Traditions by Leada Wood

We carry inside of us the people who came before us. Do you ever wonder about the relatives you see in 100 year old photos? What were they like? 

I am the keeper of my families photos. It was bestowed upon me by my Mama…she was the keeper before me. How do you store fragile, fading photographs? I am in the process of taking digital photos and editing them now, preserving them for future generations. My cousins are doing the genealogy research trying to tie our family tree together. 

I came across a photo of my Grandmother Franklin and her three sisters. I only had met Aunt Ruth when she was an older lady. She was my Mamas favorite so I decided to do a painting from the 100 year old photo. I painted Aunt Ruth and Grandma in a style that made it look aged, a sepia tone. Maybe one of these days I will paint all the sisters. 



 

 



“Sisters”

By 

Leada Wood©️

Watercolor

Tradition serves as an anchor to our identity and heritage. It preserves the customs and narratives that connect us to our roots. These connections are essential for maintaining a sense of family and belonging. I wish that these old photos could talk..so many stories are lost.

Haiku and Life by Leada Wood

Living in the moment, to be present to focus. Very difficult to do in our modern world with all the shiny things to distract us and more information at our fingertips than our brains can handle. Maybe the Japanese have it right with Haiku poetry. A simple poem featuring an image to depict the essence of a specific moment in time. It only consists of three lines of five, seven and five syllables, focusing on the presence of being. 

Poetry, Art, Life, all interweave to create the muse, a dance...of the mind and hand. It flows onto the page to reveal the heart of the artist. 

I watch the Redbirds in the winter trees as they hop around flashing bits of red trying to fit in with the grey winter days, a bright spot in a winter landscape. They inspire me to capture the moment in paint and verse...to be present in my life and focus on one moment at a time.

“Winter Landscape” watercolor copyright2022 Leada Wood 

                                                                 Redbird stark against grey

                                                                 On this bitter cold winters day

                                                                 Flies from his perch unaware



 

 



Joyfully Waiting by Leada Wood

“Joy” watercolor by Leada Wood

The house is cleaned, decorated and quiet. Silently waiting for Christmas to come...waiting for the family to gather and celebrate another Christmas together. Waiting for the joy it brings willing the heart to remember.

Like snowflakes floating unexpectedly to earth, small kindnesses touch our lives. First one and then another, and another until at last the world is bright and shines with goodwill and once again it’s Christmas!

Send The Light

“Send The Light”

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?”  -Psalm 27:1 

Leada Wood copyright 2021

6x9

Watercolor

#leadawoodart #mixedmedia #watercolor

Leada  Wood

 “Live Joyfully”



 

  A perfect end to summer is a trip to South Padre to recharge.  I know when I see the  lighthouse at Port Isabel and cross the bridge I am on Island time. There is something about being at the sea that calms my soul.

Sea Oats on the sand dunes.

Port Isabel Lighthouse from the bridge leaving the island. The inspiration for my watercolor study.

Sunrise to a  bright sunshiny day from our deck.



Leada Wood copyright2021

6x9 watercolor 

I love watching the sea birds especially the Pelicans and Herons. We took a couple of the boys night crabbing with flashlights. What fun it was to see the little critters scuttling sideways by flashlight beam with a full moon rising over the sea. The little boys were so cute trying to get out of the crabs way when they came charging and then chasing after them. A night to remember and a great adventure!

Ipomoea Pes-Caprae Or sweet beach Morning Glories.

A treasure in the sand.

The view from the side of our deck.

Our daughter and her Sweet family.

The Monarchs are here so I know it really is fall! Amazingly short summer  this year but I love the autumn and I am delighted to see it arrive.

Offerings from our Burr Oaks. Fall brings sweeter weather, spectacular displays of foliage and colorful grasses, and harvest celebrations. It marks the start of a glorious season, shorter days and cozy, cooler nights. A season of change in this circle of life.

“Autumn is an artist who uses an oak leaf on which to paint a masterpiece.”

                                                                                                                           -William Allen Ward

“Paper Pears” by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Paper Pears" ©2019 Leada Wood

It's always fun as an artist figuring out how to push the envelope and bend the rules a little. Being an experimental artist makes it more of a challenge! I belong to the West Texas Watercolor Society and they have their prospectus, that I try as I might to abide by when entering their shows. But it isn't easy...as I paint intuitively and things get stuck on there that are laying around my work area just because it pleases me.  Therefore my work doesn't always comply with the rules and I can't enter...but this time I was mindful and hopefully I have met the criteria.  Any how...there are no found papers, no printed papers, only ones I have painted and that's the way I came up with the name, Paper Pears. 

“A Little Bird Told Me” by Leada Wood, Texas Artist



“A Little Bird Told Me” ©️2019 Leada Wood

“A Little Bird told me that inventing your dream is the first and biggest step toward making it come true. Creativity is a renewable resource. Challenge yourself every day. Be as creative as you like, as often as you want, because you can never run out. Experience and curiosity drive us to make unexpected, offbeat connections. It is these nonlinear steps that often lead to the greatest work.”—-Confessions Of The Creative Mind by Biz Stone


“A Little Bird Told Me” is watercolor stilllife on archival paper. The inspiration came from my studio muse doll  that I created out of clay and a wooden mannequin, painted in vivid colors. It’s fun to use your imagination, you should give it a try.



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

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

"Purple Beauties" ©2017 Leada Wood

Eggplant is such a wonderful veggie and I have only discovered it in the last few years. I bake it in the oven to make a little Eggplant Parmesan or sauté it with a little garlic and add to my spaghetti sauce. Mostly I love the color and the shape and it beckons me to paint it. These beauties were growing in our garden as I searched for one big enough for dinner. As always I had my iPhone with me to capture the moment so I can paint it when I have time.  Have a great week!

Day Twenty Nine-30-30 Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

             Misty Blue, copyright 2015 Leada Wood

Day twenty nine of the 30 day challenge! One more day to go! It has been fun and hopefully I can keep up the momentum the rest of the year....after a short break that is. Thank you Leslie Saeta for sponsoring the challenge, you are an inspiration to us all!

Day Twenty Five 30-30 Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

             Sun Kissed copyright 2015 Leada Wood

One of my favorite flowers and I paint them often. Their cheery yellow color would brighten up the greyest day. I like to paint them juxtaposed against the bright blue Texas sky...I may have used my artistic license a little on the sky. I am so thankful the sunflower is one of our native flowers and grow wild up and down our country roads along with Mexican Hats, Indian Paintbrush, Bluebonnets and lots of others. I think I may have spring fever.

Day Twenty Four-30-30 Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Merry Legs copyright 2015 Leada Wood

When I am painting a title for the painting pops into my head or sometimes the name of the painting comes first. Sometimes a name doesn't come at all and I have to enlist the help of Bootman and we brainstorm. One  of my pet peeves as an artist is folks not naming their creations...kind of like bringing a child into the world and not giving it a name....Untitled...I am sure you have seen that name around.

My Mama had a horse named Merry Legs when she was a girl. I don't know what the horse looked like but the name kept popping into my head as I was doing this painting. I thought it would be nice to honor my Mama and name this painting Merry Legs. This painting is watercolor and is available. Thanks for stopping by!

Day Twenty Three-30-30 Challenge, by Leada Wood, Texas artist

          Winter Treat copyright 2015 Leada Wood

Day 23 of the 30 paintings in 30 days and my brain is starting to feel a little numb. Easier to do the paintings than come up with a title and blog about them. Hope you are hanging in there with me 😳

See you tomorrow!

Day Twenty Two-30-30 Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

   Some Beach Somewhere, copyright 2015 Leada Wood

On this cold great January day I was thinking of nice warm beaches and how I wish I was there! Some Beach Somewhere is one of Bootmans favorite songs therefore I decided to borrow it for the title of my painting. I hope Blake doesn't mind....

Day Twenty One-30-30 Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

       King Of The Koop, Copyright 2015 Leada Wood

It's baaack! Winter that is...goodbye sunshine it was nice while it lasted. We are getting some much needed moisture makes the grey skies worth it.

Day 21 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. King OF The Koop is transparent watercolor and is available. Stay warm!

Day Fifteen-30-30 Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

                  Daisy copyright 2015 Leada Wood

Day 15 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge and I am halfway there! Be sure to check out all the other artist work in the challenge.  Go to  www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com 

Day Fourteen-30-30 Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

                Goldfinch Copyright 2015 Leada Wood

These cold grey winter days have brought many birds to our feeders. Recently we have spotted a flock of Goldfinches hanging around with the Cardinals,Dove,Sparrows and the rest of the gang. We also had a Canadian Goose land in our pool! I love the little birdies and enjoy their antics, entertaining to say the least...then again I am easily entertained. 

 ..."the birds of the heavens have their homes, they sing among the branches." Psalm 104:12

Day Twelve-30-30 Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Southern Belle,copyright 2015 Leada Wood

It is getting harder to complete a painting everyday, if I was a quitter, today would have been the day! Over 1200 artists started this challenge and only around 300 are still posting everyday so I guess I am doing ok. I'm sure some folks think that painting is all I have to do but they are wrong! I still have laundry, cooking, cleaning, shopping, work and anything else that is thrown my way. Not much down time, reading or watching tv but I am still going.....not much longer...I can do this!

Day Eleven-30-30 Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Roadrunner Copyright 2015 Leada Wood


Roadrunners fascinate me and they live in the pasture around our house so it is fun to watch them. I have one who brings gifts of rocks and sticks and lays them at our front door. I catch them sneaking over the back fence and peaking in the glass doors. Apparently they are very curious birds and fearless. They catch lizards and snakes and other critters. Roadrunners are monogamous birds and offer gifts during courtship...guess that cuckoo is courting his reflection in the glass. The roadrunners  are a member of the cuckoo family and maybe why they fit in on our place!

 



Day Ten-30-30 Challenge by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

         This Little Piggy, Copyright 2015 Leada Wood

This Little Piggy painting was quite a challenge! I taught two art classes and attended a stockshow the past 24 hours..sometimes it's hard to squeeze painting in but I did...in starts and stops, bits and pieces and he is done. Whew! This Little piggy is ready for market.

The stocks shows are always such fun to watch. I was especially proud of my grandsons who received senior and junior showman. These boys work so hard with their animals...all the kids do. One young mans goat caught pneumonia and died during the night before the show. My heart broke for him...all those months spent feeding, walking and grooming the animal and losing him before the first show. I guess these are good life lessons for them, even when it's the school of hard knocks. 

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!