White Line Fever by Leada Wood, Contemporary Artist Of Texas

 

 

 

 

 
Do you ever wonder how to tell if an abstract is finished? I thought this one was but I ran across it the other day as I was cleaning or moving piles and decided to revisit it and add some more to it.

 

This is a close up of the variation of the textures and colors that are through out the painting. I didn't use any fancy mediums under the paint. It is just layers and layers of paint.

I kept the white transparent in places where the under painting could glow.

 

I decided to add a transparent circle in the focal point and to keep it company I added some smaller orbs in different sizes for interest and design purposes.

Another close up of the texture of the paint. I made sure this one was finished this time as I signed it, sealed it and framed it! It is acrylic paint on paper and is 22x28 and is available.

My Turquoise Obsession by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

My Turquoise Obsession by Leada Wood©

I have loved turquoise for so long it has become an obsession! I still collect turquoise jewelry and wear it like it was the 70's. It is such a beautiful hue and goes with so many other colors. It is a strong color that radiates tranquility, peace and calm. Turquoise is a great color to have around you as it calms . Hmmm they say it heightens your sense of creativity and sensitivity. I also read turquoise encourages inner healing through its ability to enhance empathy and caring. It heightens  your intuitive ability and opens the door to spiritual growth and is the color of the evolved soul. Well I don't know about all of that but I do know that I LOVE that color and will continue to enjoy it and surround myself with it as it does bring me joy!

This painting is 11x14 mixed media on paper and is available.

MOON FLOWERS BY LEADA WOOD, ARTIST OF TEXAS

MOON FLOWERS BY LEADA WOOD©

This one has been a long time in the finishing stage...thought it was done and then did a lot more to it and finally I think it is done! 

My mom and grandmother always had moon flowers, ever since I can remember. They only bloom at night and sometimes when it is a cloudy morning they  stay in bloom. I don't know why I have never planted them, maybe it is because I know they are poisonous and there are too many little flower pickers around our place. I think I may consider planting them at a distance where the flower pickers or llamas can't get to them. I am ready for spring!

This painting is 22x28 transparent watercolor and is available.

La Dolce Vita by Leada Wood, Artist of Texas

Awww Valentines Day...the holiday of love...whether you are in love, looking for love or just a romantic it is a day for fun! The symbol we most associate with Valentines Day is the heart. It represents love and giving your heart to another.

I always make my sweetie a Valentine for this special day. This year I decided to make a collage. We are abstaining from sugar so I put some chocolates in my collage in the form of kisses.  Of course I had to add a couple of hearts...especially like the heart with wings because love makes my heart soar. La dolce vita means the sweet life and I had to throw in a couple of cherubs for good measure. This Valentine is 8x8 on canvas board.

Happy Valentines day! Hope sweet treats come your way!

From Chaos To Control by Leada Wood, Artists Of Texas

 

 

 

Chaos (noun) a state of utter confusion or disorder; a total lack of organization or order.

 

 Yep that was me, one of my work tables was in complete chaos. I have been taking online classes with Jane Davies, making collage paper for Extreme Compositon. Seems like I might have gotten a little out of control in that class! It is great fun making my papers for my collages though. It could even become addictive. The problem is the class has been over since the first of the year but the chaos is still lingering behind....what to do??? It is difficult to organize all those papers and keep them handy where you can rummage through them when you are working with collage. Hmmm... have to gain control!

 

So I went shopping!!!  I  bought one of those little plastic drawer units that I am so fond of for my studio, but this is a short one and fits under my table. I then went to work sorting papers and tucking them away. I know I really needed to be painting, and I did a little, so while the paint was drying I was shuffling and sorting.

TaaDaa!!! It feels wonderful to have control again...at least until I start to work tomorrow. I would love to hear how you keep your collage materials sorted and in control!

February Art Walk by Leada Wood, Artist of Texas

February is staring out with lots of fun things. It is also very busy! I have been getting ready for the Lubbock Art Walk which was this past weekend. It was great to see so many folks out having fun. A special thanks to Bootman for helping me haul art and set up and to my family and friends who took the time to come by. I would also like to thank Varsity Book Store for inviting me.

 

 

Here I am setting up my tables getting ready for the art walkers.

It was sure nice not to have to haul easels from home. Varsity furnished the tables and easels.


The rest of this month I will be busy getting ready for my solo exhibition at Heritage Museum in Big Spring. I hope you will be able to drop by and see the exhibition if you are in the neighborhood.

Joyful, Joyful, by Leada Wood, Contemporary Texas Artist

This is the painting I was working on when my retina tore loose in my eye. It was very emotional working on it again and finishing it.  I am so thankful that I am able to work and post on my blog again. We take so much for granted! 

 This painting is filled with symbolism and is very special to me. I have decided to keep this painting in my collection but reproductions are available. 

Butterflies represent freedom, growth, change and rebirth. The colors of the butterflies are also significant...yellow represents wisdom and black creativity.

The cocoon represents incubating, protecting creative ideas, needed withdrawal during times of transition. In the Christian religion, the metamorphosis a butterfly undergoes is symbolic of the spiritual evolution all Christians go through. In ancient mythology, the butterfly stands for wisdom and everlasting knowledge.

 
In ancient Greek the word for butterfly is "Psyche", which means soul. We are all small and appear to be the same (like the Caterpillar) , but as we grow older our true beauty shows ( like the butterfly). Like a butterfly, we are all different, and beautiful in our own way. 

Doves are symbols for love, hope, a symbol of divinity, as it is the representation of the Christ, unity, peace and as a symbol of creation. The color white projects purity and  innocence, freshness, cleanliness. It is the color of the awakened Spirit, the light of perfection, the Divine Light.

Gold symbolizes good health...relaxation...enjoyment of life. Red symbolizes life and vitality.

I will be on the Art Trail in Lubbock Texas on February 1st at Varsity Book Store, from 6-9. Please stop by and visit and see some of my new work. Thanks for stopping by!

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.

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!

Who Knows Where The Time Goes? by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

Who Knows Where The Time Goes by Leada Wood©


Happy 2013!  Have you made your resolutions? I decided on a few but I also decided on a word for the year...VISION! It holds even a more  special  meaning for me this year. Webster's defines it  to investigate, study, to become familiar with by experimenting, to travel over new territory for adventure or discovery, to examine, to see.

I hope you have a vision for the new year and enjoy the journey!

H appiness depends upon your outlook on life. - Find the good in all situations
A ttitude is just as important as ability.- Keep your attitude positive
P assion find yours this year! - Do what you love and you will never work
P ositive thoughts make everything easier.- Stay focused and stay positive
Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them. - Never forget you have talent

N ew beginnings with a new year.
E nthusiasm a true secret of success.
W ishes may they turn into goals.

Y ears go by to quickly, enjoy them.- Wisdom from your elders, listen
E nergy may you have lots of it. - Take care of yourself
A ppreciation of life, don't take it for granted. - Live each day
R elax take the time to relax in this coming year.- Keep a balance in your life