Technique Tuesday, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Well as they say one thing leads to another. If you saw my last post you noticed I had something new...a slide show but no words. I should have added the post before the slide show as I could not try as I might, make the post after the slide show, we learn as we go. Soooo...I decided to add a Technique Tuesday and more photos of my Fun Friday!

 

Citrasol concentrate is a very fun process...be for warned do it with all the windows open! My studio reeks of oranges and not in a good way but a nauseating way. I removed all the pages and plastic on Saturday and hopefully it will be gone when I return.

 

Back to the process...you will need National Geographics, Citrasol concentrate, sponge brush and spritzer bottle. I also lined my tables with white trash bags. There are all kind of tutorials on utube regarding this technique, so check them out! I also wore gloves as it is kind of messy. I spritzed some pages and painted others then closed the book and waited 20 minutes. Sometimes there is magic and sometimes there is not! You can also learn to manipulate the process and it really is all in the timing and doing. So what are you waiting for get out those old magazines and give it a try! Make some magic of your own.

 

 

 

 

You maybe wondering what one does with these pages now??? That is still in the works and I will post the results ...until then, thanks for stopping by!

All images and content of this blog are copyrighted by Leada Wood 2013

Fun Fridays!!! by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

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Caution! Artist At Play! by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

 

 

 

Caution! Artist At Play!  I have been having fun at Studio 20 this week. I am finally getting to try out all the surface treatments that I have been reading about. The one above is tar gel...don't know what I will do with it yet but it is exciting stuff and it has lots of possibilities!

 

 

 

 This is some of the substrates or beginnings of my new series that have a long way to go before completion.  I have learned that when working with mixed media and abstracts it is best to work on multiple paintings or a series. I use watercolor paper and my favorite colors and start painting. It takes many, many layers before they are done.

 

 

This is fiber paper with wonderful things embedded into them. You can use them as they are or cut them into shapes...the sky's the limit when it comes to mixed media! It's all about the DRAMA!

Here are a few more substrates that have a few more layers. They have been stamped, scribed into, gessoed, collaged, stenciled, spritzed with alcohol, salted and painted on...still a long way to go. Maybe you are wondering...what the heck! Well...mixed media is all about the process...the journey...the excitement of discovery. That is what gets my juices going...ahhh the artist's life is a good life and it's my life.

Summer Time by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Summer Time and the living is easy. I have been enjoying my little piece of paradise here in Texas. The weather has been really hot! I get out early or late and hang out under the air conditioning the rest of the day.

 

After a painting marathon to get ready for exhibitions and shows things finally wound down a little the end of June.  I decided it was time to relax and enjoy the beauty surrounding me before I have to get ready for all the exhibitions and shows coming up this fall. Recharge my batteries... Life is good!

 

 

Although it is not tropical where I live, it is hot enough to grow tropical flowers. It would not be summer at our house without Hibiscus. I plant them in every hue in single and double varieties. These beauties happened to be blooming today. I had already picked the red and orange double ones to put in a vase. The funny thing about hibiscus is they are proficient bloomers but the flowers fade after a day. I have painted many  Hibiscus portraits.

 Summer time blues...love those Plumbago! Another plant that thrives in the hot Texas sun.

Here is my little kitchen garden by my door, easy access for cooking! I have basil, marjoram, oregano and sage. I keep my rosemary and lavenders in raised beds as they grow quite large. I love to pick fresh tomatoes spritz them with a little olive oil, salt and pepper and sprinkle fresh cut basil on top. It just doesn't get much better than that!

 

I love zinnias! These perky pink beauties were blooming today. I always think of my grandmother's  garden whenever I see moonflowers or zinnias. She had oodles of both...guess that is where my mama and I got our love of flowers from. I enjoy having plants from my loved ones gardens...it keeps a little of them close to me, especially after they are gone. Very comforting.

I plant geraniums every year as well. They come in every color but I always seem to like the red the best. I guess that is because I know my little hummingbirds enjoy red flowers and I love my little hummers!

The crepe myrtle is the best! They bloom profusely from June until late August. One of the best shrubs or trees for our area.

I hope you enjoyed the little tour of my little piece of paradise and will come back to see me again!

Fun On The Fourth! by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Fun On The Fourth by Leada Wood©
www.leadawood.com  www.leadawood.com/blog

Happy 4th of July! I am so thankful that I live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.  I really don't think a lot of folks think about how fortunate we are to live in the USA. We get involved with living in our own little orbits and just accept what we have. Things are changing that is for sure but it still seems like the best place to live on this old blue planet. I hope you think about all our freedoms and liberties that we enjoy but were paid for with a high price this 4th.

 I wish you a fun filled day surrounded by family and friends enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

This painting is a 15x22 watercolor and is in my private collection. I just wanted to share it with you.
Thanks for stopping by!

Leada

Question Of Balance...Abstract by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Question Of Balance by Leada Wood©
www.leadawood.com  or www.leadawood.com/blog

June just zoomed by! I had so many shows, exhibitions, workshops and things to manage and take care of that it seems to have gone too fast. I just want to slow down and enjoy the lazy days of summer...like when I was a kid...where are they? Have you had any? I hope so!

I have been doing a series of abstracts exploring the cruciform. Some turned out and some will be used for the beginnings of new paintings. It has been fun but I feel the need to come back to reality for a while and work on other ideas that have been marinating in my head for a while.

I think the hard part of painting abstracts for me is naming them! Sometimes I just go blank and cannot think of a name...like this one. I would have posted it sooner but I did not want it to go live unnamed.

This painting is 11x15 on Illustration board and is available. Just drop me an email and I will get it in the mail to you. Thanks for stopping by!