Collage Play by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

I just love paper and have stacks of it. I delight in printing my own with my Gelli plate or using an old book that is ready to recycle and it is always fun to rip and glue my papers into a new design. Here is part of a series that I have made using a limited palette, collage, and a word that came to mind as I created each one.

"Celebrate"  ©2019 Leada Wood

"Shine"  ©2019 Leada Wood

"Balance" ©2019 Leada Wood

"Look at everything as though you are seeing it for the first time, with the eyes of a child fresh with wonder." -----Joesph Cornell



January Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 26 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge. Who doesn’t love Peppermint Patty? She was a fearless leader and a natural athlete. She is always up for any challenge, except studying.





January Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 24 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge. I just couldn’t resist painting a few more of the Peanuts gang. Here’s Sally Brown!

January Challenge, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

“Little People” 2019 Leada Wood

Day 7 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge.  I have a shadow box in the grandkids playroom that has some of my kids little toys displayed. During this challenge I thought it would be fun to paint a few of them. I think this little boy was a Fisher Price little people. They make such great toys that stimulate little folks imagination. They look a little different today, more modern and not made out of wood anymore but still a quality product. 

You can see this little guy was well loved and scuffed up. I tried to replicate that feeling in this painting. I chose the brown background because little boys love playing in the sand and getting dirty or at least the little boys I have had the pleasure to know and love do. The yellow reminded me of sunshine and my boys sunny dispositions... at least most of the time.

“God created boys, full of spirit and fun to explore and conquer, to romp and run.”



January Challenge, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 5 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge. Stockshow season has begun in Texas! I spent the morning admiring all the fine animals at the Westbrook stockshow and of course I was inspired.

I decided to do a sheep painting as my grandson Kash is showing both lambs and goats. He is the last boy in my oldest sons family to continue the tradition. It is a lot of hard work both for the kids and the parents to raise the animal. The animals are on a strict diet and have to be exercised at least once a day. Rain, snow, or sunshine the animal is a major source of attention and time for the kids. When it comes time for the show the animal has to be shorn, bathed and made pretty for the ring. They also have to be weighed to determine their class and kept fed and hydrated until the show.

Showing animals teaches kids more than winning. They learn to be responsible for something besides themselves. They learn good sportsmanship and how to show up every day rain or shine. They don't always make it into the winners circle or win the buckles but to me they are all winners before they hit the ring. I really appreciate the parents of the young people who take the time to participate in 4H and FFA. It is a family and community affair and lots of effort and hard work goes into this Texas Tradition.



"Lamb Of Judah"  ©2019 Leada Wood

January Challenge, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

“Catch Of The Day” ©2019 Leada Wood

Day 4 of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge. This little fisherman has a hand carved look to him and I tried to replicate it, but not an easy task. He is 3x5 on a flashcard rendered in acrylic.





January Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Little Red Stapler" ©2019 Leada Wood

Day three of the 30 objects in 30 days challenge. This cute little swingline stapler is from the 1960s and was the one I used for school. Although it is not the same model as used in the  movie Office Space, it is an original and I used it for my muse for this painting. I just love nostalgia, don’t you?


Today my word for the new year came to me and it is CHERISH.  It means to treat as dear, feel love for, nurture, or hold in high esteem. Cherish your life and those you hold dear. We have so many blessings to be thankful for.

  “Cherish the fabulous, the fantastic, the beautiful, the graceful, the moments of abandon, laughter, quirkiness. Cherish the tiny incredible details, the gigantic and varied display, and the infinite depths of life.”—-Jay Woodman

January Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day two of the 30 objects in 30 days January challenge. I think January is an awesome time for a challenge. The weather is usually icky and I am hibernating and it is time for new beginnings. In the art world if you are not painting or drawing every day you lose ground. Just as in any thing practice keeps you limber.

"Silver Bell" ©2019 Leada Wood


I have a set of 3 silver bells, one for each of my kids. I have never polished them as I love the patina of old objects. During this challenge I am trying new things. Painting an old tarnished silver bell with out shiny metallic paint is a challenge and next to its shadow even more of one. I also am painting on kids flashcards which are 3x5 with random backgrounds. The cards were prepped first and making the object cohesive with the card is a challenge of its own. I also am trying to allow the background to show though the object in places.

"What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't even happened yet."---Anne Frank



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!

"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!

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!