Let The Good Times Roll, Mixed Media, Original, Contemporary Art, byLeada Wood, Texas Artist

"Let The Good Times Roll" ©2016 Leada Wood

Pink flamingos are always fun to paint and always remind me of Alice and her adventures...kind of like Leada Land where nothing is as it seems. We have been on a great adventure here at Dragonfly Farm...called remodeling. What stared out as a 3 week job has now turned into 6. Do you remember the movie The Money Pitt...now you have the picture! Oh my!

It's always a good feeling to fill up a sketchbook and start a new one. The covers must be designed first, so no plain black sketchbooks for me. Bootman is a pilot so I get all the outdated maps for collage papers. I really like painting over maps of all kinds, letting the paint be transparent in places so that the map peeks through. "Let The Good Times Roll" is mixed media using acrylic paint, stablio pencil and collage.

"I knew who I was this morning but I have changed a few times since then"

                                                                                                                  ----Alice

iHanna Postcard Swap by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Postcards created by Leada Wood©2016

Postcards created by Leada Wood©2016

Happy Spring! It is that time again for the iHanna postcard swap. I did a series of postcards for the swap starting them all the same way by using acrylic paint and a scrapper, spreading the paint around. Then using stencils, hand made collage, glitter, washi tape, Gelli rollers and Tombow pens finished them up. I hope my new art swap friends like them!

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

                                                      -----Anais Nin

Follow Your Star by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Follow Your Star" by Leada Wood©2016

Elephants make me nostalgic...they remind me of my mama, as she had a huge collection. People were always gifting her with a new one to add to her menagerie. I sure miss her.

"Follow Your Star" is a mixed media in yummy, happy colors. The colors seemed to sing to me so I added the notes at the bottom...which led to the words "Follow Your star...Dance to your music."Isn't it funny how things evolve?

The elephant symbolizes many things...strength, wisdom, remembrance, patience, power, and compassion. No wonder it makes me think of my mama. Happy Mothers Day!

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal "

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."

Art Journaling, Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Art Journaling is so freeing and relaxing and gives me a place to play and try out new ideas. I am rather a newbie at it and still want to be in control somewhat. Maybe that is like everything else...it comes with practice. 

These pieces are mixed media...that means I used a lot of my art supplies I haven't used in a while. They were totally different in the beginning. I collaged paper onto the scrap mat boards I had lying around the studio then slathered paint until I enjoyed the colors. I used stamps,stencils with a little water soluble pencils, soft pastels, pens and glitter thrown in for good measure.

I enjoy the soft colors and the dream like quality of these pieces. I am working in a series of ten front and back so that will make a nice little journal when bound...if I can bear to poke holes in them!

"Dream" copyright 2015 Leada Wood

"Shine On" copyright 2015 Leada Wood

"Believe" copyright 2015 Leada Wood

Peace For Paris, Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media and Collage

  

"Peace For Paris" ©2015 Leada Wood

I started this painting on Friday the 13th before I heard the tragic news about Paris. I decided to finish it with the date to remember and the word Peace as I thought about all the lives this horrific event touched. Peace For Paris...and the world.

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

 

 

"Starry Crown" by Leada Wood©2015

 

Day 23 of the 30-30 challenge

What was I thinking today! Doing a torn paper collage on the day I was giving a birthday dinner for 12. Either I am an amazing woman or a special kind of stupid..I would rather think that I am amazing woman. I kind of always saw my self as super mom and Wonder Woman. 

"Starry Crown" is a torn paper collage...picture me ripping and tearing paper then gluing...you get the idea. I also have to hunt through my stash of papers for just the right ones. I used a page from an old hymnal that came from Grandmas Ruby's church. The pages are old and brittle and have a nice patina to them. I am not certain this is a finished painting...but it is as finished as it will be today.

 Thanks for stopping by!

30 Paintings In 30 Days by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Angel Song by Leada Wood ©2015


Day 17 of the 30-30 Challenge


I thought I would continue the trend and do another mixed media today. Angel Song is collage, image transfer, and acrylic paint. I usually start a series of 10 or 12 at once and continue on from there...some make it to the finish lines and some don't. I can always gesso over the surface or just add more layers until I like it...and that is one of the beauties of mixed media and you cannot get the look any other way.



30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Dream by Leada Wood ©2015

 Day 16 of the 30-30 challenge

Some days it is hard to be inspired...to paint. Maybe it is enough just to show up and try, today was one of those days. This is a small mixed media with an image transfer. I embossed the word dream and sun with gold sparkle. I needed a little play time, may continue the trend tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by!

Oh in case you might wonder how the mutton bustin came out last night at the West Texas Rodeo, our little sweet mutton buster won 2nd place! We are so proud of her. Her dream was to ride and win a belt buckle...it just goes to show you dreams can come true.

The picture below is with the Rodeo Queens.

West Texas Fair And Rodeo 2015

IHanna's Spring Post Card Swap by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

 

 

 

Heart Of Gold ©Leada Wood 2015


I am participating in IHanna's Spring Post Card Exchange. Artists around the world are creating post cards right now to exchange with one another. This is my second time to exchange. It is such a pleasure to make the cards but even more pleasant to receive them. During the winter exchange I was the recipient of 10 beautiful little gems. I felt so honored to receive them.

 

Kokopeli  ©Leada Wood 2015

 

Kokopeli is a Native American symbol for fertility and represents the Spirit of music. I used a Gelli print and painted negatively around the little deity.  You see I am finding ways to use my Gelli prints! I collaged Gelli prints onto all my postcards for a starting point. 

 

 

 

 

Dream Big ©Leada Wood 2015


I have more post cards to share with you but my wireless is really slow tonight so I am just posting a trio.  It's getting late... time to relax and rest after a good day in the studio. Thanks for stopping by!


 

 

 

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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!

So Happy Together, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"So Happy Together" copyright 2015 Leada Wood

I was so excited to get word that "So Happy Together" had won People's Choice Award at the Red Show at the Legacy Gallery in Lubbock, Texas. Thank you Lubbock!  It is a Mixed Media piece created with acrylic and layers and is 8x8 on canvas panel. It is not available.

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

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

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.

It's A Texas Thang' by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

It's A Texas Thang' by Leada Wood©

 Boots, boots, boots! I really like to paint boots! I have been married to Bootman for 41 years and boots run in our blood. We sell boots... we wear boots...and I paint boots.  I try to make each painting a little different but love those spurs and a beat up pair of REAL COWBOY BOOTS. The older they are the more personality they have. I am glad I live in West Texas where there are still  real cowboys. I see them everyday...although they are getting fewer and farther between.

Close up and personal with this pair. Just like people, the older they are the more wrinkles they get.

Spurs are very personal to a cowboy. They come in all sizes...shapes...and prices. Some handmade spurs are very expensive. I guess you could say there are a cowboy's jewelry. Yes that rowel applied to a horses flank does make him go faster...but they do not hurt the horse...just a gentle reminder of who the boss is.

The Times Of Your Life by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

The Times Of Your Life by Leada Wood©




I thought this would be a good painting to post today as it is a celebration of life and love. There are messages all though the painting. This painting is sold and will live in Houston with a very nice couple. It is a 12x12 mixed media on canvas.

You never know what the day will bring...sometimes good...sometimes exciting...sometimes sad and sometimes bad! November 30th started out quiet ordinary for me, I was taking care of business in my studio, framing paintings getting them ready for delivery. I went to lunch with Bootman and our grandson Kyler and WHAM! I began seeing blood leaking into my eye, panic stricken yet not wanting to upset everyone we left the restaurant and headed for the nearest retina specialist 76 miles away.  The doctor did an emergency laser tack and told me to go home and wait for the blood to leave my eye and not to do anything. I went back 5 days later still not seeing out of my right eye. Instead of another simple laser surgery I had to go back for the real eye surgery. On Friday December 7th I had surgery on my retina to restore my sight and here I am 4 days later able to blog about it!

 Friends this is my Christmas Miracle! My sight restored! Amazing! My eyes are still a little weak and I cannot do things for long at a time but I CAN SEE! What a wonderful gift our eyesight is, please don't take things for granted...you are a walking, talking, breathing miracle!

 May God bless you and please remember to be grateful and thank Him for His blessings every day.

"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!

Cosmic Connection by Leada Wood, Contemporay Artist Of Texas

Cosmic Connection by Leada Wood©

This mixed media acrylic abstract is 18x24 on illustration board. I incorporated lots of textures and rich colors to this one. I enjoy the freedom of painting abstracts...it allows my creative child a chance to come out and play! I usually start with abandonment and then try to bring a little control to the painting in order to give the design a cohesive look. This one has lots of energy and movement to it. This painting is available!

Peace by Leada Wood

by Leada Wood ©

This is another Little Jewel, 5x7 with lots of layers. I make my own collage papers and a lot of my stamps so that it will give an original look to my art. I love adding embelishments to my work.

This is the begining of this little jewel.