"Beach Boyz", Watercolor, Figure Painting by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Our sweet family loves to go to the beach...maybe because we live in dry west Texas and the water beckons to us like sirens of old. You know sirens, the sea nymphs...part woman and part bird who lured mariners by their seductive singing. They were also quite beautiful. Getting a little off track here but the beach does call our name and we do make several trecks  a year to enjoy the sea.

Maybe that is why I enjoy painting the kids doing beach things so I can flash back in my mind to the days we were there and having great fun. Life is slower and a little sweeter there and we play more. Nothing like fun in the sun on any beach.


                                             
                                                

"Beach Boyz" by Leada Wood ©2017

I have painted this scene twice before but still I am trying to capture the essence of the scene. I think I am getting closer! I loved the light in the photograph and the closeness of the boys sharing an experience they both enjoyed. 

Thanks for stopping by!



"Honey Does This Dress Make My Butt Look Big?" by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Honey Does This Dress Make My Butt Look Big?"
by Leada Wood©

This little lady was such fun to do! I started her with an altered background and used hand painted collage papers for her dress. I used transparent watercolors for this piece and she is 15X28 on Arches paper. You can see her in person at the Buddy Holly Museum in Lubbock, Texas, if you are in the area. She is on exhibit along with all the other wonderful works of the West Texas Watercolor Society.

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©

Wild About You! by Leada Wood ©, Artist Of Texas

Wild About You by Leada Wood©

This painting is 22x28, liquid acrylic on arches paper. I did this using Henri Matisse techniques. Matisse used lots of pattern, bright colors, and outlined in black. I used patterns from a Matisse painting, used my own colors and a stamp I carved for some of the patterns in the blocks and outlined in black. I also added a bit of lepord collage to the girls neckline and a bit in her hair. I don't think I am done with this painting yet as there are a few things I want to do...so I will repost it again when I finish!

Liz Hill Workshop by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

Left Liz Hill, Right Leada Wood

I just finished  a figurative painting workshop with the renown Liz Hill at the Bunkhouse on the Wenmoths Ranch. What a wonderful time we all had. It was a three day event with a new model everyday. We would sketch all morning and paint all afternoon. Now this is NOT your ordinary figurative painting. Liz showed us how to use prepared surfaces and collage and charcoal to get very interesting paintings. There were a lot of great pieces that came from the workshop. I will post some of my pieces later when I finish them. We really crammed a lot in three days! To see Liz's work go to http://www.lizhillart.com/ and you will have a better idea of what I am talking about.