Saturday, December 29, 2012

Exaggerated Verticals by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

 
Aah, It was so nice to go to the studio today and create! After all the hustle and bustle of the holidays... the family fun and the gathering of the clan.  It was sublime to slow down and get back into the right side of my brain and lose myself in Leada land!
 
 

I decided I wanted to try some exaggerated verticals. I kind of liked the colors and movement in this painting and decided I wanted to explore it further so I used it as my inspiration and starting point. I cut up a half sheet of watercolor paper in 5 x22 inches and began.




This is my beginning...I used some old paintings and cut up pieces and collaged them onto the paper. I also used some transparencies I had created with my stamps. I applied them in a grid format and painted the bottom with various blues to give a nice contrast to the warm colors of the collage. Its hard to see the variation of the blues because of the low resolution of the photo.



I decided it wasn't quiet busy enough to my liking so I added more transparencies to give them rhythm and movement. I wanted your eye to travel from one piece to the next and yet I wanted each painting to stand alone.
 
 

This is the final version of the one on the left. I think I reached my goal of it being interesting on its own and it has a nice lively rhythm to it.



This is the middle painting. I think they almost have an Asian feel to them. Maybe it is the color combo I chose.




This is the right painting. I may mount these on black matt board to really make them pop. I am not sure yet...really enjoy the long, narrow format so may just frame them that way.



This is the final version side by side...dirty table and all! I think they could be hung in any direction and be cohesive...or alone...but I really like them more as a grouping don't you? That is the nice thing about a triptych and abstract art they are very versatile and you can change them up.
This painting is available!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Glory To God by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

Glory To God by Leada Wood ©

I shall attend to my little errands of love early this year,
So that the brief days before Christmas my be unhampered and clear
Of the fever of hurry. The breathless rushing that I have known in the past shall not possess me. I shall be calm in my soul and ready at last...
I shall have leisure-I shall go out alone from my roof and my door;
I shall not miss the silver silence of stars as I have before;
And oh, perhaps-if I stand there very still and very long,
I shall hear what the clamor of living has kept from me-
The angel's song.
                                                                                                           -Grace Noll Crowell
May you have peace in your heart this Christmas so that you too can hear the angel's singing.

Joy to the world the Lord has come; Let earth receive her King; Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, and heav'n and nature sing; And heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n and nature sing.

                                                          MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Jolly Ole St Nick by Leada Wood, Artist of Texas

Jolly Ole St Nick by Leada Wood ©

Twas the night before Christmas and all through our house...the children are bouncing and boisterous and storming the house! Christmas Eve is BIG FUN at our home. The clan gathers and makes jolly holiday cheer. There are 24 of us, 13 are children! We are so blessed!

This is my painting that my Christmas cards were  made from this year. It is a watercolor, 15x22 on rag paper. I had just finished, framed and delivered it to the bank for exhibition when my retina tore in my eye! I also had finished my last commission for the season. I am so thankful that my sight has been restored and I can continue to enjoy the beautiful world around me.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my blog and for following my creative journey. I love reading your comments and hearing from you!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Christmas Angel by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas


Christmas Angel by Leada Wood©


Only two more days until Christmas day! The excitment is building...can you feel it in the air?
My wish for you is joy and peace this Christmas and the coming New Year .

"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
                                                                                          Luke 2:4
 

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Nutty Trio by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

NUTTY TRIO BY LEADA WOOD©


I love Christmas! Only a few more days! Ah but it only comes once a year. I can't get enough of that Holiday cheer! Family gatherings...fun with friends...the decorations...the lights...the music...the excitement in the air! I especially love  seeing the wonder and joy in the children's eyes. Making Christmas cookies or candy with my grand kids...keeping secrets...Christmas crafts. I guess you can see I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I wish that we could keep that feeling all though the year.
 
Every year I create a special painting to be used as my Christmas card. I collect Nutcrackers and the trio above is from my collection.  The Nutty Trio is from a Christmas past but I thought you might enjoy seeing them. I will be posting others along the way. It is a watercolor 15x22 on Arches paper. 

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year"
                                                                                                                   Charles Dickens
 

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Guardian by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

THE GUARDIAN BY LEADA WOOD©

In view of the horrific shootings last week I thought it would be timely to pause and remember that God is always near and in control ...even in the mist of evil.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7

God's peace is different from the world's peace. True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our  citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over evil. Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety.

I hope peace will prevail in your hearts this Christmas season. Love your family and friends like there is no tomorrow, hold them near and dear. The past is gone...the future is uncertain... Today is a gift..use your time wisely.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Peaceful Poppies by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Peaceful Poppies by Leada Wood©


This Mixed Media  painting is 12x24 on illustration board and is available. I think this is one of my favorite color palettes. Rich, warm, vibrant earthy colors just make me feel good. I used modeling paste and some of my stencils to give this painting raised textures. I also sculpted around the poppies with a palette knife to give them a defined edge. It is always interesting to experiment and find a new way to interpret a subject. Sometimes they turn out like you imagine or they take you on a completely different path. Kind of like life isn't it...you just never know what to expect!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Times Of Your Life by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

The Times Of Your Life by Leada Wood©




I thought this would be a good painting to post today as it is a celebration of life and love. There are messages all though the painting. This painting is sold and will live in Houston with a very nice couple. It is a 12x12 mixed media on canvas.

You never know what the day will bring...sometimes good...sometimes exciting...sometimes sad and sometimes bad! November 30th started out quiet ordinary for me, I was taking care of business in my studio, framing paintings getting them ready for delivery. I went to lunch with Bootman and our grandson Kyler and WHAM! I began seeing blood leaking into my eye, panic stricken yet not wanting to upset everyone we left the restaurant and headed for the nearest retina specialist 76 miles away.  The doctor did an emergency laser tack and told me to go home and wait for the blood to leave my eye and not to do anything. I went back 5 days later still not seeing out of my right eye. Instead of another simple laser surgery I had to go back for the real eye surgery. On Friday December 7th I had surgery on my retina to restore my sight and here I am 4 days later able to blog about it!

 Friends this is my Christmas Miracle! My sight restored! Amazing! My eyes are still a little weak and I cannot do things for long at a time but I CAN SEE! What a wonderful gift our eyesight is, please don't take things for granted...you are a walking, talking, breathing miracle!

 May God bless you and please remember to be grateful and thank Him for His blessings every day.