#stringofpearls | Sheila's Corner Studio

30 Day Collage, February 2023. Watercolor, acrylic & digital collage. © 2023 Sheila Delgado.

Once again, my plans were quickly left at the gate. The work led me down a path less traveled. I had decided to do collage for the gathering. I thought to make painted papers, and work on florals and landscapes.

I used the Photoshop pen tool on day one. To outline the bloom. By day three, I was hooked. There are only two pieces, that did not lean heavily on the pen tool. Day 2 and day 16.

Here is a video that will show you how to work with the Pen Tool. Of course, I am using it for a completely different outcome. (There I go using tools the wrong way again.)😄 I have started the video a few minutes in, and you only need to look at about a minute, to get a good idea. I wish I had found this particular video before. His explanations are so easy for me to understand. I learned by trial and error. Lots of errors.

This was my learning for the month. Each day I felt more and more comfortable with the tool. By the final week, my pieces were almost completely digitally rendered. 80-90%. I dared to take on more complex subjects.

I have avoided the pen tool for years. Trying to grasp it now and then, but soon giving in to frustration. It is slightly mathematical in nature. And you know, an artist’s brain does not work that way.

Favorites, February 2023. Watercolor, acrylic & digital collage. © 2023 Sheila Delgado.

I had fun playing with color, patterns and mood. I am happy with each piece. But, as always, I can see some that I would like to improve, having learned so much since then.

I managed to continue with my fabrics for the weekly Spoonflower challenge, for half of the month. I was behind for several days mid month, and I knew that working on a fabric design would sink me even further. I do plan on creating two designs, so that I can catch up on the weeks I missed. It is another challenge for my brain.

Thanks so much for following along with me this month. Your encouragement and support mean the world to me. I am so grateful for you, friends. My people. The ones who understand my art obsession. What it means to me, my soul, and my life.

Tomorrow I will post the Creative Gathering artists gallery. We have new members and I know you will love their work as much as I do. See you soon!

How do you make a round circle with a square knife?
That’s your challenge for the day.
Bob Ross

Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely.
Light and colour, peace and hope,
will keep them company to the end of the day.
Winston Churchill.

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Well, not too otherworldly. The desert was my inspiration. There is a bloom that looks like a striped starfish. It grows in Africa, and has a horrible odor. Which of course attracts bugs. The Starfish Flower Cactus. Haha. Appropriate. Combines my love of the sea, and of the desert. It is more of a succulent than a cactus. The smaller “bloom” in this design was inspired by String of Pearls. With a twist. I love those plants. And yes, I love peas. And I do think they look like they are from a distant planet.

I created a few more blooms, but felt like I needed to keep it sparse. Like the desert. I reworked the background I had used for the roadrunner design. I copied more of the sandy, jagged markings and placed them throughout. I started with more of a caramel background. A very warm sand. But here it looks more orange. Works for fall though! And Mars is reddish orange.😂 Voting is open now thru the 20th.

So grateful for your votes! I know it is a chore. Time for me to vote, and check out the fabulous designers! 😂