Art Blog

21Aug 2013 by Leisa

More Studio Photos

News
Here are some further photos of my new studio in South Pasadena. I am having an official open house today with a ribbon cutting ceremony and everything.  Members of the  South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and City Council will be here to help me cut the ribbon at 6pm.   The address of my studio is 812 Fremont Ave, Loft 101, So. Pasadena. You can enjoy the slideshow below. [gallery columns="4" link="file" type="slideshow" ids="3556,3557,3558,3559,3560,3562,3563"]
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18Jul 2013 by Leisa
My New Studio in South Pasadena!

My New Studio in South Pasadena!

News
Hello! Just wanted to let everyone know I have been busy finding and moving into my new digs the past few weeks. Bruce and I have a great new apartment/studio in South Pasadena! It is an artist's dream! South Pasadena is great because it has tremendous historical properties and is located conveniently to tour such in the greater LA area. The city website describes the area as follows: "The City of South Pasadena is a charming community, situated only six miles from downtown Los Angeles. Called the City of Trees, the area is known for its stunning homes, unique small businesses, and top quality schools. South Pasadena’s diverse population of about 25,000 occupies a mere 3.44 square miles of flatlands and hillsides on the west side of the San Gabriel…
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01May 2013 by Leisa
USA Historic Preservation Tour – Fifth Award Presentation in New Mexico

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Fifth Award Presentation in New Mexico

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award
Historic Native American Adobe Village -- the Oldest Inhabited Community in North America! As we entered the state of  New Mexico this sign welcomed us, and "Land of Enchantment" describes it perfectly! [caption id="attachment_3383" align="aligncenter" width="450"] The sign as we crossed the border into New Mexico[/caption] Before I tell you about the fascinating place that is the subject of my award painting,  here are some views of the New Mexico landscape. [caption id="attachment_3384" align="aligncenter" width="450"] On the road in The Land of Enchantment[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3385" align="aligncenter" width="450"] The ruins of a historic Adobe Building in New Mexico[/caption] One tends to associate historic preservation with old historic buildings in architectural styles such as Federal, Colonial, Victorian, Craftsman etc, but long, long before any of these buildings broke ground, the Acoma Pueblo…
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28Apr 2013 by Leisa
USA Historic Preservation Tour — Historically Preserved Rock Formations in Colorado!

USA Historic Preservation Tour — Historically Preserved Rock Formations in Colorado!

News
Restored Old Homes in Historic Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, Colorado Prior to arriving in Colorado Springs we had to traverse the Great Plains of Midwest America. You can really see how they came to be called that.  Endless expanses of wide open space!  You could almost see the buffalo herds roaming the plains as they used to in days gone by, with Indian hunters in fast pursuit!  And imagine what it must have been like for new settlers coming across the plains in wagons to make their home there and start a new life! Now that would take some courage. Today this is cattle grazing country mainly as it is too dry to grow crops.  One could see the odd ranch house from time to time, but otherwise is…
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26Apr 2013 by Leisa
USA Historic Preservation Tour – Fourth Award Presentation and Restored Craftsman

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Fourth Award Presentation and Restored Craftsman

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award
Old Craftsman Home Restored in Independence, Missouri Retiring from a career in management with a large regional insurance company, my next awardee Diane Rueter took on a full time project when she purchased a dilapidated Craftsman home on Delaware Avenue in Independence, Missouri. Here is the “BEFORE” photo. This is what is looked like when Diane purchased it. [caption id="attachment_3333" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Old Craftsman Home in Independence, MO, prior to renovation[/caption]  It was a far cry from when it was originally built in 1915 for the Houchen's family by a well known local architect, Clifton B. Sloan. It was featured in this 1917 issue of American Builder, which describes the building as “well balanced and attractive”. [caption id="attachment_3334" align="aligncenter" width="328"] Article in "American Builder" from 1917 re Craftsman in Independence,…
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26Apr 2013 by Leisa
USA Historic Preservation Tour – Through Nebraska and into Missouri

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Through Nebraska and into Missouri

News
The next leg of our journey was in a south west direction, leaving Iowa and briefly touring through Nebraska heading for our next Historic Preservation Award Event  in the city of Independence, Missouri.  Similar to its eastern neighbor of Iowa, Nebraska  is part of the mid-western corn belt.  However from time to time the tilled corn fields were broken up by patches of gorgeous purple lavender fields. [caption id="attachment_3318" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Driving through purple fields in rural Nebraska[/caption] Arriving in Independence, we took the opportunity to explore the historic city center and check out local architecture.  We found  stately Victorians (such as the boyhood home of President Harry Truman who grew up in Independence. ) and Queen Anns, large Craftsman homes and smaller bungalows. [caption id="attachment_3319" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Historic home…
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25Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Third Award Presentation

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award
Historic Preservation Recipient Zell Millard I was joined by the Mayor of Woodbine, Bill Hutcheson, and 30 local well-wishers for the presentation which was co-hosted by Woodbine Main Street. The award recipient, Zell Millard has held the moniker of “Mr. Woodbine,” for more than 60 years. Some years back, when an old country school house was slated to be razed, Zell went to work, found a new home for it, and organized the moving event. The Merry Brook School & Genealogical Center now anchors the south edge of a collection of buildings representative of Woodbine’s small town history: the Woodbine Depot, a 1928 canopy gas station, an outdoor amphitheater, an interpretive gazebo featuring Lincoln Highway history and one of the few remaining CNW Cabooses…all residing in the newly named Zell…
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24Apr 2013 by Leisa
USA Historic Preservation Tour – How to Paint Historic Buildings Workshop

USA Historic Preservation Tour – How to Paint Historic Buildings Workshop

News
Historic Preservation Alive and Well in Woodbine, Iowa We arrived mid-afternoon in Woodbine, the location of my third Historic Preservation Award the following day.  The town of Woodbine, with a total population of just under 1500, is a wonderful success story of main street revitalization through a state funded program and a lot of hard work by Woodbine locals. As we traveled across the state it was clear that both urban and rural Iowa have a tremendous number of unique historic properties and yet the average citizen, as well as many officials, have no clue of the historic treasures that abound in their state. Too many homes and buildings have already been tossed to the scrap heap. I have especially noted this heartbreaking trend within smaller towns and communities, however…
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24Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Old Homes and Buildings Across Rural Iowa

News
Old Homes, Buildings and Barns Our next stop is the small rural town of Woodbine, on the western edge of Iowa, a drive of just over 300 miles. Statistics show that Iowa's population has grown increasingly urban in the past decade as residents continue to leave rural counties and flock to a handful of larger cities. The indicators can be seen in the architecture. While we passed a number of beautiful old Victorian and Craftsman farmhouses, others, like this long forsaken home, were in ruin. Iowa, a huge corn producing state, is part of the Corn Belt, a region of the Midwestern United States where corn is the predominant crop.  The U.S. produces 40% of the world crop.  With spring fast approaching, the fields were tilled and ready for the…
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13Apr 2013 by Leisa
My First Historic Preservation Award Presentation

My First Historic Preservation Award Presentation

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award
And the Award Goes to Dave Muylle of Lansing, Michigan! Chilly weather conditions and even snow, could not dampen the enthusiasm regarding historic preservation from the Lansing community on this day!  Around 80 people attended, enjoying the presentation, refreshments and then touring through Dave's restored homes at 139 and 141 Leslie Street to see for themselves Dave's fine craftsmanship.  Many stayed at length to chat and enjoy the comradery of fellow supporters of old home restoration. My award to Dave was a framed and plaqued painting of 139 and 141 Leslie Street, two of the Craftsman homes Dave has completed within the last year. Here it is! I would like to thank Lansing Council President, Carol Wood and 1st Ward Councilmember, Jody Washington who joined me in honoring Dave as…
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