Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Maxine" ©2017 Leada Wood

Maxine is a Labradoodle and my brother belongs to her, or at least that is how Maxine sees it. She is friendly and outgoing and can put her paws on my shoulders, but thinks she is a lapdog. She has never met a stranger and loves to gaze adoringly with her pretty brown eyes into mine. I just love Maxine!

"Air Mail",Watercolor by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Air Mail" ©2017 Leada Wood

"Air Mail" was inspired by a birds's nest in an abandoned rural mail box. I started looking for a grouping of old rusted mailboxes and sketched them. Then I thought about the play on words airmail and how fun that would be.

Crows are a lot like people in that they are intelligent and adapt to their environment. They are sociable and sometimes live in communal roosts.

I combined the two concepts and came up with the painting "Air Mail" which show the crows borrowing from humans a nice nesting place in the country. A condo ready made for them to occupy. Looks like they are moving in!
                                                                   
"Air Mail" is on exhibit at the Buddy Holly Center, Lubbock, Texas with the ALWT spring show "The Borrowers" from April 7th to May 21st. Stop by and see how a group of painters interpret the theme of The Borrowers.                                                                            

"The Girl Has Style" Mixed Media by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"The Girl Has Style" ©2017 Leada Wood

We all know one or have one in the family…a borrower. She promises to put back that dress she
borrowed or not to lose your favorite earrings. Constantly borrowing what you have, trying your patience when you must hunt down the object of her desire.

 Creating mixed media with collage is a little like borrowing only I like to refer to it as upscaling, recycling or, green art. Whatever you call it, the idea is the same. Taking bits and pieces of found papers, hand painted papers or objects and giving it new life. I delight in combining different medias to create my work.

"The Girl Has Style" is on exhibit at the ALWT spring show, "The Borrowers" at the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas, April 7th - May 21st. Stop by and see the show, I think you will enjoy seeing how a group of painters interpret the theme.

"Borrowed Time", Mixed Media, by Leada Wood, TexasArtist

"Borrowed Time" ©2017 Leada Wood

All artists are borrowers...borrowing ideas, borrowing color palettes, borrowing techniques using them to spark our imaginations. We are inspired by the genius of generations of creative minds.

It always seems like the 11th hour...borrowing time from the busyness of each day to get into the studio. There is never enough time to complete the daily task list, I take a few hours here and there and make the most of it. Chiseling away...working...trying to make my creative concept a reality before the inspiration fades or writing down my intentions for another day. On and on it goes...borrowing time.

My dad was a watch and clock repairman and the bits and pieces fascinated me. It was amazing to see him take the springs and gears out of a watch and replace them again. I have been surrounded by watches and clocks my whole life. "Borrowed Time" was inspired by thinking about time and how I use my time. Time runs out and we are never promised tomorrow...we only have today.

I am intrigued by ravens...I don't know why but I paint them a lot. Ravens are intelligent, mischievous, playful birds and can live to be 70 years old. They are empathetic and adaptable. Some cultures consider them messengers from the gods. The Native Americans considered them sly tricksters.

The combination of elements in my painting just came together while I was thinking about the theme for our show. I considered Time and how deceptive it is...tricking you into thinking you have more of it. Time is elusive and I endeavored to show a spatial quality in my painting.

 I enjoy themed shows although they stretch me and cause growing pains. They also make me think outside the box to find solutions that will work and grow as an artist. I hope you have as much fun viewing my painting "Borrowed Time" as I did in creating it!

                                                                                                                          Leada Wood 1/17


"Borrowed Time" was created for the Art League of West Texas Spring show at the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas. The shows theme is "The Borrowers" and it will be interesting to see how a group of artist interupt the meaning. Please come see the show, I think you will like it. The show opens April 7th during First Friday Art Trail And runs until May 21st, 2017.

Thanks for stopping  by!

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Mollie" ç2017 Leada Wood

It's true what they say about doing a portrait of someone you love...it"s always the hardest. This is Mollie and she is some D O G, fearless, energetic, friendly with a mind of her own. She is a small Yorkshire Terrier with the attitude of a Great Dane. I keep her hair shorter because living in rural West Texas everything sticks to her hair, not that she is outside that much but she does like to romp when I let her. April 15th is her birthday and she will be 9...oh my how time flies!
Happy Birthday Mollie!

Tulip Time, Watercolor by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Happy Spring! It's Tulip Time in Texas. Don't you just love springtime? It's like the earth is bursting forth with blooms and buds everywhere...and the lovely spring green of the trees glistening in the sun absolutely takes your breath away. Not to mention the gorgeous, delicate fushia blooms of the fruit trees and redbuds. Inspiration is all around!

 As an artist it is hard to focus, so much beauty around me. I want to paint it all and share with you, my world as I see it. The baby lambs, calves and llamas in the green pastures...baby chicks, ducks and birds, flowers blooming. Beauty is all around us, we just have to look around and observe it and take the time to be grateful for all that we have.

 I think Claude Monet said it best, "I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers."

"Tulip Time" ©2017 Leada Wood

 

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Known as the country gentleman because of his black and white tuxedo markings, the Boston Terrier is lively, smart and affectionate with a gentle and even temperament. Who wouldn't love those big, dark, sad eyes? Happy ST Patricks Day!

"Pepper" ©2017 Leada Wood

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Foxxy Jewel" ©Leada Wood2017

Foxxy Jewel is my grand dog and she is some dog. She enjoys swimming in the family pool and dressing up in costumes. You will see her adorned for every holiday. This Corogi even has her own Facebook page...she might be one spoiled d o g.

Corogi are playful, outgoing, and friendly. They are small dogs with a big dog's heart and attitude. Originally breeded for herding cattle they are now family companions and are very trustworthy and loyal. The queen of England is quite fond of them and has several, I guess you could say they are royal dogs.

One cool dog!

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Precious" by Leada Wood©2017

Didn't you just love Disney's Lady and the Tramp? It was just the cutest movie ever! This is my fourth drawing in my "Drawing With Graphite" series. Spaniels are quite a challenge to draw...all of that hair! I sure hope it is a little easier if I decide to paint it.

Drawing With Graphite, Dog Portraits by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

"Rascal" by Leada Wood©2017

This is the third dog in my series " Drawing With Graphite". This little dog nearly whipped me! As of now I think it is more difficult to draw a short haired dog versus longer hair but that opinion could change with the next portrait.

 My grandmother had a little chihuahua named Rascal and he was very fierce and protective of her. That little dog scared me as he was a friend to no one but my cousin and my grandmother. Funny thing...when my cousin would get asthma my grandmother would put him in bed with her and the next morning her asthma would be gone but the dog would be wheezy. Go figure...