Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Time Is A Circus by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

 


Time Is A Circus By Leada Wood, copyright 2014


With the New Year being upon us I decided to post one of my paintings concerning time. I found the quote "Time is a circus, always moving away " and combined it with an old clock face and painted clock keys, a pocket watch, and  clock parts around. The elephant is a symbol for my mom as she collected them, the watch pieces symbolize my dad as he was a clock maker, the monkeys were my brothers and I am the key person with my hands on my hips. It was a fun piece to do! 
 
The Gift Of Time
 
Every day we are given 86,000seconds...as a gift of life. When we go to sleep at night any remaining time is not credited to us to use later...it is gone. What we haven't used up that day is forever lost and yesterday is gone forever. Each morning of your life your life account is refilled with 86,000 seconds...but it can be closed at anytime without warning. So what will you do with your 86,000 seconds a day? The choice is yours! Every second is more valuable than gold...think about it... what are you exchanging the seconds of your life for? Enjoy every second for it passes too quickly. Never complain about growing older...some people never get the privilege. Take care of yourself...love deeply...live joyfully...and enjoy the gift of time!

Happy New Year! May yours be prosperous, creative and filled with love and pleasant adventures!
 
 
 

 
 


Saturday, December 20, 2014

The Fiddler, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist


 


The Fiddler by Leada Wood ©2014


 My daddy was a fiddler...in fact he could play nearly any musical instrument and he played by ear. I come from a musical family, nearly every Sunday afternoon was spent at a relatives house. The family band played gospel and country music...I can still hear the songs in my mind. The family band is gone but not the sweet memories.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with fond memories, family and friends! 




Monday, December 15, 2014

World Blog Hop, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

 

 
 
 
Hello and welcome to my blog! This is my first go at a blog hop and it is very exciting! I am pictured here in my studio, Studio Twenty, working on another original concept.  First I would like to thank Kay Smith for inviting me. Kay and I belong to a small group of watercolorist, the Caboose Watercolor Society that do themed paintings and exhibit them. We have known each other since 2002 and have had many creative adventures together. Kay has a fun and funky studio in Big Spring, Texas where she creates. You can check out her blog here: http://kaysmithbrushworks.blogspot.com .
 
  
Monte Carlo ©Kay Smith
 

World Blog Hop- Questions and Answer


1. What am I working on?

 Right now I have started a new series for upcoming shows in 2015. I began by laying in the first layer and usually work on 8-12 paintings at a time. I am working small 8x8, the size of the series always varies, usually to what I have on hand. Sometimes I start abstractly and go towards realism or sometimes I stay non objective. I enjoy creating both abstract and realism, watercolor and mixed media and tend to go back and forth.  My work is intuitive and I follow where it leads me.






This is my mixed media work station in my studio. You can see that it is messy business...but fun! I usually have an idea for the series to keep the work cohesive, whether it be color, an underlying paper, composition or a theme. It helps to work this way as there is drying time involved and who wants to watch paint dry!







I add layers of paint and scratch into it or stamp, pushing and pulling the paint until the layers meld together. One of the shows I am getting ready for is  entitled "RED".  I still have a long way to go on these and will post as they are finished.




2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?


I create many layers, giving thought to symbolism, whether it be colors or shapes. They represent something to me and hopefully the viewer.  Sometime I include inspirational words or phrases which may or may not be visible. I also like to include texture in my work...to make the viewer want to reach out and touch the painting. I guess you could say I like to involve the senses when you look at one of my paintings and evoke an emotion whether real or imagined...to give you a glimpse of the world  I envision.


3. Why do I create what I do?

I have people ask me how I come up with my ideas all the time. It is a gift...I am always observing and creating in my mind.  Color and light intrigue me...the
 way shadows dance and light sparkles is fascinating, observing people is captivating. I create because I have to is certainly true...I get a little cranky if I go too long without it ! Even drawing in my sketchbook helps if I can't get into the studio...ahh but there is nothing to compare with the studio experience. Whether it be the kitchen table or a converted closet...both which I have used as studio space. It doesn't matter where I paint as long as I get to. I find joy in creating and hope I bring some into your life when you view my work.


4. How does my creating process work.


Sometimes it is a dream...I keep a notebook by my bed or sometimes a random thought sparks an idea. Observation plays a big part in my creative process and I take thousands of photos of things that inspire me and keep notes of ideas that I may or may not put into existence. My mind is always at work... perhaps me thinks too much!

Thanks for joining me in and discovering the World Blog Hop! I hope you will hop back again or follow me and see where the next creative adventure takes me...


World Blog Hop- My Chosen Artist To Continue The Hop


It is my pleasure to introduce to you Vernita Bridges Hoyt. Vernita is a Texas Artist and is from Spring, Texas. Nita is involved with many animal rescue
organizations and donates a portion of her sales to help fund them. She paints the sauce of Texas in various mediums. You can check out her blog here: http://TXsauce.net





2014 copyright Vernita Bridges Hoyt




 
 

Saturday, December 13, 2014

IHannas Winter Postcard Swap, by Leada Wood

It has been such fun being a part of iHannas Winter Postcard Swap! Both creating the cards and receiving them. Thank you Hanna! I have received 9 so far and I wanted you,dear reader to share the fun! Here are the postcards I received  from 8 new friends and one long time friend.



Copyright Linda Rupard 2014
Http://lindarupard.blogspot.com 



Copyright Carol Hargrove 2014



Copyright Debbie Ingram 2014



Copyright Christie Juhasz 2014




Copyright Andi Beads 2014




Copyright Sandra D 2014
http://daffodilwild.wordpress.com




Copyright Carol Mims 2014
Http://rachelmims.blogspot.com




Copyright Cathy Peterson
Http://relax@witsendcoffeehouse.com




Copyright Brenda Leonard 2014
Http://brendabroomstick.blogspot.com


The last one is from Canada, the only one so far out of the USA. I love the way she recycles...how did she know I just saw Paul McCartney in October! All of these lovely ladies created wonderful works of art through recycling and using their imaginations. It was such fun watching the mailbox and squealing with glee when a postcard was found inside. As much as I like emails there is nothing quite like getting real mail...especially hand crafted ones just for you! Have a wonderful weekend!












Friday, December 12, 2014

Glad Tidings, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

 
 
Glad Tidings ©Leada Wood 2014


Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."   Luke 2:10-11

"Glad Tidings"  is 11x14 transparent watercolor on Archival paper with gold leaf. It is not available. Glad Tidings was created for the show, " Angels Among Us", a group exhibition, a couple of years back and was exhibited at the Heritage Museum during their annual Christmas celebration.   

Monday, December 8, 2014

Fun In Dallas, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist





Here we are at the Dutch Art Gallery's Pursuit of the Southwest opening. Bootman, Katie and Bel were kind enough to accompany me to this sensational event. Bel, me, and Katie are pictured by one of my paintings that was juried into the show. It is always fun to go into the city for a weekend especially with my girls! They have been to many openings with me but this was their first trip to the Dutch. They seemed very impressed with the large inventory and quality of work. They are artists too and notice things like that. We had fun looking at all the various paintings and styles and picking our favorites.
 
 
 
 
 
No trip to Dallas is complete without seeing some of the sights. We visited the arboretum's 12 Days of Christmas display. The girls are standing in front of some colorful fall foliage in the garden. 



 
 
The designs of the structures as well as the design of the characters of the song were amazing.
 

 
 
Here we have 8 maids a milking...wouldn't it be fun to design or create one of these displays?
 
 

 
 
6 Geese a laying. Just showing random favorites...all wonderful in their own way.
 
 

 
I do have a thing for birds...7 swans a swimming...
 
 

 
 
I especially liked 5 golden rings. The white Polar bear was awesome! So much thought, work and creativity went into the gardens wonderful interpretation of the 12 Days of Christmas and they are open some nights too. I imagine the garden would be stunning with all the Christmas lights aglow. If you are in Dallas Texas during the holidays try to go be the arboretum and enjoy the splendor of the 12 Days of Christmas. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week.
 
 

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Purple Passion by Leada Wood, Texas Artist


Purple Passion was juried into the Dutch Art Gallery's Pursuit of the Southwest show opening Saturday December 6th in Dallas, Texas. The first 25 attendees will receive original art as well as first chance at the art. It's always a fun event at the Dutch and I would love to see you there!

Purple Passion is a form of batik using Unryu paper which is very thin and transparent and a bit tricky to work with. I really enjoy the process of batik as you never know how the paper will take the paint or if it will make it through the process. Have a great week!

Purple Passion by Leada Wood copyright 2014





Monday, December 1, 2014

Nutty Trio by Leada Wood, Texas Artist





Happy December! Yes it is that time of year again to drag out the Christmas decorations and display them with cheer. I love Christmas! The colors...whimsical decorations...scents and sounds of the season. Making merry with the kids...creating gifts and ornaments...baking...spreading good will toward others. Isn't it a shame that the spirit of Christmas doesn't last the whole year? Maybe that could be a resolution for the new year...to keep the joy alive...to keep Christmas in your heart everyday.

Nutty Trio was created for a Santa exhibition at the Heritage Museum a few years ago. I collect nut crackers and this was three of them.

copyright by Leada Wood2014