Day 29, 30-Day Creative Gathering 2-2024. 8 x 8 Watercolor, digital collage. © 2024 Sheila Delgado.

My usual M.O. is to make a plan, and have a few themes in mind at the beginning of the gathering. The journey usually presents a different path, and I follow where it leads.

Not the abstracts I had in mind. But still a good month. Filled with learning, some mild frustration (part of learning), and meditative moments.

I made use of scrap paper. A couple of extra wide bookmarks. Some smaller, simple florals. I worked in several sizes. 4 x 4, 8 x 8, a couple 10×10’s. I worked with watercolor, acrylics, mixed media & digital collage.

Below I share each piece, including larger views of a few of my favorites. You will see my 30 day collage, and my favorites collage.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Enjoy!

Days 1 - 10, 30-Day C.G. 2-2024. © 2024 Sheila Delgado. — Days 1 – 10, 30-Day C.G. 2-2024. © 2024 Sheila Delgado.

Days 11 - 20, 30-Day C.G. 2-2024. © 2024 Sheila Delgado. — Days 11 – 20, 30-Day C.G. 2-2024. © 2024 Sheila Delgado.

Days 21 - 30, 30-Day C.G. 2-2024. © 2024 Sheila Delgado. — Days 21 – 30, 30-Day C.G. 2-2024. © 2024 Sheila Delgado.

Day 3, 30-Day C.G. 2-2024. 8 x 8. Watercolor, digital collage. © 2024 Sheila Delgado.

Day 13, 30-Day C.G. 2-2024. 10 x 10 Watercolor, digital collage. © 2024 Sheila Delgado.

Do you remember the overhead projectors in school? And how the teacher would sometimes layer the acetate sheets to show a change of angles or size. Well that is a simple way to think about digital collage. It’s all about layers.

For the landscape above, I started with a painting. Plain colors & shapes.

In the foreground I added a bit of digital painting for texture and an extra layer of color for the darker areas.
On the front range, I added a layer of an old letter. I tilted it, and changed the color.
On Mingus, I added a layer of pattern. A mixture of dots, lines and triangles.
The moon is piece of copyright free clip art. I softened the color, and added a glow effect. I exaggerated that so that it would reflect on the mountain.
To the sky I digitally painted some texture, but most of that is from the original painting. I added digital splatter, and deepened the color to more of a twilight feel.

Of course for each layer, there is experimentation. Different patterns, different colors. Different effects. Some pieces can have up to 30 layers of bits and bobs.

Day 20, 30-Day C.G. 2-2024. 8 x 8 Watercolor, acrylic, digital collage. © 2024 Sheila Delgado.

To see these in more detail, visit @sheilazart.

Thanks so much for taking a look. I always love hearing which ones you like best, and why. I am actually happy with all of them. There are only two I would make changes on. That is amazing to me, considering it took me two weeks to feel in the groove. I did make changes to a few pieces, following suggestions by friends in the group. Thanks so much for your help!

Happy creating to you!

9.22, 30 Day Creative Gathering Collage. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.

Over 700 artworks were created in the group this month! 713, approximately. What a spectacular beginning for our fourth year of the The Gathering! Four years! I am so thrilled that the artists are still enjoying 30 days of creatively challenging themselves. We are still going strong! And the group has grown, with over a dozen new members this month. Welcome!

Personally, I think this was my best challenge ever. I am very happy with my results. There are only two that I wish had turned out better. Not a bad average! I shared two surface design starts. Funny, I did not use either of them in my final patterns. It’s very likely they will make an appearance somewhere down the road. 😉

I am always interested to know which, if any were your favorites. Some of you have already shared them with me in the group. 😄 You know me so well!

Here are my favorites. And I am grateful to say, it was hard for me to choose. I could have added most of the landscapes as well. I had the most fun those. With watercolor. I have missed painting with watercolor. And I really had fun with the abstracts in the last week.

9.22, 30 Day Creative Gathering Favorites Collage. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.

I started experimenting with digital collage on day 3. But I remember that one being more of a struggle. From day 20 on, I was really having fun playing with pattern. I think the pinks, the final week, were so fun because I started loose and fast, and without intention. I painted eight pieces, but only four were interesting at first.

Funny to think that only 3 of my favorites are actual, in real life paintings.

I was blessed this month. Blessed to have the energy to participate, to create. Blessed with restored health. Blessed to have so many friends & family follow along here, and in the group. And so very blessed to be in such fine company, in The Gathering. I learn so much from everyone. Something new each day. And I am consistently inspired and amazed.

In the next couple of days, I will share the group gallery with you.
It will be awe-inspiring. Every one really had a superb month!

Next week I will post a health update. I still am catching up on getting my annual postcards out. And I want to send a special “thank you” to all of you who kept me in your prayers, and sent well wishes while I was ill. Will you please leave a comment with your mailing address. I have to approve each comment, so they will not be posted for others to see. You can also email, or message me.

I have many already, but I’d like to be sure I include everyone. I am eternally grateful. My brain was so muddled, I’m fearful that I might forget. And I believe in my heart, the power of your prayers are what healed me. 🙏🙏🙏