Category Archives: Cacti & Succulents

30-Day Creative Gathering Day 12

Day 12, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches cold-pressed 140 lb. paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 12, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches cold-pressed 140 lb. paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

It’s the perfect time for a Sweetheart Hoya Plant. Also known as a Valentine Hoya, or Hoya Kerrii. I’ve only seen these online. They are native to Southeast Asia, so maybe that is why.

I grew up in Loveland Colorado. The Sweetheart City. Loveland is known for it’s Valentine remailing program. You can send your Valentine card to the Loveland post office, and they will stamp the envelope with a little rhyme and mail it on to your sweetheart. Isn’t that sweet?

Wishing you LOVE in abundance and JOY everlasting!
Happy Valentines Day!

Day Eleven And A Snowy Drive

Day 11, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches cold-pressed 140 lb. paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 11, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches cold-pressed 140 lb. paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

We got snow! Overnight, so I didn’t get to see it falling. I woke up at 6 am, looked outside. It was a winter wonderland. So nice!

I had to go out at about 11 am. The roads were clear thank goodness. On the way, I took photos of all the snow-covered trees. There was no one on the road in our subdivision. My creative for yesterday could technically be all the photo editing I did. It took most of the afternoon and evening. But you know me. I want my collage to have 30 pieces. So I will catch up.

While in Phoenix this weekend, I saw a couple of cacti fences. I love them. I just think they are practical, as well as pretty. Sculpture. Sometimes they are in planters next to a building. Sometimes they act as an actual fence.

This painting was inspired by what I saw. I had fun with this. Building the layers. It looked sort of flat, and I realized I needed to add shadows. But I think I may have botched that. I used a Pitt pen with a brush tip. Thought it was a grey, but OOPS! It was black. I was able to soften it a bit with a damp brush.

“Kindness is like snow—it beautifies everything it covers.”
Kahlil Gibran

6 am
6 am
Mingus Early Morning
Mingus Early Morning
Twins
Twins
Oh Christmas Tree!
Oh Christmas Tree!
Tree on the right
Tree on the right
Tree on the left
Tree on the left
Perfect Pines
Perfect Pines
Snowcaps
Snowcaps
Mingus from the south
Mingus from the south
Let it snow!
Let it snow!
Pretty as a pixie
Pretty as a pixie

So that was Tuesday morning. By 2 pm most of the fields were gold again. The roads were dry and the sky was clear. Perfect.

I tried to capture the snow falling from the tree in our front yard. No such luck. The large pine (Oh, Christmas tree) has a blur in the center, that was falling snow. If you should feel inspired to paint one of these snowy trees, feel free. 🙂

Day 10 Of The 30-Day Creative Gathering

Day 10, FEB C.G., 4 x 6, on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 10, FEB C.G., 4 x 6, on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

All kinds of wonky going on her. The table is uneven, (and I used a guide, how did that happen?). The pot is the leaning tower of turquoise. But I didn’t say so. Haha! I tried to capture how the leaves twist and turn. I didn’t quite get it this time, but I can always try again.

The table is slightly darker in life. I like it here, It has a bit of a sheen to it. I’m so in love with my snake plant. Mostly because it is STILL ALIVE. I haven’t killed it. And every time I look, there is a new leaf or two. Sweet!

This was a quick little postcard. I have a busy two days, so I wanted to get ahead. Whew! I got ‘er done! I put down the background color first. Covered the entire piece. I left some white areas and some blooms. That provided interesting textures in some of the leaves. I went one layer too many though and lost those details. Lesson learned. Instead of trying to glaze to “mix” colors, I should have painted with the color mixed in the palette.

I was having fun, and working fast, next time I will be more thoughtful. Still, I am happy with how this turned out. The varying greens. But I think I would like a warm “wall” behind it.

You know me, I had to do it. I did a digital edit. I copied part of day 9’s background and pasted it here. Let me know which you prefer.

Day 10 revised, FEB C.G., 4 x 6, on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 10 revised, FEB C.G., 4 x 6, on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

OH YEAH! That feels right. Haha 😉

I begin with an idea
and then it becomes something else.
Pablo Picasso

Doubt is part of the creative process.
Danielle LaPorte