Jolly Ole St. Nick, watercolor by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Jolly Ole St. Nick" copyright Leada Wood

"Jolly Ole St. Nick" along with other members paintings of the of West Texas Watercolor Society and in conjunction with the Lubbock Art Alliance will be presented at the Legacy Gallery in Lubbock Texas. The "Happy Holidays" exhibition opening is December 4th from 6-7:30 at the Legacy Event Center, 1500 14th Street, Lubbock, Texas. The exhibition will be on display December 2015-January 2016.

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.

iHanna's Fall Postcard Swap, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media and Collage

Fall has finally arrived here in Texas! The days are cool and pleasant and the leaves are turning and blowing off the trees. One of my favorite times of the year.

I participated for the third time in iHannas Postcard swap. It is always such fun to create cards and send them but even more fun to recieve them in the mail. So far I have recieved 8 little jewels, I have shared a collage of them below. You can see more of the cards at http://www.iHanna.nu.  Thank you Hanna for creating another exchange!

"Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We've had our summer evenings now for October eves !" -- Humbert Wolfe

I know it's the middle of November but this was on a card from Canada and I liked the prose so I shared it! It fits with our fall which runs a bit later than some states.

iHanna's 2015 Fall Postcard Swap

Sugar Skulls, Mixed Media, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Sugar Skulls" ©Leada Wood 2015

 These are post cards that I made for IHannas 2015 Postcard Swap. Artist from all over the world are creating little works of art and sending them in the mail. It is so exciting to get 10 little works of art in the mail for your very own! I don't know about you but bills and junk mail are just no comparison to ART MAIL!

I started my backgrounds using my Gelli plate. As you can see my painting board underneath is getting nearly ready to be framed...just a few more layers of paint!

This stamp I carved started the whole Sugar Skull series as I explored various ways to make them fun and festive.

This is what one looked like with the Gelli background and the sugar skull stamped with white paint, before all the glitter and fun began.

Here in Texas there is a large number of Hispanic people and they have a tradition from October 31st to November 2nd to honor their loved ones who have passed over. They call it "Dia de Los Muertos" or Day Of The Dead, to others it is called All Souls Day or All Saints Day. It is really a celebration of life and the ancestors who have preceded us. The real celebrating is in Mexico where they have fiestas and parties and can spend a months salary on the festivities. 

Here he is "King Of The Sugar Skulls" in his final festive finery! 

I thought since the postcard swap was during this time of year, it would be fun to share the spirit of life celebration with my new friends. I sure hope they like their Sugar Skulls!

Thanks Hanna for hosting another wonderful exchange! Be sure to check out her blog and look at all the amazing cards. Www.iHanna.nu

Wise Old Bird, Watercolor, Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Wise Old Bird"©2015 Leada Wood

Since it is getting toward the end of October and Halloween I thought it would be fun to share this watercolor "Wise Old Bird" in honor of the day. Happy Halloween!

Raven's Roost, Watercolor by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

 

 

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

 

 

"Ravens Roost" by Leada Wood©2015

The background scene came from a photo I made in the Big Bend area of Texas. The high desert is something to see...especially in the spring when the wildflowers and cactus are blooming. The Ravens I depicted roosting on an old dead tree at sundown. I can just hear them chatting about their day as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon.



Sing Your Song, Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Sing Your Song" by Leada Wood©2015

 

"Sing Your Song" will be available at the Heritage Museum until late November, along with many others. The Caboose Watercolor Society will have their annual fall show, October through November. This exhibition will be a mixed show of the members work, not exclusively watercolor. It's a great show and museum in Big Spring...go see it, you will enjoy it.

Mama's Lilies, Watercolor By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

"Mama's Lilies" by Leada Wood©2015

"Mama's Lillies" will be on exhibit at the Louise Underwood Center for the Arts during the West Texas Watercolor Society Fall Show, now until November 2nd. It's a great show in Lubbock, Texas, and a wonderful center for the arts so if you get a chance go see it. 

The inspiration for this piece came from my garden where I planted Cana Lillies from my Mom's garden. The hummingbirds love to check out the six foot flowering plants. When the sun hits them and illuminates the Orange flower it is a sight to behold. I enjoy painting from nature and the world around me. Thanks for stopping by!

30 Paintings In 30 Days By Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

Here is a collage of my 30 paintings for the challenge. Somehow my laptop got a VIRUS through all this and I am having to do everything from my iPad which I like except can't make pic money work! But I got it done with collage ap so now I am really done!