I want to be a tree. 5 x 5 mixed media on paper. © 2017 Sheila Delgado
Stain gessoed paper, drip by drip. White becomes yellow, then Shiraz and rust are added. Finally a dash or two of fuchsia. Let dry. Splatter more of each color. Splatter clean water. Get a wild hair, and scrape the entire piece. Think maybe that was a bad idea, but I continue to scratch into the paint. Let dry.
Add more layers of splattered color and water. Put paint on and take some off. The water allows the colors to mix. Dabbing with a damp paper towel reclaims some of the white. Reveals terrific texture.
My intention was to carve out a “Sunset cactus”. But as soon as I added a bit of white, it was there. A pretty little lolly of a tree.
So a tree it is. Heavy Burridge influence, but nowhere near as wonderful. He would call it my “practice”. Computer was off for most of the day, and when I turned it on to post, there was a notice that Mr. Burridge added a new video on YouTube. Funny huh?!
An interesting piece Sheila and it sounds like you had fun creating it – way to go!
I did have fun Val, thank you 🙂 Working on another today.
Beautiful colours and your tree is wonderful. Love the wonky trunk – gives it that little touch of character. I like the ‘Sheila’ tree and hope you do more – imagine a series hung on a wall. Have a great day.
Aww thanks Janet 🙂 I had to leave that knot in the trunk 😉 I was drawn into a few of Robert’s videos, and I love the way he works in a series. Great minds think alike (you)! Off to ready your latest!
I want to see the new Delgado video on YouTube—would love to be visual witness to the process of I Want to Be a Tree! Love the figure-ground optical-illusion effects here; my eye goes back and forth between seeing the stonehenge monoliths along the bottom as painted on TOP of the white and then as created by their having been created through painting of negative space. I’m loving your playful experimentation.
Dotty you are a corker! I almost showed photos of the steps. (Hand to forehead – D’OH!) Next time.
I love what you see in the ground. 🙂 I was sure I had made too many drips. The two at the base of the tree were accidents, and one of the others as well.
I have been thinking about doing short videos. Thanks for letting me know you would be interested. YOU would be WONDERFUL to watch in a video my effervescent friend!! thanks so much for the encouragement 🙂