Tag Archives: Michele Matucheski

Vote Request And Two LYA Sides

Over A Barrel, digital surface design. © 2017 Sheila Delgado

I created this as an entry in the Spoonflower limited color palette succulents design challenge. The instructions were to use at least 2 of the five colors given. It was optional to use black or white as well. I used the five colors. Dark Green, Sage, Blush, Terracotta and Rhubarb.

My idea was for a simplified, or slightly abstract design, that focused on the “pattern” of the cactus itself. I usually find the limited palette challenges difficult. But these colors are close to the favorites I so often paint with!

Your vote would be awesome! You can only vote once, but you can help me spread the word, or share this post with friends. Follow the link above, click to select the design, and then scroll to the bottom and click to submit your vote. Thanks so much for taking the time!

I have two more designs completed and am working on a fourth to round out the collection. I will share those with you soon.

LYA Side Swaps

Both of the cards I received look like they are made from fabric. I could be wrong. The first is from Michele Matucheski in Oshkosh. We have swapped before. Michele is a busy creative, lots of interesting things happening on her blog. Not only is she a fabulous photographer, she works with fabrics, and weaving, even surface design!

This bit of inspiration was on the back:

“To practice any art, no matter how well or how badly,
is a way to make your soul grow. So DO it!”
Kurt Vonnegut

Michele Matucheski, Orange Blossom Breeze Star. LYA 2017 side swap

As you would guess, I love the colors in this card. The center star looks shiny and soft. Silk maybe? Michele also included the temperature, 53 degrees, her city, and the date. A neat little fact sticker, I wish I had thought of! Michele’s card is HUGE! 5 x 7, I didn’t realize you could go that big with a postcard. It sure does make an impression!

Patricia Mark, mixed media. LYA 2017 side swap

The second arrival has got me thoroughly intrigued. It looks like velvet on velvet, but I really have no idea. Wonderful textures. And such lively “fire”. Hoping Pat will tell me. She labeled this mixed media. Either way, I love this brilliant bloom! Patricia Mark is from Portland. Visit her site to see more of her wonderful photos.

Pat’s special message:

“To be an artist is to believe in life.”
Henry Moore

So fun to be intrigued by artwork! So fun to be surprised by color and texture and pattern! Thank you both so much, Patricia and Michele! Such a joy to swap art with you again!

Thanks so much for taking a look at the Spoonflower limited color palette succulents design challenge. Your support is so appreciated!

Sapphire Seafront And A L.Y.A. Side Swap Surge

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Sapphire Seafront. Project 3, Artbytes One. 2016 Sheila Delgado.

Sapphire Seafront. Gesso and acrylics on paper. 2016 Sheila Delgado

I am working through the lessons in Pauline Agnew’s Artbytes One. I skipped Project Two as it calls for creating a triptych, and I need to pick up canvas for that. Project three calls for creating a textured landscape. I scored high, I think, on creating texture. But low on creating a pleasing and painterly piece. Still, I am happy with it. It’s growing on me.

I practiced each technique. Started with gesso again and layers of warm color, that should still be slightly visible, but are not. They would have added depth and character. Is there a sense of weather? Storm on the way, or just retreating?

The assignment was not to create a fabulous piece. But I would like to make this better, just for the experience. If I can. Any suggestions are welcome.

L.Y.A. SIDE SWAPS

L.Y.A. Side swaps 6, 7, 8. Sea Dean, Cheryl Goyer, and Jacques Williamos.

Cheryl Goyer is a fiber artist, just look at the fabulous fiber becoming yarn. Hand dyed silk. Gorgeous colors, I just want to reach out and feel that bundle. Cheryl teaches spinning at the Antique Gas & steam Engine Museum in Vista CA., and Rigid Heddle Weaving at Common Threads in Encinitas. I confess, I had to look that up. Visit her site to see her gorgeous work! You can also find her on Instagram – clgoyer, and Tumbler – cgoyer. Cosmic connection… I have a good friend who lives across the street from the museum.

The gorgeous cat is from Jacques Williamos and came to me from Radstock in the UK. She is on Facebook , visit her page to see more of her art. Some done with her nondominate hand, amazing! Jacques included this wonderful quote on her card:

“Slow down and enjoy life.
It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast –
you also miss the sense of where you are going and why”
Eddie Cantor

Best wishes to you as well Jacques, and be sure to sign up for Kat’s newsletter to be in the loop for next years swap. I hope you are feeling better and healing swiftly!

Sea Dean is an artist who can paint just about everything. Her card is a collection of pet portraits. Most for commissions. I love them all, especially the blue cat at the bottom. (I think prints are an awesome idea Sea!) Sea lives in Kelowna, BC, Canada. 1410 miles directly north of Wildomar. Big Hug to you Sea.

~~OOPS!~~ Swap #3

Remember this gorgeous tree postcard from a few days ago? ~~Michele accidentally sent me a second one. And it makes me laugh, because that is something I would do. How ’bout you? Brain fart or senior moment, we all can relate.~~ I received a second one as part of the regular swap! MY third to arrive. And I was so busy reading the quote and personal message, that I flat out did not see that it had one of my printed address labels on it. Glasses on and I still was completely blind! LOL. When I read Michele’s comment, I cracked up! SEE! I told you I would do something like that and I WAS DOING IT! Ha ha ha ha

I will be using these cards for the front and back covers of my album. Thanks for that Michele! (Your card was the first one I received). The back of this card is different though, with this quote:

One of the greatest necessities in America, is to discover creative solitude.
Carl Sandburg

L.Y.A. 2016 Side swaps #1 and #2. Sarah Calhoun, “Mermaid”. Michele Matucheski, “Hope in Winter.

Cosmic connection here:

Carl Sandburg (January 6, 1878 – July 22, 1967) was an American poet, writer, and editor who won three Pulitzer Prizes: two for his poetry and one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln.

My favorite President as a child was Lincoln. I read book after book on him. My birthday is January 5th, and I was born the year Carl died. Silly I know… but there are connections everywhere.

Thank you Cheryl, Sea, Jacques and Michele! Such a lovely surprise to receive four beautiful postcards on the same day!

Stretch Your Wings

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Mallard stretching, sheiladelgado.com

Our visitors stayed away for a couple of days. When they returned it was for the entire day. They slept here, there and everywhere. After a dip in the pool it was time for a long session of grooming.

I shot over 800 photos that day. Beware the burst shots! I had no idea selecting that option would create so many photos. Guess I need to find the manual and read up on that. I know the animation goes by fast, so here is a still shot for you. (If the GIF is not playing for you, give it a minute to load, it should start.)

wings wide open, sheiladelgado.com

It is time for L.Y.A. to begin, and I have already received two side swaps! The colorful, whimsical mermaid came to me from Sarah Calhoun in Atlanta. She had a treacherous trip, but managed to make it in one piece. I smiled when I opened the mail.

L.Y.A. 2016 Side swaps #1 and #2. Sarah Calhoun, “Mermaid”. Michele Matucheski, “Hope in Winter.

The tree is from Michele Matucheski in OshKosh. She used coffee-stained textures and salt blooms on her photo to create a dreamy landscape. Thank you both so much for sharing your gorgeous art with me! I love them! Your cards will be in the mail soon.