Leada Wood: Leada Wood

Showing posts with label Leada Wood. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

"Air Mail",Watercolor by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Air Mail" was inspired by a birds's nest in an abandoned rural mail box. I started looking for a grouping of old rusted mailboxes and sketched them. Then I thought about the play on words airmail and how fun that would be.

Crows are a lot like people in that they are intelligent and adapt to their environment. They are sociable and sometimes live in communal roosts.

I combined the two concepts and came up with the painting "Air Mail" which show the crows borrowing from humans a nice nesting place in the country. A condo ready made for them to occupy. Looks like they are moving in!

"Air Mail" is on exhibit at the Buddy Holly Center, Lubbock, Texas with the ALWT spring show "The Borrowers" from April 7th to May 21st. Stop by and see how a group of painters interpret the theme of The Borrowers.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Blackbird Fly, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

I just loved the Beatles...I can remember seeing them on the Ed Sulliven show. It was their first American performance. I was pretty young but my younger cousin and I followed our older cousin to their house to see what it was all about. I didn't quite get it...all those girls screaming on tv...and of course my older cousin was quite excited as well. I soon got it though and still enjoy their music. They were very creative and their music kind of changed the world of music. I never got to see the Beatles in person although I have gone to many concerts since then but I did get to see Paul and Ringo perform.

Music takes you places as well as visual art. That is why it is so important to support the arts...to keep creativity alive in our fast paced world. Where would we be without art? All great inventions begin with an idea born out of a creative mind. Everything you wear, live in, drive , talk on, began with a vision born out of creativity.

"Blackbird Fly" is another mixed media painting in my Happy, Whacky Birds series.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these sunken eyes and learn to see. All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly into the light of the dark, black night.

---The Beatles

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Star Light, Star Bright by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Do you remember looking at the starry sky on a summers night and saying the little poem "Star Light, star bright, the first star I see tonight, I wish I may I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight." It's funny when I am painting a title just pops into my head or sometimes during the drawing stage. They just seem to come out of the blue and remind me of different times throughout my life. That's why I always say " Art takes you places."

I have been working on this series of bird paintings for a show that the Caboose Watercolor Society is having at Howard College. The exhibition opened on April 1st and will run until May 4th. The reception will be April 12th from 5:00 to 6:30, be sure to drop by and see the show.

The birds are collaged from hand painted papers that I create with Gelli prints and then paint on top of the prints. It gives a whole different look to a painting. The process is a bit long but I enjoy it...I hope you do too!

"We lose ourselves in the things we love...we find ourselves there too."

Monday, November 23, 2015

Art Journaling, Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Art Journaling is so freeing and relaxing and gives me a place to play and try out new ideas. I am rather a newbie at it and still want to be in control somewhat. Maybe that is like everything else...it comes with practice.

These pieces are mixed media...that means I used a lot of my art supplies I haven't used in a while. They were totally different in the beginning. I collaged paper onto the scrap mat boards I had lying around the studio then slathered paint until I enjoyed the colors. I used stamps,stencils with a little water soluble pencils, soft pastels, pens and glitter thrown in for good measure.

I enjoy the soft colors and the dream like quality of these pieces. I am working in a series of ten front and back so that will make a nice little journal when bound...if I can bear to poke holes in them!

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Wise Old Bird, Watercolor, Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Since it is getting toward the end of October and Halloween I thought it would be fun to share this watercolor "Wise Old Bird" in honor of the day. Happy Halloween!

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Sing Your Song, Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Sing Your Song" will be available at the Heritage Museum until late November, along with many others. The Caboose Watercolor Society will have their annual fall show, October through November. This exhibition will be a mixed show of the members work, not exclusively watercolor. It's a great show and museum in Big Spring...go see it, you will enjoy it.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Mama's Lilies, Watercolor By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Mama's Lillies" will be on exhibit at the Louise Underwood Center for the Arts during the West Texas Watercolor Society Fall Show, now until November 2nd. It's a great show in Lubbock, Texas, and a wonderful center for the arts so if you get a chance go see it.

The inspiration for this piece came from my garden where I planted Cana Lillies from my Mom's garden. The hummingbirds love to check out the six foot flowering plants. When the sun hits them and illuminates the Orange flower it is a sight to behold. I enjoy painting from nature and the world around me. Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, October 1, 2015

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Here is a collage of my 30 paintings for the challenge. Somehow my laptop got a VIRUS through all this and I am having to do everything from my iPad which I like except can't make pic money work! But I got it done with collage ap so now I am really done!

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Day 30 of the 30-30 challenge

Sometimes inspiration waits until the 11th hour to strike, that was the case today. "Reach For The Stars" has been through so many changes today, I labored long and hard to get it done today. Mixed Media usually take a while to finish as there is usually an incubation process along the way, most are never finished in a day. I am not sure this one is finished but I had to come home sometime and this is it for today...and so ends this 30 day challenge.

I thought you might like to see a little of how I begin a mixed media so I am posting another photo of the beginning...beside the white canvas. This is another one I have begun. I forgot to take a photo of today's and there is music and writings barely visible under the paint, might not show in the low resolution photo above but the process is the same.

Thank you for looking at my paintings during this challenge and I appreciated the comments along the way! Keep checking my blog or follow by email and you will be notified when I post new works.

Happy Trails!

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Watercolor

Day 29 of the 30-30 challenge

I always thought my granddaughters would be ballerinas and some of them were for a season or two...but something happened and some became Warrior Women...Martial Arts caught their interest. They are earning their belts and their eyes are on the prize...the black belt.

I used a lot of symbolism in this painting. The symbol in the corner is Kanji for believe. The color red is symbolic for speed, strength, power, the golden hues represent energy and balance, black is symbolic for power and Spartan means disciplined, brave, undaunted. I think that pretty much sums up my little Warrior Women.

Monday, September 28, 2015

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Day 28 Of the 30-30 challenge

Today it was back to transparent watercolor and flowers. I stay pretty traditional with transparent watercolor in that I don't use white paint, it's an illusion when I paint a white flower or object. The whitest white is actually the paper and very watered down glazes help form the shape and give it value.

Moon flowers always remind me of my Grandma and Mom. They always had them growing in their gardens and the flowers bloom at night and are very fragrant.

I was thinking about the Super Moon all day yesterday when I did the drawing and painting, maybe that was the inspiration for the painting. We watched the eclipse until it was total and too chilly to sit outside, even with a blanket. It was amazing!

Sunday, September 27, 2015

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Day 27 of the 30-30 challenge

This is "Shorty" he is the love birds, Slim and Lulu's best friend. He introduced them at the Feathered Friends Ball and they have been hanging out ever since. He is a shy little guy and kind of a wall flower but lots of fun when you get to know him.

Ok, ok, maybe this 30 day challenge is getting to me! Haha! I am making up imaginary friends and stories...but it is nearly finished...it's been fun but intense to come up with something new everyday, draw it, paint it, post it and share it. That's why they call it a challenge right? In the mean time life goes on... along side with birthday parties, baby sitting, grandkids, cooking, cleaning, washing, sports events, knee surgery, physical therapy...you know life...sweet life. I am so thankful for mine and that I am able to do what I enjoy and for my family and friends and all those who share this journey with me.

Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, September 26, 2015

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Day 26 of the 30-30 challenge

This is Lulu, Slims girlfriend, she is one colorful bird, and they have lots of great adventures together! You remember Slim...he was day 25 of the 30-30 challenge. I just love painting my birds...especially the zany ones. Lulu is painted in acrylic on canvas board.

Friday, September 25, 2015

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Day 25 of the 30-30 Challenge

This is Slim, a different kind of bird. You might remember the painting of "Slim, Shorty and Lulu Gone Wild" I did a while back in watercolor. It was the ONLY time I painted with watercolor on canvas. I always wanted to paint them again so today was the day. Slim is painted with acrylics on an cradle board.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Day 24 of the 30-30 challenge

It has been a good year for Dragonflies at our house...especially the rust colored ones. I love to watch them fly and dart around and I also am fond of painting them. This evening Bootman and I lay in the hammock and watched them swarm above the treetops. I have never seen so many at once...swirling around and around...magical.

Dragonfly is acrylic on canvas board.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Day 23 of the 30-30 challenge

What was I thinking today! Doing a torn paper collage on the day I was giving a birthday dinner for 12. Either I am an amazing woman or a special kind of stupid..I would rather think that I am amazing woman. I kind of always saw my self as super mom and Wonder Woman.

"Starry Crown" is a torn paper collage...picture me ripping and tearing paper then gluing...you get the idea. I also have to hunt through my stash of papers for just the right ones. I used a page from an old hymnal that came from Grandmas Ruby's church. The pages are old and brittle and have a nice patina to them. I am not certain this is a finished painting...but it is as finished as it will be today.

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, September 21, 2015

30 Paintings In 30 Days by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Day 21 of the 30-30 challenge

"Spirit Dreams" is an acrylic mixed media painting. I begin by writing words or verses onto the blank canvas board. Then I use Gelli Prints that I create for the figures. I collage them on to a canvas board which has many layers of paint and papers, some are just barely visible. Mixed Media is a process and I really like doing them. It is almost like a puzzle to get all the patterns, textures and colors unified into a painting...and you never know IF or how it will turn out...just like any other media.

I saw this on Bob Burridge's Bob Blast today.

"Collage is an intuitive process of concealing, revealing, adding and subtracting until the artist's goals and intentions emerge from the layers

of construction and paint. Using a variety of materials and techniques,

the artist invents in their "laboratory for creativity." Keeping with the

original history of college art, it's all about risk-taking, new ideas, intentions and inventions."

That pretty much sums it up.