Tag Archives: RAG Memory: International mail Art Exhibition and Swap

Leslie Saeta’s 30 Paintings In 30 Days, Day 28

And they’re off! I mailed my submissions for the Richmond Art Gallery, Memory: International Mail Art Exhibition and Swap. The Richmond Art Gallery is in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. In close proximity to Vancouver. I am so happy with how the postcards turned out.

And I actually remembered to sign them before I mailed them off. I have been forgetting to sign my art for this challenge. I remember just after I have scanned it in, and because I am jammin’ to make a deadline, I have just let it slide and posted them unsigned.

Here is my final entry and my painting for today.

Tulips. 4 x 6 postcard, watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © Sheila Delgado 2013. RAG Memory: International Exhibition and Swap entry #3

There are some bits of turquoise that are not showing well. (the white patch on the left leaf, and a couple of other areas.) It really does look nice in person though. The memory theme I chose was “In Memoriam”. Red flowers such as roses, chrysanthemum, hydrangea, gladiolas and tulips are often used in memorial service flower arrangements.

The end of the challenge is right around the corner. I am a little sad that I won’t be seeing the work of over 325 artists each day. But I have made some new friends, and their art will still find it’s way into my mailbox. Yea!

One more small (and HUGE) thing I have learned from Leslie’s challenge. I have ruined so many paintings, seeking perfection. I have learned more about re-working things I don’t like and also when to quit and let the drips and blooms win. I love all the imperfect parts when I see them in other artists work, but in my paintings I would see them as flaws. I still have a TON to learn. But I feel, really just in the last few days, that I have more confidence.

That in part is due to all of the great feedback I have received from my fellow challenge participants. Thank You Lucy, Joan, Samara, Kim, Sandy, Katie, Julie, Mariette, Jim, Maggie, Karen, Joanie. Big thanks also to my friends who are not part of the challenge, and family! Seeing my art through your eyes, has been a gift.

Happy Saturday to everyone! Thanks for taking the time to look at my art, and if you have left a comment, Thank You! Thank You!

Here are the first two postcards I painted for this show:

Sunflower. 4 x 6 postcard, watercolor and pen on 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2013 Sheila Delgado. RAG Memory:International mail Art Exhibition and Swap.

Peace Lily. 4 x 6 watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © Sheila Delgado 2013. RAG Memory:International mail Art Exhibition and Swap.

30 In 30, day 27

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I had so much fun with my Sunflower! I have decided that I am going to do more of these too! Smaller, and whole, and they will be used to create a fabric/surface pattern. I think this has the makings of a great gift bag, gift wrap, shower curtain, or rug. Quite a few possibilities.

I think it may need some shadow on the darker petals that sit behind the bright ones. But I did not want it it to get too dark, so I left this one alone. This painting came together in less than an hour. I must be learning to work faster huh? Something to add to my list!

One thing I really love about this is that the viewer can chose which direction to display it. Would be interesting to know what looks best to others, we all have our own vision. What do you think? How do you like it best?

Tell me how you would display it!

I did not know that Sunflowers were considered a proper option for a memorial service. This is my second entry for the RAG Memory: International Mail Art Exhibition and Swap.

They are acceptable if the service or memorial has less of a somber tone and more of a celebratory one. Many families choose to celebrate the life of their loved one. Sunflowers offer a brighter tone, but still capture the ethereal feeling of a memorial. They are symbolic of a life lived with happiness and joy and, often, simplicity.

Don’t you just think that is a terrific idea!? When I was a kid, I saw a movie where someone had passed away, and the final scene was of the service. A New Orleans style band was parading down the street. Slow and somber at first, but the music turned loud and happy and everyone was dancing as they paraded by. I decided that is how I wanted my service to be. No sadness, just lots of great music and fun.

See you all tomorrow! I very much appreciate you stopping by. Only a few days left in the challenge. And I have at least a dozen paintings I wanted to do. I have 3 canvas panels started, and the 12 x 12 wrapped canvas I started too. But I have three portraits I would like to do, so we will see what happens.

Enjoy the day!

30 In 30, Day 26

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In Memoriam, Watercolor Peace Lily. © 2013 Sheila Delgado

This is one of the postcards I will be submitting to the RAG, Memory: International Mail Art Exhibition and Swap. Hopefully they will be in the mail by the end of the day.

The theme is memory, and in the interest of time, I have chosen to do flowers given in memoriam. I want bold, graphic pieces so they will stand out when they are up on the wall. (And when I look at the online photos I will be able to find them easily.) Silly, but there you go.

I love this plant. The Calla Lily is my favorite flower, and this of course is it’s kissing cousin. I can draw a simplified Calla in one stroke, but I have yet to attempt to paint one. White flowers are difficult I think, but I would very much like to master them.

I had the veins on this much softer, and while they looked great on paper, they did not scan well at all, so I had to darken them. This was a fun one to do. I am also going to do a version with softer washes, maybe I will show you with tomorrow’s piece of art. Speaking of art – there is a ton of it at Leslie’s site. I have two days of viewing to catch up on, and my tail is wagging in excitement! Like the dog cravin’ bacon – Art, ART, ART!

Angel. Watercolor on 4 x 6, 140 lb. cold press paper. © Sheila Delgado 2013

This sort of fits the theme of memorial. Just a fun little accident. I was planning to add to this and make something of it. But I noticed right away, the fun little lady and her great big heart. I gave this to my Father and his wife Teresita, along with two of my pears.

Enjoy your day everyone! Fall arrived in Riverside county today! WOOOO WHOOO! Of course this might be the only day of it for a while, we will be in the 90’s this weekend. But it is a crisp, dark morning, and it is a welcome bit of heaven!