Category Archives: Portraits

Leslie Saeta’s September 30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge, Day Fifteen

Mixed media on 140 lb. cold press paper.

Tears
rain
seeping
painn

wash away
clear new day
smile and shine bright
soon all
will be right.
~SMD

This is the half way point. Funny to me that this woman resembles a mid-century starlet. In the movies, if anything bad happens, it is soon resolved and the final scene fades with the audience knowing that everyone lives happily ever after.

I was working on this and half watching Vertigo, and later Rear Window. I mention that because, my painting kind of resembles Kim Novak, or Grace Kelly. Lithe, proper, with the perfect cupids bow.

I lifted up the paper too soon, Everything looked dry, but the blonde was still wet. Just a bit of a curve ball. This after my first painting of the day turned to mud. So I added a few more blonde streaks, and then I added rain, and rain drops. And then, a lucky accident.

One perfect tear. Almost perfect.

The internet has been in and out again, so I am posting late. Heading back home tonight, and then I will see what everyone else has been up to today.

Here is to another creative week ahead!

30 Paintings In 30 days, Day One

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Painting #1 for Leslie Saeta’s September 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. I started this on August 23rd and it has been sitting unfinished, because I thought I botched the background. I finally made the attempt to “fix” it. I scrubbed out the first layer which was Alizarin crimson and French ultramarine. Over that I layered Inktense Deep Indigo. I am so happy with the result. There is a hint of the red in some areas, and it brings a warm light in. I haven’t thought of a name for her yet, do you have a suggestion?

Watercolor 4 x 5, 140 lb Cold Press, © Sheila Delgado 2013

Acrylic on canvas panels

I have also added more layers to the canvas boards. I smudged, scraped, and applied paint with a twig. I took out some of the light colors, then added them back in. And I thinned the turquoise and then scrubbed a bit of that back on. There is a nice texture building up. I have lost count, but there are about eight layers so far. I have chosen some quotes from favorite poems, and I am planning to add those at some point. My hand lettering skills are a weakness, so I am crossing my fingers I can pull it off. Acrylic on canvas panel

Leslie Saeta – 30 paintings in 30 days September Challenge

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In 9 days I will begin a month long challenge to create a painting a day. I will be away from my studio for half of that time, and I have a feeling it may get a little tricky. I have not chosen a theme, but I might try to use the same palette throughout. I will be working small 3 in. x 3 in., 4 x 6 or 5 x 5.

Leslie Saeta is the events organizer and mastermind. She is an award winning artist who paints fresh and colorful paintings using only a palette knife. She paints in her studio full time and has over 30 years of marketing experience. In addition to painting, she is devoted to helping other artists sell their art, especially on-line. She hosts a weekly talk radio show titled “Artists Helping Artists” which is a great resource tool for all artists. The show is currently listened to by over 5000 artists per week.

Join us! Currently there are 167 artists taking part, but the list is growing. There are no rules. You choose the medium, the size, the subject.

I have also joined a mixed media group on Creative Souls. I am planning to work in watercolor for the 30, but I am sure there will be some overlap. Here is a peek at a portrait. I am going to do a few in advance, in case I have a hard time working away from my studio. Hope you have an awesome week!