Category Archives: Cacti & Succulents

Day 22 of February’s 30

Day 22, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

From one extreme to another. Day 21 was too light. Day 22 is too dark. Tomorrow’s piece oughta be just right. This is a totem pole cactus. They are lumpy and bumpy. They are smooth, no spines. I simplified the shapes. I may go back and add a few shadows to indicate lumps. I might also wash out some of the heavy colors in today’s background. It does remind me of the intense desert heat. I guess I should call it a work in progress. Opinions are always welcome. 🙂

I revised Yesterday’s painting. I like it much better now.

*Day 21 revised, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.*

Day 21, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

30-Day Creative Gathering, February Day 21

6 Replies

This is a Mexican Fencepost cactus. Also called an Organ Pipe or Organo. I like that one. It is shaped like a star from the top. The spines are along the edges, they are short and give the appearance of “hand-stitching”. Dressed and ready for the ball! Work in progress. Nothing is working here. Oops, hehe.

Here’s a winner though. Saved by the sunset!

An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way.
An artist says a hard thing in a simple way.
Charles Bukowski

Day 20 Of The 30-Day Creative Gathering

10 Replies

Day 20, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

I have to admit, I have had a hard time getting started each day. Seems I think about what to paint, longer than it takes for me to actually paint. Haha. Indecision. Not procrastination. I have a folder full of images, cacti, that I would like to paint. I just have a hard time deciding.

I guess that’s not a bad problem to have. I would like to start earlier. And finish before midnight. Tonight I set a goal for myself. To complete the piece in 2 hours. I wasn’t sure I could. I haven’t been timing myself. I stop for breaks and get distracted. Sometimes. But I sat down to work and didn’t stop until I was done. I had 2 minutes to spare.

Did you know cactus spines are actually highly modified leaves? This helps to prevent water loss from the surface of a leaf. The spines can also provide shade for the cactus and reduce airflow around the plant.