Mingus Red. 4 x 8 in. watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2017 Sheila Delgado

Very pleased with this. I started late and had to work fast. My goal was to keep the color fresh and not heavy-handed. I actually did it this time! So tempted to go back in and deepen the back ridge. Where you see the curved line on the left, I meant to deepen the area underneath. I will go back and finish that as well as try to mimic the rough texture that is on the right side.

More work on the 4 x 4’s today:

Decide that 4 are junk and gesso over them. One survived.
Cover all with warm base color. Pull one more from stack and cover it as well.
Work all as abstracts.
Finish three. Think they are junk, but decide to keep going. For a few seconds I feel like crying because this is my third start over. In my head I shout, “I suck at abstracts!!!”
Think that there is a lot I suck at. But TRY to remember there are a few things I am good at.
Conclude I will feel better if I eat something. So I eat.
Come back to the now dry pieces. Keep working.
End up with two that I think are pretty good. Think even Leslie might like them.
Work a third, not so abstract but it is rustic. Think it needs a few more marks. Or something. Will add it in the next session.
Still paint in my butcher tray. My aversion to wasting supplies keeps me going.
Work two more.
Not happy with them, but will attempt to salvage in the next session.

Final count:
2 that might be really good.
2 that need just a little more work.
2 that may or may not be painted over.

Closer to being the 7 days ahead that I need to be. Feeling less stressed. Whew!! Now I just need to work on the posts.

Hope you all had a productive day. Happy creating!
Thanks so much for your supportive suggestions and observations!!