And now, the end is here…
Regrets, I’ve had a few,
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew,
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing.
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way!
That song has been in my head today. And not just for me. I think each of the artists participating can relate. Great paintings were created, and also some mediocre. A few too, that will be ripped up, thrown out, or painted over.
I want to thank everyone who visited my blog and gave me your opinion of my work. It really means a lot to me, you kept me going even when I thought my work was only fit for Oscar and his trash can.
I want to send out a “Thank You!” to Leslie as well. She said today that she does not think she played much of a part in so many people painting every day. But there are over 300 artists who would tell you different. She will be hosting another challenge in January, and I will be there to take part. I have a friend who is just getting started with painting and she wants to join as well.
For today, a painting I will be sending to my best friend from 5th and 6th grade. Helena. We were friends for about two years, and then each left the state. Letters kept us in touch for a few more years, and then we sort of, lost each other. I found her on Facebook earlier this year. Not sure why I had never thought to look before that.
Eucalyptus Leaf, front and back. 6 x 6 Watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © 2013 Sheila Delgado
I mentioned in a post I think last Tuesday or Wednesday, that I had taken a trip down memory lane. I went to my old neighborhood. Well, that gave me the idea for this, and about ten other paintings.
These are eucalyptus. The neighborhood I spent part of my childhood in was Scripps Ranch. Just east of Miramar, and if you have watched Top Gun, you have seen parts of Scripps Ranch, and all of the eucalyptus trees. It was a little sad going back. One of the houses I had lived was burned in the Cedar fire. There were a lot of brand new homes, dotted in between older ones.
Scripps is an area I have fond memories of, and I even have dreams of it. Sometimes in the rain, trees all shiny and everything smelling so clean and fresh. That is when you can really smell the eucalyptus. ( I remember most of my dreams so that is not very unusual for me.)
I thought about using pen with this, adding a few crags and cracks and outline definition. the veins are really so tiny and so numerous, adding them would destroy the piece. I really like them like this. What do you think? (remember how the sunflower looked?) I will think on it for a day or two. If I do it, I will still have this version saved in the computer.
Here are all of the paintings I worked on this month. Which ones did you like the best? Can you tell me why? Sorry, I did not have time to include links with each of them. To revisit them you can go to my Home page, and then scroll down to see the original posts.
Have a great evening everyone! I hope you had as much fun looking at these, as I had creating them!
God Bless!
Sheila
30 Days of Art, September 2013
Sheila, these eucalyptus leaves are truly beautiful! You have such a lovely delicate style. I hadn’t realised that Eucalyptus trees were cultivated widely throughout America.
Congratulations on finishing the 30 day challenge on such a lovely note! Your collage looks great!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Thanks so much Wendy 🙂 I grew up with the story of how the trees were planted, they run from Scripps Ranch all the way to the ocean. I also spent time growing up in Colorado with all the pine trees. But eucalyptus always feel more like “home” to me.
WooHoo! 30 Paintings!! Congratulations Sheila. And don’t they all look wonderful together. It is amazing, though, isn’t it that the whole month of September is done! My goodness, time does fly!
Hmm…serious thinking here…let’s see which ones are my faves! I love all the pears because I truly believe they will look awesome as a collage in separate frames next to each other on a wall mixed in with mirrors!! I love your flowers because they are beautiful and happy. I love all your portraits because they are all different and have their own style and personalities. Oh and the trees would look great all together as a collage, too. And now, drum roll please:
For my favorites of yours, I would have to pick the portraits! I love that they are all very different and own their own personalities. And for my top three they would be: #15, #18, #1.
Congratulations again on completing all 30! Whew! Rest up until January!
And special thanks again for all your words of praise, encouragement, and extremely kind thoughts at my blog throughout this entire challenge!
It has been wonderful cheering each other on!
Thank you!
Joan! Thank You! You are supposed to be celebrating, not commenting! I knew you liked the portraits, so fitting for you! I am glad you liked the first one too. So simply and small. I wanted to do more like that… but one thing leads to another.
Joan it is always so great to hear from you! Your kindness always puts me at ease when I am doubting myself. So thankful to have met you here, and so looking forward to knowing you better!
Blessing and Best wishes!
Sheila
VERY VERY WELL DONE! Sheila! I’m so proud of you!
Your watercolors are beautiful! And I think they’re perfect for gift cards, household items like aprons, mugs and stationery as well!
Aww, Thank you my friend! You are the reason I joined this challenge to begin with! I am still trying to visit the artists posts for today. I have a sore throat and may have to finish tomorrow. 🙁 Everyone has done such wonderful, amazing work!
Sheila, I am so proud of you! I was one of the lowly artists that only made it to Day 16 before caving in to the pressure! Kudos on your achievement! I hope to join you in January and next time I’ll have some better organization skills under my belt!
BTW, I liked the meaning and painting from today the best! It was a beautiful representation of eucalyptus leaves. Loved the memory lane thoughts also. Again, congrats!
Thank you Karen. I hope you are not judging yourself too harshly. It is a real struggle to find time to paint, and then to also try and write something interesting to go along with it. I absolutely love your work! I am so glad I discovered you in this challenge! I am checking right now to make sure I signed up to follow you.