I’ve been invited by fellow artist Sheila Delgado to take part in a “Blog Hop”. This is a way for artists to find other artists with blogs that they may never have seen. I will introduce you to Sheila, answer four specific questions about my work, and then share the work of two artists whose work I admire. I also follow their blogs.
I started following Sheila’s blog while working on Leslie Saeta’s 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge. Sheila works with watercolors and lots of mediums and techniques that I have never heard of before. She is daring and loves to use brilliant colors. She designs patterns for material, like the beautiful design she has on the background of her website. I have never met Sheila in person, but I don’t think I would be out of line in saying that she is a very kind and thoughtful person, thinking of others before herself, and motivating and encouraging other artists in their work. It has been a pleasure to follow her and to get to know her, and I’m excited to see what she does in the future.
SHEILA DELGADO
Sheila studied graphic art and computer graphics at Platt College in San Diego CA. After a two decade detour into retail management and corporate compliance, she is now pursuing her career in art full time. A self taught artist, Sheila studies the work and techniques of artists who work in watercolor, mixed media, acrylics and other mediums. Eager to make up for lost time, she devours books and videos.
Her graphic arts background is put to use in her surface pattern designs, which often start with hand painted images. She is currently building a portfolio with the goal of becoming a licensed artist. Sheilas’ patterns can be seen at
Spoonflower and
Zazzle. Her paintings are also available through
Zazzle. Sheila lives near the Santa Rosa Plateau in Southern California.
Sheila’s art work has been featured in:
THE GEOGRAPHY OF LOSS: Embrace What is, Honor What Was, Love What Will Be by Patti Digh – 2014
GOLF SAYINGS: wit & wisdom of a good walk spoiled by Bradford G. Wheler – 2013
CAT SAYINGS: wit & wisdom from the whiskered ones by Bradford G. Wheler – 2012
Also Bradford G. Wheler’s s soon to be released…
The Sky is Crying.
Watercolor and gouache on Yupo.
4.5 x 6 in. © 2014 Sheila Delgado
Four Answers From Karin
1. What am I currently working on?
I just finished Leslie Saeta’s 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, but I wasn’t able to complete my last September Bouquet in time, so I am currently finishing that piece. During the challenge I was excited to receive three requests: a larger version of the old truck I used in one of my mini paintings, a commissioned painting of an old family home, and a figure painting of a boy and his dog that I will be trading for an orchid painting done by my featured blog hop artist, Janet Ames.
2. How does my work differ from others in my genre?
I’m self taught and still searching for my style. It’s difficult for me to pinpoint or even recognize what my own style is, let alone perceive how I’m different. There is really nothing new under the sun, and I see many artists that paint figures and flowers the way I do. But I do know that what I paint is from my own personal perspective experience. In that way it is unique in itself.
3. Why do I create what I do?
My main goal in painting is to paint for the glory of the Lord. He has given me a talent and I want to use it in a way that will bring love and peace and joy to others. So I have been trying to learn “hands on” how to translate that into my paintings.
4. How does my creative process work?
I’m inspired by everything around me. My grandson taking his little sister’s hand to guide her over a bridge, or the different shades of green in the trees around me. Have you ever noticed how many different colors there are in a leaf, especially when the sun is shining on it? My sons sitting on the couch together with a light shining on their bearded faces, immediately in my imagination, takes me to the disciples around a fire talking with Jesus, and I want to paint what I imagine it to be like. Those are just a few examples of what gets my creative process going. It seems to be happening all the time, and I can’t keep up with it. 🙂
MY CHOSEN ARTISTS
Pam and I spent a lot of time emailing each other during the last two 30 Paintings in 30 Days. Both of us were very new to the art world and we consulted with each other, bounced ideas and prices off each other, and even “vented” a little to each other about our frustrations. Without having met her in person, I just love her and I love, love, love her happy, whimsical art. I have purchased several pieces from her for gifts and each person has been delighted with her art and the quality of her materials. She has a large variety of gifts for every occasion. I hope you will visit her blog and her etsy shop.
PAM SCHOESSOW
Hi! My name is Pam Schoessow, and I am a self-taught artist from Antioch, IL, USA. For several years I have been a professional quilter. I think it has taught me a lot about color and design. I “draw” with my quilting machine, but first I draw out the designs on paper. Not long ago, I decided to try drawing and painting my designs. So the Quilter turned Artist was born! Most of my work is whimsical and happy. I want to bring a smile to your face when you look at my art. I use watercolor and am still learning how it works. I have only been painting about a year and a half, but already I feel like I have grown as an artist. I opened an Etsy shop about a year ago to sell my little paintings. I also have a blog and a website where you can see a lot of the quilts I have finished. Besides quilting, I find my inspiration everywhere. I love the change of seasons and like to depict that in my art. I think the world is glorious, and artists can only add to that. Outside of my art, I am a musician. I sing, direct choirs and play woodwinds. I am a former music teacher and band director. I take great joy in all of the arts.
Whenever I post the thumbnail picture of my painting on Leslie’s blog for all the 30 day painters, I always look at all the art work that has been posted for the day. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to go to each artist’s blog, so I choose the ones that catch my eye the most. During this September challenge I would find myself enjoying the watercolors of Janet Ames. I am amazed at how beautifully she paints, and it reached the point that every time I saw her painting for the day I would just smile. She definitely brightened up my days. She is new to the challenge. I posted the link to her blog at the bottom of her bio. Take a look… I think you will agree with me. She is a very talented artist!
JANET AMES
My ‘day job’ is in IT at a university. I work on my art whenever I can squeeze it in while dreaming of going fulltime artist someday. While I started in fiber art, I am currently fixated on pen and ink and watercolor. Slowly coming out of the shadows, I had a solo show here on campus winter of 2013 and had a pen and ink drawing published in a May 2014 issue of The New Yorker. I took a leap (for me) and joined the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge for September 2014. It has been tough and fun and I have been enjoying seeing all of the other artist’s work. While creating art feeds the soul, interacting with other artists is becoming more and more important to me. They ‘get it’ and I love all of the variety of media and styles.
Simply Painting 