Category Archives: Trees

Faux Mono – Day 19

Rhythm of the Falling Rain, Day 19, Mixed Media on 6 x 7 Watercolor Paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Rhythm of the Falling Rain, Day 19, Mixed Media on 6 x 7 Watercolor Paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Inspiration from a book shared with me by Natasha Papousek. And a video from Barb Mowry that landed in my box today. Wanting to try mono printing, but not having any of the “proper” supplies. I picked up my dollar store glass trivet and my Fiskers brayer, which I am sure is meant for something else. Cheap Master’s Touch 6 x 6 paper. Four puddles in a square ceramic dish. Ready.

I did five prints very quickly. Scanned to edit. While adjusting to get the colors true to life, these songs popped into my head. Thought to add sheet music. Hey now!

Thank you for the sheet music, Christiane! And thank you all for the inspiration!

With The Sound Of Music, Day 19 #2, Mixed Media on 6 x 7 Watercolor Paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
With The Sound Of Music, Day 19 #2, Mixed Media on 6 x 7 Watercolor Paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Months ago, saw an artist who watercolors on wet paper, taped to a glass trivet. I have seen this technique before, but the video reminded me. Searched and searched. For one 12 x 12. Amazon has a set of three. Didn’t want three, and not at that price. Searched some more.

Watched a crafters video, making decorative trivets on the cheap. Fabric and modge podge. And, Ta-Da, a Dollar Store glass trivet. Round and square. slightly smaller than 8 x 8. Woo Whoo!

I went to the largest Dollar Tree around, and noticed that they have expanded their craft offerings. Great! I found small rubber jars, meant to hold salad dressing, that I think might work with alcohol painting supplies. A short bulb I needed that was more expensive at Walmart. And a small cutting mat. WOW! For a buck?

Dollar Tree Haul
Dollar Tree Haul

A bird does not sing because it has an answer.
It sings because it has a song.
Chinese proverb

Music is the color of sound.
Unknown

Thinking Of You Dad

Mingus Moonlit Night. SMD 2020
Mingus Moonlit Night. SMD 2020

December 10th. The date of my last post. Ay caramba! Time continues to be a steamroller. Hijole!

The winter weather has given us some beautiful views. We had an afternoon of snow, our first of the year. On December 28th. Haha. Lovely, big fluffy flakes floating down. It was fairly heavy for a while but it did not stick. Mingus disappeared behind a veil of white and reemerged powder-coated. It was heaven while it lasted.

Shrinking Snow Storm. SMD 12.28.20
Shrinking Snow Storm. SMD 12.28.20

We have had gorgeous pink sunsets.

Cotton Candy Clouds. SMD 2020
Cotton Candy Clouds. SMD 2020
Blushing. SMD 2020
Blushing. SMD 2020

My birthday week was filled with appointments. Blood tests, breathing test, bone test. Mostly standard bi-annual stuff, just all happened to land in the same week. Eesh! And here we are, in the middle of the month already. You know what that means. The February 30-Day Creative Gathering will soon be here! Oh my!

After another mini organizing binge, I made three starts. Art supplies and papers are at the ready! Paint pens and pencils. Scribbles to ease the intimidation of a fresh clean sheet of paper. I plan to add a few more layers to these backgrounds. And I hope to have 6 to 12 starts ready before next month. Knock on wood.

Our trees are still holding on to their leaves. I keep meaning to look up the reason why. I am sure it has something to do with how dry the past year has been. This photo is a few weeks old, but the tree looks pretty much the same.

Won’t Let Go.

I ordered a pad of Strathmore watercolor paper after watching an artist use it online. Cold Press, 140 lb., acid-free, 100% cotton. 12 – 8 x 10 sheets. It was about $10 on Amazon. I did see it later at Walmart, for a few dollars more. It has a grey cover. I played just to get a feel for it. This is a tiny sketch. I like the paper, the tooth is nice. I’ll talk more about it in another post.

Green Gold Tree. SMD 2020
Green Gold Tree. SMD 2020

Thinking of my father today. Missing him on his birthday. Truth be told, I think of him every day. We are still in limbo due to COVID. My best friend in high school lost her father the day before mine passed (on July 14th). He was our high school principal.

My dear friend from California lost her dad the Saturday before Christmas. We also lost my Dad’s elder brother Willie, the Sunday before Christmas. Heartbreaking.
Horrible, heartbreaking six months.

Frank Delgado, State Champion.
Frank Delgado, State Champion.
Frank with the "Wailers", October 1965.
Frank with the “Wailers”, October 1965.
Tere & Frank Christmas 2019
Tere & Frank Christmas 2019
Frank, Ray & Willie
Frank, Ray & Willie
Willie, Frankie, Ray
Willie, Frankie, Ray

Looking for quotes brought tears to my eyes, this short one will have to do.

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together,
keep me in your heart.
I’ll stay there forever.”
Winnie the Pooh

Easter Eve

Quick flower from 2016, 4 x 4. © Sheila Delgado.
Quick flower from 2016, 4 x 4. © Sheila Delgado.

Something old (above), and something very new. Green Gold leaves sprouting!

Wishing you a JOY filled, Blessed Easter!
May the Lord lift up your heart, at Easter and always.

Where flowers bloom, so does hope.
Lady Bird Johnson

Let the resurrection JOY lift us
from loneliness and weakness and despair
to strength and beauty and happiness.
Floyd W. Tomkins

Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection,
not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.
Martin Luther

I still believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny,
the Tooth Fairy, and true love.
Don’t even try to tell me different.
Dolly Parton