Category Archives: Pen

Day 7 Of 30

Day 7, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 7, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

Sittin’ by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.
I don’t know where I’m goin’

but I hope I know it when I get there.
Thinking about how love never works out.
But I guess that’s the way it goes
And how this story ends, only heaven knows.

Andie MacDowell – Michael


Last night Mingus went from hot caramel to glowing ember red.
The sky was not going to be outdone.

Mingus Early Evening, 2.6.2020. SMD
Mingus Early Evening, 2.6.2020. SMD
Mingus Red, 2.6.2020. SMD
Mingus Red, 2.6.2020. SMD
Hello Moon, 2.6.2020. SMD
Hello Moon, 2.6.2020. SMD

Mingus Pretty In Pink

Mingus in Pink II, SMD 11-10 2019
Mingus in Pink II, SMD 11-10 2019
Mingus in Pink I, SMD 11-10 2019
Mingus in Pink I, SMD 11-10 2019

I thought I missed it. The best shot. Turns out I didn’t. That is why the photos above are in reverse order. I pulled out the pink in Photoshop. On my phone, the sky almost looked white. I didn’t have to adjust it much, to see the pink as it was. Sort of eerie, like being on Mars. A pretty, human-friendly, oxygen-filled Mars.

I made the 30-Day Creative Gathering board on Pinterest public. My idea worked. Whew! I added the photos (sent to me by participants) to a page on my site. The page will not be published, but I can pin from there to the board. Take a look, September was a great month for art!

Only thing is, if you click those images on the board, they link to the page on my site. I didn’t think anyone would see it. Now I need to dress it up and credit each of you. On my list for tomorrow. I’d still like to include everyone who created during the challenge. I added the FB post about it to the announcements section if you are interested. If you would like to be represented on the board, you can message me your collage, and/or 1 to 2 works created during the challenge.

Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.
Lovelle Drachman

I have been playing with scraps and paint the last week or so. Usually right before bed. I’m painting lots of blah and yuck. But the process is… restorative. Today the weather was feeling sort of grey and sad. So of course, I felt like painting bright flowers.

Coneflower. 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Coneflower. 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Tulips. 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Tulips. 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Wildflower. 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Wildflower. 4 x 4, watercolor, pen on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.

Solitude is creativity’s best friend,
and solitude is refreshment for our souls.
Naomi Judd

Arizona Sunset. 11-11-19. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.
Arizona Sunset. 11-11-19. © 2019 Sheila Delgado.

Many prefer not to exercise their imaginations at all.
They choose to remain comfortably

within the bounds of their own experience,
never troubling to wonder how it would feel

to have been born other than they are.
J.K. Rowling

30-Day Creative Gathering Collage

I’m so glad we had a 30-day challenge! Whew! And I am so thankful I was able to participate and complete 30 daily paintings! I had serious doubts I would last the whole month. And with the extra work of organizing the Facebook group, I am definitely ready for a break. Haha.

I think it has been a great month! A quick one for sure. I plan to keep up the daily painting, after our out of town company has left. I have ideas I want to try. And I have 30 4 x 6’s ready to go. Haha. Also several paintings on canvas I need to finish. I do like the 8 x 8 size I worked with this month. Not too big, and not too small.

I’m pleased with all the paintings I completed this month. There were a few I tweaked. And a few more I need to make small changes to. There are only two that I think are duds. Days 25 and 29. But I do plan to practice those techniques more.

Below is a collage of viewer favorites, according to blog visits. I am not sure how accurate that is, as I had fewer visits to the blog than I usually had during one of Leslie’s challenges.

This collage shows my favorites. I worked with collage, and stencils. Acrylic, pencil and pen. Layering elements. Worked with watercolor, and favorite familiar themes. I’d love to know which ones you like best. And why.

So grateful to all of those that followed along, and shared encouraging words. Thank you for sharing your ideas on how to improve, or suggesting new tools and techniques. The challenge would be meaningless without our conversations.

Big high five to all the participating members. You created amazing work this month! For some of you, just starting again after a long hiatus was a major accomplishment. You each have your own success story. Own it! And share it in the group!

Congratulations everyone!