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

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

"Air Mail" ©2017 Leada Wood

"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.                                                                            

Parrot Of The Caribbean, Contemporary Bird Art by Leada Wood,Texas Artist

Parrot Of The Caribbean is painted in acrylic paints and is on the cover of my new travel sketchbook. He was such a fun and lively looking little fellow that I thought he might bring a smile your way today. Now to start on the inside! Have a wonderful weekend!

Star Light, Star Bright by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Star Light, Star Bright" by Leada Wood ©2016

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."

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Shorty" by Leada Wood©2015

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!

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Lulu" by Leada Wood©2015

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.

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

 

 

 

"Slim" by Leada Wood©2015

 

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.

30 Paintings In 30 Days by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Quirky Quail by Leada Wood©2015

Day 12 of the 30-30 challenge

Painting another one of my collection of Talavera pottery. Since I have drawn and painted these I have even more respect for the Mexican craftsmen who decorate pottery. I know they have a quota that they must meet...pretty amazing when I think about it. They probably do dozens of large pots every day! I was relieved when I finished this daily painting, a little tedious.

 Thanks for stopping by...have a great weekend!

Remembering 9-11, Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

30 Paintings In 30 Days

Remembering 9-11 by Leada Wood©2015

Day 11 of the 30-30 Challenge.

I wanted to do something in rembrance of 9-11 so I decided to paint two symbols of our country. I still get chills at a ball game when the National Anthem is sung and I love to see Old Glory waving in the breeze against the bright blue sky. It brings tears to my eyes to think of all that has been given to keep our great nation home of the free...I hope we never forget. God bless America!

30 Paintings In 30 Days by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage



Blue Parrot ©2015 Leada Wood

 

Day 3 and I am still going! Painting this parrot brought back memories of when we traveled to Isla Roatan and monkeys and parrots were everywhere in the rain Forrest. I got to hold a monkey, he was very curious...everything was lovely until he climbed on my head , covered my eyes and started messing with my earrings! Apparently they like shiny objects. The care taker said not to make any sudden moves...right. Try remaing calm with a monkey on your head! Fun place to visit not sure I would want to live there...hot and humid!

Air Mail by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Air Mail

 

15x22

 

 copyright Leada Wood 2013

Air Mail is 15x22 transparent watercolor on rag paper and is AVAILABLE.

I like rusty old mail boxes and they are becoming harder and harder to find except in very rural areas. They are being replaced with modern plastic ones which don't rust...sad. I do have lots of photo references as I take lots of photos whenever I run across some. I wanted to do a painting with a group of ravens and decided to combine the two and the title just seemed a perfect pun for the painting.
 

#leadawoodart #mixedmedia #watercolor #contemporary art

Leada  Wood

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Birds Of A Feather by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 30 of Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

It has been a challenge but I have made it! Whoo Hoooo! It has been fun but I am glad the pressure will be off. I just hope I can continue to paint everyday...at least some.  I have been also learning to paint on my ipad during this month. That is another challenge in itself!

I do appreciate those who have taken time to look at my blog and say kind words. I also really appreciate my friends on Facebook who have been so encouraging. I don't think I could have made it without you! My life has been enriched knowing you care.

I stared with bird paintings so I though it appropriate to finish with a bird painting. This 5x7 transparent watercolor of Zebra Finches is the last of the 30/30 challenge. But I will be back with more paintings...so stay tuned.

You can sign up for my blog post by email on the sidebar. It will let you know when I have finished another painting by delivering my post to your inbox.
Thanks for dropping by!




Birds Of A Feather by Leada Wood©2014

Mandarin Duck, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 27 of Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 days challenge.

Okay just so you know this is like any project  or deadline....it begins to keep me awake. I started last night or I guess you could say early morning since i started this painting 12:30 am. I wanted to do a couple of more for my Chinese New Year series so that when they hang in the gallery they will make a big square.

You might have wondered about my series all having nearly the same background. I collaged Chinese newspaper...for inspiration and then painted the canvas red. I did this day by day not massed produced ahead. The color red in Chinese is a symbol of good fortune, and I happen to like red! After all that has dried I draw my design onto the canvas with a water soluble white pencil. I have used Acrylic paints for my series, kind of like oils but not so toxic.

Boot Man said we have eaten more Chinese food while I was painting this series than we have in our entire lives! Gotta have inspiration!

I thought of doing a plain white duck and naming it Peking duck but as I was surfing free images I ran onto this these Magnificent Mandarin ducks! Painting does take some research and development before the painting begins. Sooo....noooo. No plain white duck for me! All those gorgeous colors just sparked me into action. 

If you grew up in China or Japan, where the Mandarin ducks are wide-spread - you most probably have heard stories about the love and devotion of Mandarin ducks. They mate for life and are considered loyal and devoted to their chosen partner. I knew I liked those ducks!
Thanks for stopping by!

Mandarin Duck by Leada Wood Copyright 2014

"Roadrunner's Gift" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 6 of Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days. I am still hanging in there. I am not a fast painter and enjoy the process of the painting so this is a real challenge for me! I may learn to paint faster!

I live in Texas and the land around my house is terra cotta clay color, good old red dirt. We live on a small ranch and have llamas, sheep, goats and lots of birds. One particularly fine summer morning I got to noticing sticks at my front door and wondered where they came from. A mystery. The next morning I heard a tapping on the front glass door so I go to investigate. There was the roadrunner with another gift of a stick in his mouth to leave at the door. I don't know if he was thanking me for the cat food and scraps I put out or if he saw himself in the glass and was courting the pretty bird! Anyway he kept it up for a while and I guess he eventually gave up on the pretty bird and moved on. I still have visits from him, he likes to sneak around on the porch and window peek.

That is the story and the inspiration for my painting Roadrunners Gift. I hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for looking!

"Roadrunners Gift" by Leada Wood copyright 2014

There's A Song In The Air by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 4 of Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

 

"There's A Song In The Air" is a 8x8 mixed media collage on paper using liquid acrylics. A mixed media collage is where you use found papers, paint, transparencies, image transfers and whatever else you want and layer them, making  them cohesive enough to make a painting. A mixture of various techniques goes into each one. I do enjoy doing these as they are creatively challenging, kind of like a puzzle.

 

 

"There's A Song In The Air" by Leada Wood ©2014

Out On A Limb by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Happy 2014! What a way to start the new year by accepting a challenge from Leslie Saeta to paint 30 paintings in 30 days. Well I certainly went out on a limb and signed up...what was I thinking! First I was thinking oh that will be fun! I have followed her other challenges and enjoyed seeing everyone's progress and wished I had participated. So this year I am joining in. Here is number one, 9x12 watercolor. This painting is available.

 

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

Legends by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

Legends by Leada Wood©
www.leadawood.com


This is a 12X12 torn paper collage on a deep cradle canvas...no need for framing as the painting wraps around.
The Meek's children's hospital in Abilene holds a special place in my heart, as my grandson Carter was one of the poster kids a couple of years back. It is not a place you want one of your loved ones to be in but I am very thankful for their care, concern and ability to heal. We have been donating to their cause for many years as a business. This year I had the opportunity to donate a work of art to their auction at Hendrick's Hospital.
Hendrick's Hospital sponsors a Legends Dove Hunt the first of September every year to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network.
 I decided to do a torn paper collage in honor of the dove hunt with a map of Abilene in the background and various paper from the Legend's brochure . Their is absolutely no paint on this painting...just torn paper from various sources. Fun to do...kind of like a puzzle.
This one is for you Carter!

Right Brained by Leada Wood, Artist of Texas

Right Brained by Leada Wood©

I am very right brained...so does that mean I am in my right mind? I certaintly hope so!
This funny fellow is either having a bad hair day or has a very creative hairdo!
This painting is 8x8, acrylic on canvas and is sold!
Prints are available just contact me at: www.leada_w@hotmail.com for more info.

I am the right brain. I am creativity...a free spirit. I am passion...yearning...sensuality.
I am the sound of roaring laughter. I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feet.
I am movement...vivid colors...I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas.
I am boundless imagination...Art...Poetry.  I sense...I feel. 
I am everything I wanted to be.

Feed The Birds by Leada Wood

Feed The Birds by Leada Wood©

This was the original painting I did in August of  last year. You can go back into my blog and see how I did this work step by step. It just never seemed finished to me so it sat in my studio while I decided what to do to make it better. I decided it needed more color and  interest on the girl...sooo I collaged a hat band and flower and repeated the pattern in her shirt and apron. It warmed the painting up and created more movement through the painting. A ghost bird seems to have appeared behind the pigeon. Anyway I am happier with this painting and it is finished...at least for now. I like her better...how about you?
Feel free to comment!
This is a mixed media painting.

Feed The Birds by Leada Wood©