Category Archives: Maps

Toil and Trouble

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

When I was in high school, I shocked a friend by knowing the word cauldron. We were playing Pictionary. He drew the picture, and announced to the group, “She’ll never get this one!”

I blurted out the answer, Roger’s jaw dropped, and everyone had a good laugh. I have a fondness for the word cauldron. It reminds me of good friends.

I have painted regularly since the end of the September challenge. A whole lotta’ toil and trouble with nothing, not even a frog toe to show. I reclaimed several small canvases, only to cover them up with mud and muck. Time for more gesso. And more practice painting with a palette knife.

While I was watching an online class on Photoshop, I started goofing with some paint. It was a beginners class, and much of it I knew.

So this is just a bit of play…

Harvest Map. Watercolor and acrylic, 6 x 6. © Sheila Delgado 2014

Harvest Map. Watercolor and acrylic, 6 x 6. © Sheila Delgado 2014

 

 

 

Patty Digh – The Geography of Loss

 

 

The Geography of Loss by Patti Digh. To be released January 2014. Watercolor on 140 lb. cold press

The Geography of Loss by Patti Digh. To be released January 2014. Watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. @ 2012 Sheila Delgado

I am so honored to share this with you. I first mentioned this back in November. My artwork was for publication in Patty Digh’s The Geography of Loss. I have waited since then to find out which piece of art they decided to use in the book. Well,

GUESS WHAT!

They chose both of them! I was so surprised to see that both had made it in the book. Such an honor to be included with so many wonderful artists. You can take a peek inside. It is fun for me to look back at these two images. I really worked hard on them. I was going for a crafty, cartoony sort of feel.

I can see that my work has improved since these were done, almost two years ago. I remember the things I struggled with that now come easier for me. This was one of the first times I put my art out into the world.

After so much time had passed, and I did not hear if they had been accepted or not. I created a short book from one of them. I am still working on getting it released, so I will have to let you know about that later.

Patty’s book is really wonderful. I have only had the chance to read bits and pieces. There are so many wonderful, emotion filled quotes. Lessons shared. Just look at some of the chapter titles:

Love yourself, Bumps Included

Living a Story of Wholeness

See a Future Bigger than Yourself

Page turner, right? Just read this description from the front jacket:

You are the navigator through the three main sections:   

Embrace what is: walk into your new landscape
Honor what was: be grateful for your old landscape
Love what will be: live into your future landscape

Illustrated throughout with art submitted from around the world, this book is an atlas of experience, utilizing map imagery and the richly metaphoric, evocative, and functional language of geography to help you place yourself on your own journey, to find your way through helpful exercises and an empathetic, expert guide.

Patty-Digh-Cover

The cover feels like, well I want to say velvet. But that is not right. It has a warmth to it. I wish I knew what the process is. It wants to be held.

The artwork is bold and colorful, soulful and subdued. To me it is inspiring. I love books. I have always treasured them. Such a blessing to receive a copy as a contributing artist!

So here is a sneak peek at how my pieces appear in the book.The book is over 200 pages, and fabulous art is displayed on just about every one of them.

I am realizing, I did not name either one of these. Oh well.

What way to start the new year! I am blessed!

Page 91, Patty Digh - The Geography of Loss. Watercolor, © 2012 Sheila Delgado

Page 91, Patty Digh – The Geography of Loss. Watercolor, © 2012 Sheila Delgado

Page 184, Patty Digh - The Geography of Loss. Watercolor, © 2012 Sheila Delgado

Page 184, Patty Digh – The Geography of Loss. Watercolor, © 2012 Sheila Delgado

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patti Digh – January Book Release

WOO WHOO!

I am in! I just received word that one/or both of my paintings are in  The Geography of Loss: Embrace What Is, Honor What Was, Love What Will Be. By Patti Digh. I sent the submissions in September of 2012. I thought the jury process had long since ended, and just figured I had not been selected.

When I saw the letter in my box, I thought it was an invitation to take part in a new project. I am so happy! And on top of that AMAZING news, I will receive a free copy of the book when it is released in mid-January.

Here is the artwork I created for the themes they supplied. One had to do with maps, and the other was on how we handle loss. I believe this is Patti’s fifth book, and in each of them, she invites artists from around the world to take part in the illustration.

Wishing you all a very Happy weekend – filled with Happy news!

The Geography of Loss by Patti Digh. To be released January 2014. Watercolor on 140 lb. cold press

The Geography of Loss by Patti Digh. To be released January 2014. Watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. @2012 Sheila Delgado