Shown in reverse order. Day 1, Ball Cactus. Gouache on Arches paper. 4 x 4 in. S.M. Delgado.
There is no doubt this is going to be a month of learning for me. Gouache can be used like watercolor, but it is very different. It is opaque. You can layer light over dark. You can blend. And if you goof, you can paint over it. I apologize for the blur.
Day 2, Prickly Pear Cactus. Gouache on Meeden 140 Lb. hot press paper. 5 x 7 in. S.M. Delgado.
The reference photo showed the tuna’s as very pale pink. I didn’t quite capture the light in them. And my blending there is very uneven. I’m trying to convince myself it gives them a rough & rustic look. 😄 The spines were very few and mostly around the edges. I can see why this medium is favored for illustration work. I added the outlining and the spines digitally.
Day 3, Saguaro Cactus. Gouache on Meeden 140 Lb. hot press paper. 3.5 x 5 in. S.M. Delgado I had several busy days in a row, so I went small and simple.
Day 4, Cloud. Gouache on Meeden 140 Lb. hot press paper. 3.5 x 5 in. S.M.Delgado.
I had a bottom layer of “light” in the foreground. And I added texture as well. But it didn’t work, and as I tried to rework it, I lost most of that. I really was focused on the cloud process. I kept working that to blend and soften. I’m not sure it is effective. To me it looks hard instead of soft. But the learning counts.
Day 5, Same Cloud. Gouache on Meeden 140 Lb. hot press paper. 3.5 x 5 in. S.M.Delgado.
You’re right. You are seeing double. LOL. I added a tree line, and some light on the mountains. It was a long day, that’s about all I had time for. I did get some ideas for my next piece. I’m looking ahead to tomorrow. After a long winter’s nap.
Thanks so much for taking the time to look at the first five days!
Tulips are proof that even the most delicate bloom can withstand the harshest winter and emerge stronger in spring. Anna Held
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It’s time once again! Our 8th year of flocking together begins soon! Follow the link above to sign up now. If you have participated before, you are good to go.
The 30-Day Creative Gathering is an informal gathering of creators. Just paint each day in February. Or sketch, or take a photo. We welcome all levels, all mediums. Creating each day does not have to mean completing a finished piece. Work in progress is welcome!
You can choose to follow a theme, experiment with new tools, use a new palette. Or not. At the end of the month, each artist will create a collage of their works. If you have not done that before, we will show you how.
Gathering together allows us the opportunity to connect with others, make new friends, and cheer each other on. Hope to see you there!
Last week I spent an awesome day in Phoenix with an old friend from California. We had it planned for a couple of weeks, and I was really excited to spend time with Natasha Papousek. Getting there was an adventure in itself.
I drove through mist, light rain, blinding rain that slowed traffic to a crawl, and big fat rain with sunny skies above. Lucky for us, the rain in Phoenix was light while we traveled through town.
We went to the Phoenix Art Museum, and I am already looking forward to another visit. We saw Yayoi Kusama’s Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room. That was very cool, but intense. We only took a few steps in before returning to the calm light of day. Whew!
Moving on, we found Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan. The sculptures were bold and mesmerizing. Some were impossibly delicate and refined.
The Flowers of the Punjab textile exhibit captivated me with its intriguing and opulent patterns. Silk floss and cotton thread in floral motifs with geometrical borders and textures. All in rich golds, wines, and pops of vivid neon hues.
We sat for a bit, watched passersby, and talked about our plans for the year and other art business. Over the holidays, I spent some time organizing my art and photos of Mingus. I put together a small collection for Natasha. She treated me to some of her newer postcards. How awesome! We have been exchanging art postcards since at least 2016. (According to my blog posts.)
Postcard Finds, Phoenix Art Museum.
A cruise around the museum store was a must. We had a blast flipping through the exhibit books. Their call was loud and clear: take me home. We each snagged delightful loot, including gorgeous postcards and some artsy doodads—because really, who doesn’t need a desert-inspired eraser or a set of teeny colored pencils fit for a Lilliputian?
We hadn’t picked a lunch spot, but the aroma from the museum’s Alden restaurant was too savory to resist. Delightfully delicious!
On our way out, we spent more time with the Carlos Amorales: Black Cloud exhibit. We spoke with a guide and he was very excited to talk about the display. He told us it is a traveling show. And that everyone on staff volunteers to help install the butterflies. I hope you will follow the link, it is a very sweet story, the inspiration.
Views From Carlos Amorales: Black Cloud, Phoenix Art Museum
The drive home was thankfully, uneventful. I made a quick stop north of the city, and found out, I had missed a quick blizzard at home. I was able to catch some snow falling. And I made it home in time to catch the final moments of the sunset.
There were still thick clouds over Mingus, but there was no sign of snow to be found. The next morning, was bright and clear, and Mingus was lightly powdered.
This weekend my folks and I drove to Prescott the see the courthouse decked out in blue. The 90+ Courthouse Plaza trees that are decorated with lights for the holidays were switched to blue for three nights in honor of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. The tree tops were lit with white lights that mimicked snow fall or rain. The sidewalks and cafes were bustling with activity. But somehow, I managed to get photos that made the plaza look like a ghost town.
The gathering is just over two weeks away. I have decided I am going to explore and try to learn gouache. I have wanted to learn for years, but I guess I’ve just been chicken. I am hoping I will find time to play before February first. Fingers crossed. I am curious, and hopeful, and slightly afraid. Cue the Jaws theme music.
This will be our 1st event of 2026, our 8th year, and our 14th gathering. We officially surpassed Leslie Saeta’s 30 in 30! She hosted for 5 or 6 years. I am so surprised; I thought it ran much longer. High five to the Creative Gatherers!
The countdown begins soon! Let me know if you plan on participating, and what you think you will work on. I hope to see you there!
