"Sand Dollar", Coastal Paintings by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Sand Dollar"by Leada Wood©2016

Have you ever found a whole, white glistening sand dollar laying at your feet while walking on the beach? Finding a perfect sand dollar is one of life's little pleasures. Our family is easily entertained seeking sea treasures while strolling along jumping waves and dodging jellyfish. Even finding the broken pieces gives quite a thrill to young and old alike. It is amazing how some sand dollars continue to remain intact with the relentless pounding of the surf. Maybe a life lesson there...some are damaged and some are unharmed within the currents of tide and time.

"Crusty Crab", Coastal Painting by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Crusty Crab" by Leada Wood©2016

Art takes you places and all this rain in Texas has me dreaming of sunny days at the beach. Don't get me wrong, after ten years of drought we Texans are very thankful that our rivers are running and lakes are filling up. The state is lush and green and cattle are grazing again. Not complaining just letting my mind wander...thinking of summer fun... like crabbing, fishing and swimming.

Art is more than a hobby, it is a way of life, a different way of seeing things. I am an observer and life inspires me. I endeavor to capture a moment in time, to express an emotion, to dream aloud on paper or canvas. I am not trying for photo realism, but to capture the essence of the subject with a painterly feel.

I guess you wonder what a west Texas gal has in common with crabs? Our family loves to go crabbing when we are at the beach...sometimes with a net and sometimes just observing them. I think they are pretty cute...God certainly has a sense of humor...don't you think?

"Crusty Crab" is interpreted in transparent watercolor. He would look so cute at a beach or lake house. Prints are available, just contact me. Thanks for stopping by! 

White Horse by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Merry Legs

copyright2015 Leada Wood 

This painting was started in Joseph Fettings class in March in San Angelo. Mr. Fettings is an excellent instructor and the class atmosphere was exceptional! What a great group of ladies having fun painting...I didn't want the class to end.

My Mama had a white horse named Merry Legs so I decided to name this one in honor of her horse.

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Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

      "Dream Weaver" Copyright 2015 Leada Wood

I found this today in my flat file, not sure I have posted on my blog. "Dream Weaver" is a mixed media piece, mounted on black and is 12x12. I made the tiny sculpture from clay and painted all the collage papers...oh there is some embossing and glass beads thrown into the mix as well. I created another one similar to this one and gave it to a dear friend, it was entitled "Artin' Around".

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Easter, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Wishing you a blessed day filled with love!

Happy Fall Y'all by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Whooo's In The Pumpkin Patch? Copyright Leada Wood 2014

Autumn is my favorite time of year...the weather is pleasant and the haverst is in. I especially love all the cheery orange pumpkins and the trees turning shades of gold and red. " Whooo's In The Pumpkin Patch" is  9x11 unmatted, transparent watercolor created lovingly with artist grade materials and is available. 

Forrest Friend by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Forrest Friend

 

15x22

Leada Wood©2014

Oh! How I love mixing mediums! This wise old owl has many layers of various mediums. I started with a drawing, then did a very loose under painting, a dusting of charcoal, more paint and finished up with charcoal and pastels. "Forrest Friend" is on archival paper with professional paints and he was definitely fun to paint.
 

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DREAMING by LEADA WOOD, TEXAS ARTIST

DREAMING BY LEADA WOOD©
DO NOT COPY!

 I chose Matisse  because I too enjoy experimenting with a variety of styles and employing new techniques to create my own pictorial language.

Henri Matisse was one of the most influential artists of the Twentieth century whose stylistic innovations altered the course of Modern Art and spanned 6.5 decades.

 Matisse used lots of designs and an abstract quality and was not a slave to photo realism. I use lots of patterns, textures and work abstractly to portray my version of realism. We both enjoy pure colour!

 Late in life while recovering from surgery Henri began his scissor art and it became his favored medium until the end of his life and was the dominant medium of his expression.

I love to make collage art and it is my favorite medium...I only hope I do Henri justice! I think Henri and I had a lot in common both in art and the way we look at life. We both want to paint what is serene, soothing, and a calming influence on the mind. No depressing or troubling subject matter for us. We both love texture, pattern, pure color, and to work expressively.

 Here are two of my favorite Matisse quotes:

"He who loves flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free and nothing holds him back."

 "There are always flowers for those who want to see them."

I hope you enjoy my interpretations of Henri Matisse. It was very inspirational looking at all the wonderful art he created during his long career and learning about his life. What a pleasure it was to visualize two very different works and bring them into being for this exhibition.

This painting was created for the Messin' With The Masters Show at the Heritage Museum. It is 16x20 collage with handpainted paper on canvas.

Thanks for stopping by!

O HENRY! by LEADA WOOD, TEXAS ARTIST

O HENRY! BY LEADA WOOD©
DO NOT COPY!

O Henry ! is one of my paintings I have completed for the Messin' With The Masters Show. It will open May 24th with a reception for the Caboose Watercolor Society at the Heritage Museum from 5-7.

I chose Henri Matisse as one of my masters. Matisse loved goldfish. He said "I wouldn't mind turning into a vermillion goldfish." Matisse also used rich color and a limited palette with lots of design in his work. The object was to try and emulate their style in our own interpretation.

I had fun trying to come up with ideas for my paintings and then attempting to capture what I liked about it was quite a challenge. I will be posting the other three later, be sure to check my last post as it was one that I painted in Mary Cassatt's style.

Thanks for checking in!

Slim, Shorty And Lulu Gone Wild by Leada Wood Contemporary Texas Artist

Slim, Shorty And Lulu Gone Wild -Copyright Leada Wood 2013

Slim, Shorty and Lulu gone wild came about after a wonderful family outing with the Kids and a trip to the circus. I had not been to a circus in ever so long...wasn't sure they still existed! Oh what a grand time we had and wonderful ideas began spinning around in my head. I love to paint my goonie birds but have not done so for a long time. The sparks began to fly and away I went to my drawing board and started this adventure. As you can see I became a little carried away and went over to the wild side! It was a fun ride while it lasted.

 This is a close up of  Shorty ... a colorful little bird!

This is Slim...that bird is up to something! I can see it in his eye! Maybe he wonders why his pal Shorty is standing so close to his gal Lulu?

And this is Slim and Lulu...as you can see birds of a feather flock together and Slim has nothing to worry about! I can see that Lulu only has eyes for Slim. I hope you have enjoyed my little bird brained tale...I think I see more adventures of Slim, Shorty and Lulu in my future.

 This painting is 16x20 transparent  watercolor on canvas and is available. Please contact me at www.leadawood.com

GEMINI by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

GEMINI by Leada Wood ©

Gemini means twins or two. This idea came from the painting of Visions...funny while you are working on one painting you can't wait to finish one so you can move one to the next vision. This contemporary figure painting is 24x30 in acrylic on 2.5 cradle canvas with gold leaf. No need for a frame as the painting continues around the edges. It is available!

 You can view this painting through the month of April at the Heritage Museum at my solo show entitled VISIONS.

ALL THINGS CONNECTED by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

This was an interesting mixed media abstract to bring to completion. Each part is 12x12 and can stand on its own yet really looks nice as a part of the whole...kind of like a puzzle. I think that is what intrigues me so about mixed media, I always liked puzzles and they are similar in that you have to solve problems in order to make a painting. There is no subject matter to refer back to when you need to like a still life or a landscape. It all comes from within. This painting is on display through the month of April at the Heritage Museum at my solo show Visions. Hope you can drop by!
 This painting is available!

Mardi Gras by Leada Wood, Contermporary Artist Of Texas

Mardi Gras by Leada Wood©




I always wanted to go to Mardi Gras. It looks like such a fun and lively time! I think it would be better to see it from afar, on one of the balconies overlooking the parade. I am a little claustrophobic so I would not like being surrounded by an ocean of people. When I finished this painting it had a festive, colorful flair to it and being Mardi Gras season at the time decided that would be a good name. The vivid colors reminded me of New Orleans.

 This contemporary abstract painting is 22x28 on archival rag paper, painted with acrylic paints.
This painting is available!

White Line Fever by Leada Wood, Contemporary Artist Of Texas

 

 

 

 

 
Do you ever wonder how to tell if an abstract is finished? I thought this one was but I ran across it the other day as I was cleaning or moving piles and decided to revisit it and add some more to it.

 

This is a close up of the variation of the textures and colors that are through out the painting. I didn't use any fancy mediums under the paint. It is just layers and layers of paint.

I kept the white transparent in places where the under painting could glow.

 

I decided to add a transparent circle in the focal point and to keep it company I added some smaller orbs in different sizes for interest and design purposes.

Another close up of the texture of the paint. I made sure this one was finished this time as I signed it, sealed it and framed it! It is acrylic paint on paper and is 22x28 and is available.

My Turquoise Obsession by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

My Turquoise Obsession by Leada Wood©

I have loved turquoise for so long it has become an obsession! I still collect turquoise jewelry and wear it like it was the 70's. It is such a beautiful hue and goes with so many other colors. It is a strong color that radiates tranquility, peace and calm. Turquoise is a great color to have around you as it calms . Hmmm they say it heightens your sense of creativity and sensitivity. I also read turquoise encourages inner healing through its ability to enhance empathy and caring. It heightens  your intuitive ability and opens the door to spiritual growth and is the color of the evolved soul. Well I don't know about all of that but I do know that I LOVE that color and will continue to enjoy it and surround myself with it as it does bring me joy!

This painting is 11x14 mixed media on paper and is available.

February Art Walk by Leada Wood, Artist of Texas

February is staring out with lots of fun things. It is also very busy! I have been getting ready for the Lubbock Art Walk which was this past weekend. It was great to see so many folks out having fun. A special thanks to Bootman for helping me haul art and set up and to my family and friends who took the time to come by. I would also like to thank Varsity Book Store for inviting me.

 

 

Here I am setting up my tables getting ready for the art walkers.

It was sure nice not to have to haul easels from home. Varsity furnished the tables and easels.


The rest of this month I will be busy getting ready for my solo exhibition at Heritage Museum in Big Spring. I hope you will be able to drop by and see the exhibition if you are in the neighborhood.

Waiting Game by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

Waiting Game by Leada Wood©

This is a 15x22 transparent watercolor on archival paper and is available.

Doesn't it seem like we spend a lot of time waiting? Waiting in line... waiting our turn... waiting on people... waiting for our ship to come in...waiting.
Funny, wait is a verb yet it means to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens. To be available or in readiness  to postpone or delay something, to look forward to eagerly, a period of waiting, pause, interval or delay. Language is a strange thing.

I hope whatever you are waiting for is worth the wait!

Exaggerated Verticals by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

 

Aah, It was so nice to go to the studio today and create! After all the hustle and bustle of the holidays... the family fun and the gathering of the clan.  It was sublime to slow down and get back into the right side of my brain and lose myself in Leada land!

 

 

I decided I wanted to try some exaggerated verticals. I kind of liked the colors and movement in this painting and decided I wanted to explore it further so I used it as my inspiration and starting point. I cut up a half sheet of watercolor paper in 5 x22 inches and began.

This is my beginning...I used some old paintings and cut up pieces and collaged them onto the paper. I also used some transparencies I had created with my stamps. I applied them in a grid format and painted the bottom with various blues to give a nice contrast to the warm colors of the collage. Its hard to see the variation of the blues because of the low resolution of the photo.

I decided it wasn't quiet busy enough to my liking so I added more transparencies to give them rhythm and movement. I wanted your eye to travel from one piece to the next and yet I wanted each painting to stand alone.

 

 

This is the final version of the one on the left. I think I reached my goal of it being interesting on its own and it has a nice lively rhythm to it.

This is the middle painting. I think they almost have an Asian feel to them. Maybe it is the color combo I chose.

This is the right painting. I may mount these on black matt board to really make them pop. I am not sure yet...really enjoy the long, narrow format so may just frame them that way.

This is the final version side by side...dirty table and all! I think they could be hung in any direction and be cohesive...or alone...but I really like them more as a grouping don't you? That is the nice thing about a triptych and abstract art they are very versatile and you can change them up.

This painting is available!

"Starr" by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

"Starr" by Leada Wood©

I love my studio/gallery, right on Interstate 20. You just never know who will wander in the door. I have had people from all over the world, literally. It is very interesting talking with them, getting to know a little about them and their country or state. I have had people from Russia, Denmark, China, Canada, Hungary, just to name a few off the top of my head. I keep a guest register to keep track of where everyone is from. This time of year is especially nice because of all the Snow Birds traveling south to warmer climates. I can't blame them...I am non too fond of the cold!

I had the nicest couple from Canada come in last week and we had a lovely visit. Made me want to visit their part of the world, I am always up  for a trip! He fell in love with Starr, said it reminded him of his wife. Starr will now live with the couple in Canada when they go back. It's a small world after all!

"Cosmos" by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

Beginnings

It's All In The Crumple!



The Happy Ending! "Cosomos" by Leada Wood©

Faux Batik is fun in watercolor...but in Acrylic it is indescribable! The paper I use is a Japanese paper, a little heavier than tissue paper but still transparent with pieces of fiber running through it and delicate. When you are finished with the painting you apply a special mixture of waxes all over the painting and then crumple it up...then you apply a color of paint over the wax and it goes into the crevices...hopefully. When that is all finished you iron the wax out of your painting and what is left is a beautiful faux batik effect.