Category Archives: Watercolor

Day 9, 30-Day Creative Gathering

Day 9, 7 x 5 watercolor on Yupo. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

I am cringing while I post this. I have painted three horrible ATC’s. and one awful 8 x 10. And this yucky 5 x 7. Hahaha. I have two fairly cool 4 x 4 continuations. But I thought I posted enough of those. Might be putting you all to sleep. Hahaha. So I am saving those as back up. For days when All else fails.

I hated this last night when I was editing it for posting. I made some changes in Photoshop, using the smudge tool to soften some of the “messiness” in the field. I didn’t like that either, so I decided to post it as is.

It’s been a long time since I have worked on Yupo. This is on Legion Yupo Medium. First time I have tried it and I really like working with it. It is a good weight, and the great thing about Yupo is that it can handle a lot of water, and does not curl up. I did’t tape this down, and it remained flat.

For those of you new to my blog, Yupo is a recyclable, waterproof, tree-free Synthetic Paper. It feels like plastic. It allows for really wonderful effects with watercolors. Welcome, btw. So glad to have you following my artistic journey. 🙂

The tree on the left was a mistake. But I liked how it formed, and went with it, adding more on the right. I am not sure the distance is convincing. I think the field is much to busy and should be simplified towards the top of the hill. But I have to say. I like it a whole lot better this morning. Hahaha. And the great thing is, I can go back in and make changes. Erase the mistakes so to speak. Any suggestions? Haha 🙂

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy,
if a blade of grass springing up in the fields
has power to move you,
if the simple things of nature
have a message that you understand, rejoice,
for your soul is alive.
Eleonora Duse

I’m not sure that I want to be without some lack of confidence. If you are too sure of yourself, you don’t grow.
You may feel confident in some things, but other fields come up as a challenge. And if you don’t anticipate trouble,
you will be in trouble.
Lucille Ball

The Muse Snoozed

12 Replies

Day 2, 8x8 watercolor on paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado. — Day 2, 8×8 watercolor on paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

AAUGH! The new WordPress update messed with the editor! 12:30 pm and I need to learn how to work a new system? Are you kidding me?

I had the post written. Done. I tried to switch back to the old editor, and BAM! No more post. AAUGH! Unbelievable.

OK, let me see, how did it go?

I putzed half of Tuesday night, and most of Wednesday working on Day two. I decided that piece was not ready for prime time, and I started a new one. I watched a video on painting loose watercolor florals. You know how I struggle with painting loose. Haha.

But I am stubborn. And I am going to keep trying until I get it right. Haha.

I sketched the baselines for the blooms, and then I splattered water on the paper. The flow of paint in water took over, which is what I wanted. But I realized, I placed the buds to close to the edges.

I had fun in the process. I noticed my body relaxed as soon as I stopped fighting with the first piece. I have painted like this before. Laughing because I always think I am going to try and do things differently in the challenge. But after having not painted for so long, the process felt new. New-ish. On to day three for you and for me!

Happy creating everyone!

The difficult is what takes a little time,
the impossible is what takes a little longer.
Fridtjof Nansen

For Dad

36 Replies

Sunflower Bouquet, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2015 Sheila Delgado.

It is with deep sorrow that I write today. My father passed away unexpectedly, early Tuesday morning. July 14. He had been ill for about a month. Pneumonia, and then, COVID.

He was in the hospital for only ten days.

He retired to Mexico, and his wife Tere speaks almost no English. My Spanish is limited as well. So details are slow coming. They recently relocated to Los Mochis, from Guadalajara. We were all looking forward to being able to see them more often.

I was prepared. To lose my father someday, relatively soon. He spoke to my brother and me about this when we saw him in January. He shared his thoughts with us.

But hardest of all, and something none of us could have anticipated, is this forced separation we are all living with. I always thought we would spend his last days together.

I will share more soon. There is so much more to say.

2016, Eric & Iza's Wedding, Arizona — 2016, Eric & Iza’s Wedding, Arizona

The American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion, Presidential Address, 1999. Frank Delgado, President.

The morning after, I was led to my blog. I received a comment on an old post, and I always reply to comments. I read the quotes on the post, and they held new meaning for me.
I listened to the song I had shared, one I am sure my father would have enjoyed.

Funny how things come to you. A sign from above…

“Piglet noticed that even though he had
a Very Small Heart,
it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
A.A. Milne

Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance,
chaos into order,
confusion into clarity.
It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.
Melody Beattie

“Enough’ is a feast.”
Buddhist Proverb

Watercolor 4 x 5 — 4 x 5 Watercolor on 140 lb. cold press. © 2013 Sheila Delgado

The paintings, were two of my Dad’s favorites.

Please know that I am so very grateful for your messages.
I hope you can forgive me if I am unable to respond right away.
(If you subscribe, you will be notified via email when I do.)

God Bless and keep you in his loving embrace.
Please, please be safe.

Sheila Marie