“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!

Expressions of Spring; Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"May Flowers" ©2018 Leada Wood

With the warmer weather and flowers blooming my thoughts have turned toward spring. Still using a square format I incorporated bright colors working with green, yellows and orange. Nothing says spring like sunflowers and butterflies! 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!

Happy Easter! By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

©Leada Wood

I know Easter is really not about the Easter bunny but I just couldn't resist using this painting to wish you a happy Easter. The colors remind me of all those colorful eggs that will be found tomorrow. I enjoyed dyeing eggs with my kids and grandkids except that the dye usually had to wear off. We looked so cute in our Easter bonnets and colorful hands! Folks don't get as dressed up as they once did for church on Easter Sunday. When I was a girl I looked forward to getting a new dress, socks, shoes, hat and gloves for the occasion. That was a long time ago and things are different now. In my opinion I think we may be getting a little too casual about lots of things. Maybe it is time for a change. Happy Easter!

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!

Happy New Year! by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Little Friar ©2018Leada Wood

I have been trying to do a drawing a day in my sketchbook but sometimes life happens and I don't get it done. I thought I would let you peek at my sketchbook and see the fun objects I have been drawing from around my home. This little fellow has such a lively face and makes me smile when I look at him. The little Friar creamer was rescued from an antique store in San Angelo before he became mine. 

Sorry I am late wishing you a happy new year, and if this first 9 days is any indication, it is going to be a very busy 2018! I am taking not one but two online classes and they both are for the whole year. I am a member of Wanderlust 2018 and Art Studio and they both promise to be amazing! I hope your new year is exciting and you are learning new things. 

This is a little acrostic poem about the new year.

H appiness depends upon your outlook on life. - Find the good in all situations
A ttitude is just as important as ability.- Keep your attitude positive
P assion find yours this year! - Do what you love and you will never work
P ositive thoughts make everything easier.- Stay focused and stay positive
Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them. - Never forget you have talent

N ew beginnings with a new year.
E nthusiasm a true secret of success.
W ishes may they turn into goals.

Y ears go by to quickly, enjoy them.- Wisdom from your elders, listen
E nergy may you have lots of it. - Take care of yourself
A ppreciation of life, don't take it for granted. - Live each day
R elax take the time to relax in this coming year.- Keep a balance in your life

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

"Jingles" ©2017Leada Wood

This is Jingles my last little elf in the series "Just Elfin' Around" at least for 2017.  I had fun creating this series and hope they brought a little happy to your heart.

Wishing you a beautiful new year filled with love,  laughter, new dreams, new experiences and abundant joy. 

Merry Christmas! By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

                                                                           

"Hear The Angels Sing" ©2017 Leada Wood

              

Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new-born king. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all ye nations, rise. Join the triump of the skies, with angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King.
 Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

"All Is Calm" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Oh the weather in Texas is delightful, and the air is so alluring, especially for the middle of December! A pleasant 68 degrees and sunshine beckon me to go outdoors and explore. There is always something in nature to see when I am hiking and I always carry my camera to capture my moments in time. Do you see what I see...thought I would share my adventures.
Thanks for stopping by!

Four llamas looking

One Roadrunner Running

Three cows a mooing

"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.

"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.

iHannas Postcard Swap by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

It was an exciting year for the iHannas postcard swap. The cards came from everywhere and were all original in design and this year I received a bonus card for 11 total! They came from Israel, Kodak Island Alaska, Jacksonville Florida, Shoreline Washington, 2 from Phoenix Arizona,  Redwood City California,  2 from Sweden, one I couldn't read the postmark, and last but not least Texas.

The top one with the pretty zinnias was from Alaska and she put a treasure of a cute ladybug pin on the top that was from the 1940s. The one below, in the spirit of autum colors had leaves that were made from paper that had flower seeds in them and it was from Texas.

Such fun making new friends all over the world! Creativity is putting your imagination to work!

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Creativity takes courage and  I thank all of these creative souls for sharing their art with me and Hanna for hosting the swap.

Painting like Picasso! By Leada Wood Texas Artist

Picasso was  co-founder of the Cubism movement which was an avant-garde art movement that forever changed the face of painting and sculpting. Subjects and objects in cubism are broken into pieces and re-arranged into an abstract form.  The kids used simple shapes, fun colors and recycled cardboard to do their versions without too much regard to realism. Its harder to do than you imagine. I think they did a marvelous job and it was  another fun day in the studio.  Thanks for dropping by!

Happy Thanksgiving! by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. Thanksgiving isn't just a day, it is how we should live our lives every day. Gratitude can transform ordinary days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change opportunities into blessings. There is always something to be grateful for, all we have to do is open our eyes and heart and look for it.

"In all things give thanks." 1 Thessalonians 5:18