Tag Archives: “Val van der Poel”

2018 LYA Side Swap Treasure Trove

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!

Seaing is Believing

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This week the Spoonflower design challenge is to use watercolors (or digital watercolor brushes) to create a whimsical surface patterns inspired by fantasy creature motifs. I know that the Seahorse is a real creature, but to me they have always seemed magical.

I used both digital watercolor brushes and hand-painted watercolor for this design. You can see the digital brush layers on some of the Sand Dollars. The Seahorses are all hand-painted.

Voting begins today. This challenge sponsored by Skillshare. The top winners will take home Spoonflower credit and a Skillshare Premium subscription to start learning everything from how to create a surface design using motifs to “The Basics of Photoshop”, “Hand Lettering” and so much more! And, for the first time ever, all submissions into May’s design challenges are automatically entered to win the grand prize full of design goodies worth over $1000!

Here is a closer look.

I drew some dots, and circles and spots, and used them to suggest air bubbles, sand and pebbles. The watercolor was applied using a clipping mask. Here is a short video that shows how it is done. I know some of this may be too complicated, for those of you that do not use Photoshop, but the basic principal is easy to understand. It is just like cut and paste from the olden days!

I started by deciding on a palette, sunset hues.

Sunset palette

I am working on a companion piece as well. This will be on a smaller scale than you see here. This collection will lend itself to quilting or children’s clothing projects. I will also do this using different colors for the background.

Sand Dollars. Digital surface design. © 2017 Sheila Delgado

Thanks so much for taking the time to vote, I can’t make top ten without you!

LYA Side Swap

Val van der Poel.

I received this wonderful watercolor from my good friend Val in BC Canada. Val works in many mediums, and she is consistently learning and growing her skills in new areas. She works in paper quilling, watercolors, acrylics, oils, pen & ink, charcoal, mixed media and, recently, fabric art.

Not only that, she teaches too! I can always count on Val to give a sincere evaluation of my work. Be sure to visit her site and treat yourself to her fabulous work!

On the back of the card:

This is what I feel about art;
“Art is a Gift. Whether you make it, give it or receive it, I hope you will cherish it!”

Wonderful thought. And yes, I do cherish your card! Hugs and best wishes to you as well Val. Thanks so much for sharing your work with me. Your mountains are inspiring, and your pines and poppies are perfect! Love this view!

Paper Preparedness

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I am a watercolor artist, but this is not about watercolor paper. Still, this paper is important to my creativity. It needs to be strong, durable and absorbent. Any guesses?

I am talking paper towels people.

I found these towels, I don’t know, about two years ago. Then I ran out and when I went to buy more… I could not remember which brand I had purchased. Yes I am forgetful. Yes I am getting older. But that is not why I forgot. I forgot because it took me SO LONG to use them all.

I know, this is not a life shattering cure for the common cold. But I was ECSTATIC when I finally found the paper towel I was looking for.

OK, so enough teasing Sheila, tell us already. My perfect paper towel, is the Walmart store brand. I had tried a cheaper generic brand, but I was replacing the paper each time I worked, and often several times in the same session. These towels are thick, and really last, sometimes for weeks. I can fold them over, and use a clean side, and, fold and repeat!

Watercolor work set up

I take them off the roll, and fold them in half, three times. This is the perfect size for my desk. I also place an old wash cloth under the paper towel. I use my desk for the computer as well, but I keep my tools at the ready.

Paper towels are not just for cleaning up arty messes, check out my Google+ friend Val’s post. Awesome ideas for creating! Paper Towels and Other Things.