Art Blog

Winter Home Watercolors

Winter Home Watercolors

House Portraits
Magical homes in the snow As the cold winter months linger on we often find ourselves yearning for warmer weather, however artistically these frosty days provide a soft beauty and tranquility that can not be matched in any other season. I thought you might enjoy a little tour of some charming winter subjects, but with a difference. In each case these snowy portraits are one of a seasonal pair, showing the contrast between winter and summer, spring and fall.   Lansing, MI - Winter Lansing, MI - Summer    Alexandria, VA - Winter    Alexandria, VA - Spring     Wellesley, MA - Winter    Wellesley, MA - Fall    Georgetown, Washington DC - Winter   Georgetown, Washington DC - Summer    For those living in colder clients, consider having me create a winter…
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Painting of Georgetown University, Washington DC

Painting of Georgetown University, Washington DC

News
Georgetown's Healy Hall in Pen and Watercolor Not so long ago I was commissioned to create a painting of this beautiful historic landmark. [caption id="attachment_6590" align="aligncenter" width="606"] Healy Hall, Georgetown University[/caption] I thought you might like to know more about the history of Healy Hall and Georgetown University.  I found the  Washington DC National Register of Historic Places  website to be very informative and much of the information below is from this source. Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic University in America. It has been administered by the Society of Jesus since 1805.  The first buildings were built around the "old quadrangle," including Healy Hall, which was constructed between 1877--1909. It was designed by Smithmeyer and Pelz.  Rev. Patrick S. Healy took on the Healy Hall project and…
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Original painting of Summer Portch

Original painting of Summer Portch

News
Front Porch Contest Winner! Over the summer I partnered with my good friends Mary and Dave Morris of Front Porch Ideas and More and provided the winner of their Pleasant Summer Porch Contest with an original painting of their porch. This winning home is located in Waxhaw NC in a lovely rural setting.  I love the colorful flowering plants and greenery decorating this porch.   The porch, which extends along the full width of the house was  adorned with 4th of July color.     This is the photo I selected to use for the portrait. I made a few slight changes so it looked even more welcoming and vibrant.     And here is the completed painting! Don't you feel like sinking down into one of those chairs and having…
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An original hand-crafted House Portrait – the perfect gift!

An original hand-crafted House Portrait – the perfect gift!

House Portraits, News
It's not too late for you to place an order for Christmas! There is no more personal gift than a hand-crafted one of a kind original house portrait that captures your "labor of love" and its treasured family memories. I find joy in tackling every architectural type and season and over the years I have created portraits of homes and historic buildings in 43 states across the USA.   You can view a further array of architectural styles in my website portrait galleries. Prices vary depending on size and framing.  CONTACT ME NOW FOR DETAILS Cheers, Leisa
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Atwater Village Featured House Portrait!

Atwater Village Featured House Portrait!

News
Atwater Village is a funky eclectic and artsy LA neighborhood and it was fun living there. Here is a write-up featured on the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council FB page with one of my Atwater Village paintings featured in their header. Check out what's happening in the Village! They have great restaurants, specialty stores and boutique art stores there. https://www.facebook.com/Atwater-Village-Neighborhood-Council-126009230754867/ Cheers, Leisa
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Architectural paintings of Historic Brooklyn, NY

Architectural paintings of Historic Brooklyn, NY

House Portraits
Some of the first of my Brooklyn Home Portrait Watercolor Series Over the years I have spent a lot of time in New York City and there is nothing more enjoyable than strolling through beautiful Brooklyn.  It's tree-lined streets are steeped in history and  interesting architectural treasures can be found around every corner.   Hicks Street is a favorite of mine.  I thought it was time to share some of my Brooklyn home paintings with you. [caption id="attachment_6539" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Pure architectural elegance on the corner of Grace Court and Hicks Street, Brooklyn, New York[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6541" align="aligncenter" width="419"] Fourth Street, Brooklyn[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6540" align="aligncenter" width="426"] Classic row house on Hicks Street, Brooklyn with a Carriage House to the right .[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6542" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Argle Rd, Brooklyn[/caption] You can…
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My First Canadian House Portrait Commission!

My First Canadian House Portrait Commission!

House Portraits
Victorian Farm House on Prince Edward Island, Canada You can imagine my delight when one of my clients from Monrovia, California, asked if I would create a painting of the family farm situated on Prince Edward Island where she grew up.  She told me that she planned to hang it alongside her own lovely Craftsman family home  where in turn she and her husband raised their children. This was the one photo I had to work from but it gave me the detail I needed. [caption id="attachment_6519" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Victorian Family Home on Prince Edward Island, Canada[/caption] And here is the final pen and watercolor painting of this lovely family home. [caption id="attachment_6520" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Pen and watercolor of family home on Prince Edward Island, Canada[/caption] Despite the difference in…
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Summer Garden Tour Across the USA

Summer Garden Tour Across the USA

House Portraits
Sizzling summer garden color to beautify your home. . . There is nothing more wonderful than summer. The heat, vacations, the plant growth and most of all the COLOR! I make a point of including all the color and warmth I see when I create my portraits of homes.  I thought you might enjoy a tour of some of my summer homes across the USA.  No matter the architectural style, whether the home is old or new or historic or modern, garden color adds so much life and vibrance! Take a look and see for yourself!  I'm starting on the west coast and travelling east. [caption id="attachment_6290" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Burbank, CA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6294" align="aligncenter" width="600"] La Jolla, CA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6295" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Monrovia, CA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6297" align="aligncenter" width="600"] San Marino, CA[/caption]…
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Constructing Art Inspiring Homes!

Constructing Art Inspiring Homes!

House Portraits
MCR Construction – the dream builders . . . I was lucky enough to meet Mark and Lori Rolph, the owners of this amazing and creative design and construction company through  -- you guessed it – their home!  Situated on a quiet residential street in Burbank, CA, I was lured by its uniqueness and charm – a mix between a French chateau and a fairyland gingerbread house that one might expect to find in the middle of the Black Forest.  I immediately decided to add this to my Burbank House Portrait series. [caption id="attachment_6277" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Verdugo Ave, Burbank[/caption] Shortly after its completion Mark and Lori came to my studio and then invited me for a tour of their home.  They also shared its history and some before and after…
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My architectural coffee table book project

My architectural coffee table book project

News
Announcing: Art Inspiring Homes Across the USA! Over the years I have covered thousands of miles and have accumulated a portfolio of around 1500 portraits of homes and historic buildings in 46 states.    I always find it fascinating to see the changes in architectural form as one traverses the country. The reasons for those changes are as varied as local weather conditions, cultural diversity and available building resources.   As the old saying goes, "one's home is one's castle".  Imagine the stories if those walls could talk! In recent times I have been repeatedly asked by clients when I will be putting a book together that showcases my pen and watercolor home portraits. Finally I am taking their advise to heart and have started to work on my coffee table…
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