Category Archives: Gouache

Graceful Gathering

Doodle Bugs was our Spoonflower assignment this week. I am not a fan of bugs in general. I wouldn’t choose to draw them. I do admire bugs that other artists create. And I have to admit, I was surprised at how many colorful, pretty bugs there are. I had a hard time narrowing it down.

The brief called for hand drawn or painted bugs. My Talens Angora watercolor palette came to mind. Warm desert tones. (Their skin tone collection.) And I decided on Moths. There are so many pretty ones. Some are neon pink and yellow. There were lots of yellows, in the images I researched. And warm earthy rusts and salmons.

Graceful Gathering Wallpaper. © 2023 Sheila Delgado.

I created the bodies and details using the pen tool in Photoshop. I wanted nice crisp lines. I painted blobs, trying to get some bleeds and blooms. I wasn’t as successful with that, but I did end up with a few that were usable. I trimmed them digitally to fit the moth bodies.

I have never considered painting a butterfly. Always felt it was beyond my abilities. But I surprised myself. I am learning to think in pen tool. Haha. 🙂 No way would I be able to draw them by hand though.

Graceful Gathering details. © 2023 Sheila Delgado.

Graceful Gathering samples. © 2023 Sheila Delgado.

I am really happy with how this turned out. Happy with the hues.
Happy with my little taught-me-so-much doodle bugs. 😉
Voting is open until next Tuesday, the 25th.

Graceful Gathering Collection. © 2023 Sheila Delgado.

Last week I received notice that Spoonflower was making changes in the challenge voting. They have already changed the main challenge page, and WOW! I am looking forward to seeing what changes they made on the voting page. Fingers crossed.

I just read in a Facebook Spoonflower group, that the voting is messy and takes you through 21 pages. BUT, it does allow you to exit and come back to it. It saves your votes, but shows the designs in random order. So you may see some designs more than once, if you re enter. Sounds like they need to work out some glitches.

It will take people using it, for them to gather info for improvements. And if you do consider voting, I am very interested in hearing your opinions, so I can pass them on to Spoonflower.

They did mention, that there would be two columns instead of one, on the phone app. That is a huge change. And will help make voting a little faster. They will also be verifying that designs meet the requirements, and are repeating designs. One key to voting on the phone, is to open the page, and give it a few seconds to load the images.

WOO WHO!!!

Spoonflower calculates the counts now! Awesome! I don’t have to search through the entries now, to find my placement. Thank you Spoonflower! 🙂

Rugged Line placement in the Miniature Dollhouse Wallpaper challenge.

Rugged Line - Pink. Miniature Dollhouse Wallpaper. © 2023 Sheila Delgado. — Rugged Line – Pink. Miniature Dollhouse Wallpaper. © 2023 Sheila Delgado.

Woo Whoo! 176!! That is the top 10.45 %. (If the online calculator is correct. LOL)

You can see the top 65, here. I would have needed only 30 more votes to make the top 65. WOWzers! 🙂 This simple design is one of my favorites. So nice that so many others like it too. 🙂

Sending out a huge cup of appreciation, to all of you who voted & to those of you taking the time to vote this week. 🙂 And to all of my followers. I am so grateful. 🙂

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

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New At Society6 – On Sale Now

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Holiday Decorations Sale
30% Off Home Decor,
Tabletop and Stationery
10-24 to 10-31

Tapestries, throw pillows, rectangular pillows, floor pillows,
throw blankets, blackout curtains, sheer curtains, wall clocks,
rugs, wallpaper, wall murals, coffee mugs, travel mugs,
tablecloths, table runners, placemats, coasters,
water bottles, wine chillers,
cutting boards, serving trays, stationery cards, notebooks,
stickers, wrapping paper, puzzles, desk mats.

30-Day Creative Gathering Group Gallery, 9.2022

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713 pieces of fabulous art were created in our September Gathering. Last year our total was 620. So even though we were missing several artists, we still did very well.
Bravo! One and all! If you painted one day, or 30, Congratulations! Our fourth year is off to a fabulous start!

I am so honored to share this time with so many talented artists. Your work is amazing! I applaud your curiosity, your drive, your experimentation. Your fearlessness. Your desire for growth. Your generosity and graciousness with fellow members is a true gift. Thank you for your kindness, and your honesty.

A huge thank you to all artists for granting permission to show your work here and on the group Pinterest board. I am so excited to share this small selection of fabulous art. I know you will love it as much as I do. Feel free to leave comments for the artists. The Pinterest gallery is even better, you can see them all together. Grab a cuppa, and enjoy!

I did not include links this time, but the artists with websites can easily be found in a browser search. Thanks so much for taking the time to view these fabulous work.

Art can heal, it can lift us up. Art encourages community & reduces isolation. It increases self awareness. For the artist and for the viewer. Art can build a bridge across borders, and foster true friendships. Art gives meaning to our lives. Our Gathering has proven the all of this.