Vincent's Poppies by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Vincent's Poppies by Leada Wood©
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I think all artists are drawn to nature and beautiful flowers. Especially sunflowers and poppies...such vivid happy colors they possess. Georgia O’ Keefe and Vincent Van Gogh were my favorite painters of flowers. They both painted Poppies, rich red poppies. I too have always loved to paint poppies...in every hue. I have painted their portraits large like O’Keefe and I have painted them in still lives like Van Gogh, but always in my own style throughout my career.

For the Messin' with the Masters show I decided to paint my own rendition of poppies with Van Gogh as my inspiration. He has inspired so many artists throughout the years. Such a pity he knew no fame and sold only one painting during his brief lifetime. A great artist and a prolific painter, I felt compelled to pay homage to him.

I love Vincent's vibrant red poppy paintings...how happy they make me as i look at them. I hope they brought him great joy painting them. Maybe that is why he did so many paintings...they were his only joy in life.

His letters to his brother Theo were somber and sad. I find comfort thinking that his art brought him great happiness. I know his art has brought pleasure to generations of people who have seen his works.

I too hope that my art brings you pleasure and brightens your day.

The Red Poppies and Butterflies by Van Gogh had an Oriental feeling to me so I decided to use a Chinese newspaper for the calligraphic under layer. Then I started layering Glazes of color to give a golden glow to background yet allowing the calligraphy to remain visible. I used some of my own Poppy photos for the drawing.

 I didn't want to slavishly copy his work but to interpret it with my style. I think I successfully gave it a contemporary look yet paid homage to the master Van Gogh.

This is another one of my paintings for the Messin With The Masters Show. It is 24x30, acrylic on canvas.

Thanks for stopping by!

O HENRY! by LEADA WOOD, TEXAS ARTIST

O HENRY! BY LEADA WOOD©
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O Henry ! is one of my paintings I have completed for the Messin' With The Masters Show. It will open May 24th with a reception for the Caboose Watercolor Society at the Heritage Museum from 5-7.

I chose Henri Matisse as one of my masters. Matisse loved goldfish. He said "I wouldn't mind turning into a vermillion goldfish." Matisse also used rich color and a limited palette with lots of design in his work. The object was to try and emulate their style in our own interpretation.

I had fun trying to come up with ideas for my paintings and then attempting to capture what I liked about it was quite a challenge. I will be posting the other three later, be sure to check my last post as it was one that I painted in Mary Cassatt's style.

Thanks for checking in!

Fun In The Sun by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

 

FUN IN THE SUN by Leada Wood Copyrighted 2013
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www.leadawood.com/blog  or  www.leadawood.com

 

 

I love to go to the beach! Texas has 600 miles of shoreline so there are plenty of beaches to choose from. Our family favorite for years has been Port A and we try to get there 3 or 4 times a year. We would go more often but it is an 8 hour drive from where we live. Before we discovered Port A we enjoyed going to Crystal Beach.

When we are at the beach I enjoy watching the brown pelicans fly up and down the shoreline. They were nearly extinct at one time but are back in great numbers. We also swim, play in the sand, hunt sea shells, go crabbing, fishing and eat lots of fresh shrimp! I also take lots of pictures of everyone and make mental notes of what would make a good painting. We also find plenty of time to relax and enjoy the tranquility of the splashing waves and screech of the sea gulls. It seems the sea breeze has a way of blowing all stress away and keeping you on island time.

I am very thankful for the good times I have had with my family at the beach having fun in the sun!

Texas Traditions by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

Texas Traditions Copyrighted 2013 by Leada Wood All Rights Reserved
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I love to see our state flag waving in the breeze...red, white and blue with a lone star. It is one of the most recognized flags of any state flag in the United States,and it has been flying over Texas for well over 175 years.

 Each color in the flag has special meaning, the white stands for purity, the blue stands for loyalty and the red stands for bravery. The lone star has five points and they represent the characteristics of a good citizen, which are fortitude, loyalty, righteousness, prudence, and tolerance. The lone star represents All of Texas and stands for our unity as one for God, State and Country. The lone star is seen as a symbol of Texas' independent spirit and gave us the nickname "The Lone Star State.

Boots are also a Texas tradition and have been worn by cowboys since the 1800's. Cowboy boots refer to a specific style of riding boot that have a slanted heel to keep the foot in the stirrup and a tall top to protect their lower leg while riding a horse.

Our family has been a part of the Texas tradition by selling cowboy boots for over 40 years. We don't just sell cowboys boots though...now they are for everyone! They come in a variey styles, colors, and leathers...some very exotic. I am proud to be a part of the Texas tradition. I guess that is why I enjoy painting cowboys and boots.

Children's Art Show by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

Here we are at the Children's Spring Art Show. I am so proud of my budding artists! They are such a pleasure to teach and be around. They always surprise me with what they can do and the things that they come up with! They take their work to heart and come to class with a willing attitude to learn and are observant and co-operative students.

 Oh to have the imagination of a child again! I think making art does keep your mind lively and your imagination active.

 Congratulations to these young ladies on their accomplishments and awards!

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

GEMINI by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

GEMINI by Leada Wood ©

Gemini means twins or two. This idea came from the painting of Visions...funny while you are working on one painting you can't wait to finish one so you can move one to the next vision. This contemporary figure painting is 24x30 in acrylic on 2.5 cradle canvas with gold leaf. No need for a frame as the painting continues around the edges. It is available!

 You can view this painting through the month of April at the Heritage Museum at my solo show entitled VISIONS.

ALL THINGS CONNECTED by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

This was an interesting mixed media abstract to bring to completion. Each part is 12x12 and can stand on its own yet really looks nice as a part of the whole...kind of like a puzzle. I think that is what intrigues me so about mixed media, I always liked puzzles and they are similar in that you have to solve problems in order to make a painting. There is no subject matter to refer back to when you need to like a still life or a landscape. It all comes from within. This painting is on display through the month of April at the Heritage Museum at my solo show Visions. Hope you can drop by!
 This painting is available!

Welcome Spring! by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

Okay! It is officially Spring! I thought I would share some beautiful photos of the conservatory at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas. Every season their gardeners create exceptional works of art in their garden for everyone to enjoy. This season was exceptional. Bootman and I just got back from market.  We have never stayed here but always make a trip to see the conservatory and eat their buffet. A feast for the eyes and the tummy!

 

 

 







The mama swan and her baby by waterfall and bridge with purple tulips along the edge...so sweet!

 
The pink striped tulips glowing in the sunshine were extraordinary and the fragrance was heavenly.















Of course they had to have some dutch shoes since that is where all our tulips come from.

I have never seen orange tulips but they were gorgeous! My tulips are just coming up not a blossom in sight. I have red and purple but would love some orange beauties!

The cute dutch windmill and giant tulips in the pond was a favorite picture spot among the tourists.

 

 Red and pink tulips vibrating against violet hychinths.

More cute dutch shoes among the pink tulips and butterflies. 

Icelandic poppies were abounding in every hue.

 

 

There was a green house full of butterflies enjoying their fruit offerings and the warm sunshine. I hope this post brightens your day especially if spring has not arrived where you are...it's coming! Happy Spring!

Mardi Gras by Leada Wood, Contermporary Artist Of Texas

Mardi Gras by Leada Wood©




I always wanted to go to Mardi Gras. It looks like such a fun and lively time! I think it would be better to see it from afar, on one of the balconies overlooking the parade. I am a little claustrophobic so I would not like being surrounded by an ocean of people. When I finished this painting it had a festive, colorful flair to it and being Mardi Gras season at the time decided that would be a good name. The vivid colors reminded me of New Orleans.

 This contemporary abstract painting is 22x28 on archival rag paper, painted with acrylic paints.
This painting is available!