Tag Archives: #sunflowers

30 Days Of Art Collage

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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Sunflowers & Eucalyptus

4 x 6 in. watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.
4 x 6 in. watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.

I thank my God every time I remember you.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.
(Philippians 1:3-4)

The art of being happy
lies in the power
of extracting happiness
from common things.
Henry Ward Beecher

February 2022 30-Day Creative Gathering Collage

FEB 22 30-Day Collage. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.

No surprises here. Flowers and Cacti. Cacti and flowers. I have a tiny sliver of Sap green left in my palette. Made it to the end, by the hair on my chinny, chin chin. 🙂 I am very happy with the work I produced. Hallelujah!

I’ve been hoping and praying for precipitation all month. You would never know it by looking at these sunny settings. The influence of the warm desert air no doubt.

Challenges make you discover things about yourself
that you never really knew.
Cicely Tyson

This event kicked off our fourth year of the gathering. We welcomed many new members, a great way to begin! There were over 665 works of art created in our international group this month. An abundance of light being sent out into the world! We have members in England, Canada, Spain, Hungary, Australia, France, and Scotland. And of course from all over the US.

Do not let what you cannot do
interfere with what you can do.
John Wooden

I worked in several small series this month. Cacti, wildflowers, abstracted flowers, potted plants, and my simplified floral still life. Each day what I sat down to paint was posted for viewing. Only one early painting failed so badly that I had to start over. There are two that made me cringe when I posted them. A few others I thought were mistakes, but they received the most comments. Proving again, I am not always a reliable judge of my work. 🙂

Below are my favorites. You can clearly see why my sap green is depleted. Haha. I always love hearing what your favorites are. One reason I number my collage.
Which did you like best, and why?

FEB 22 30-Day Favorites Collage. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.

I am so grateful to have you follow along this month. Your encouragement and considerate critiquing will stay with me long after the challenge has ended. I pushed myself, because I did not want to let myself down. I did not want to miss participating. But I confess, I was reminded each day how many of you prayed for me (are praying). I did not want to let you down either.


You are the wind beneath my wings! Thank you, my friends!

In a few days, I will share art and collages from the many who took part in this round of the Creative Gathering. We are fortunate to have so many gifted artists, who work in a variety of mediums and styles. I am so honored to have the opportunity to see their work each day. And learn from their strengths.

You will love a virtual stroll through the Gathering’s Gallery!