Judges Choice by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Leada Wood, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage

www.leadasblog.blogspot.com 

"Judges Choice" by Leada Wood, Copyright 2016

Show time is winding down in Texas, one more big show to go in Houston. This is a painting of my grandsons in the ring waiting for the judge to choose the grand prize goat. So many beautiful animals, it would be a hard decision.

30 day Challenge-

More paintings from the neighbors branding.
the first two are watercolor and gouache, and the little girl is my first oil portrait. I NEED a lot more practice!

New North Light Book

 I can't believe 2014 is almost gone.  It has been such a good year! All of our family is healthy and happy and we got a new Granddaughter-n-law this year.  We have been so blessed in every way.
I have had a good 'art' year! We got a new building for me to hang my work in as well as teach and share my love of painting and creating.  It has been so awesome having my own place to go out and teach! I don't have to load everything up, etc.  My little Backyard Gallery and Studio has been such a blessing.  I did the 30 day challenge in January and September as well as 2 online sketchbook classes.
Now to end the year, I have some news! Wow..a great year to end one and start another.

I got word today saying my mixed-media art has been selected for publication in
Incite 3: The Art of Storytelling, that is published by North Light Books.
The painting that was selected is  'Wyoming Cowboy', a torn paper collage. So to go along with 'Story Telling'... I met this cowboy in 2013 when I got to go to Wyoming for a week workshop.  We got to go out to his ranch, and I took photos of him off an on all week because of the way he dressed. He didn't look like our Texas Cowboys.  I loved his hat, and his silk scarves!
His family has been there close to Dubois, WY for generations.  We spent an afternoon there, and it was an awesome time seeing the corrals and barns that were made with logs.  John loved sharing his family's  home, and barns.  He wanted us to go through the house where he grew up. It was like it was when he was growing up. Just like someone still lived there.  That morning he tracked a bear by the corrals. I hope I get to go back again! It was such a great time, and wonderful memories!

 Thank you all for your support and encouragement for the past years! 

My prayer is that we will be all healthy and happy in 2015!   

Happy New Year!

Ranch Dressin' by Leada Wood

Ranch Dressin' by Leada Wood ©
www.leadawood.com/blog
http://www.leadawood.com/

I was so excited and honored today when I opened our weekly newspaper and the New Commers Guide fell out and my painting made the cover! The painting was a 22x28 watercolor a client had commissioned for her husband for their 25th anniversary. She brought all the items to my studio and I sat up a still life and painted from it. You just never know what the day will bring!

More Cows Added to the Herd

Yesterday added one buff bringing up the rear and one far right; this manuever will anchor the animals compositionally and provide balance. Also reworked the main bull's head. Overall, I softened edges and used more Coastal Fog for snow effects and splattering. For the top sky area I ran a glaze of raw sienna and CF; thinly mixed these 2 opaques do a wonderful atmospheric job.

Buffs in Snow Challenge

14 x 22.5 watercolor on Arches 140 lb cold press paper, right at 2 hours. I used American Journey opaques: Coastal Fog, Coffee with Cream, Sepia, Brown Derby, Midnight Blue, Copper Kettle.
Let's see if the rest of you will take up the 2 hour challenge of painting bison in the snow. Come on, you have all weekend!

Dusty Trails

20x16 watercolor finished yesterday of a tack room saddle and its accoutrements, just waiting for the Marlboro Man!

Judi and Leada

I had the privilege of taking a workshop with one of the great teachers of all time...Judi Betts. What a wonderful artist and teacher she is! She is so willing to share all of her techniques and knowledge with her students.Here I am with Judi Betts and the painting "Waiting Game" which I purchased from her.

Ranch Dressin

Ranch Dressin by Leada Wood (c) 2010 All Rights Reserved

This a 22X30 watercolor on Arches paper. A lady wanted me to paint this for their 25th wedding anniversary as a surprise for her husband. It consists of her husbands hat, rope and boots, her father in laws chinks, and her daughter's saddle. Don't you just love it when you get to share in someone's life and bring them joy! Being an artist is a wonderful thing, I get to do what I love and share it with others. I am truely blessed. Sold

Best Friends

Best Friends by Leada Wood (c) 2010 All Rights Reserved

This is 11x14 done on Arches paper for our Legends and Legacies show. I tried to depict the love of the dog for his master after a hard day at the ranch. Where I live dogs and horses are still a cowboys best friends as they live and work together every day.