Art Blog

27Feb 2025 by Leisa

Personalized House Portrait Print Service for My Clients

How do I make prints of my original house portrait? Today another client contacted me today and asked what has become a commonly asked question. . . “What is the best way to make prints of the portrait of my house? I want to give a nice framed print to my son who is going off to college." I thought that everyone knew that I have a fabulous way of doing this! But obviously, that is not the case or I wouldn’t get so many pleas for help from my clients. So I wanted to remind you of this specialized client service that I offer. This is something that I set up a couple of years ago especially for you. It is simple, fast, very reasonably priced, and best of…

26Feb 2025 by Leisa

Crumbling Church becomes Vibrant Community Art Center

Historic Preservation, News

This is the story of an old building in Grand Rapids Michigan, that is now being transformed and restored to its former glory. A couple of months ago, while in Grand Rapids we stopped in to see the progress being made on a historic preservation project that is very near and dear to my heart. This beautiful 150-year-old church at Hermitage at Diamond, in the heart of Grand Rapids, was once a forlorn and dilapidated structure. That's when we lived a few blocks away in Grand Rapids. And that was before community leader, preservationist and friend, Carol Moore, took on the project. She has rescued a number of landmark buildings in the area over the last three decades and this is her most ambitious project to date. She is currently…

19Feb 2025 by Leisa

Four homes depicted in house portraits — showing all four seasons

House Portraits, News

The beauty of house portraits across the four seasons can be truly captivating, as each season brings out different characteristics of the home and its surroundings. An original watercolor house portrait in each season can capture the essence of the environment and evoke a unique atmosphere. I often receive requests from my clients to capture their home in all seasons to show the home’s full personality and bring to mind all the happy memories and activites which match the different times of the year. Some of my clients have given a seasonal painting to each one of their children. Here are four examples of commissioned house portraits in all all seasons, along with four descriptions of what I love most about each successive season. Winter Winter house portraits evoke a…

13Feb 2025 by Leisa

Home Is Where The Heart Is. . . House Portrait Valentine Gift

News

A Valentine's Day gift for my clients only... Is there such a thing as having a love affair with one's home? I think so. Let's face it, our homes are the sanctuary where we can truly be ourselves. Having a love affair with your home is about a deep, emotional connection that makes you feel safe, comforted, and at peace. It's like a relationship that evolves over time. It begins with infatuation when you find it, grows through shared experiences, and becomes a lasting bond that withstands the test of time. Nearly all of you receiving my Valentine's Day Client gift (sent by email) own one of my hand-crafted original custom house portraits of your own home or the home of someone you love. Not only that, your home is…

03Feb 2025 by Leisa

House Portraits: The Realtor Gift that Keeps on Giving . . .

House Portraits, News, Realtor Gifts

An extrodinary realtor with her own client House Portrait collection! I would like to introduce you to a wonderful realtor client called Paige Rhodes. I first met Paige in 2013 when we both lived in Alexandria Virginia, which is where I launched my art career. Paige wasn't even a realtor then. We both moved on and life marched forward. My husband and I moved to the west coast and beyond and Paige and her family moved to Daniel Island, close to Charleston in South Carolina. From my humble beginnings in Old Town Alexandria, I went on to create house portraits and paintings of historic buildings in every state across the USA, and released my coffee table book in 2021 which documents this journey. Paige went on to become a top-selling realtor…

30Jan 2025 by Leisa

My latest project to honor American homes

News

Based on the success of my national coffee table book, entitled Hand Painted Homes: An Artist’s Pen and Watercolor Journey Across America, I am proud to announce that I have now launched the next phase of my awareness campaign to stop wanton architectural destruction before it is too late. While my national book covered the overall scene, featuring homes and historic buildings in all 50 states, I have now began work on a series of art books which will give a more in-depth look at the “fascinating and eclectic mix of architectural residential styles that can be found in cities such as Chicago, Portland, San Francisco, Tampa and Alexandria VA. As with my national book, the books will feature my original paintings and include architectural history about each area. Most…

27Jan 2025 by Leisa

House Portraits of Lost Homes: In Memoriam

Historic Perservation, House Portraits, News

I have long campaigned against the loss of historic homes to the dreaded wrecking ball, however over the years -- and especially within the last year -- I have had many requests for commissioned house portraits to memorialize homes that have been destroyed due to natural disaster. The horror of losing one’s home in disasters like fires, hurricanes, or flooding is both profound and multifaceted, leaving physical, emotional, and psychological scars. A home is not just a structure—it represents safety, stability, and personal identity. The loss of it can be devastating in so many ways. As I wrote this, the ravaging wild-fires in the Los Angeles area are still not fully contained, and thousands of Angelenos remain on edge, while thousands more are facing the horrifying aftermath of lost…

20Jan 2025 by Leisa

Give the gift of art this Valentine’s Day

News

Hello art lovers! With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, you may be concerned about finding a meaningful present to give your sweetheart. I truly believe that art is one of the most personal gifts you can give. Not only that, but commissioning a unique, original house portrait for Valentine's Day is like sending a love letter to your home AND those who live in it! This year, I'm offering two specials for the holiday... 1. If you are interested in having me paint an original house portrait as a Valentine's Gift, I am offering 15% OFF for the holiday! 2. Until February 14th, I’m offering a handful of gift certificates for 15% off. Reply to this email ASAP if you’re interested in this discount. Once you make the purchase, I’ll email…

03Jan 2025 by Leisa

2024: Year in Review

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News, The Flourishing Artist

Hello friends! I hope you had a lovely holiday season and happy 2025 from St. Louis Missouri! As 2024 began winding down, I started to reflect on what the year looked like. I always find it therapeutic and it helps me in looking ahead and setting my goals for the coming year. This year was significant as I celebrated my 40th anniversary of living in this great country. Sure, the USA has its fair share of problems and imperfections but being that I have travelled to dozens and dozens of countries around the globe, from 15 countries in Europe to India, Africa and New Zealand, as a self-taught artist, I am grateful for the opportunities and freedoms this nation has provided me. It goes without saying that I continued to…

14Dec 2024 by Leisa

House Portraits with Christmas Decorations

House Portraits, News

The joy of a festive Christmas house portrait Decorating your home for Christmas can have many meaningful and enjoyable benefits. You can keep the joy alive by capturing it in an original house portrait, just like these clients have done. Following are a few reasons why people love to decorate their homes for the holiday season and bring to life the joy of the holiday season! [caption id="attachment_49001" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Christmas house portrait, Lansing MI[/caption] Create a Festive Atmosphere Christmas decorations set the tone for the season and help transform your home into a cozy, magical space. I find that capturing the home at dusk in a house portrait is the best way to show it off. The twinkling lights, festive colors, and holiday scents create an environment that feels…

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