Call It Done & Move On

8 Replies
9 x 9 mixed media on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
9 x 9 mixed media on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

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.
WIP, Chicken and Bear. 4 x 4 & 12 x 12 canvas & acrylic. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

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.
Rooster, 10 x 10 Acrylic on canvas. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

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.

When you learn to give yourself a break,
and feel okay about not being able
to live up to impossible standards,
then you can begin to get the worry-free rest
your mind and body so badly need.
Suman Rai

God has promised that
He will provide rest
to those who have faith in Him
so hold on to your faith,
and to His words,
for God’s words are true.
Innah Delos Angeles

Wishing you JOY, great health, and restful nights.

Smooth The Way

10 Replies
Mingus Evening. 10-24-21. SMD
Mingus Evening. 10-24-21. SMD

I’m not surprised. But I still feel guilty. This usually happens after the Gathering. And I always feel guilty. This is the first art I have created in October. After a month of daily art making.

It’s not that I was stuck or uninspired. I’ve just been busy behind the scenes. It seems the tech stuff is never ending. And since it is not always fun, well, sometimes it just seems to take forever.

For the last couple of days, I have had supplies at the ready. Colored pencils, watercolor crayons, markers, paper. On my desk. And yet, I didn’t start. Then a nudge came to my inbox. Carla Sonheim to the rescue. She spoke about “smoothing the way” for creativity. How her plans to create were replaced with to-dos. She reminded herself, to just get in the studio and make something. Anything.

Just another Sunflower. 4 x 4 watercolor on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Just another Sunflower. 4 x 4 watercolor on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

That’s what I did. I put aside the large sheet of paper I had planned to paint on, and replaced it with a 4 x 4 inch sheet. Just start.

Soon, I was in the zone. Relaxed. Enjoying the movement of the color so much, I started a second small painting.

Just another Mingus View. 4 x 4 watercolor on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Just another Mingus View. 4 x 4 watercolor on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

I’ll show you where these led me, soon.
Happy weekend everyone!

When black cats prowl
and pumpkins gleam,
may luck be yours
on Halloween.
-Unknown-

Sky’s The Limit

10 Replies
Mingus Sunrise, 10-4-21. SMD
Mingus Sunrise, 10-4-21. SMD

Each time dawn appears, the mystery is there in its entirety.
Rene Daumal

Mingus Sunset, 9-13-21. SMD
Mingus Sunset, 9-13-21. SMD

Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens,
every day can end beautifully.
Kristen Butler

Mingus Storm, 10-5-21. SMD
Mingus Storm, 10-5-21. SMD

For each thorn, there’s a rosebud…
For each twilight – a dawn…
For each trial – the strength to carry on,
For each storm cloud – a rainbow…
For each shadow – the sun…
For each parting – sweet memories when sorrow is done.
Ralph Waldo Emerson