Art Blog

26Apr 2015 by Leisa

An Invitation to my greater Los Angeles Friends. . .

News

YOU'RE INVITED! To my Open Studio and "Annual Make Room for More ART Sale!" 50% OFF THIS SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2015 5 - 9 PM Coinciding with the South Pasadena Eclectic Music Festival & Art Walk Studio: 812 Fremont Ave, Loft 101. So. Pasadena CA 91030 Hope you can make it. It's always great to see you! Cheers, Leisa

24Apr 2015 by Leisa

Historic Row House becomes a Georgetown DC Street Scene!

House Portraits

The story of the Commissioned Architectural Painting A young couple in Georgetown DC decided that wanted me to create a large and vibrant painting of their house and street to hang on a brick feature wall in their home. The first step was the planning stage to work out the best angle and composition. [caption id="attachment_5814" align="aligncenter" width="500"] A rough sketch of the general lay out is the first step[/caption] Here is the main photo that was used, minus the cars of course! Love the colors of these homes. Georgetown, besides being one of the most historic neighborhoods in DC, it is also extremely popular as a tourist site and hang-out for just about anyone. It's hard to believe that after WWI Georgetown became one of the worst slums in…

22Apr 2015 by Leisa

House Portraits of the Week

House Portraits

Watercolor home portraits for your enjoyment... Another fun and interesting week in the land of architectural art and unique homes. We'll start with the west coast. This is stately Spanish home is one of the first in my Valley Village house Portrait series. Valley Village is a lovely neighborhood in the North Hollywood area. [caption id="attachment_5805" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Interesting Spanish home in Valley Village N. Hollywood[/caption] Now take a look at this magical home in Glendale. I chose this one as it reminds me of a fairy tail home with some wild English garden influences. And you should see the back of home. There is more beautiful garden along with a fully outfitted "English Pub" called "The Edison. I plan to go and take photos soon and will do a…

17Apr 2015 by Leisa

My Art Inspiring House Portrait Contest!

House Portraits

Win a house portrait of your home -- worth $500! As a homeowner myself, I know that there are a lot of expenses involved in keeping your home looking beautiful and sometimes purchasing a portrait of your house is not on the top of your priorities! I have decided to start a tradition to give back to homeowners of art inspiring homes. Every 6 months I will run a contest where the winner will receive a FREE pen and watercolor painting of their home as a thank you for having an art inspiring home! The value of this painting is $500! Here's what you have to do to enter. 1. Select an existing photo of your home. Or alternately walk outside and take a photo of it. 2. Go to…

16Apr 2015 by Leisa

Presentation to the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award

Giving a talk about my Historic Preservation Award Last weekend I was asked by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group (MOHPG) to give a presentation to their members about the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award. And here I am in action! Monrovia is a quaint mountain city on the north-east outskirts of Los Angeles that by in large has held to their integrity and refuses to allow their rich architectural history to be destroyed and replaced by enlarged and unattractive structures that give the impression that the "mother ship" has landed! Much of the thanks for this trend goes to MOHPG which is a very organized and on-the-ball historic society. In June I am giving my Historic Preservation Award to a Monrovia resident, Tracey Tempel, who…

16Apr 2015 by Leisa

Invitation to the next Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award Presentation!

News

Community Invitation to an Award Ceremony Please join San Marino Heritage and artist Leisa Collins in honoring San Marino residents Joelle and Ben Grossi for the stellar restoration of their 1928 Spanish home on Lorain Road Saturday May 9th, 2015 11:00 am at 1862 Lorain Road, San Marino The exterior, interior and gardens have been lovingly preserved and celebrate the original architectural aesthetic of the home The Grossi family will be presented with an original pen and watercolor painting of their restored home by the artist Leisa Collins Joelle and Ben are graciously opening their home for your viewing and enjoyment Light refreshments will be served under the oaks For further info contact Shirley Jagels of San Marino Heritage -- shirleyjagels@earthlink.net #626-926-3126

16Apr 2015 by Leisa

Children’s Art Exhibit – Do Art Not Drugs!

Do Art Not Drugs

Educate our kids -- don't let them get into drugs! I recently started the Do Art Not Drugs initiative to help teach kids to steer away from drugs when first confronted with them and realize that creative pursuits are a lot more fun and far more rewarding. Last month I held an art session with a group of very creative kids from the Renaissance Academy in Altadena, CA. Look at their messages through their art. They have got it RIGHT! Last week I put their work on display at a public forum entitled Teens on Drugs: Are We Doing Enough? which was held April 7 at the Church of Scientology of Pasadena. My art events with children also include the distribution of drug education materials supplied by the Foundation for…

16Apr 2015 by Leisa

Celebrating Spring House Portrait Sale!

House Portraits

To celebrate spring I am hereby announcing my Spring Sale! That's 20% off any commissioned house portrait. You may want to capture your gorgeous spring blooms in a second "spring portrait" of your home that can hang alongside your current painting or perhaps you have a house portrait gift idea for a friend or family member. Now is the time! Meanwhile, please enjoy some of my favorite spring homes! Forest St, Rockville MD Del Ray, Alexandria, VA Kensington, MD Here's to a lovely spring! Leisa

09Apr 2015 by Leisa

What are the stages in creating a Pen & Watercolor House Portrait?

News

Here's how I do it... I am often asked what are the stages a house portrait painting goes through.Here's an example of a home in Annapolis Maryland. My technique is pen and watercolor as you can see here, starting with the main photo of the house to the finished house portrait! [caption id="attachment_5751" align="aligncenter" width="500"] The main photo I am working from[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5752" align="aligncenter" width="500"] The pen work is now complete[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5753" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Adding the watercolor to the pen drawing[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5754" align="aligncenter" width="500"] The final pen and watercolor house portrait![/caption]

05Apr 2015 by Leisa

Public Forum: Keeping Kids off Drugs!

Do Art Not Drugs

Invitation to an event I am helping to organize... next Tuesday.. a very important issue! [caption id="attachment_5748" align="aligncenter" width="612"] Public Forum[/caption]

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