“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.

"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.

The Fiddler, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

 

The Fiddler by Leada Wood ©2014

 My daddy was a fiddler...in fact he could play nearly any musical instrument and he played by ear. I come from a musical family, nearly every Sunday afternoon was spent at a relatives house. The family band played gospel and country music...I can still hear the songs in my mind. The family band is gone but not the sweet memories.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with fond memories, family and friends! 

Glad Tidings, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

 

 

Glad Tidings ©Leada Wood 2014


Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."   Luke 2:10-11

"Glad Tidings"  is 11x14 transparent watercolor on Archival paper with gold leaf. It is not available. Glad Tidings was created for the show, " Angels Among Us", a group exhibition, a couple of years back and was exhibited at the Heritage Museum during their annual Christmas celebration.   

Nutty Trio by Leada Wood, Texas Artist





Happy December! Yes it is that time of year again to drag out the Christmas decorations and display them with cheer. I love Christmas! The colors...whimsical decorations...scents and sounds of the season. Making merry with the kids...creating gifts and ornaments...baking...spreading good will toward others. Isn't it a shame that the spirit of Christmas doesn't last the whole year? Maybe that could be a resolution for the new year...to keep the joy alive...to keep Christmas in your heart everyday.

Nutty Trio was created for a Santa exhibition at the Heritage Museum a few years ago. I collect nut crackers and this was three of them.

copyright by Leada Wood2014