Enjoy The Journey by Leada Wood, Contempory Artist Of Texas

Enjoy The Journey by Leada Wood©

My sweet niece has a very big heart. She has donated her hair to Locks Of Love and now she is going to shave her head on her birthday to raise money for St. Balricks to help find a cure for childhood cancer. She will be 24 on her birthday. Not many young folks at that age are into raising money for good causes.  She has also done various other things all year to raise money for this wonderful cause. I am so proud of this young lady! And thankful to all those who spend time and energy for good causes.

I wanted to help her raise even more money at her event on Tuesday, her birthday. I am donating this painting, the one she picked to  help her with her cause. We should do all the good we can while we are able. We have been given so much, so many blessings to enjoy! I hope you take the time today to be grateful for all your many blessings.

I love you Whitney and I count you as one of my blessings!

Oh a little about this painting! I painted the papers and tore them into pieces and layered them over an underpainting. I didn't paint the small angel on the right, she just appeared! Eerie! I did draw with a gold metal leaf pen around her to bring her into focus. I love the saying "Enjoy The Journey" so I added it to this painting as a reminder to us all.

"White Lightening" by Leada Wood

White Lightening by Leada Wood©


This is a small acrylic painting 6x8 on canvas. Finished today at Studio Twenty. There is texture, vivid colors and lines, oh my! Everything I love about Mixed Media. This one is full of energy and needs a home. Contact me!

"Stella" by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas, Torn Paper Collage



Stella by Leada Wood©

This was a very special commission for a doctor for her intern, as a thank you for staying with her after her internship. It is always a little unnerving to do a portrait, whether it  be of a person or animal. We all hold such high expectations thanks in part to modern photography.  A painting is not a photograph no matter what the medium. The artist tries to capture the essence of the subject, to show a little of its soul.
 
I was a little nervous when I unveiled the above painting of Stella to her master, you never know how folks will react. Not to worry! Hilliary jumped up and down clapping her hands shouting that's my Stella! She then began to examine it more and tears welled up in her eyes and she gave me a big hug and told me she loved it!

 Now that made my day and all the time ripping and shredding paper and looking for just the right papers worth while. Torn paper collage is more of a challenge than just painting a picture as you use words, texture, symbolism and all manner of found papers to bring your subject to completion, kind of like a puzzle.

"Moon Shadows" by Leada Wood, Artist of Texas

Moon Shadows by Leada Wood©

Close up of Moon Shadows by Leada Wood©

This was started in Carol Nelson's workshop and has gone through many changes since then. I decided today what was needed to finish and here it is on my blog at last!  I started the same as in the previous post layering papers I had designed, then glazing.The flower is a new technique Carol taught in her workshop to paint our papers. After all the collaging I started laying in my lights and darks and putting the finishing touches on.

I love Moonflowers! My mom and grandmother always had them in their yards.They bloom at night and early in the morning. I haven't carried on the tradition as yet but I do see moonflowers in my future!