Tag Archives: #LYA2018sideswap

#100DaysOfMingus – #60

Playful little piece. I tried for a loose sky like those in the last post. Didn’t work, so I covered the area with blue, and then used tissue to form clouds, which turned into a single cloud. I liked how the first stroke with a dry brush worked in the foreground, tried three more times, but they did not soften as I had hoped. So I kept playing, added some rough marks. Not happy with those either, but the clock is ticking, and that cloud makes this redeemable in my book. Good news is, I can go back in and fix the foreground.

Watercolor

Laurelle asked about the watercolors I use, so I fell in the rabbit hole, and the pontificating follows. Always happy to share! This post is long, even though I do not go much into product comparison.

Watercolor Pans, Tubes and Crayons.

I love the Michaels Artist’s Loft™ Fundamentals™ Watercolor Pan Set. Can’t beat the $5 price, or the range of colors. Fun to play with, and I use it often. Not for pieces I might sell though. Definitely student grade, not archival.

Love the Caran d’Ache Neocolor II crayons. They are highly pigmented, and the colors are intense. They blend well, and can be grainy if you choose. (see Mingus #53) You can draw, and then add water. Or use a wet brush and pull color directly from the crayon. LOVE them!

My Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketcher’s Pocket Box Set is at least 20 years old. I have refilled the pans many times. All of the sets are so fun, I’d love to have one of each! Ha ha ha.

I use many tubes. Usually what I can find on sale. Here is a short list of brands I have at the moment:

Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolors
Winsor & Newton Professional water colour
Grumbacher Academy
M. Graham & Co.
Van Gogh
Da Vinci Gouache

So many more I would like to try!

Watercolor Tubes.

Watercolor Pencils.

Some of my watercolor pencils date back to the early 90’s. I did not use them very often, after school. Obviously. And I often forget to use them now. They are not as easily soluble as the crayons. If I plan on using them, I mix more paint than I think I will need. They are cheaper than tubes or the crayons, and last forever.

I do love that the Inktense colors are permanent once dry.

Faber Castell Albrecht Durer
Rexel Derwent/Derwent Watercolor
Derwent Inktense
Artist’s loft

Watercolor Brushes

The brush I am using most at the moment – Master’s Touch Round 16
Winsor & Newton Cotman Round
Princeton Snap! Round 16 & 10, 1″ stroke, or flat, 1″ Angle Shader – Had to have these. Silly. Just because the are short handle, and pretty. They match my studio. Haven’t tried them yet, as you can see. Waited and waited for a sale.
Bamboo Brushes

Some of the watercolor artists I follow use large brushes. I bought the Master’s touch, and I do love that you can load a large brush and paint large areas without having to stop to reload. This tip has not lasted though. (Mingus mangled it.) It still forms well, but the tip is slightly curved. And the brush is only a couple of months old. It is mid-point as far as price. So I am going to have to (gulp) get a more expensive brush. Or maybe two really cheap ones.

The Winsor was a decent brush, but this one is past its prime as well. It did shed now and then.

I most often reach for synthetic brushes. I love the Artist’s Loft™ Fundamentals™ White Synthetic Brushes. This pack is $5 and you get ten brushes! I use them for watercolor and for acrylic, (I keep the brushes separated). On my list this year is to add a few high quality natural hair brushes to my stash.

L.Y.A.

Darlene Cunnup, LYA Side Swap 2018.

Received this lovely surprise yesterday. From Darlene Cunnup. This is her 7th LYA. We have swapped several times, and I always look forward to her cards. At first glance I thought the defect was some sort of sculpture. Still lovely and moody Darlene! On the back was this terrific reminder, “Don’t forget to be Awesome!”

Take a look at her blog for more fabulous photos. If you need a dose of sweet, there are plenty of pups to peruse! Thanks Darlene for swapping! Can’t wait to see you next year 😉

Click Image to shop.

Postcard Plentitude

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Mingus Day #21. 5.25 x 12 in. Mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

Getting ‘er done. Cringing a bit while I post this. But moving on.

L.Y.A. Sides

Dancing Clothes, Louise Mamet, Saint Cyr sur Loire, France

Louise Mamet is a long time L.Y.A. friend. Louise has such a gift, and shares it with us through her photographs. I look forward to receiving her card each year. I fell in love with this image the first time I saw it on the L.Y.A. group page. Check out her site for more. On the back, this wonderful quote:

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten
that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa

Christine Brooks, Flagstaff, AZ

Christine couldn’t resist, she sent me another of her wonderful bird postcards. Nice one right!? I love it! Looks great with my sea shells. It’s obvious we share a love of the sea. Take a look at her Facebook page for more of her awesome work.

Cathy Hubmann, Little Rock Arkansas

Cathy Hubmann sent this hope filled card. Wonderful in its simplicity. You can see more of her wonderful photography by clicking the link. I love this quote by Emily Dickinson:

Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul –
and sings the tunes without the words –
and never stops at all.

Chandra Lynn, Birmingham, Alabama

Chandra sent this gorgeous oversized card. It brought back memories of Loveland lake in Colorado. Hanging out with friends, and watching fireworks. My high school was right next to the lake. It was a part of daily life.
Chandra’s blog is always inspirational. If you aren’t already following her, take a look.

Dave Wolanski, Dover Delaware.

Dave surprised me with this funny photo. A test image on card stock. Can you read the last line? It looks to me like it may have been on the wall first. Follow Dave on Instagram for a daily dose of his thought provoking work.

Art is
what you
see, feel
and do
and shit.

Trang Kang, Sachse, Texas

Trang is like a ray of sun, after a stormy day. Her sweet art is a true reflection of her gentle spirit. Trang not only sent this delicate pen and watercolor postcard, she also included a tiny masterpiece, recycled from a gallery postcard I believe. Take a look below, and take a look at her Facebook page for more. Isn’t it pretty?

Lisa Compberry, La Porte, Texas

Lisa is always a favorite swap. I have probably said that about each of these today. But it is so true. Lisa posts wonderful views of her neck of the woods. Sunsets, sunrise. For a soothing dose of restful, take a look at her site, or follow her on Instagram. Lisa included this wonderful quote on the back:

There is only one happiness in life,
to love and be loved.

During the L.Y.A. Blog Hop, Kat Sloma gave away several prizes. I was blessed to receive a copy of her book, Art with an iPhone. I flipped though it as soon as it arrived, and quickly got caught up in reading through several of the techniques. Kat always creates interesting and intriguing works of art for her postcard contribution. Reading the book is a chance to know how her artistic images are created. You can peek inside on Amazon.

Thanks Kat for the blessing of your book! Thanks for bringing so many talented people together. For providing us the opportunity to share our creativity with others.

Thank you to the L.Y.A. artists and photographers who have shared their amazing talents and vision with me. I am so blessed, and so happy to have your works in my L,Y.A. collection!

2018 LYA Side Swap Treasure Trove

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Green Tree.

I made a quick stop on the way home from Phoenix yesterday. Parked to enjoy a Mickey D’s ice cream cone. It was 96 degrees. Ice cream was prescribed. I also had good news from the Doctor. Well, not news really. He is ordering three more tests. I left his office confident that we will soon have answers. And hopefully, and end to this chronic cough. So it was a bit of a celebration as well.

My view was of this brilliant, lime green tree trunk. There was also the beautiful cactus, four different birds and a tiny chipmunk I think. he was busy scarfing down on the bush in front of the tree. I took photos of him too, but all I got was a fuzzy grey blob.

I love these trees in Phoenix. They do not grow up here. They have lovely, graceful shapes, and the gorgeous color. There are also some with deep, almost black trunks. I am guessing those are older trees, but I have yet to confirm that.

LYA SIDE SWAPS

Suzette Rothlisberger, Grantsville Utah

Suzette did an oversized card this year, 5 x 7. Perfect for framing. It is gorgeous! “Singing to the moon”. Lots going on here, layers of awesomeness. You might not be able to see, but there are hand written messages in there too.

Lynne Foerster, Orefield, Pennsylvania

This is a view from Lynne’s favorite walking trail. Isn’t it lovely? What a peaceful, joyful walk that would be. I can hear the birds chirping, and feel the breeze on my arms. The message on the front:

And suddenly you know:
It’s time to start something new
and trust the magic of beginning.
Meister Eckahart

Kelly Warren, Tallahassee Florida

This sweet face belongs to “Denver”. Kelly donates her time, taking photos of shelter dogs, to help them find a good home. Awww! She also make fabulous jewelry and does mixed media art as well.

Val van der Poel, Wynndel, BC, Canada

This wonderful scene is a perfect example of Val’s amazing trees. Val is great at a lot of things. She teaches, so naturally. “Winter Sunset”, is a watercolor. Just look at that cheerful sky. On the back:

Art needn’t be “meaningful,
but it should make the artist
and the viewer feel something!!

Christine Brooks, Flagstaff Arizona

Isn’t this big bug beautiful? I think it would be fun to paint. (Hint, hint.) Those sparkly wings! Christine still had some extras, so I got lucky and received a second one. Thanks Christine! WOO WHOO!

Thanks so much – Christine, Kelly, Lynne, Suzette, and Val!! So blessed to have your art in my LYA collection 🙂

If you haven’t already, I hope you will visit the links, and take a look at more of the work these talented women create!