Mingus Day #40. 5 x 7 in. Watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.
Mingus number forty. This was difficult to scan, and the light blue in the sky is not true to life. Tempted to go back in and add a wash. If I do I will share it with you.
A sign of Spring, this yucca is getting ready to bloom.
Spring in the valley.
Mother In Law’s Tongue. 4 x 6 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.
Big Blessings. Small Blessings. This year has started with many reasons for me to be grateful. I mentioned I had received some bad news. But it is good news too.
I have never really written here, about my Lupus experience. It’s long been on my list to do so. Just to share my story, for anyone who has been diagnosed as well. There is so little information out there. I thought maybe a page dedicated to that, if any one should look.
But even to write this post, I have delayed. It’s taken three days to begin. And I wonder why. Why it is so hard to write this down. Talking about myself surely. But also, I don’t want to be a downer, or sound like a whiny baby.
So just a few facts for now. I finally have been given a diagnosis. Not a complete one, as more tests are in the works. But at last I know the cause of my most obvious symptom. There are four things wrong with my lungs. But knowing that, we can now begin treating them properly!
I was diagnosed with Lupus is 2008. I was coughing for a year before that, and seeing different doctors trying to find an answer. But all this time later, I am still coughing. I cough when I wake up, on exertion of any kind. Talking makes me cough, I cough after eating. Cough, cough, cough. I am fine if I am sitting still, for the most part.
So Lupus, SLE, and all the symptoms that can present. And now Asthma, COPD, Bronchiectasis and Pulmonary Fibrosis.
But it is important to tell you. I feel fine. I feel as fine as before. My Lupus normal. And I have had these same symptoms since 2008. So things have not taken a turn for the worse. I just have a name now. Names.
I have never smoked. Well, one puff in seventh grade I think. I did work in a casino for three years. That was right at the beginning of the Lupus diagnosis. I do believe that I may have had Asthma for at least a decade before Lupus. But I was never diagnosed.
All this time I have said, that I am fortunate that the SLE has not affected any of my organs. But the truth is, I just did not know. This is all likely related to Lupus.
At the end of January, I was put on oxygen, 24/7. Sort of mind-blowing. Scary, and heartbreaking. Six weeks earlier I was told I was close to needing oxygen. But I thought, and prayed, that if I followed the doctor’s instructions it could be avoided.
But here I am on a leash, and learning all I can about nasal cannulas and oxygen generators, and tubing and living on oxygen.
E tank
M6 tank in case.
I have an oxygen generator for when I am home. I had a large E tank for going out, but that was too difficult for me. It took awhile, but I now have 4 M6 tanks for trips out. They each last two hours.
Whew! I knew that would get long. All of that just to say, thank you. During this time, I was surprised again and again. Some were giveaway wins. Some a thank you. Most were just well-timed shares. And all arrived at the perfect moment to lift my spirit.
So grateful to you all. More than I can say. I LOVE your work!
So BLESSED to have received your gifts!
Carol Edan, original art
Chandra Lynn
Christine Brooks
Trang Kang, original art
Christine Brooks, original watercolor
Sue Marrazzo, mixed media wearable pin giveaway.
Christine Brooks
Natasha M. Papousek
Dave Wolanski
Karin Naylor, original artwork, Giveaway.
Close-up
Day 27 Final. 8 x 8 mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.
I thought I had very little left to do, to finish this, but it turned out to be more involved. I didn’t like how the two paddles on the left were facing the same direction. So I extended the side of the top paddle.
Day 27 W.I.P. 8 x 8 Mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.
Only it didn’t work. I painted white, acrylic to cover the pencil line and green. Somehow, the paint dried sort of glossy, and it is not a gloss. So naturally, laying down layers of watercolor on the top was not going to cut it. But I tried. A few times.
Finally, thicker paint, and I think enough layers built up, and I was able to get a decent couple strokes of semi-matching green. I tried making that side a little dark blue shadow, but uh-uh.
I’m happy with how that turned out. It is actually the real, color of cactus. I added another thin layer of turquoise watercolor to bring back some of what was lost. Outlined in turquoise oil pastel. Wondered at why it feels so good to have a crayon in your hand.
I was so excited about nine pm. Thinking I could go to bed early. So I putzed a bit, cleaned up my art mess. A little. Watched part of a movie. Starting writing my post.
Then about 10:30 my brain finally kicked in. I was done with yesterday’s painting. NOT today’s.
So here I am once again. Up against the deadline, and I JUST finished today’s art. And it is way to pink and girlie. And the Shiraz looks brown. And the orange flowers with a touch of pink, are ALL pink. But it is day 28 and that is that. It came together quickly, and I like it. So it’s all good.
Day 28. 4 x 8 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.
I think it helped this month, thinking all along that the challenge ended at the end of the month. I mean, I knew I my head we were still doing 30 days. Today I will be doing the drawing for the last giveaway. Be sure to leave a comment!
I will put the numbers 1 -7 into a bowl, and pick a number. And from that day of the week, I will choose one comment, again by picking a number from a bowl (# of comments). Tune in tomorrow for the announcement!