Category Archives: Pen

30 Days of Art – A look Back

Jan 30 in 30 5 x 5

I am so glad I participated again this year in Leslie Saeta’s 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. It is quite a learning experience. I think the hardest part for me, is writing each day about what I have created.

I know I very often tell you I am not happy with the daily painting. (Lord please tell me I did not complain every day!) Seeing the paintings here, I am really very happy with them all. I know I struggled with wanting to spend more time on each piece. I wanted to create more along the lines of “Fine Art” and less, well less like the level that I am actually at.

I can see a huge improvement in my work, and that is AWESOME! I did not explore Pastels, or work in acrylics or collage as I had hoped. But I did work on Arches paper, as well as start to get familiar with YUPO. In that respect I did stretch out of my comfort zone.

I love the act of painting daily. I love discovering artists, and seeing their work every day. The absolute best part of the challenge for me, is making new friends. There are so many super talented artists taking part in the challenge. The beauty and diversity of what you create… it is a gift! You really are amazing!

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A heartfelt thank you to everyone who visits my blog.
And thank you for taking the time to comment.
Your kind words are icing on the cake!

I will be catching up on visiting artists sites in the next few days. So bummed I am behind – what treasures I am missing!!!

Oh hey, good news here. I received my complimentary copy of Patty Digh’s new book, with my artwork inside. I will share it with you tomorrow!

Thanks again everyone, happy creating to you!

God Bless!

Sunset Shadows – Day 25 of 30 in 30

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Sunset Shadows. 4 x 5 watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2014 Sheila Delgado

I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date.

I painted until the wee hours last night. And I did finish a painting. You can see it below. I was so “in the zone” that I arrived at my destination, without knowing how I got there. Does that ever happen to you? It’s like I got on the 76, missed my exit on the 15 north. And I ended up at the beach instead of the desert.

Not a bad thing. Just not my intention.

I woke up this morning, and couldn’t get excited about posting the painting. So I decided to keep trying. And painting. And painting. Finally got something worth looking at.

Ochre patchwork. 6 x 6 watercolor, pen on cold press paper. © 2014 Sheila Delgado

What I had intended for the patchwork, was something a bit more weathered and worn. I added the outlines digitally to see if I liked it before trying with a pen. Turns out even my darkest pen ends up looking a little grey. So the digital version won.

Now it’s time for some dinner, and then I am going to head over to Leslie Saeta’s blog, and see what my artist friends have been up to. Hope you will check it out as well.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Arabian Ornament – Day 21 of 30 in 30

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Arabian Postcard. 4 x 6 watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. ©2014 Sheila Delgado

Many Arabian motifs include ornate leaves, vines and scroll work. Compared with Greek or Moresque ornaments, it is easy to see they have been simplified. Details have been trimmed to the barest essentials. This makes them no less intoxicating.

There are two images in the plates on Arabian Ornament in The Grammar of Ornament that have sea green in them. They caught my eye right off the bat. They were taken from pavements and walls in private houses and Mosques in Cairo. These designs were created with marble in white and black, and red tiles. There is no mention of the green material, so maybe it is just an interpretation.

The majority of these decorative designs are created from basic shapes. Circle, square, triangle, star. Familiar shapes make these designs, more accessible.

Arabian No. 5, The Grammar of Ornament

Does anyone remember those puzzle games with wood pieces in different colors and shapes? You could mix and match, the options were endless. A circle with a triangle on top could be a man in a hat. A square with a triangle became a house. I think infinite possibilities also intrigued early Arabian culture.

Pear. Watercolor on YUPO.

What is intriguing me today, are the artistic possibilities in a pad of YUPO watercolor paper. I only had a few minutes to “play” this evening. Not nearly enough time for fun. Here is a silly little pear I did. It is only about an inch tall.

Hope your week is off to a great start. Remember to start the day with thanks for the good things in your life. Gratitude is gracious!