I am having too much fun with these simple little flowers. And by that I mean, I am having fun keeping it simple while I paint these flowers. I completed another bouquet today that I will share with you soon. The vase looks better in person. There is a hint of light blue for shaping, and the yellow reflection does not look so choppy. I used some indigo (watery) for shadow under the petals, but here it looks green, I suppose that works too.
I am thinking I may crop this just a bit on the left and top, but that can be done with matting. I am very tempted to go back in and even out the background, The pink is dark in just that one area. But maybe this is a wall in an old Mexican cantina… and that stain is from someone throwing their beer against the wall on a rowdy Cinco De Mayo night!
With diamonds. Just kidding. I had fun with these, and they came together quickly. Don’t ya’ just love when that happens? I meant to have them spaced a little more unevenly. Not sure what happened, but I am happy with the results. The petals have much more rust in them, I was unable to bring it out in Photoshop. They are much warmer and more complimentary to the heads.
Sunflowers. 4 x 6 pen and watercolor. 2015 Sheila Delgado
This is my last piece for the INKed Postcard Swap. I painted four originals, and printed out the first red flowers I did. I decided that I should send out all originals. Only fair.
I also revisited the painting below. I went back in with some water, to loosen them up. Here is a look at the before and after. So much better now.
4 x 6 Ink and watercolor postcard. 2015 Sheila Delgado
I took a drive today, errands. I noticed on the roadside, and along the freeway. In empty, dry dusty fields, and in between the rocks and boulders. Sunflowers were growing like, well, like weeds. How can you not love a flower that grows without being pampered? That blooms in the least likely place.
I wonder how many travelers noticed the sunflowers today…
A few years ago my good friend Randy introduced me to Victoria Avenue in Riverside California. The avenue has a long and rich history and there are over 90 species of trees along its borders.
VICTORIA AVENUE owes its existence to the vision of Mathew Gage, a jeweler from Ireland who moved to Riverside in 1881. He developed the Gage Canal which brought precious water to the citrus groves in Arlington Heights. His vision introduced the many varieties trees and plants along Victoria Avenue.
During the spring of 1892, the grading of Victoria Avenue began and the first trees were planted. Riverside’s pioneer landscape designer, Franz Hosp, was responsible for the master plan.
On June 11, 1969, Victoria Avenue was declared Cultural Heritage Landmark #8 by the Riverside Cultural Heritage Board. In October 2000, Victoria Avenue was added to the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places. ~ John Pedroza
The abundant palm trees catch your eye, you can see them from miles away. What really captivated me was the hulking Eucalyptustrees that line several sections. I have wanted to paint these trees for a long time. I will paint more of them. My tree is perfectly lovely, but I missed the mark on conveying the stature of these majestic old lovelies.
Victoria Avenue, Riverside CA, photo SMD
LOVE SAYINGS: wit & wisdom of romance, courtship, and marriage.
Amazon is running a free eBook promotion of LOVE SAYINGS from June 25-29, 2015. FREE
The book features work by many artists, including two of mine. You do not need an Amazon Kindle to get the eBook.
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This book is really a treasure, you can read my review along with the others at the link above.
