Leather And Lace by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

The hardest part of doing abstracts for me is naming them! I can't let my creation go untitled...that is like having a child and never giving it a name...kind of. It is a pet peeve of mine that an artist is creative enough to make a painting yet too lazy to think up a name, or maybe uncaring.  When I am painting realism the names just pop into my head during the process. I guess when I am doing abstract I become so absorbed and right brained that all thinking stops...I just go with the flow...until it's over...and needs a name.

This 8x8 mixed media on gesso board is available. Just comment! 

                                              

                                             Leather and Lace copyright 2014 by Leada Wood

Caution! Artist At Play! by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

 

 

 

Caution! Artist At Play!  I have been having fun at Studio 20 this week. I am finally getting to try out all the surface treatments that I have been reading about. The one above is tar gel...don't know what I will do with it yet but it is exciting stuff and it has lots of possibilities!

 

 

 

 This is some of the substrates or beginnings of my new series that have a long way to go before completion.  I have learned that when working with mixed media and abstracts it is best to work on multiple paintings or a series. I use watercolor paper and my favorite colors and start painting. It takes many, many layers before they are done.

 

 

This is fiber paper with wonderful things embedded into them. You can use them as they are or cut them into shapes...the sky's the limit when it comes to mixed media! It's all about the DRAMA!

Here are a few more substrates that have a few more layers. They have been stamped, scribed into, gessoed, collaged, stenciled, spritzed with alcohol, salted and painted on...still a long way to go. Maybe you are wondering...what the heck! Well...mixed media is all about the process...the journey...the excitement of discovery. That is what gets my juices going...ahhh the artist's life is a good life and it's my life.

Enjoy The Journey by Leada Wood, Contempory Artist Of Texas

Enjoy The Journey by Leada Wood©

My sweet niece has a very big heart. She has donated her hair to Locks Of Love and now she is going to shave her head on her birthday to raise money for St. Balricks to help find a cure for childhood cancer. She will be 24 on her birthday. Not many young folks at that age are into raising money for good causes.  She has also done various other things all year to raise money for this wonderful cause. I am so proud of this young lady! And thankful to all those who spend time and energy for good causes.

I wanted to help her raise even more money at her event on Tuesday, her birthday. I am donating this painting, the one she picked to  help her with her cause. We should do all the good we can while we are able. We have been given so much, so many blessings to enjoy! I hope you take the time today to be grateful for all your many blessings.

I love you Whitney and I count you as one of my blessings!

Oh a little about this painting! I painted the papers and tore them into pieces and layered them over an underpainting. I didn't paint the small angel on the right, she just appeared! Eerie! I did draw with a gold metal leaf pen around her to bring her into focus. I love the saying "Enjoy The Journey" so I added it to this painting as a reminder to us all.

Illusions by Leada Wood©, Artist of Texas

Illusions by Leada Wood ©

This is a mixed media watermedia on illustration board and is 14x22. I love doing
non representaional abstracts. They are very intuitive and freeing! While I am doing them I seem to go into a mediative state and just go with the flow, very relaxing.
 I put down lots of texture on the board before I started painting. I used rich earth colors, getting in the mood for autumn. It's hard to see all the textures with this low resolution. Be sure to check out my web site where I have larger resolution pictures and a zoom where you can really see how it looks.
My website is http://www.leadawood.com/

This painting will be on exhibit at the Louise Underwood Center for the Arts in Lubbock Texas during the month of October.

Imagine by Leada Wood© Artist of Texas

Imagine by Leada Wood©

This is the cover of a sketchbook that I did for a dear friend's birthday. I used my hand decorated papers and collaged them to the prepared surface. It's a good idea to use a hard back sketchbook and coat with gesso so that the paint and collage materials will adhere. The words and stars are raised above the surface of the book. I made the little bamboo stip out of clay. I always finish the books with several clear sealer coats to protect the papers.

Totems by Leada Wood

Totems © Leada Wood, Mixed Media

Eleven.....I had a dream and when I woke up the words "Pray for 11/11/11" were still lingering in my mind. I have thought about this...a lot! I usually don't remember many dreams and certainly not words from my dreams, so it has caused me to do lots of soul searching and reseach.

The number 11 is a prime number, and in a 12 step program, the 11th step is usually the step of mediation and courage. Eleven is my totem number, according to my birth date. The spiritual meaning associated with it is: Eleven brings the gift of spiritual inheirtance, gifted as the "Light Bearer". Strengthened by the love of peace, gentleness, sensitivity and insight. Eleven is a symbol of higher ideals, invention, refinement, balance, fulfillment, vision, strong will, pure energy, equality, kindness, tact and purity. HMMMM....Who knew!

Maybe someone is telling me I need to seek balance in the new year of 2011, and balance is always a good thing in life. As we are in the 3rd month of the year 2011, I wish you all to have balance in your life, along with health, love and happiness.
Anyway, my dream got me to meditate on the new year and that sparked me to do a painting containing the number 11 and some of its symbolism. Hope you enjoy looking !

Dreams Of Mine

"Dreams Of Mine" by Leada Wood (C) 2010 Mixed Media
All Rights Reserved


I created this piece on a hardcover sketch book to take to one of my art club's Christmas party. We always have an art exchange and this year I decided to do my art on something they can enjoy the whole year though, as an art journal or sketchbook. I started the process by putting gesso on the cover then I wrote some inspirational words and phrases with sharpie. I then added texture with gel medium and started applying pearlescent acrylic paints. After the painting was done I attached some silver wings and a little moon face figure I made out of clay, a little dragon fly and the letters soar. I then used inktense pencil to do the shading.
 I hope my friend likes the gift I made for her!

"Fan Fare"

"Fan Fare" by Leada Wood (c) 2010 Mixed Media Collage
All Rights Reserved


I paint papers and embelish them  with stamps, and other things. Then I start tearing them as needed and collage them onto a substrate. I then use liquid acrylic paints very transparently so that you can see all the layers building up. When I am satisified with the results I start collaging found objects onto the work. On this piece I used gold leaf and a little clay sculpture I had made. I enjoy doing this type of work as it very freeing and I can let my creative self out to play!

"Under His Wing" by Leada Wood

"Under His Wing" by Leada Wood (C) 2010
All Rights Reserved

This is a 12X24 inch mixed media collage on crescent illustration board using liquid acrylics, matt medium, tar gel, embossing medium and white feathers. I started this one when I was painting angels for the upcoming show at the Heritage Museum but didn't get it finished in time so I decided to post this on my blog as a special invitation to all of you to the opening of Angels We Have Heard On High, December 4th at 4 PM. If you are in Big Spring be sure to stop by! The show will run through January 11th.

Fire And Smoke

Fire And Smoke acrylic on paper by Leada Wood
(c) 2010 All Rights Reserved

22X28 Acrylic on Arches hot pressed paper.

Moon In The Seventh House

Moon In the Seventh House, Mixed Media by Leada Wood (c) 2010 All Rights Reserved

This is my first post on the Mixed Media International blog which I am honored now to be a member. It is a great blog with lots of interesting art .To view this blog click here http://www.mixedmediaartistsinternational.blogspot.com/ Thanks for looking!

Artin' Around 2

Artin Around 2 Mixed Media by Leada Wood (c) 2010 All Rights Reserved

This is a mixed media collage made with hand painted and hand decorated papers. I love to get in my zone and start tearing and attaching my papers! I layer piece after piece until I get the effect I like and then I start using my handmade stamps and painting until I think the work is finished. These works come from within with no outside inspiration...no attempt at reality...purely imagination and creativity.