Treasures by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Artists are a little different...what others call trash we call treasures! My good friend Penny knew I had been looking for old handwritten letters and documents and ledgers to use in my collage work. She's an artist too so she gets me. When she heard on the radio that our local library was giving away old documents she called me up to see if I would be interested. Silly, silly, silly...of course I was interested! 

I spent the afternoon going through boxes of ancient papers, some went as far back as the 1800s. The librarian was ecstatic that I was interested and even helped me load my suv. It was a win-win for both of us.

This is part of the back room that I went through. There are still a lot of documents that should probably be in our county museum. The librarian said that they had been contacted and nobody came to go through it. Maybe I can preserve a little of the history by using the pages in my collages. The pages are old and yellowed, a nice patina,  just like I like them, but some are becoming brittle. I use archival glues and sealers in my work so maybe they will stay around a little longer, at the very most I have saved them from the dumpster for a while.



Surprises Are Fun! by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Commissions are a little disquieting as I never know how it’s going to turn out or whether the client will like my work. But when they do I am over the moon with gratitude! This young lady's  mama commissioned her a special Valentine that I had the pleasure to create for her. Judging by her reaction she was surprised!

Jalynn loves Minions, I mean who doesn't, they are so amusing! I created her a special Minion with her favorite color, song and she had brown hair and a brown eye. I am so happy that she really loved her Valentine. This is one Valentine she can enjoy for years to come. Thanks Molly!





Artists Live Longer by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Estelle Howard

This is what 100 years old looks like if your an artist. I want to be like my dear friend Estelle when I grow up. She is the most amazing person I’ve ever had the privilege to know. Her zest for life and uplifting spirit makes her a joy to be around!

Estelle was recently asked to do the demo for the Big Spring Art Association and without hesitation she agreed. She has taken workshops and classes with many esteemed artists all through her life and has mastered, oils, acrylics and watercolors. She paints with vibrant color and loves to paint flowers and landscapes. She paints impressionistically as did Monet who also happens to be her favorite artist. Her favorite Monet quote is “I must have flowers, always, and always.”

 Estelle participates in art shows and is still winning awards. I think she is amazing! She did her demo in acrylics and started with a toned background and painted  alla prima, which means direct painting, wet on wet in one sitting. There wasn’t a drawing to guide her only a photo reference and a previous painting.

No matter that her body is slowing her down, her mind is as bright and lively as ever! These days she has to rely on a wheelchair to get around but this spunky centenarian doesn’t let that slow her down. Yes when I grow up I want to be like Estelle...still growing...still glowing...still going.

Happy 100th birthday Estelle! Thank you for sharing your light with us and lighting candles along the way. You are an inspiration to so many! 

Happy Valentine!s Day! By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Valentine’s Day is in the air and that means a lot of folks are thinking about love. What does love mean to you? To me it means putting others before myself, to love them unconditionally, to overlook their wrongs and to be there for them...love is kind.

This "Joyful Heart" series was started when my granddaughter washed her bible with her bedsheets. She thought of me and how I recycle papers into art and gave me the remains. I patiently ironed the delicate sheets flat again and adhered them to small canvases and created a new thing with the pages as the background. The hearts are from my Gelli prints as I put my heart into all my work. While I work I use the time for meditation and prayer, giving glory to God who created everything. Each one is different just as each person is unique. We are created to be this person at this time in history so let your light shine and be joyful for the life you were given!

I think 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says it best.

Love is patient, 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 truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 
1 Corinthians 13:4-8  

Wishing you the all the best that love really is....





First Friday Art Trail by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Yours Truly

Thanks Lubbock! Don’t you just love University towns?  I am always dumbfounded by the quanity of people who come to the FFAT. Lubbock truly promotes the arts and everyone seems to be having as
much fun as I am! What an honor to get to be one of the artists.

 

 

It is crowed the whole time, people come in droves! As I was packing up people were still coming in. Hated for the party to end but it was time to go home.