Art Blog

24Nov 2014 by Leisa

House Portrait with Four Cats!

Watercolor home in seasonal settings This was a really fun project and a wonderful story. My client asked me to create four paintings of her childhood home in Wellesley, MA in each of the four seasons. She gave me details for each season and had a special request. That I include four different cats that her parents have had and loved over the years and the typical poses for each. Then she left me to it! This Christmas she is presenting an original seasonal painting to her parents (who still live in the home) as well as her two siblings. She and her husband are keeping one for themselves of course! Please enjoy the beauty of the seasons below. And see if you can find the cats! In the…

13Oct 2014 by Leisa

19 Ways to Promote and Sell Your Art

The Flourishing Artist

I realize that suddenly dumping your day job and making your living solely from your art may seem daunting. So where do you start? Being that so many artists ask me what promotional actions they should take, I have listed out some really basic ones below. These are all actions that I took to get my art career up and running. They mainly apply to visual artists, but can be adapted for any artist who is starting out. Even if you are currently doing your art as a part time hobby while juggling a 9 – 5 job, make a START on these actions and you can build on them from there. This list includes promotional actions within your local community as well as much broader on-line actions. Both are…

05Oct 2014 by Leisa

The Joy of Creating!

The Flourishing Artist

Much has been said about art and creativity. People often tell me how lucky I am “to be born with creative talent” and how they wish they were also “a creative person” . Let me dispel this false idea on creativity. Let’s look at the definition of the word “create” as per the Meriam-Webster Dictionary: a. to produce through imaginative skill b. to bring into existence My point is that we are ALL capable of using our imagination and creating something as a result! Whether it’s making a delicious meal, a beautiful garden, a knitted sweater or a new dance step, each of these creations is as unique as the person creating it! So let’s get back to making a living from your art. The first step is to use…

29Sep 2014 by Leisa

My Open-Studio Event

News

We all need a chance to relax.... and enjoy ART! Everyone had a great time last Saturday. It was very laid back, a chance for people to drop by, have a wine, bring the kids and all that good stuff. A chance to talk to friends, clients and I received some good feedback on my new work. Hey, I even made a couple of sales. I'm going to have more of these....I will let you know. Leisa

28Sep 2014 by Leisa

The Flourishing Artist

Yes, you can become one! At a time in my life where many people are thinking of future retirement plans, I decided to pick up my art career where it left off - three decades earlier - and make my living solely from my art. Fast forward to now, five years later, I have a thriving original art business and around 700 clients across 41 states in the USA. I keep my own schedule, travel extensively, work on projects I am passionate about that help others, have sales reps on both the west and east coasts, and have so much work I can’t keep up with it. How did I do it? Here is where my story begins. At 17, nearing the end of high school, I was thoroughly sick…

04Jul 2014 by Leisa

My Arts & Crafts Style Show — You’re Invited!

News

Arts & Crafts Style Opening Reception right here in my loft -- Saturday July 19th. 5 - 9.00 pm. See the information on the postcard below. I am excited to be joined by three talented artists. It is going to be a fun show. For all my friends here in the Greater Los Angeles area, come along and bring your family and friends. It's always great to see you! Leisa

16Jun 2014 by Leisa

House Portraits in San Marino

House Portraits

Watercolor Home Portraits in San Marino, California Architecturally, San Marino is a very interested area. I think it can be best described as eclectically elegant with lush green lawns and manicured colorful gardens. From small bungalows [caption id="attachment_3813" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Cute bungalow in the heart of San Marino, CA[/caption] to elegant Italianate homes, [caption id="attachment_3814" align="aligncenter" width="477"] San Marino CA Italianate home[/caption] to impressive Spanish, [caption id="attachment_3815" align="aligncenter" width="473"] San Marino Spanish watercolor with beautiful garden[/caption] to interesting Tudors, [caption id="attachment_3816" align="aligncenter" width="514"] San Marino, CA, Tudor home[/caption] San Marino has it all! Interesting info re San Marino: The city in located in the San Rafael Hill and was incorporated in 1913. It was designed by its founders to be uniquely residential, with expansive properties surrounded by beautiful gardens, wide…

16Jun 2014 by Leisa

Arts and Crafts Watercolor Paintings

New Art

Historic Arts and Crafts Buildings in the USA Three of the "founding fathers" of the Arts and Crafts movement in America, whose impact is still widely felt today are the Greene and Green Brothers in California, Elbert Hubbard and Gustav Stickley. Over the last year or so my husband and I have visited three famous historic locations and here are my first paintings depicting them! Anyone who lives in the Pasadena area will recognize this famous structure, the Gamble House, which was a closely supervised project of the architect brothers, Charles and Henry Greene. Elbert Hubbard's Roycroft Campus in East Aurora, New York The home of Gustav Stickley in New Jersey, now a historic site and museum in his honor. Here is some information about these amazing characters. Charles and…

26Mar 2014 by Leisa

South Pasadena Historic Street Scenes

New Art

South Pasadena Historic District - Capturing the Magic in Pen and Watercolor! I love living and having my studio in South Pasadena! It's got that wonderful small town charm while being right in the heart of Greater Los Angeles. South Pasadena was incorporated as it's own city in 1888. With it boutique stores and interesting restaurants and cafes, the historic district of South Pasadena is a big draw for visitors and locals alike. I have tried to capture that special So Pas feel in this series of paintings. (For those interested in history, below the paintings is a write up about this, mainly taken from the South Pasadena City website.) [caption id="attachment_28115" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Meridian Iron Works in South Pasadena CA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_28114" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Busters Cafe, South Pasadena CA[/caption]…

05Feb 2014 by Leisa

Watercolors of Historic Buildings, Landscapes and More

New Art

Art Show at Kaldi's Cafe, South Pasadena This is where it is happening, this Sunday, February 9, between 1 - 4pm. Kaldi's Cafe is right in the heart of the historic district of South Pasadena. The building that is now home to Kaldi's was one of the earliest banks in the area. [caption id="attachment_28112" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Kaldi Cafe in South Pasadena CA[/caption] I will have originals of my South Pasadena series and high quality (Giclee) prints on display as well as some other work. Feel free to stop by for coffee and enjoy that special Kaldi ambiance. Plus it will be great to see you! Cheers, Leisa

Art Blog

Leisa Collins Art Newsletter Sign Up