Category Archives: Flowers

Sunny Delight – Day Two 30 in 30

Sunny Delight. watercolor, gouache, pen. 4 x 5, 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2014 Sheila Delgado

This was a delight to paint. I am trying to capture the look of a sunflower I did early last month. In that I think the head is much too dark, but the petals are very nice. Just another reminder of one of the great things about painting. You can always try again!

I watched a video about being grateful each day. I think it is a great lesson for all of us. I know that in my earlier life, being grateful was not something I thought about daily. I was too busy with work, life, stuff.

But ever since my diagnosis in 2007 (Lupus), I am very aware of all the gifts I have to be thankful for. Right now, this moment, I am thankful for the view out my window. Fig tree, Bougainvillea along the fence, mountains beyond. It is not a view I get to see everyday. Dog sitting has its perks. While I am here, I am taking notice.

Remind yourself of one thing you are grateful for today. Or all the things.

While you are making breakfast.

Sitting in traffic.

Falling asleep.

You can sneak it in.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. ~ Psalms 107:1

Leslie Saeta January 30 Paintings in 30 days Challenge

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Happy 2014 Everyone!

I did it. I am doing it. I took Leslie’s challenge again.

I thought I had read somewhere, that it takes six weeks to develop a new habit. But I just did a quick search, and it seems it may only take between 21 and 30 days. So I am good to go on the painting everyday habit, after completing Sea Dean’s December Painting Party.

I have managed to start a few paintings early. Whew!

At last check, there were 365 artists signed on to take Leslie’s challenge. Wow! What a great way to start a creative new year! I am so excited to see all the great art that is going to be born this month!

Day One of 2014

Sunny Day. Watercolor, pen, gouache, 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2014 Sheila Delgado

Happy Challenge Day One to all the artists participating!

Happy 2014 Day One to everyone! Enjoy!

Day 21 – Sea Dean’s Art Party

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I really like how this wreath turned out. Just for fun, I gave it the Photoshop treatment. In #2, I increased the vibrancy. For #3, I used the curves tool. The original is soft, and sort of wistful. But I do like them all.

Which wreath do you like best?

Long Pine Wreath. 4 x 4 watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2013 Sheila Delgado

Long Pine Wreath #2. 4 x 4 watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2013 Sheila Delgado

Long Pine Wreath #3. 4 x 4 watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2013 Sheila Delgado

Today I am packing up to dog sit for the next two weeks. Kyra will be my companion. I’ll tell you one thing, traveling makes me thankful for my teeny-tiny-corner-of-the-bedroom studio. Very thankful. If it wasn’t for all my art supplies, I could get away with a backpack.(and that includes the laptop!) I like to travel light.

But you know how it is. I have to be prepared. Sea’s daily challenge runs through the end of the month, and Leslie’s January challenge is next. I have a really cool make-up case I bought on sale a few years ago. Purple cool. It looks like a little handbag and has a semi hard shell. It is about 4″ deep and it can hold a TON of stuff. For trips like these, I just put my makeup in a zip-lock bag and use the case for paint and supplies. Priorities.

I reworked the wreath from Day 17. It was nagging me. So I went back in with some water and softened the shadow underneath.

My first try I the shadow too light.

Floral wreath. 4 x 4 watercolor on cold press paper. © 2013 Sheila Delgado

#2 was too dark.

#3 is just right I think. The shadow is softer and matches the shadow on the inside of the wreath more closely.

Time to start packing. Let me know what you think about both wreaths, I am curious. Sea did a really great painting today, and my good friend Kat shared a great photo, check them out!

Please Come Home for Christmas

Christmas with Andy Williams