"Just Elfin' Around", by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Jingles" ©2017Leada Wood

This is Jingles my last little elf in the series "Just Elfin' Around" at least for 2017.  I had fun creating this series and hope they brought a little happy to your heart.

Wishing you a beautiful new year filled with love,  laughter, new dreams, new experiences and abundant joy. 

Merry Christmas! By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

                                                                           

"Hear The Angels Sing" ©2017 Leada Wood

              

Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new-born king. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all ye nations, rise. Join the triump of the skies, with angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King.
 Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

"All Is Calm" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Oh the weather in Texas is delightful, and the air is so alluring, especially for the middle of December! A pleasant 68 degrees and sunshine beckon me to go outdoors and explore. There is always something in nature to see when I am hiking and I always carry my camera to capture my moments in time. Do you see what I see...thought I would share my adventures.
Thanks for stopping by!

Four llamas looking

One Roadrunner Running

Three cows a mooing

"Just Elfin' Around" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Johnny Winter" ©2017 Leada Wood

"Johhny Winter" loves to play his guitar on a cold, grey day. It warms up his heart and lifts his spirits as well as the hearts of the other elves. Maybe he is playing Silent Night, one of my favorite Christmas carols. Hope he brought a little happy to your heart! Thanks for stopping by.

"Just Elfin' Around" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"The Flutist" ©2017 Leada Wood

You just never know what you are going to get in life... always full of surprises...some good and some not so good. I always wanted to play the flute but when it came time to pick out an instrument for band my parents selected a school owned instrument for me. I became a French horn player instead. I did like playing my horn for the next 6 years but did not enjoy marching with it.

"Just Elfin' Around, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"It's All About da Bass" ©2017 Leada Wood

"It's All About da Bass" was inspired by my fondness of the bass fiddle. My dad was a musician and I grew up around various instruments and musicians, most were family and friends. They would jam when together and the bass was the heartbeat of the band. Thanks for stopping by!

"Just Elfin' Around" by Leada Wood Texas Artist

"Special Delivery" ©2017 Leada Wood

                                                              

"Just Elfin' Around"  is a new series I have been working on for years. I started it in 1998 when my dad passed away and I have been painting Christmas scenes every year since. This year I completed eight new ones inspired by my childhood when Christmas was filled with wonder.  I know I am so blessed to be able to do what I love and I enjoy sharing my paintings with you. I hope my little elves bring a smile to your face and give you a little of the spirit of Christmas.

"Just Elfin' Around" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"The Fiddler"©2017Leada Wood

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I have a passion for Christmas and the love and the magical feelings that abound during the season. It’s a family tradition in our home and I wish that we could keep the incredible kindness and good cheer that abounds alive the rest of the year!

My parents did Christmas amazingly well, not quite a page out of Norman Rockwell’s paintings but close. My daddy especially loved Christmas and was the Spirit of Christmas to me. We celebrated both the religious and secular nature of Christmas and observed the holidays from Thanksgiving until New Years Day. Don and I continue the festive traditions today and have a wonderful legacy to celebrate.

Growing up in a musical family was very special as our family band would get together and play nearly every Sunday in someone’s home. My daddy could play almost any instrument and play it well. During Christmas the carols played and were sung and got everyone in the spirit of the season. Those times are fondly etched in my memory still today.

After my daddy passed away in 1998, I started painting at least one Christmas painting every year and sometimes several. My collection has grown over the years and I enjoy sharing them with you.




Nearly twenty years later my muse was not to be contained so I embraced it and have a new series called “Just Elfin’ Around”. I hope my paintings bring happiness to you and put a little wonder back in the season.




                                                                                                               ---Gloria a Dios




                                                                                         


"The Fiddler" was the first in the series created in 2013 when Don and I  lived in Houston for a few months while he received treatments.

iHannas Postcard Swap by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

It was an exciting year for the iHannas postcard swap. The cards came from everywhere and were all original in design and this year I received a bonus card for 11 total! They came from Israel, Kodak Island Alaska, Jacksonville Florida, Shoreline Washington, 2 from Phoenix Arizona,  Redwood City California,  2 from Sweden, one I couldn't read the postmark, and last but not least Texas.

The top one with the pretty zinnias was from Alaska and she put a treasure of a cute ladybug pin on the top that was from the 1940s. The one below, in the spirit of autum colors had leaves that were made from paper that had flower seeds in them and it was from Texas.

Such fun making new friends all over the world! Creativity is putting your imagination to work!

Add caption

Creativity takes courage and  I thank all of these creative souls for sharing their art with me and Hanna for hosting the swap.

Painting like Picasso! By Leada Wood Texas Artist

Picasso was  co-founder of the Cubism movement which was an avant-garde art movement that forever changed the face of painting and sculpting. Subjects and objects in cubism are broken into pieces and re-arranged into an abstract form.  The kids used simple shapes, fun colors and recycled cardboard to do their versions without too much regard to realism. Its harder to do than you imagine. I think they did a marvelous job and it was  another fun day in the studio.  Thanks for dropping by!

Happy Thanksgiving! by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. Thanksgiving isn't just a day, it is how we should live our lives every day. Gratitude can transform ordinary days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change opportunities into blessings. There is always something to be grateful for, all we have to do is open our eyes and heart and look for it.

"In all things give thanks." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Happy Birds, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

When we were children, times were simpler and it seemed logical that if we wished it, our thoughts might make them become true. It is always better to look on the bright side and have hope and see things through the eyes of a child. Seeing that our world is still full of wonders and miracles.

"And I learned what is obvious to a child. That life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time. That each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals. That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered. But most of all, I learned that life is about sitting on benches next to ancient creeks with my hand on her knee and sometimes, on good days, for falling in love."  --Nicholas Sparks

Happy Birds By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will.      -A.W.  Tozer

On the ground sits a bird that's too afraid to fly.
Beautiful wings could make it soar, but the pain of past failure is its lonesome cry.
 God has said unto this bird,"Trust and have faith in me, for i will carry you in your flight.
The miracle of life is waiting for you to see."
The bird said to God "but I can't fly I am weak. I will fall and feel pain. It's happened before when I tried to fly.
I'm afraid of being hurt again.
His voice was soft and reassuring , God said to the bird,
"I created you, and I will protect you. Your lonesome cry I have heard. Have faith in me. That's all you need to do.
So stand up, bird, and spread your wings. The wings I lovingly created to let you fly. If you fall I'll pick you up, and lift you back into the sky."
With trembling legs and unsure wings, the bird finally looked to the sky. It took a deep breath and took the chance. The bird began to fly.
Thank you God for believing in me. Thank you for giving me  wings. Thank you for your protecting hands. Your glory I will now sing.
                                 

Happy Birds by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

We all need a little hope in our lives. That is what keeps us going...it anchors our souls and keeps us steadfast. It's that small still voice that says never give up...keep trying. Hope is stronger than fear.

"Hope is a thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all."  - Emily Dickinson

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

"Happy birds" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

My Happy Birds all in a row have flown the coop and are making their ways to their new homes. iHannas 2017 autumn international postcard exchange was fun but now I must move on and create new images and stories. I have been getting little works of art in my post for a couple of weeks now from everywhere. Thank you to Hanna Anderson who lives in Sweden for hosting yet another wonderful exchange!

Here are my happy birds along with the envelopes I painted for the international cards. I was afraid that they might get lost on such a long flight. I sent cards to Israel, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Sweden, Australia, South Africa, Sverige, as well as Indiana, California and Washington. I will share the ones I received on another post later. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birds Series by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Listen to your heart,

it harbors sacred things.

Give from your heart;

abundance it brings.

Pray through your heart; 

guidance in need.

Follow your heart,

it knows how to lead.  

                                                        ----Paul Sutherland

Happy Birds series ©2017 Leada Wood, iHannas fall postcard swap

Happy Birds, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things.
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings. --Mark Harris


Happy Bird Series, ©2017 Leada Wood, iHannas 2017 fall postcard swap

Happy Birds, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Go Confidently in the direction of your dreams and Live the life you imagined. --Thoreau

Happy Bird Series, ©2017 Leada Wood, mixed media, iHannas 2017 fall postcard swap



Happy Birds, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Singing birds so soft and sweet, thru the days and into night. Each their love song is a treat, with hope in weightless flight." -Peter Quinn

Happy Birds Series, mixed media, #2017 Leada Wood, ihanna 2017 fall postcard exchange.

Happy Birds by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you. If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme. When you wish upon a star as dreamers do, fate is kind." -Jiminy Cricket


Happy Birds series, mixed media, #2017 Leada Wood, iHanna 2017 fall postcard swap

Happy Birds by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person."  -Audrey Hepburn

Happy bird series,©2017 Leada Wood, mixed media, iHannas 2017 fall postcard swap.

Happy Birds by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

The Autumn postcard exchange is here! When iHanna hosts a swap it is a fun event indeed. I decided to do a series of happy birds along with uplifting sayings...after all there is enough sadness in our world and it is my duty as an artist to entertain you. I hope you enjoy my little birds as much as I delight in creating them. Happy fall y'all!

A Different View, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"A Different View"  ©2017 Leada Wood

                                                                   

What to do with those paint blobs that dry and stack up on your palette...turn them into paintings of course! This cocky little rooster came to life as I began adding layers of dried acrylic skins."A Different View" was a fun experiment in my recent workshop with Bob Burridge. Thanks to Anna Lee and Jane for the skins as I had already used my extra paint on paper. There was an orange underpainting on the paper to begin and I used a greyish background to make my little feathered friend pop. What a fun and educational week...such a wonderful group of artists and friends!

Thank you Lubbock! By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

A perfect fall evening to be out, looking at art and having fun, and that is what you did by the hundreds. What pleasure it gives me to be able to participate in Lubbock's First Friday Art Trail again. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing up and being so friendly and interested in my art.

Fun In The Studio by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Today's watercolor class was a combination of leaning to draw an elephant by recognizing shapes. They learned about crayon resist and how to add texture by adding salt. They also learned how to paint wet into wet and wet on dry watercolor paper. Lots of techniques in one lesson. Most of all I am trying to teach them to relax and enjoy their painting time...it's only paper and the fun is in the process! Of course it is nice when your painting turns out like you want it too, which is evident by all their big smiles. Each painting seemed to have a different personality...just like children.

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Petunia P. Pugpants" ©2017Leada Wood

Doesn't "Petunia P. Pugpants" just make you smile? Thought it was time for a little happy in this world so I am posting Petunia. Pugs are happy, affectionate, loyal, charming, playful, mischievous and intelligent. Sounds like the right mix to make a wonderful companion.

Do you have a special fur baby in your life that you would like me to draw? Just contact me and we can work something out. Thanks for stopping by!

Fun In The Studio By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Summers seem to get shorter and shorter, or maybe time is speeding up! Either way, can you believe the summer has passed and school is grearing up again? We didn't get to do many art classes this summer as my girls helped me clean out the studio, which was long over do. It is amazing at the art magazines I had collected, now to go through them, cull out and find others who would enjoy them. We did manage to have a couple of days painting and they tried their hand at mixed media. They made some interesting paintings but the main thing...girls just wanna have fun! And so we did.

Sprinkling and Dribbling Paint

Another fun day with this little cutie. She took a coffee filter and sprayed and sprinkled it with watercolors. After it dried she hot glued the dress onto a ballerina that she had painted on Watercolor paper.

I think it turned out pretty amazing! Now to try it with all the girls!

"Ronny Rooster", Watercolor by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

 

"Ronny Rooster" ©2017 Leada Wood

One spring my parents brought home 24 fuzzy, yellow baby chicks to my brothers and I. They were such fun! I had one chicken that followed me everywhere, even to the corner grocery store. He waited by the door until I came out and then we walked home. Like all babies those cute little chicks grew up and it turned out they were all roosters. My special rooster did not like my mother and would spur her every time she went out side. He was a big ole boy too! Needless to say those roosters soon disappeared and we suddenly began having a lot of chicken dishes but I had lost my appetite for chicken. I think of those times every time I paint a rooster.

Painting and drawing animals seems to be my passion lately. Trying to capture their personalities in watercolor is challenging and I enjoy pushing my abilities to see if I can create a likeness. I hope you enjoy seeing them! Thanks for stopping by.

"Percy Peacock", Watercolor by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Percy Peacock" ©2017 Leada Wood

Percy is one of my new watercolors that will be at the First Friday Art Trail in Lubbock, Texas this Friday August 4th, from 6-9. I will be at the Clay House adjacent to the Louise Underwood Center for the Arts. Please stop by and say hello!

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Bob" ©2017 Leada Wood

Labradors are kind, pleasant and outgoing. Their keen sense of smell allow them to track any scent and follow the path of its origin. They are used in the military, police force and for service dogs. Labs have a soft, gentle mouth which allows them to be good hunting dogs for retrieving game birds. They are gentle with children and make excellent pets.

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Mollie Is Ready To Play" ©2017 Leada Wood

Mollie is such a bouncy girl...always ready to play. So much so that every time I sit down she thinks it is playtime! Did I mention she is smart too? I can tell her which toy to get and she will bring me the one I ask for. She especially likes to play hide the toy and always hunts it down. I may have let her down by not training her more. Mollie might have been movie worthy with the right trainer or the circus! I can just imagine her in a little clown outfit.  I guess everyone thinks their pets are the cutest, smartest and the best but there is only one Mollie and she is mine.
Have a great week!

Watercolor, Mixed Media, Sunflowers by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

The hot days of July are upon us with their fluffy white clouds floating in the turquoise blue sky...ahhhh summer! The prickly pear cactus are bearing fruit and the sunflowers are abundant, life in west Texas is good!

July is also World of Watercolor month, in order to celebrate I have been doing a few watercolors, mostly in my sketchbook and as cards for friends, in other words just for fun! That is what art should be... enjoyable, to celebrate the moments of my life and to share them with you!

"Sun Seekers" ©2017 Leada Wood

"Sun Seekers" is 11x15 on Archival paper, painted with transparent watercolors using mixed media to give drama and mystery.

"Poire", Watercolor by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Poire" ©2017 Leada Wood

It must be the heat, keeping me indoors making me restless,so I headed to my studio to try some new techniques in watercolor. I used Arches 140# and drew a simple composition. I then decided to add Unyru paper bits here and there to give some texture and interest to the composition. When the collage was dry I painted the pears transparently with watercolor. Then I divided up the background and went in with dark complimentary colors, wet on wet. While this was still damp I used a stencil and sanded a watercolor pencil over it, misting it to activate the specks of color. It was a fun experiment mixing media in watercolor and I am pleased with the mystery and drama it gives to the painting. Thanks for stopping by!

Cool In The Pool, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Cool In The Pool" ©2017 Leada Wood

It's officially summer and the temperatures in Texas have been heating up. It is usually July before it is over 100 degrees but this year the heat arrived early.  The pool looks inviting so I decided to do a little watercolor of a girl floating in the pool trying to stay cool. This was actually a card to my daughters family, I thought the kids would get a giggle from it.

Do you remember the endless summer days when you were a kid? I would walk to Ruddick park, where our town's swimming pool was and spend the afternoon. Swimming in the cool water, giggling with my friends, and jumping off the high board. Smelling of chlorine eating laffy taffy or a Chico sticks as a treat on the walk home. Hearing locust singing their songs in the trees and the smell of freshly mowed grass wafting in the air... in the good old summertime of my childhood.

Hope this brings a few sweet summer memories to your mind and you are staying cool somewhere!

A Peek In My Sketchbook, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Purple Beauties" ©2017 Leada Wood

Eggplant is such a wonderful veggie and I have only discovered it in the last few years. I bake it in the oven to make a little Eggplant Parmesan or sauté it with a little garlic and add to my spaghetti sauce. Mostly I love the color and the shape and it beckons me to paint it. These beauties were growing in our garden as I searched for one big enough for dinner. As always I had my iPhone with me to capture the moment so I can paint it when I have time.  Have a great week!

Roadrunner, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Mr. Roadrunner ©2017 Leada Wood

He's back! Mr Roadrunner has come visiting again leaving his sticks on the porch as a calling card. Here on the ranch we have lots of wildlife visitors to entertain us. Life on the ranch is never dull and something always needs attention. Living in rural west Texas has drawbacks but it is also the sweet life.

The Roadrunner is a member of the Cuckoo family and is amusing to watch. Born to run they can outrun a human, kill rattlesnakes and survive in the harshish enviroments. They hold a special place in Native American legends and are revered for their courage, strength, speed and endurance. Although agile on the ground, Roadrunners don't fly well. Gliding from a perch to the ground for short distances or a short burst of flight to seek a hiding place is the extent of their ability.

Long live La Dolce Vita and the Roadrunner!

A Peek In My Sketchbook, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"A Peek In My Sketchbook" ©2017 Leada Wood

Ahhh...vine ripened tomatoes, warm from the sun just waiting for you to pop in your mouth...pure bliss. In all our years of organic gardening we have never grown cluster tomatoes and didn't know we were this year. What a nice surprise! Bootman came in dangling this dazzling little cluster of porters and I knew I had to paint them before they were eaten. Adorable and delectable...a feast for the eyes and the tummy.

Funny how a mix up from the garden center can make your day. We haven't had much luck with tomatoes in recent years so this year we decided to take a different approach, after trying many other approaches in previous years. We planted our little beauties straight into our compost piles and they seem to be loving their environment. We are off to a good start and hopefully will have enough tomatoes to share. Have a wonderful weekend!

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Baxter"  ©2017 Leada Wood 

Baxter was such a joy to draw. He was a rescue dog, well loved by his owners. No longer with them the daughter commissioned a portrait for her mom in memory of her beloved companion. I hope she likes it!

"Country Church" Watercolor by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Country Church" is a transparent watercolor honoring small community churches. This old church is over 100 years old and still in operation every Sunday. The faithful continue to enter the doors and rejoice with singing.

This painting was a gift for my Mother in law whose family helped establish the church and worshiped there.

I am grateful to all the men and women who have served our country so that we can keep our freedoms. Wishing you and yours a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!

"Country Church" by Leada Wood ©2017

"Holi Elephant" By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

I have been watching a series called Indian Summer and the beginning of every show begins with colored powders being tossed into the air. Indians celebrate  a Holi festival throwing perfumed, colored powder into the air and everyone and anything is fair game. The powders signify the coming of spring and the new colors it brings to nature.

All the vivid colors excites my senses and of course I had to try it with paint! Yes there has been some paint slinging going on in the studio lately and maybe more to come.

"Holi Elephant" ©2017 Leada Wood

In my minds eye I could see an elephant emerging through the brilliant colors so that is what I portrayed onto the canvas.  My mom collected elephants and I have a fond attachment to the amusing creatures myself. In the Hindu way of thought, the elephant symbolizes fortune, protection and is a blessing upon all new projects. They are also known for their strength, honor, stability and focus on family.  Happy Mother's Day!

"Yellow Rose of Texas" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

The Yellow Rose of Texas is what I call prickly pear cactus blooms. They are blooming now and are gorgeous! Prickly Pear are plentiful in West Texas along with different varieties of cactus.

There has been medical interest in the plant lately and studies show the pectin contained in the pulp lowers the levels of bad cholesterol. Another study found that the fibrous pectin in the fruit and pads may lower diabetics need for insulin. I guess the saying let food be your medicine rings true! From Prickly Pear Margaritas to Prickly Pear jelly to grilled Nopales, the humble cactus offers it fruit as well as beauty.

 "The Yellow Rose of Texas" is a traditional folk song in the southwest. The original version was associated with the legend of how an indentured servant named Emily West, unwittingly aided the Texans in winning the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle in the War of Independence from Mexico.

I hope you enjoyed learning a little about the Prickly Pear, or as I like to call it The Yellow Rose of Texas. Thanks for stopping by!

"Yellow Rose of Texas" ©2017 Leada Wood 

"Yellow Rose of Texas" ©2017 Leada Wood

Happy May Day! Watercolor by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

The earliest May Day celebrations were held during the Roman Republic and appeared with Floralia, the Godess of flowers. As Europe became Christenized it became known for traditions of dancing around a maypole and crowing the Queen of May. Since the 18th century the Roman Catholics observe it with adorning the Virgin Mary with a crown of flowers and a two day feast. Fast forward to the 20th century and the  giving of small baskets of flowers or a paper cone with a small bouquet hung on a doorknob marked the first day of May.

Isn't it a shame that some traditions fall by the wayside in our fast paced world? I couldn't let the day pass without wishing you a happy May Day and sharing my little hummingbird and May flower with you!

Copyright 2017 Leada Wood