Category Archives: Pen

Day 19 of February’s 30-Day Creative Gathering

Day 19, 8 x 8 watercolor on Fabriano paper. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.
Day 19, 8 x 8 watercolor on Fabriano paper. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.

I was fighting with this one, and then I realized why it was not working. I was not using Arches paper. You can see in the sky, how spotty the paint settled. In the cactus as well, but the texture works there. I did nave fun with the saguaro. But I always do. Haha.

I’m like the trunk of a cactus…
I take in a dose of culture and time with friends,
then I retreat and go live on it for a while
until I get thirsty again.
Nancy Horan

The canyon country does not always inspire love.
To many it appears barren, hostile, repellent –
a fearsome mostly waterless land of rock and heat,
sand dunes and quicksand, cactus, thornbrush, scorpion, rattlesnake, and agaraphobic distances.
To those who see our land in that manner,
the best reply is, yes, you are right,
it is a dangerous and terrible place.
Enter at your own risk.
Carry water.
Avoid the noonday sun.
Try to ignore the vultures.
Pray frequently.
Edward Abbey

Day 16, February 2022

Day 16, 8 x 8 mixed media on Arches cold pressed paper. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.
Day 16, 8 x 8 mixed media on Arches cold pressed paper. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.

A whimsical floral for today. I started with watercolor. Well, pencil, to draw the flowers. LOL. I painted the blooms, outlined them, and left it overnight. I was not happy at all. Haha. The background came out great. Looks so much better in person. Drips and blooms, color separation. Lovely surprises.

I love the sunflower. Of course. Haha. That center was magical, watching the colors blend and move. The lavender is not bad. Simple. The purple would have been great, But some of the paint was already too dry to use the pattern sheet. (plastic) It did not lift color as much as I had hoped. So I copied some of the spots, and added them in. I added almost 90! I would never guess there are over 100 spots on that bloom.

I added a digital pattern to the pink bloom. And then added color to the pattern. I am least happy with the orange flower. I tried several patterns, and didn’t like any of them. Finally, I added wonky lines.

The leaves are all digital. I like them, because the shape reminds me of a seashell. I had drawn some, but they were small and wimpy. I would have tossed this out, they were so bad. Haha. With all of the leaves and stems, I tried wonky colors. But in the end, I went with shades of green that complement the rest of the painting. I hope. With the stems, I was trying to fill some space, but at the same time, not to cover up interesting background areas.

Saved from the trashcan, but not a favorite. Haha. (I would have cut out the sunflower and pinned it to my inspo. board. LOL) I meant for this to be a quick one, but it took me longer to add the digital, than it did to paint. Haha. Done is done. 🙂

The true worth of an experimenter
consists in his pursuing not only what he seeks
in his experiment, but also what he did not seek.
Claude Bernard

When you’re experimenting
you have to try so many things
before you choose what you want,
and you may go days
getting nothing but exhaustion.
Fred Astaire

February’s 30-Day Creative Gathering, Day 15

Day 15, 4 x 4 watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.
Day 15, 4 x 4 watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.

We’ve reached the half way mark. It’s official. It’s all downhill from here. Haha. As fast as these first fifteen days half passed, the next fifteen will do double time. I am going to enjoy them while I can.

I’m so glad to have you join my artistic journey. Thank you. I love painting wildflowers. Pure play. I love watching the blues and greens mix on the paper. And you KNOW I love to splatter paint. Haha. Enjoy!

The best remedy for those who are afraid,
lonely or unhappy is to go outside,
somewhere where they can be quiet,
alone with the heavens, nature and God.
Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.
Anne frank

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.
Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
Helen Keller