, the next they were not. Breathing better with a brush in my hand.

These photos are from a couple of days ago. I noticed that the shadows have changed on the highest hills. You can see part of the rock juts out at the very top, and the shadow on the right rear is much larger. The earth has moved. I played with the sky in Photoshop, but I can see now, I over did it. Better than grey though.