Category Archives: Watercolor

Day 3 – 30-Day Creative Challenge

Day 3, FEB C.G., 4 x 6, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 3, FEB C.G., 4 x 6, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

This is a pencil cactus. But really, it is a succulent. The stems are round like a dowel. During cooler months, they glow in vivid shades of pink, orange, and yellow. How fun is that? Their nickname is “Sticks On Fire”.

Even I’m amazed by My achievement
but I confess that there were disappointments.
Cacti, for example. I never really got them right.
Can’t imagine what I meant them to look like,
but certainly, they turned out wrong.
Maybe I had the plans upside down.

… from God: The Ultimate Autobiography.

February 30-Day Creative Gathering, Day 1

Day 1, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 1, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

Woo Whoo! Here we are again. I am so happy to hear that so many of you are as excited as I am. It’s going to be a fun, and productive month!

There is a variation of greens and blues in the background of this Moon Cactus. Layers of texture that are not showing well here. I will continue working on this. The stones need help and the head needs attention as well. I did not add spines. They are so tiny, and on the yellow , they look dark and sort of dirty. I may just add some white spines around the edges.

You can see some of the texture here.

Gesso Texture
Gesso Texture

I found a basting brush at the dollar store awhile back. Made use of it in the first layers. Additional layers were added with a brayer, and there are small splatters as well.

Basting Brush
Basting Brush

Happy Creating to you!

Snow And Mo’

Black Friday Snow and Mingus. SMD 2019
Black Friday Snow and Mingus. SMD 2019

Luck was on our side. Roads were clear, and my brother and his wife were able to spend Thanksgiving with us. The snow started early on Friday, and by noon, it was sunny and calm. Perfect weather for a snowball fight before they headed back to Phoenix. I watched it from inside the warm!

Neighbors Perfect Pines. SMD 2019
Neighbors Perfect Pines. SMD 2019

We had about 4 inches, Prescott had double that.

Saturday Snow. SMD 2019
Saturday Snow. SMD 2019

These hills are almost back to green now. I love how the snow reveals hidden details. Mingus is still covered. The roads are dry, and the yard is half melted. It doesn’t last long, usually. My kind of snow!

Now for the Mo’

I am having a fabulous kick-off to December! I was featured in last week’s ALL ABOUT YOU. Janine Vangool’s weekly newsletter. It is always chock full of creative inspiration. Color me happy. 🙂 Click on the link if you would like to sign up. She has open calls for submissions.
Share YOUR art! Thank you, Janine, for all that you do to support artists!

All About You, 11 24 19.
All About You, 11 24 19.

Friday I opened an awesome surprise email. My good friend Chandra Lynn honored me with a feature on her blog, Pics And Posts. Along with my piece of art, she shared her own, and also one by my good friend Christine Brooks! Tres Amigas! Chandra’s posts are always heartwarming, inspirational and often gorgeous. I have learned so much from her and sometimes find myself in tears. The GOOD kind. Thank you, Chandra, for sharing your JOY!

#25. 4 x 6 in. watercolor/pen on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.
#25. 4 x 6 in. watercolor/pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

Last week I took part in Louise Gale’s “heART Exchange“. I sent out three handmade postcards and will receive 3 in return. I was having so much fun, I made a couple of extras for friends.

Thankful Postcards. 11 19 SMD
Thankful Postcards. 11 19 SMD
Thankful Desert Postcard. 6 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Thankful Desert Postcard. 6 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.

I am so in love with these colors right now. I kept playing, and a have a handful in the works. Haha. I also spent a couple of days on a small tree. Just some creative late-night play. I am almost out of Green Gold. Haha.

Look Out. 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Look Out. 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Vista. 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Vista. 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Tree, 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Tree, 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.

Wishing you a delightful, delectable December!

Joy is not a season, it’s a way of living.

Kalley Heiligenthal