Category Archives: Pen

Like The Deserts Miss The Rain

A few blessed minutes. Rain. Needed to help fight the fire that is north of us. We are not in any danger, but the plume of smoke is ominous just the same. The areas around us received more rain, as usual. I read that there were 99 fires in Arizona. Such a high number, and we are not the only state with active fires.

I am finally finished with this trio I started in the Creative Gathering. I switched the colors, wasn’t quite happy with my first choice. As luck would have it, I painted the blooms and sky about three times. Haha.

After my first color layer on the blooms, I used a non permanent pen to add the details back to the purple and pink. I had already painted the sky, having noticed how pale the color was. And that some of the white gesso was showing through in small areas. For some reason, I did not notice the ink had smeared, until I had finished the last panel. ??? Maybe the shine was distracting? Haha. I really have no idea how I did not notice it. The black ink over the sky areas was very light, it just looked slightly dirty.

I began again. Another layer of blue here and there. Two more layers to cover the inky blooms. More sealer. I painted the centers with liquitex acrylic paint pen, two layers of semi-transparent yellow. For a closer look, click the image below.

Trio #1 Mixed Media on 6 x 6 Cradled Board. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Trio #2 Mixed Media on 6 x 6 Cradled Board. © 2021 Sheila Delgado. — Trio #1 Mixed Media on 6 x 6 Cradled Board. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Oops, I did it again. Thought it would be a quick fix. Ha! I painted these for three little under-age-five sisters. Recycled cradled board equals lots of texture. Here is a look at the original palette. Better, yes?

Day 12, Mixed Media on 6 x 6 Cradled Board. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Happy week to you!

Little Star

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Most days, I wake up with a song in my head. Nah. Not a Pollyanna “song in my heart”. Haha. It’s often a very annoying song. Playing on repeat, before I am even fully conscious.

I usually try to figure out, where the thought might have come from. Was it something I saw, something I read? Maybe a silly clip from Youtube. If there is time, I will look the song up, and listen. Usually, that clears my internal playlist.

Today, the opening line of Little Star came to mind. And that made perfect sense, as a title for these wonky flowers. Maybe it was meant to be. I painted them before bed last night.

Learning – The Never-Ending Journey Of An Artist

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I signed up for Sketchbook Revival, knowing full well I was going to miss some of the sessions. I almost passed, but I am so glad I clicked that button. I am in the process of catching up now. It is a two week event, and there are two sessions each day.

Those of you who are in the 30-Day Creative Gathering would love this as a continuation of your daily creative practice. I’ve been introduced to so many terrific artists and found a couple that I had lost touch with.

The session with crayons was so meditative. They all have been. Listening to the instructor, using the tools, finding myself in the moment. Not at all concerned with an outcome.

Of course, I found myself drawing flowers. I had just finished a search on tulips, and their simple shapes were fresh in my mind. I layered color after color. Yellow, peach, red, coral. Turquoise, bright blue, sage, teal, asparagus. More yellow.

When I had finished, I wiped of the crayon dust, and was surprised to find it left a nice sheen on the leaf. I took the tissue and rubbed the entire drawing. Laughing at myself, but this took me right back to childhood, and grade school.

I may have the sessions out of order. I did not realize in the beginning that there were two each day. In this next session, we explored automatic drawing. Using different pens, exploring the marks. Automatism refers to creating art without conscious thought, accessing material from the unconscious mind as part of the creative process

This session passed so quickly, and yet seemd to last a long time. I think I missed some of what was being said, I was so into making marks on the paper. Haha.

Automatic Drawing. © 2021 Sheila Delgado. — Automatic Drawing.

Karen Abend, the event organizer, led a session on Intentional doodling. We started with observing nature. Taking notice of the shapes, and then using that to create more abstract shapes and patterns. You have seen this paddle plant before. I don’t think I will ever tire of the round leaf shapes.

Intentional Doodling. © 2021 Sheila Delgado. — Intentional Doodling.

Along with the sessions, each artist offers freebies to continue practicing their method. Some are worksheets, others free video tutorials, and even some short classes. SO MUCH learning. Mindfulness and intention are keys. The intention to focus on the moment. On the process.

Those reminders are always welcome. It is so easy to forget that key creativity. For me at least. Haha. I will continue with these lessons. JOY filled!

I am not sure how long the sessions will be available. Some of the freebies are still available, it looks like until the end of May. Take a look! Treat yourself! Enjoy!