Saturday, December 31, 2011

Wise Old Owl by Leada Wood

Wise Old Owl by Leada Wood©

In the Western world, owls are traditionally associated with wisdom and knowledge and with the Greek goddess Athena. That's because Athena was a bird goddess and assumed often the form of an owl. Athena was not only the goddess of wisdom, but was also the goddess of arts and skills.

Although fun to look at the symbolism and pagan meanings, we must remember that true knowledge and wisdom comes only from our Creator.

I wish you a new year filled with joy, health and wisdom! May you be surrounded by family, friends and loved ones...nurturing each other...giving of your selves. I hope your new year is inspirational and creative...but most of all wonderful.

Thanks for following along this year on my creative journey...I hope you enjoyed it and will continue on this adventure with me!  May God bless you abundtly!

                                                                   Wise Old Owl
Like the Solomon of fowl
Sat a wise old owl
Perched in a Sycamore tree,
While the moonlight glimmered
And the starlight shimmered,
These words he spoke to me:

"I guess you've heard
I'm a wise old bird,
And if wisdom you would find...
Always look for the best
And your life will be blest,
To all others' faults be blind.

"In this life, I know
You will find it so
That if you think kindly of others,
You'll soon find that it's true
They'll think kindly of you...
Praise your sisters and your brothers!"

You may think me a fool -
Owls don't talk, as a rule,
But in solemn tone he said:
"Don't be quick to enact
Words you'll wish to retract,
Dwell upon the good instead!"

Though I hate to admit it,
I could see, once I did it,
What that wise owl said was true.
Your faults I'll overlook
'Cause it says in The Book
What you sow comes back to you!
Now, if you will agree
With what he said to me,
Then my faults you will ignore...
Like that sage bird said
We'll both come out ahead
If we judge less, and praise more!
                 
              by Connie Hinnen Cook

Friday, December 23, 2011

The Messenger by Leada Wood©

The Messenger by Leada Wood©

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the hightest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
Luke 2:13-14

I love to paint angels, whether at Christmas or any time of the year. They are especially meaningful to me this year as my own dear mama has gone home to her heavenly reward. I wish you joy and peace this Christmas and may it continue into the new year.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Nutty Trio by Leada Wood


Nutty Trio by Leada Wood©

This is a fun painting I created from a still life set up of three of my nutcrackers. It is 15x22 watercolor on Arches Archival paper. I collect nutcrackers in all sizes and the more unusual the better. This is the countdown to Christmas! Hope you are enjoying it so far, and may all your days be merry and bright!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Bohemian Chic by Leada Wood

Bohemian Chic by Leada Wood©
www.leadawood.com
I finished my altered background piece, as you can see she came through many changes. I don't know if you can see the altered background peeking through on the girl, at such low resolutions, but it is there. I completely covered the altered background with opaque paint. I also added some Japanese symbols for love. I used charcoal to draw around the figure and give a little detail to her face.

The one I am working on now I think I am going to leave the altered background showing  as well  as the focal point and keep the paint transparent. But who knows how it will turn out...that is the fun of experimental painting! Always an adventure and always a surprise! Kind of like life isn't it?