Category Archives: Clouds

Day 29 of 30

 

#29. 4 x 6 in. watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

#29. 4 x 6 in. watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

 

This started as an abstracted landscape. But I botched it. I kept going, and this is the result. Passable. There are some redeeming qualities in the sky. Blooms and soft areas.

 

For Those In Peril On The Sea
Eternal Father strong to save
Whose arm has bound the restless wave
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
It’s own appointed limits keep
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in Peril on the sea
Oh Christ whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word
Who walkest on the foamy deep
And how amidst the storm did sleep
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in Peril on the sea
Eternal Father strong to save 
Whose arm has bound the restless wave, 
Who bids the mighty ocean deep 
It’s own appointed limits keep, 
O hear us when we cry to Thee 
For those in Peril on the sea
Oh Christ, the Lord of hill and plain, 
O’er which our traffic runs amain. 
By mountain pass or valley low, 
Wherever, Lord our brethren go, 
Protect them by Thy guarding hand 
From every peril on the land
O Spirit, whom the Father sent 
To spread abroad the firmament. 
Oh wind of heaven, by Thy might 
Save all who dare the eagle’s flight. 
And keep them by thy watchful care 
From every peril in the air
O Trinity of love and power, 
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour.
From rock and tempest, fire, and foe 
Protect them wheresoe’er they go. 
That evermore shall rise to Thee, 
Glad praise from air and land and sea

John Newton

 

 

Days 22 And 23 Of Thirty

 

#23. 4 x 6 in. watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

#23. 4 x 6 in. watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

 

 

#22. 4 x 6 in. watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

#22. 4 x 6 in. watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

 

 

 

See the amazing art at Leslie Saeta’s event page.

Some of  my favorites on Pinterest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Behind The Scenes

 

Storm Clouds, 8-3-18. SMD.

From early this month, a storm on the way. Thought I had posted it. Thought I had posted period. It’s been turbulent indoors as well. Computer issues. Photoshop. Ughh!

“Could not transform because the scratch disks are full.”

“Low Disk Space. You are running on very low disk space…”

Turns out, I had almost NO disk space. Took a full week to figure things out. Save files, and regain the use of Photoshop. That sent me down the rabbit hole, cleaning files and deleting. I still need to buy a portable hard drive and I am researching those. Suggestions are welcome! I am planning to replace my system in October. Fingers crossed. Now if I can just get through September. Fingers and toes crossed, and prayers said!

 

Mingus Tower, 8-3-18.

Still enjoying the monsoon season. Which I think is nearing the end. Rain is forecast the next five days. That could mean a downpour, or a few minutes of sprinkles.

Goodbye Zazzle?

I am thinking of closing my Zazzle shop. I am very disappointed in the quality of their fabric printing. I have seen different products, purchased by friends and family. And the quality on those items is great. So maybe, I just won’t offer fabrics for sale on that site.

A few months ago I ordered fabric samples from Zazzle. I compared those with swatches from Spoonflower. There is no contest. Both sets are on the basic fabric offered. For Spoonflower that is “Basic Cotton Ultra” and for Zazzle, “Custom Combed Cotton”.

Swatches on Spoonflower are 8 x 8 inches for $5.00. Zazzle 9 x 9 inches for $5.60. It might be hard to see on-screen, but there is a huge difference in the quality and feel of the fabrics.

 

Comparing Spoonflower and Zazzle custom printed fabric. Designs by Sheila Delgado.

Comparing Spoonflower and Zazzle custom printed fabric. Designs by Sheila Delgado.

It’s been a few months, but I am certain that I ironed the samples. They have sat on my desk, folded. You can see the wrinkled Zazzle swatches. That fabric is stiff, and makes a crinkly sound when you move it. I wouldn’t want to wear it. Makes me think of the crinoline skirts my Mom remembers.

The Spoonflower swatches are soft and pliable. You can also see the difference in printed details. On the sailboats, a large-scale print, the quality is nearly the same. But on the feathers, you can see that the fine detail is lost. The Zazzle feathers is even printed in a larger scale, and still, the fine detail is blurred.

Unfinished Projects

I have missed painting. And the shadows on Mingus make me want to paint even more. Hard to believe we are already at the end of the month, and I have yet to put brush to paper. There are a few more projects that need attention, so that in September I can be free to paint daily.

I have dealt with a Lupus flare this month as well. Just bone tired. I had an Esophageal manometry on the first, and it seems I have been in recovery mode ever since. It was a very quick and simple procedure. It required fasting, and it was an afternoon appointment in Phoenix. So I think the mix of not eating, not taking my meds and a long drive (3 hours there and back) just zapped my energy.

Luckily, I was able to do the test quickly. My cough did not interfere. It seemed I was in and out in less than 20 minutes. I even arrived early, and within five minutes I was taken back to start the test. WOW!

Pushing through. Napping when I can. Crossing tasks off my list. Just at a slower pace than I would like. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!