![9 x 9 mixed media on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sheiladelgado.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/11-3-21.jpg?resize=495%2C495)
A wonderful win, this bouquet. I started with a palette knife and gesso. Added texture, and scratch marks. Moved on to the next layers, still with knife in hand. Paint, pen, oil pastel, Q-tips, stylus.
My vase is clearly wonky. And I am missing a stem. But I am feeling, happy with this one. I rarely choose to use a palette knife. And without thinking? Never. But I reached, and grabbed, and started to messily layer paint.
I’m rather stoked that my fear took a hike.
![WIP, Chicken and Bear. 4 x 4 & 12 x 12 canvas & acrylic. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sheiladelgado.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Chicken-Bear.jpg?resize=427%2C427)
Some of my fear is still nagging me. The “I can’t paint a chicken in a nest,” fear. That is what has been whispering in my head since May. Truthfully, since last year.
A request from a friend. She loves the first Rooster I painted for her. So WHY is there still so much fear?!
![Rooster, 10 x 10 Acrylic on canvas. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sheiladelgado.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Rooster-Web.jpg?w=625)
The little 4 x 4’s got me started. They lead me to the next, which was a gift of surprise and triumph.
And that led me to,
begin.