"Just Elfin' Around" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Johnny Winter" ©2017 Leada Wood

"Johhny Winter" loves to play his guitar on a cold, grey day. It warms up his heart and lifts his spirits as well as the hearts of the other elves. Maybe he is playing Silent Night, one of my favorite Christmas carols. Hope he brought a little happy to your heart! Thanks for stopping by.

"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.

Happy Birds, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

When we were children, times were simpler and it seemed logical that if we wished it, our thoughts might make them become true. It is always better to look on the bright side and have hope and see things through the eyes of a child. Seeing that our world is still full of wonders and miracles.

"And I learned what is obvious to a child. That life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time. That each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals. That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered. But most of all, I learned that life is about sitting on benches next to ancient creeks with my hand on her knee and sometimes, on good days, for falling in love."  --Nicholas Sparks

Happy Birds By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will.      -A.W.  Tozer

On the ground sits a bird that's too afraid to fly.
Beautiful wings could make it soar, but the pain of past failure is its lonesome cry.
 God has said unto this bird,"Trust and have faith in me, for i will carry you in your flight.
The miracle of life is waiting for you to see."
The bird said to God "but I can't fly I am weak. I will fall and feel pain. It's happened before when I tried to fly.
I'm afraid of being hurt again.
His voice was soft and reassuring , God said to the bird,
"I created you, and I will protect you. Your lonesome cry I have heard. Have faith in me. That's all you need to do.
So stand up, bird, and spread your wings. The wings I lovingly created to let you fly. If you fall I'll pick you up, and lift you back into the sky."
With trembling legs and unsure wings, the bird finally looked to the sky. It took a deep breath and took the chance. The bird began to fly.
Thank you God for believing in me. Thank you for giving me  wings. Thank you for your protecting hands. Your glory I will now sing.
                                 

Happy Birds by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

We all need a little hope in our lives. That is what keeps us going...it anchors our souls and keeps us steadfast. It's that small still voice that says never give up...keep trying. Hope is stronger than fear.

"Hope is a thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all."  - Emily Dickinson

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

Happy Birds Series by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Listen to your heart,

it harbors sacred things.

Give from your heart;

abundance it brings.

Pray through your heart; 

guidance in need.

Follow your heart,

it knows how to lead.  

                                                        ----Paul Sutherland

Happy Birds series ©2017 Leada Wood, iHannas fall postcard swap

Happy Birds, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Singing birds so soft and sweet, thru the days and into night. Each their love song is a treat, with hope in weightless flight." -Peter Quinn

Happy Birds Series, mixed media, #2017 Leada Wood, ihanna 2017 fall postcard exchange.

Happy Birds by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you. If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme. When you wish upon a star as dreamers do, fate is kind." -Jiminy Cricket


Happy Birds series, mixed media, #2017 Leada Wood, iHanna 2017 fall postcard swap

Fun In The Studio by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Today's watercolor class was a combination of leaning to draw an elephant by recognizing shapes. They learned about crayon resist and how to add texture by adding salt. They also learned how to paint wet into wet and wet on dry watercolor paper. Lots of techniques in one lesson. Most of all I am trying to teach them to relax and enjoy their painting time...it's only paper and the fun is in the process! Of course it is nice when your painting turns out like you want it too, which is evident by all their big smiles. Each painting seemed to have a different personality...just like children.

Fun In The Studio By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Summers seem to get shorter and shorter, or maybe time is speeding up! Either way, can you believe the summer has passed and school is grearing up again? We didn't get to do many art classes this summer as my girls helped me clean out the studio, which was long over do. It is amazing at the art magazines I had collected, now to go through them, cull out and find others who would enjoy them. We did manage to have a couple of days painting and they tried their hand at mixed media. They made some interesting paintings but the main thing...girls just wanna have fun! And so we did.

Sprinkling and Dribbling Paint

Another fun day with this little cutie. She took a coffee filter and sprayed and sprinkled it with watercolors. After it dried she hot glued the dress onto a ballerina that she had painted on Watercolor paper.

I think it turned out pretty amazing! Now to try it with all the girls!

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Mollie Is Ready To Play" ©2017 Leada Wood

Mollie is such a bouncy girl...always ready to play. So much so that every time I sit down she thinks it is playtime! Did I mention she is smart too? I can tell her which toy to get and she will bring me the one I ask for. She especially likes to play hide the toy and always hunts it down. I may have let her down by not training her more. Mollie might have been movie worthy with the right trainer or the circus! I can just imagine her in a little clown outfit.  I guess everyone thinks their pets are the cutest, smartest and the best but there is only one Mollie and she is mine.
Have a great week!

Watercolor, Mixed Media, Sunflowers by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

The hot days of July are upon us with their fluffy white clouds floating in the turquoise blue sky...ahhhh summer! The prickly pear cactus are bearing fruit and the sunflowers are abundant, life in west Texas is good!

July is also World of Watercolor month, in order to celebrate I have been doing a few watercolors, mostly in my sketchbook and as cards for friends, in other words just for fun! That is what art should be... enjoyable, to celebrate the moments of my life and to share them with you!

"Sun Seekers" ©2017 Leada Wood

"Sun Seekers" is 11x15 on Archival paper, painted with transparent watercolors using mixed media to give drama and mystery.

A Peek In My Sketchbook, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"A Peek In My Sketchbook" ©2017 Leada Wood

Ahhh...vine ripened tomatoes, warm from the sun just waiting for you to pop in your mouth...pure bliss. In all our years of organic gardening we have never grown cluster tomatoes and didn't know we were this year. What a nice surprise! Bootman came in dangling this dazzling little cluster of porters and I knew I had to paint them before they were eaten. Adorable and delectable...a feast for the eyes and the tummy.

Funny how a mix up from the garden center can make your day. We haven't had much luck with tomatoes in recent years so this year we decided to take a different approach, after trying many other approaches in previous years. We planted our little beauties straight into our compost piles and they seem to be loving their environment. We are off to a good start and hopefully will have enough tomatoes to share. Have a wonderful weekend!

"The Girl Has Style" Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"The Girl Has Style" ©2017 Leada Wood

We all know one or have one in the family…a borrower. She promises to put back that dress she
borrowed or not to lose your favorite earrings. Constantly borrowing what you have, trying your patience when you must hunt down the object of her desire.

 Creating mixed media with collage is a little like borrowing only I like to refer to it as upscaling, recycling or, green art. Whatever you call it, the idea is the same. Taking bits and pieces of found papers, hand painted papers or objects and giving it new life. I delight in combining different medias to create my work.

"The Girl Has Style" is on exhibit at the ALWT spring show, "The Borrowers" at the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas, April 7th - May 21st. Stop by and see the show, I think you will enjoy seeing how a group of painters interpret the theme.

"Borrowed Time", Mixed Media, by Leada Wood, TexasArtist

"Borrowed Time" ©2017 Leada Wood

All artists are borrowers...borrowing ideas, borrowing color palettes, borrowing techniques using them to spark our imaginations. We are inspired by the genius of generations of creative minds.

It always seems like the 11th hour...borrowing time from the busyness of each day to get into the studio. There is never enough time to complete the daily task list, I take a few hours here and there and make the most of it. Chiseling away...working...trying to make my creative concept a reality before the inspiration fades or writing down my intentions for another day. On and on it goes...borrowing time.

My dad was a watch and clock repairman and the bits and pieces fascinated me. It was amazing to see him take the springs and gears out of a watch and replace them again. I have been surrounded by watches and clocks my whole life. "Borrowed Time" was inspired by thinking about time and how I use my time. Time runs out and we are never promised tomorrow...we only have today.

I am intrigued by ravens...I don't know why but I paint them a lot. Ravens are intelligent, mischievous, playful birds and can live to be 70 years old. They are empathetic and adaptable. Some cultures consider them messengers from the gods. The Native Americans considered them sly tricksters.

The combination of elements in my painting just came together while I was thinking about the theme for our show. I considered Time and how deceptive it is...tricking you into thinking you have more of it. Time is elusive and I endeavored to show a spatial quality in my painting.

 I enjoy themed shows although they stretch me and cause growing pains. They also make me think outside the box to find solutions that will work and grow as an artist. I hope you have as much fun viewing my painting "Borrowed Time" as I did in creating it!

                                                                                                                          Leada Wood 1/17


"Borrowed Time" was created for the Art League of West Texas Spring show at the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas. The shows theme is "The Borrowers" and it will be interesting to see how a group of artist interupt the meaning. Please come see the show, I think you will like it. The show opens April 7th during First Friday Art Trail And runs until May 21st, 2017.

Thanks for stopping  by!

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Mollie" ç2017 Leada Wood

It's true what they say about doing a portrait of someone you love...it"s always the hardest. This is Mollie and she is some D O G, fearless, energetic, friendly with a mind of her own. She is a small Yorkshire Terrier with the attitude of a Great Dane. I keep her hair shorter because living in rural West Texas everything sticks to her hair, not that she is outside that much but she does like to romp when I let her. April 15th is her birthday and she will be 9...oh my how time flies!
Happy Birthday Mollie!

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Huckleberry Hound" by Leada Wood©2017

This is the second dog in my series "Drawing Dogs With Graphite". I am not sure which is more difficult to draw...the long haired  variety or short haired. There are also a lot of angles in their faces that catch the light and make it a challenge to capture. I start by sketching in the figure and go immediately to the eyes and develop them. I feel that the eyes are what bring life into the drawing and if I can't get those correct the rest doesn't matter so I begin again. I endeavor to capture the personality of the pup.

 We had a Dachshund when our children were small. His name was Huckleberry Hound and he loved to hunt rabbits here on the farm. One day we could hear him barking and investigated and found him stuck in an irrigation pipe. He had followed a rabbit I suppose and we had to rescue him. He never did that again. Our daughter loved to put him in the basket on the front of her tricycle and drive him around. He was such a good dog and enjoyed playing with the kids. We loved our Huckleberry!

"Averi's Favorite Hat", Watercolor Figure Painting, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Averi's Favorite Hat" ©2017 Leada Wood

                                                              

Averi's is a beautiful and vivavacious young lady who is fond of going to the beach and she loves dots. This is her favorite blue hat with dots and she wears it quite often. It is always a challenge to keep your hat on at the beach as the gulf winds are gusting constantly. I enjoyed painting Miss Averi from a photo I had taken of her.

The painting was done with watercolor on clay board and I  like the way the surface takes paint. It is totally different from painting on paper with watercolor. You also can seal the surface and frame without glass.

This is the second painting I have done of Averi at the beach. The first piece was "Shell Seeker", transparent watercolor on paper.  I am ready to go back to the beach and get more reference photos!  Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!