January Challenge, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist





Nothing says new year like starting with a challenge! Painting 30 paintings in 30 days is exhilarating ...kind of like running a marathon only with a paintbrush. I decided I would get my backgrounds ready with a layer of gesso and acrylic paint applied to flash cards. It is allowed and I also have been gathering objects I might want to paint. Just because these are small doesn’t meant they take less time or aren’t as much of a challenge. Sometimes painting smaller is more difficult. These probably won’t be masterpieces but fun little exercises to get my creative juices going for 2019. 

Wishing you new experiences and a healthy, happy new year!

“And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been” -Rainer Maria Rilke

“The Artist” by Leada Wood, Texas Artist



"The Artist" ©2018 Leada Wood

This is the last painting in my “Just Elfin’ Around” series for 2018 but I already have a few ideas for more paintings in 2019. I hope you have enjoyed my creations as much as I did painting them. I hope they have brought a smile to your face and brightened these wintry days.

A friend once said I was having way too much fun, which is true. I figure I might as well enjoy the life and talents I have been given, while I am able, and it sure beats daytime tv. Life is short and goes way too fast!

Wishing you a joyous Christmas and a healthy, happy holidays!

"The Baker" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"The Baker" ©2018 Leada Wood

It's the most wonderful time of the year, when cooks around the country take to their kitchens to bake cookies galore! Whether you prefer gingerbread men, sugar cookies or snickerdoodles, chances are you will enjoy some fresh baked Christmas cookies this holiday season. Like many Christmas traditions, the origin of this delicious custom began ages ago.

The earliest Christmas cookie traditions were brought to the United States by the Dutch in the 17th century. Laden with spices such as cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, almonds and dried fruit. The custom continues today with many shapes and flavors to tempt your tastebuds.

Whatever  your holiday traditions I hope you enjoy a little sweetness and spice in your life!

“The Candyman” by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"The Candyman" ©2018 Leada Wood

What would Christmas be without a few sweet treats? The smell of cinnamon, vanilla and peppermint wafting in the air and fresh baked cookies waiting to be decorated. Whatever your pleasure I hope you share some of your sweet treats with friends and loved ones.

I have a granddaughter who  LOVE, LOVE, LOVES candy and I thought of her fondly as I was painting The Candyman.  I just know all that candy is what has made her so sweet! We all need more sweetness in our lives of one kind or another so be charitable to everyone.  No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

“The Barista” by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"The Barista" ©2018 Leada Wood

Christmas is a time for reflecting and nostalgia. I have been thinking a lot about my family’s traditions during the holidays and it’s the small things I remember. Hot cocoa with marshmallows on a cold winter’s day, popcorn and Christmas movies with the kids, decorating the house with great cheer and making ornaments, singing carols and baking.

 For me Christmas memories are all about family and the fun times we have had. We are still making those memories with the newer members of our family and we hope they will be as special to them as they are to us. 

The inspiration for my art comes from ordinary, everyday life and the sweet folks who surround me. I feel very blessed to have the people I love to share  my life with and I thank God for them. I am also grateful for the gift of creativity and I hope you enjoy my little productions and they bring a little light into your world. Shine on!

“The Tiny Tailor” by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Tiny Tailor" ©2018 Leada Wood

It is the most wonderful time of the year, so why does it seem to go so fast? Amid all the “holidaze” preparations I have been getting ready for a solo exhibition of Christmas paintings. Last year I started an “Just Elfin Around” series that I decided to carry on this year, focusing on the crafty side instead of the musical. It has been fun painting them and a good thing I finished before the Holidaze started! 

As I am painting wee folks I am reminded of the talents of my eight amazing granddaughters. They are all creative and have special talents of their own. This tiny tailor brought reflections of them quilting. We are talking 8-15 year olds, which is awesome in our fast paced technological world. It also stirred memories of a slower time when all young ladies learned sewing skills and other crafts. I hope we realize what we are giving up for this modern life. We need to nurture ourselves and our children and help them to discover and explore their talents as well as our own.  Craft and creativity still abounds in our high tech lives, we just need to slow down and honor our gifts.

“Cock-A-Doodle-Do”, Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Cock-A-Doodle-Do" ©Leada Wood 2018

Chickens hold a special place in my heart, especially white Leghorn chickens. Growing up my parents gave my brothers and I baby chickens at Easter. One year they gave us 30 chickens hoping they were hens so they would lay eggs. Only turns out we had 30 roosters and they were bound for Sunday dinners.  I made one of them my pet and he followed me everywhere. He would cross the road with me when I ran to the corner grocers. But he didn’t like my mom especially when she was hanging out clothes and would peck and spur her. I don’t think he lasted too long after that. I guess chickens will always bring a smile to my face and hope my painted versions bring a smile to yours.

"Dream Deep" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

                                          

"Dream Deep" ©2018 Leada Wood

"Reach high, for the stars lie hidden in your soul"

Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal."

                                ---Pamela Vaull Starr

Anything can be an inspiration and fair game when making art, whether an old dictionary page or a tiny basketful of starfish. What others sometimes see as garbage I see as an opportunity to repurpose and create. Artists look at the world differently than most and that is what feeds the artist's spirit and inspire us to keep making our art, one piece at a time.

The Glassblower's Daughter" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"The Glassblower's Daughter" ©2018 Leada Wood

I love Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures, so colorful and alive. His exhibitions are usually in a garden setting and the beauty of nature and his enormous glass sculptures are incredible. Glassblowing has always intrigued me, the fiery molten blob turned into an object of beauty is amazing and beyond comprehension and I am mesmerized as I watch them work.

"The Glassblower's Daughter" was inspired from attending a Renaissance Faire near Houston. The lady made stunning glass orbs that sparkled in the dazzling November light and I was a captive audience along with many others. It was a day to remember.

"Use Your Wings" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Use Your Wings" ©2018 Leada Wood

I love to watch the butterflies drifting along in my garden gliding on the summer breeze...going from flower to flower. Whenever I introduce new flowers into the garden I plant perennials that are bee and butterfly friendly and attractive to Hummingbirds. This summer I added Cuphea ignea or firecracker plant and Gregg's Mist Flowers. The butterflies do like them but I think Lantana is still their all time favorite.

I enjoy adding butterflies in my work and have made many paintings with them included. The butterfly is a symbol of transformation representing endurance, change, hope and life. They bring color and joy to our world.

We should be more like the butterfly...after all until we spread our wings we have no idea how far we can fly.

"Use Your Wings" is a Mixed Media Collage with gold leaf. 

Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

"You Are My Sunshine" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Good morning from Dragonfly Farm where the birds are singing, the butterflies are floating, the bees are buzzing and life is good! "You Are My Sunshine" was inspired by the cheerful yellow sunflowers that dance in the wind around the farm. I just love to paint them! I see why Van Gogh painted them often. My friend Linda said if there was one artist that she could go back in time and talk to, it would be Van Gogh...wouldn't that be amazing.

 Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by!

"You Are My Sunshine" by Leada Wood ©2018

Happy Summer! By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"MId Summer's Dream" by Leada Wood©2018

I think the hot weather is affecting my paint palette. We have had 100 degree plus weather since May, unusual heat even for Texas! Thank goodness for central air. I don't see how our ancestors survived without it or maybe we have become sissified in our modern world. 

This is a transparent Watercolor using alcohol and wax resist. 

Expressions of Spring; Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"May Flowers" ©2018 Leada Wood

With the warmer weather and flowers blooming my thoughts have turned toward spring. Still using a square format I incorporated bright colors working with green, yellows and orange. Nothing says spring like sunflowers and butterflies! Thanks for stopping by!

"Paradigm", Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Paradigm" by Leada Wood©2018

"Paradigm" is a set of elements arranged in a form based on a square theme. This mixed media collage was created using shapes within shapes working with color and design to give it movement . I created texture in the background using various shades of grey before adding the collage pieces. The medallion is gold leaf. I hope you enjoyed seeing the results of my exploration with design elements. Thanks for stopping by!

"In The Groove", MIxed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

©2018 Leada Wood

"In The Groove" is a mixed media collage using line and color to create movement. I applied layers of paint using various techniques and my favorite colors. I think spring is in the air...at least in my studio. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Easter! By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

©Leada Wood

I know Easter is really not about the Easter bunny but I just couldn't resist using this painting to wish you a happy Easter. The colors remind me of all those colorful eggs that will be found tomorrow. I enjoyed dyeing eggs with my kids and grandkids except that the dye usually had to wear off. We looked so cute in our Easter bonnets and colorful hands! Folks don't get as dressed up as they once did for church on Easter Sunday. When I was a girl I looked forward to getting a new dress, socks, shoes, hat and gloves for the occasion. That was a long time ago and things are different now. In my opinion I think we may be getting a little too casual about lots of things. Maybe it is time for a change. Happy Easter!

Painting Like Mucha by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Alphonse Mucha was well known for his distinctive style of painting and began the Art Nouveau movement. He produced many paintings, illustrations, advertisements, postcards and designs throughout his life. Mucha's works frequently featured beautiful young women in flowing gowns, often surrounded by lush flowers which sometimes formed halos behind their heads. He used pale pastel colors in contrast of contemporary poster makers of his day.

This is a couple of my girls trying their  hand painting like Mucha, I think they are off to a wonderful start!

After drawing their choice of Mucha's paintings on board and before beginning their paintings they had to experiment with paint and figure out what colors to use.  A lot of mixing and and testing went into this project and they made  a mood board so that they would remember how to make those colors.

Here they are in their creative zones with their reference photos and color mood boards handy laying
in colors that they mix themselves.  I also read to them the biography of Mucha's life as they painted. I think Mucha would be proud. I know I am!

West Texas Watercolor Society, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Here's To The Crazy Ones

"Here's To The Crazy Ones" ©Leada Wood

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits...the rebels...the troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They invent...they create...they inspire. They press the human race forward. 

Maybe they have to be crazy. How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written? Or gaze at a red planet and see a labrotory on wheels?

We make tools for these kinds of people. While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do.

                                                                                 
                                                                                 -Apple Computers shared by Robert Burridge

West Texas Watercolor Society, Legacy Event Center

Thank You West Texas Watercolor Society for a fun afternoon! It was nice to see so many friends in the audience. I was honored to be able to share my techniques with you.

Never enough time when sharing my creative journey with friends. Beginnings are easy and the endings are up to you!

Love this wonderful group of artists! Lubbock is an amazing supporter of the arts and I am so fortunate to be a part of this group.

Spring Is In The Air, Mixed Media, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Spring Is In The Air" ©2018 Leada Wood

Dragonfly Farm is in full bloom so that must mean spring is right around the corner. Have a great week!

Beginnings, Mixed Media, By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Beginnings ©2018 Leada Wood

Beginnings are easy, it's the endings that are difficult as you can see from the photo. It is especially true when working with mixed media in a series. Since there is a lot of drying time inbetween, I like to have a lot of beginnings so I can keep working. Mixed Media has lots of layers and you must push and pull those layers with paint until you are satisfied. That's what makes it so intriguing and fun! For me it's all about the process and experimental,  and the adventure always awaits.

Beginnings ©2018 Leada Wood

This is a peek at my paint table. I have two other tables and a wall of shelves with supplies around me when I am working. Mixed Media takes a little more room when working in a series, or at least for me it does. Love seeing all my pretty paint colors while I am working. 

Printed papers ©2018 Leada Wood

This is one container of collage materials that I have made. I use to make papers in every color and still do with my Gelli plate but find I use black collage more and more as it goes with everything. Kind of like that little black dress in your closet. These are hand printed papers and that is another days work.

Background painting ©2018 Leada Wood

Do you see what I see? Might not look like much yet but there are about seven layers on this beginning right now, and I do manipulate the paint by drippage, spritzing alcohol and splattering. I like to keep it transparent while building up the backgrounds, at least most of the time. There are no rules when experimenting with mixed media.  I work in a series of 6-12 substrates at a time creating backgrounds so that when I am ready to develop the painting I have many to choose from and can add more layers.That's the fun about Mixed Media, you never know what you are going to get, kind of like a box of chocolates.

I Hope you enjoyed a peek into my process and studio. Thanks for stopping by!

Dance To Your Music, Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Dance To Your Music" ©2018 Leada Wood

Life is a dance if we learn to listen for the music! Celebrate!

"Love Is In The Air Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Love Is In The Air" ©2018 Leada Wood

"Love Is In The Air" and the stores are filled with, red and pink hearts and cards, candies and romantic sentiments. Real love has nothing to do with all this mass commercialism. Real love is holding the soft hand of a little one or smelling their sweetness. The happiness you feel when you see your kids or grandkids. A  hug from your beloved when you don't deserve one.  Holding hands with your sweetie when you are walking or a nuzzle from your fur baby when you are feeling down.

Our definitions and experiences of love varies and we each have our own opinions, but the greatest of them all is love is one of the commandments. Love can only be felt from the heart and makes us vulnerable but when it is real nothing can compare to it.

Jesus taught about love and how it is the greatest thing and for us to love one another as He loves us. He also taught, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protect, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres...love never fails. I like that kind of love.

Whatever your definition of love is I hope you feel it in abundance and are surrounded by those you love not only on Valentine's Day but always. 

Wonderland by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Wonderland"

The mind is an amazing thing...how one idea turns into another. This piece began life in my art journal as I was thinking about the new year and all the new paths available before me. The many twists and turns, ups and downs of life that we encounter each day. There are guide post and we must be aware of them or we could become lost along the way. Hoping 2018 is a year full of great adventures and may the path take you where your heart desires. 

Happy New Year! by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Little Friar ©2018Leada Wood

I have been trying to do a drawing a day in my sketchbook but sometimes life happens and I don't get it done. I thought I would let you peek at my sketchbook and see the fun objects I have been drawing from around my home. This little fellow has such a lively face and makes me smile when I look at him. The little Friar creamer was rescued from an antique store in San Angelo before he became mine. 

Sorry I am late wishing you a happy new year, and if this first 9 days is any indication, it is going to be a very busy 2018! I am taking not one but two online classes and they both are for the whole year. I am a member of Wanderlust 2018 and Art Studio and they both promise to be amazing! I hope your new year is exciting and you are learning new things. 

This is a little acrostic poem about the new year.

H appiness depends upon your outlook on life. - Find the good in all situations
A ttitude is just as important as ability.- Keep your attitude positive
P assion find yours this year! - Do what you love and you will never work
P ositive thoughts make everything easier.- Stay focused and stay positive
Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them. - Never forget you have talent

N ew beginnings with a new year.
E nthusiasm a true secret of success.
W ishes may they turn into goals.

Y ears go by to quickly, enjoy them.- Wisdom from your elders, listen
E nergy may you have lots of it. - Take care of yourself
A ppreciation of life, don't take it for granted. - Live each day
R elax take the time to relax in this coming year.- Keep a balance in your life