Art Blog

14Jun 2026 by Leisa
Stunning House Portraits of Denver, Colorado

Stunning House Portraits of Denver, Colorado

Historic Perservation, House Portraits
The Architectural Heritage of Denver Homes I'm enjoying expanding my series of Denver home paintings.  After all Denver's neighborhoods tell the story of the city's growth, prosperity, and changing architectural tastes. Walking through the Mile High City is like taking a journey through more than a century of residential design, where Victorian mansions, charming bungalows, sturdy Denver Squares, and elegant Tudor homes stand side by side. Many of the homes that inspire my original pen-and-watercolor house portraits were built during Denver's great building booms of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Each home reflects a particular moment in the city's history and the people who helped shape it. Victorian Denver: Elegance and Ambition During the 1880s and 1890s, Denver experienced tremendous growth fueled by mining wealth and expanding commerce.…
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05Jun 2026 by Leisa
House Portrait as Father’s Day Gift

House Portrait as Father’s Day Gift

House Portraits, News
Hello friends, Here's the good news. . . It's not too late for a unique, one-of-a-kind Father's Day gift! Fuel the love affair that a favorite man in your life has with his home. Not only that, it is a gift that you and everyone else can enjoy as well, displayed on the wall for all to see. Let's face it, that man in your life is likely to already have everything imaginable. Is there anything you could give him that is truly original???? The answer is YES!  Order a custom House Portrait Gift Certicate . . . So don't worry that you have missed the boat on an original portriat as a Father's Day gift. . . with a House Portrait Gift Certificate (as seen above) we can work together to create a true work…
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31May 2026 by Leisa
House portraits and rural setting providing creative inspiration

House portraits and rural setting providing creative inspiration

House Portraits, News
My pop-up rustic country studio. . .  I have always lived in the city, while occasionally staying briefly in the country.  Other artist friends have told me how a peaceful rural setting plays a significant role in their creative process. So finally I decided to try it out. From the gentle soundtrack of birdsong in the morning to the golden glow of sunset across a canvas in the evening, I've discovered this tranquil rual setting at the family farmhouse in northern Michigan does offer an environment where art and nature exist in harmony. A Unique Artistic Voice I am not sure how long I will last here in this placid environment, without walkable coffee houses, favorite cafes and coffee planning sessions with friends, but it certainly doesn't hinder artistic productivity…
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24May 2026 by Leisa
House Portraits of Traverse City Michigan. . . that preserve the soul of the city

House Portraits of Traverse City Michigan. . . that preserve the soul of the city

Historic Perservation, House Portraits, News
On a beautiful summer day,  14 years ago, when I had only just launched my artist career, I briefly visited Traverse City in northern Michigan. That day I realized I wasn’t simply documenting buildings — I was preserving memories. Due to my short stay in 2012,  I only captured three Traverse City homes with my pen and watercolor, as featured in this post.  However, each of these three painitngs taught me to slow down and truly observe the details that make historic homes special. The curve of a porch railing, the texture of aging cedar shingles, the shadows beneath mature maple trees — these are the elements that give a home its soul. And this is why I am now back in the beautiful Traverse City area, but this time…
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17Mar 2026 by Leisa
My first watercolor painting of “floating architecture”

My first watercolor painting of “floating architecture”

Historic Perservation, Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News
In late November last year my husband Bruce and I took a few weeks to visit New Zealand. We spent part of the time in Auckland, the city where I grew up and launched my art career. While there I held an artist workshop, was part of a panel discussion about art and creativity with community leaders, and I also presented my Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award to leaders of the Toroa Preservation Society (TPS) for their ongoing efforts to restore and make sea-worthy Auckland’s only surviving steam-powered ferry boat. While I have been involved in the promotion of historic preservation for many years in the United States, this is my first maritime subject. My award was this original pen and watercolor painting featuring the 100-year-old Toroa sailing into the…
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10Mar 2026 by Leisa
Watercolor Painting of iconic Mud House Coffee House, St Louis MO

Watercolor Painting of iconic Mud House Coffee House, St Louis MO

Historic Perservation, Historic Preservation, Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, New Art
Instead of clamoring for awards, why not give one instead? I know this is a whole new way for artists to look at things, but many years ago I observed talented artists constantly entering competitions and then waiting for the judges to make their pronouncements. Being that  I have always found it more rewarding to give and to serve than to receive and hope for recognition, I decided to create my own award. So in 2013 I launched the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award as my way of giving back to those who work tirelessly to preserve the architectural legacy in this country.  And since moving to Benton Park in St. Louis a couple of years ago, I have been working to honor and build this neighborhood and city, through…
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05Mar 2026 by Leisa
More Than a House Portrait — A Personal Handwritten Touch

More Than a House Portrait — A Personal Handwritten Touch

News
Make someone’s mailbox the best part of their day. We live in a crazy, uncertain world, but despite everything, one thing we can agree on is that our home is our safe place. I hope you are continuing to enjoy the house portrait I created of your lovely home.  After all, your home is a place filled with memories, milestones, and meaning.  What if you could share it? In a digital world, a handwritten card stands out.   It’s tangible. It’s intentional. It’s unforgettable. I truly believe in the value of handwritten notes. In fact I love receiving things in the mail -- besides bills and junk mail that is!                   It may seem a small thing, but I firmly believe that…
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31Jan 2026 by Leisa
Hand-Painted House Portrait – Oldest B&B in California!

Hand-Painted House Portrait – Oldest B&B in California!

Historic Perservation, News
Living History: Pen and watercolor painting of 1852 Gothic style home Hello my art-loving friends! For those of us currently housebound by snow, ice, and bitter cold, I wanted to share something a little uplifting: architectural images and hand crafted house art that radiates warmth and reminds us that spring is not as far away as it seems. Recently, I was honored to be asked by the new owners the Shaw House Inn to create a house painting of this charming beauty. Nestled in the heart of Ferndale, California, the Shaw House Inn isn’t just a place to stay — as the oldest Bed & Breakfast in California, it’s a living piece of history. Ferndale itself is a beautifully preserved Victorian village, and the Shaw House stands as its oldest…
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21Oct 2025 by Leisa
Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award in the Island of Aruba!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award in the Island of Aruba!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News
Acknowledging a hidden treasure in Oranjestad, Aruba I was honored to presented my latest Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award on August 28, 2025, to Pancho Geerman, the Director of the National Archaeological Museum of Aruba, for the museum’s “outstanding contribution to historic and cultural preservation in Aruba, and for the rich educational service they provide both in Aruba and for all international visitors.” Here is the award, an original pen and watercolor painting.  My portrait features the entire museum venue as well as the restored historic dwellings. These include the original 1867 cunucu (native) homes and the 1929 colonial mansion, in addition to an integrated modern structure. As a passenger of the Freewinds cruise ship, I was fortunate to spend time in Aruba, which is where I discovered the museum…
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20Oct 2025 by Leisa
House portraits of treasured childhood homes throughout the USA

House portraits of treasured childhood homes throughout the USA

House Portraits, News
The Timeless Value of a House Portrait: I Love to Honor the Heart of Your Family's Story In every family's journey, there is one constant—the place where memories are made, milestones are celebrated, and life quietly unfolds. Whether it's the creaky-floored farmhouse you grew up in, the city townhouse where your children took their first steps, or the cozy cottage that welcomed years of holiday gatherings, your family home holds stories that no photograph or written memory can fully capture. In essence, home is where life happens. It’s where your children took their first steps, where holidays came to life, and where everyday moments quietly turned into treasured memories. But homes change, and time moves on. My job as the artist is to create a watercolor house portrait with magic…
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