Leada Wood: 2023

Saturday, December 30, 2023

The Old Year Is Passing by Leada Wood

I am grateful to have had another year of making cherished memories with those I love. Another year of life, another year of giving and receiving love. Celebrations…family gatherings and everyday life…ahhh good times! I am thankful that I enjoy a creative life and can paint…express myself and share fun times with friends. There is so much in life to appreciate and every new day is a gift.

The years end is not an end or a beginning but a continuation, with all the wisdom that experience can infuse in us. What feels like the end is often only the beginning! Adventure awaits… Bring on 2024!

“Country Church”

Leada Wood copyright

Acrylic

“Christmas Goose”

Leada Wood copyright

Acrylic

“Mr Red Bird”

Leada Wood copyright

Acrylic

“A Little Birdie Told Me”

Leada Wood

Watercolor

“Socks On A Rooster”

Leada Wood copyright

Acrylic

“Gizmos First Christmas”

Leada Wood copyright

Acrylic

Monday, December 25, 2023

Merry Christmas! by Leada Wood

As the year draws to the end we enjoy the food and festivities…the sparkling decorations and lights and being with family and friends. Most of all we celebrate the birth of Christ who is the greatest gift in all of mankind’s history. Jesus…the greatest story, the most amazing gift, the blessed hope of all who believe.

I hope that you have received the greatest gift in your life.

Merry Christmas!

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

“Angel Trio”

Leada Wood copyright

Mixed Media

“Angel of Light”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor

“Angels Watch Over Us”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor and gold leaf

“A Joyful Noise”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor

“Glory To God”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor

“O Holy Night”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor

“Holy Family”

Leada Wood copyright

Paper Painting

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders, And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Winter Solstice by Leada Wood

Today is the shortest day of the year and the longest. As I write this my heart is happy and thankful. We have had a challenging Christmas as our baby granddaughter has been critically ill and in the hospital. It’s not always cheery and bright during the holidays. I hope you have enjoyed seeing my paintings I have created over the years and it has brought you a smile or two.

“The Fiddler”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor

“Johnny Winter”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor

“The Flutist”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor

“Bird Whisperer”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor

“Special Delivery”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor

These are some of my “Elfin’Around Series”. I have a real fondness for gnomes and enjoy painting them. I hope they have brought you some holiday cheer!

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

The Weather Outside Is Frightful by Leada Wood

The weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful…let it snow…let it snow…let it snow! I bet you just sang those word in your head didn’t you?

This beloved Christmas carol echoes the sentiments during this snuggle up and be cozy time of year. The days are gray and short and although it is warm and cozy inside it can be quite the opposite outdoors.

We don’t get much snow around my part of the world but I do love to watch it snow and cover the earth in a blanket of white. Nothing is more peaceful and calm than waking to a winter wonderland.Not much of a chance of building snowmen so I enjoy painting them instead.

“Snow Day”

Leada Wood copyright

Acrylic

“Jolly Snowman”

Leada Wood copyright

Acrylic

“Snow Queen”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor

“All Lit Up”

Leada Wood copyright

Watercolor

“O the snow, the beautiful snow,

Filling the sky and the earth below.

Over the housetops, over the street,

Over the heads of the people you meet,

Dancing…Flirting…Skimming along,

Beautiful snow, it can do nothing wrong.”

—John Whittaker Watson

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Sleigh Bells Ring by Leada Wood

Santa seems out of vogue in some circles these days. Kind of sad really…not the reason we celebrate Christmas, but ohhh the childhood magic it brings to mind. Around my house growing up he was very popular and made my brothers and I on our very best behavior…just the mention of his name got our attention! Believing in Santa was just plain fun. I was not damaged when I found out that he wasn’t real, just a little wistful that he wasn’t, and somehow that chapter of my childhood had reached an end. Although he was a spirit of imagination he sure gave a lot of sparkle to the Holiday season. I still enjoy painting the jolly old elf today and seeing the sparkle of wonder in a little one’s eyes when he is mentioned.

Sleigh bells ring…are ya listening?

Jolly St Nick

Acrylic

Red Raider Santa

Watercolor

Kris Kringle

Watercolor

“…and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!”

—from a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

There is not just a “season” of hope, or a “season” of joy or a “season” of giving but these qualities should be a part of us all year long…not just at Christmas. May we all keep Christmas well…every day!

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Holiday Cheer Begins Here by Leada Wood

Don’t you just love Christmas? All the twinkling lights, greenery, sparkle and excitement in the air makes me swoon. The memories of Christmas past come drifting to mind…and I get lost in the magic of the holidays. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year!

“Woodland Santa”

Watercolor

“Nutcracker Trio”

Watercolor

“Saint Nickolas”

Watercolor

“Cowboy Santa”

Watercolor

I have created different Santa’s through the years for various exhibitions and Christmas cards, to share the Holiday Spirit and hopefully bring a smile to your face.

Monday, December 4, 2023

It’s Begining To Look A Lot Like Christmas! By Leada Wood

Although there’s no snow…there’s lots of Mistletoe and Prickly Pears here in the Wild West. When I think of snow I think of Breckenridge . I love going to Breckenridge Colorado during the winter, the whole town is decorated and is a Christmas vision all winter long….Enchanting. I have enjoyed recreating some of those inspired memories in paint. I hope you enjoy them too.

“Back Country”

Watercolor

“Heading Home”

Watercolor

“Girl With The Blue Scarf”

Mixed Media

These are a few of my paintings that are in the Caboose Watercolor Society’s Winter Wonderland Show at the Heritage Museum. Better hurry if you want to see it because time is running out.

I’ll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me. Please have snow and Mistletoe and presents on the tree. Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams. I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams”. —-Kim Gannon

Saturday, December 2, 2023

A Time For Celebrations by Leada Wood

When I think of Christmas my heart turns to family and friends, a time to celebrate and enjoy the festivities of the season. The ritual of sharing time and traditions with those you love. Whether it’s watching Christmas movies, decorating the house, making cookies or crafting, you are creating timeless memories. Christmas is the celebration of love, joy and hope that began long ago in a manger in Bethlehem.

“Nutcracker”

Watercolor

I have collected Nutcrackers since the first time I took my daughter to see the ballet. Something about their whimsical faces stir up memories of Sugar Plum Fairies, Clara, and the Mouse King.

The classic ballet music score was created by Tchaikovsky in 1894 and still beloved today at Christmas .

I have had the pleasure of seeing it with most of my granddaughters.

“Hot Cocoa”

Watercolor

Nothing warms you up like a warm cup of cocoa on a cold winter’s evening.

“Sugar Cookies”

Watercolor

“Gingerbread”

Watercolor

“What sweet music can we bring, than a carol for to sing, the birth of this our heavenly King? Awake the voice! Awake the string! Heart, ear, eye, and everything.

- Robert Herrick

Friday, December 1, 2023

Hello December! By Leada Wood

This day is a gift! Do not waste a single moment. Notice the color of the sky, watch a bird, notice the wind in the trees, connect with your friends and loved ones…so much to be thankful for. Pay attention to the transformation that is taking place, Winter is upon us and long cozy nights. Be sure to practice kindness and spread good cheer during the Christmas season and all year long!

“Winter Treat”
Copyright Leada Wood
Watercolor

“Until you spread your wings you have no idea how far you can fly.”

“Snow Daze”
Copyright by Leada Wood
Watercolor

“December Moon makes me swoon,
Lighting up the night across the land.
Stopping in my mind, the days gone by.
Reaching across time for generations.
Gazing at the skies remembering…
we are all part of God’s plan”
-Leada Wood

“Lone Wolf”

Mixed Media

“Spirit Of Christmas”
Copyright Leada Wood
Watercolor
This is the first Christmas painting I did in 1997, that started my collection.

I started doing paintings for Christmas in 1997, right before my Daddy passed away. It brought me great comfort then and still does. My Daddy and Mama loved Christmas! Our home was cheerfully decorated and had fragrant holiday smells wafting from the kitchen. My parents did Christmas well. The love in their hearts overflowed even more during the holidays. I can still hear my Daddy strumming his guitar as we gathered to sing Christmas carols. It was a time for family, friends, church and holiday cheer. It still is today as I paint memories of Christmas.

I have passed on my family traditions to my children, and grandchildren whom I consider to be my greatest creations. I hope that they will always keep the Spirit of Christmas alive in their hearts. Not just at Christmas but all year. And will think of me fondly with love…especially at Christmas.

Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday season as you celebrate with your loved ones. I hope you enjoy seeing my paintings as I post them through the month of December.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Goodbye November! By Leada Wood

“The sun falls lower in the sky each day and the days are growing shorter. The leaves have turned the vivid colors of autumn and are drifting to the earth to sleep. The evening stars appear and tomorrow a new heart rises with the sun, a new beginning.”

-Leada Wood

“Sunrise On The Farm”

Watercolor

This painting is on display at the Heritage Museum with the Caboose Watercolor Society’s Winter Wonderland Show in Big Spring Texas. It’s a lovely show and I hope you can stop by and see their Christmas Tree Forrest and our exhibition.

“How fortunate we are that we get to do life, right here, right now., with the people we get to do life with! We are off this earth far longer than we are on it-find some good today. Keep digging there is gold here.

-Joel Leon

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Who Know Where The Time Goes? By Leada Wood

As the song sung by Carol King says who knows where the times goes?

“Across the morning sky,

All the birds are leaving,

Ah, how can they know it’s time to go?

Before the winter fire,

We’ll still be dreaming.

I do not count the time.

Who know where the time goes?”

I really intended to write more this year on my blog but here it is the end of November so who knows where the time goes?

I love painting Zinnias! It reminds me of my Grandmother Franklin in fact I get my love of flowers and gardening from her and my Mama. They both always had beautiful flowers around home. I try to carry on that tradition around here but the extreme heat in Texas this summer and months of triple digits made it very difficult this year. Hopefully next year will be much better!