Happy Summer! By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"MId Summer's Dream" by Leada Wood©2018

I think the hot weather is affecting my paint palette. We have had 100 degree plus weather since May, unusual heat even for Texas! Thank goodness for central air. I don't see how our ancestors survived without it or maybe we have become sissified in our modern world. 

This is a transparent Watercolor using alcohol and wax resist. 

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Georgia On My Mind" by Leada Wood©2015

 

Day 28 Of the 30-30 challenge

Today it was back to transparent watercolor and flowers. I stay pretty traditional with transparent watercolor in that I don't use white paint, it's an illusion when I paint a white flower or object. The whitest white is actually the paper and very watered down glazes help form the shape and give it value.

Moon flowers always remind me of my Grandma and Mom. They always had them growing in their gardens and the flowers  bloom at night and are very fragrant. 

I was thinking about the Super Moon all day yesterday when I did the drawing and painting, maybe that was the inspiration for the painting. We  watched the eclipse until it was total and too chilly to sit outside, even with a blanket. It was amazing!

30 Paintings In 30 Days by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

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

Open Season by Leada Wood ©2015

Dove Season has arrived! Long awaited by boys and men alike...the hunt is on. I live in the country and you can hear them going at it from early until late. Now don't get me wrong, I love to eat bar-b-que dove and you only get it during the season, IF your guys have a good hunt.

I love my birds but I see why there is a hunting season on dove...we have an abundance of them. They hang around my bird feeders like sparrows and those guys can eat! My Mom in law counted 50 on her back yard fence. Well... that is life in the country...now what  about those pigeons?

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

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

Natural Harmony ©2015 Leada Wood

 

 

Day 5 of 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

This is the companion piece to yesterday's Morning Light.  Painted in a triad of transparent watercolor, cobalt blue, permanent rose and lemon yellow on archival artist paper.

It is almost Monach season, I have seen a few floating around outside the window. Maybe they are scouts for the kaleidoscope of butterflies to come. We have Ash trees in our yard and some seasons they will be covered with monarchs...it is a sight to behold! Isn't nature amazing...everything working according to plan and in harmony, just the way our Creator intended.

Reminded me of the hymn "All Things Bright And Beautiful" by Cecil Francis Alexander.

Refrain:
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful: 
the Lord God made them all.

1. Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
and made their tiny wings. 
(Refrain)

2. The purple-headed mountains,
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning
that brightens up the sky. 
(Refrain)

3. The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden: 
God made them every one. 
(Refrain)

4. God gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well. 

Have a safe and relaxing weekend!

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

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

Morning Light ©2015 Leada Wood

Day 4 of Thirty Paintings in 30 days challenge. 

Getting harder to get a painting a day already...life goes on...I guess that is why they call it a challenge! These pink coneflowers are painted in transparent watercolor and have a companion piece to go with it but you will have to wait until tomorrow to see. Thanks for stopping by!

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!

30 Paintings In 30 Days, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood contemporary Texas Artist, watercolor, mixed media and collage

Studio Still Life ©2015 Leada Wood

 

Day 2 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. This still life is of a handcrafted pitcher I made years ago and from a bird I bought in Denmark at an artists studio. The artist was famous for his brown birds and I brought a small flock home with me.  I still enjoy my birds and think of all the amazing places our dear friends took us! No still life would be complete without the world famous pear.

30 Paintings In 30 Days, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist



Garden Fresh ©2015 Leada Wood

 

It's that time again! Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge and today is day one. This makes the 4th challenge I have done and so far I have finished all 30 days in each challenge. It is not always easy getting through the challenge but is a good feeling when I finish 30 paintings in 30 days. It is amazing to be a part of artists all over the world striving to reach the same goal.

We have been blessed with an abundant garden this year. Enough harvest to eat, freeze and share with family and friends. I love to paint the fresh peppers and tomatoes that come from the garden...you could say they inspire me. 

Nature is all around me and does inspire my creativity. Colors of every hue and description make me want to get out my brushes and keep them wet depicting flowers, fauna or vegetables from the garden. I hope you enjoy seeing what the next 30 days bring as I try to get a painting a day completed. Thanks for stopping by!

Magic Rabbit, Watercolor by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Magic Rabbit  ©2015 Leada Wood

 

This was a fun painting to do as I am still playing in the paint and enjoying the vibrant colors. I  sprinkled a little magic to give interesting texture to the background. 

I think there was a song by Jefferson Airplane called white rabbit...for some reason this painting reminded me of that song. Also Reminded  me of the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. I always loved Lewis Carol's Alice in Wonderland and Disney's intreptation of it...Didn't you? 

A Passion For Mango Hibiscus by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

The lovely April showers in Texas have made dazzling April and May flowers everywhere! I especially like Hibiscus in pots around the pool to give a tropical effect and they are gorgeous! My friend  Penny sent me this one and I have enjoyed it so much. The lovely mango color and ruffled petals were begging to be painted so I did. I created a 5x7 thank you card for my sweet friend....I just love getting mail, don't you?

"A Passion For Mangos " copyright 2015 Leada Wood.

                 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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. 

Blue Door by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Blue Door

 

5x7 watercolor

 

copyright Leada Wood 2014

Blue Door is 5x7 watercolor on canvas and will be donated as a door prize for the Dutch Art Gallery's Great Out Doors show in May.
 

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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

 Live Joyfully!

my website

galleries



 

 



 

Froggie Went A'Courtin' by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

I always liked the song and children's story " Froggie Went A'Courtin'" when I was a little girl. Just the thought of it brings a smile to my face...so many fine childhood memories. Books were a big deal when I was growing up. We took care with them because we didn't have as many as children today. Most of my reading was done by going to the library and checking out stacks of books and taking them home and devouring them. Maybe that is why I have such a vivid imagination!

 Today I just download a book from the library on my ipad or several books if I am traveling. I love the convenience of that, nice not to have to carry books. They do add weight to your luggage! Yet I still like the comfort of holding a good book in my hands.

This painting is transparent watercolor, 6x9, and is available for purchase.
contact me@ www.leadawood.com

"Froggie Went A'Courtin'" by Leada Wood ©2014

 

                                         

Tea Time by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Day 29 of Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

I love to have tea parties with my grand daughters...what fun we have! Sometimes we dress up with jewelry and hats and have special treats, other times it is just spontaneous with muffins or whatever I have on hand. They enjoy getting out the special little cups that I have collected. I am collecting old  ones from antique stores when I find just the right one. They will have to be older to use these. We are making memories and always enjoy our time together. Nothing like a cup of tea and sweet company to warm your heart.

Tea Time by Leada Wood©2014

 

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!

Glory To God by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

Glory To God by Leada Wood ©

I shall attend to my little errands of love early this year,
So that the brief days before Christmas my be unhampered and clear
Of the fever of hurry. The breathless rushing that I have known in the past shall not possess me. I shall be calm in my soul and ready at last...
I shall have leisure-I shall go out alone from my roof and my door;
I shall not miss the silver silence of stars as I have before;
And oh, perhaps-if I stand there very still and very long,
I shall hear what the clamor of living has kept from me-
The angel's song.
                                                                                                           -Grace Noll Crowell

May you have peace in your heart this Christmas so that you too can hear the angel's singing.

Joy to the world the Lord has come; Let earth receive her King; Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, and heav'n and nature sing; And heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n and nature sing.

                                                          MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Jolly Ole St Nick by Leada Wood, Artist of Texas

Jolly Ole St Nick by Leada Wood ©

Twas the night before Christmas and all through our house...the children are bouncing and boisterous and storming the house! Christmas Eve is BIG FUN at our home. The clan gathers and makes jolly holiday cheer. There are 24 of us, 13 are children! We are so blessed!

This is my painting that my Christmas cards were  made from this year. It is a watercolor, 15x22 on rag paper. I had just finished, framed and delivered it to the bank for exhibition when my retina tore in my eye! I also had finished my last commission for the season. I am so thankful that my sight has been restored and I can continue to enjoy the beautiful world around me.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my blog and for following my creative journey. I love reading your comments and hearing from you!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"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.

"Lucky Dogs" Watercolor Painting by Texas Artist Leada Wood

"Lucky Dogs" by Texas Artist Leada Wood©

This painting was done especially for my brother Ken's birthday, it is 15x22 watercolor on paper. There is a story that goes with the painting...my big brother loves hot dogs...all kinds of hot dogs but especially bratwurst. We were in New Orleans and every time we passed a Lucky Dog wagon he would have to get a hot dog. Every city he is in where they have hot dog wagons he patronizes them.
  Now Ken has a dog named Maxine and she is the sweetest dog ever! My brother loves Texas Tech Red Raiders and is a tailgater and Maxine goes to all the games...and Maxine loves hot dogs too! As a matter of fact Maxine and Ken were on television where Ken was throwing her bits of hot dogs at a tailgating event in New Mexico during one of the Tech games. So I thought it only right that Maxine should be in the painting as she is one Lucky Dog!
 Happy Birthday Brother!