Category Archives: Mixed Media

February 2021 30-Day Creative Gathering Collage

February 2021 30-Day Gathering Collage .© 2021 Sheila Delgado.

February was a moody month for me. Haha. At least, by the looks of my collage. I didn’t think about doing groups of three. The first was just luck of the draw. I had three sheets of paper ready to go (prepped in January). On the 10th – 18th, I found 3 each, cradled board, and canvas boards in two different sizes. Quite nice, as it removed that part of the decision-making from the equation. As Gump would say, “One less thing.” Haha.

As usual, I had lots of ideas at the beginning of the month, that I never got around to. One thing leads to another, and pretty soon I am headed down a different road. And I still have the large 36 x 36-inch blank canvas hanging on my wall. Though, I did have fun trying some ideas out with that. It is next on my list. Again.

In this creative round, there are 15 pieces I could easily chuck in the round file. But, there are 12 that I am very happy with. Not a bad percentage. There are six that I have started reworking, and I will share those with you soon. You can see some of my favorites below.

February Favorites 2021 30-Day Gathering Collage .© 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Thanks so much for following along! Your encouragement and suggestions are so meaningful to me. You helped me to keep going on the days when nothing seemed to work.

Thank you, my friends!

In a few days, I will share art and collages from the many artists who make up the Creative Gathering. They are all so extremely gifted. I am so honored to work alongside them. You will love a virtual stroll through the Gathering’s Gallery!

See you soon!

Art and friendship are absolutely connected…
Friendship is, after all, sharing a deep part of your self
with another person, and receiving the same back.
Nina Allen Freeman

I draw flowers every day on my iPhone,
and send them to my friends,
so they get fresh flowers every morning.
David Hockney

30-Day Creative Gathering February 2021, Days 29 & 30

Day 30, 4 x 6 Watercolor and pen on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Day 30, 4 x 6 Watercolor and pen on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Tonight I tried a new watercolor paper. I was gifted several blank postcards. FUN! Thank you, Christine Brooks! Christine sent me three different types, 2 are etcher, and one is Strathmore.

I usually use cold-pressed paper, so I started with the hot press. I worked with lots of water on the background above, and it held up. It did curl while drying, but the paper was easily curved back to flat. Blending was not great. In the flowers above, I used the blending brush in Photoshop to soften some of the edges. In the cactus below, you can clearly see the paint did not move well. Still, I do think the paper is decent. For postcards, I think it works well. It would probably handle sketching nicely.

Day 29, 4 x 6 Watercolor and pen on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Day 29, 4 x 6 Watercolor and pen on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

I fell behind in the final days, and postcards were the perfect way to catch up quickly. More for fun, than fine. Haha.

Tomorrow I will share my collage of the 30 pieces painted this month. In a few days, I will share a collection of stunning works created by the artists who participated in this month’s creative challenge.

You won’t want to miss it!

Day 24 February 2021 30-Day Creative Gathering

Day 24, 8 x 8 Mixed Media. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Day 24, 8 x 8 Mixed Media. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Just a few more days now. Time passes so quickly, but the challenge month seems like a blink of the eye. Speaking of eyes, next month I am having cataract surgeries. “Yay”, she says, with an OMG look on her face.

I knew I have floaters. Annoying. The doctor is not worried about those though. He did not see cataracts in my first visit. Six weeks later they were there. He was astounded. He could not believe his notes had no mention. And I told him that he did not say anything about them. He said it rarely happens, that they develop so quickly. I reminded him I have Lupus, and he did say that could be a factor.

I have pre-op on the 3rd and surgery on the 8th and 15th. I will likely be digitally silent for most of the month. Bright light and all. Their website mentions that color vision may be improved. Hmm. “Interesting”, she says, eyebrow raised.

I have to be honest and say, I am mildly freaking out at the thought of someone slicing my eye open. While I am awake. Everyone I have talked to says it is a breeze. I will be thrilled to have them both behind me.

Day 24, green, 8 x 8 Mixed Media. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Day 24, green, 8 x 8 Mixed Media. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

I used a digital repeat pattern on the vase. For Nelvia: The lines were black but I removed most of that color and altered it with selective color. Just as printers do, you can get thousands of variations by adding more or less cyan, magenta, and yellow.

Which vase do you like best?

Day 24, clay, 8 x 8 Mixed Media. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Day 24, clay, 8 x 8 Mixed Media. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.