Art Blog

Twenty-five different architectural styles so far. . . It is so much fun receiving house portrait commission requests from all over the USA and I love the challenge of tackling every architectural style imaginable -- from an adobe Spanish bungalow I discovered in Arizona, a log cabin in Colorado, a historic Dutch Colonial Bed and Breakfast in Annapolis, Maryland and  a modern river house on the Mississippi in Wisconsin. Take a look at my new slide show on my House Portrait page which consists of 55 images highlighting the range of historical and regional styles I have so far depicted through my favorite house portrait mediums, pen and watercolor.   My goal to create architectural paintings of homes in every state in the USA was born from a  inspirational 12,000…

Gustav Stickley – A Founder of the Arts and Crafts movement in the USA Heading  home to Alexandria Virginia, we only needed to veer slightly to the east in order to experience one of the most notable Craftsman Farms in the USA.  We weren’t disappointed.  I took lots of photos as I plan to capture the site with pen and watercolor. Craftsman Farms is the former country estate of noted turn-of-the-century designer Gustav Stickley, a major proponent of the Arts and Crafts movement in decorative arts, home building and furnishing styles.  Stickley combined the roles of designer and manufacturer, architect, publisher, philosopher, and social critic. He is best known today for his straightforward furniture, sometimes called “mission” or “Craftsman” furniture. [caption id="attachment_2846" align="aligncenter" width="493"] Welcome to Stickley Farm[/caption] Around 1905…

A Magical Stay at The Roycroft Inn The Roycroft Inn, the Roycroft Campus, and indeed the Roycroft way of life and its story began in 1897 with Elbert Hubbard, a legendary man of vision who founded the American Arts and Crafts Movement in East Aurora NY. For more than 20 years, the Roycroft Campus was a center of entrepreneurship, creativity and learning. It was a hub of activity with over five hundred working artisans and craftsmen and drew visitors from faraway places. [caption id="attachment_2832" align="aligncenter" width="543"] Roycroft Campus Copper Shop[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2833" align="aligncenter" width="543"] Original buildings of the Roycroft Campus[/caption] In 1905 The Roycroft Inn was opened to accommodate visitors and artisans looking to experience this emerging community and style. The Inn became a center of activity for this community.…

Pen and Watercolor Painting in Grand Rapids Here is one of the paintings I dropped off to the owners of the home who commissioned me to the do the painting.  This is definitely one of the nicest Tudor homes I have painted.  The vibrant colors of summer really set off the grey brown tones of the stone and brick. [caption id="attachment_2817" align="aligncenter" width="764"] Grand Rapids Tudor Commissioned House Portrait[/caption] So how would one describe a Tudor home?   I think they are a fascinating architectural style. They are easily spotted by steeply pitched roofs and exterior timber frame walls.  Tudor revival homes often resemble a medieval castle, yet have the old world charm of an English country cottage. Originating in England, the style gained popularity in America in the 1920s and 30s…

Grand Rapids Tudor Home Portrait Sometimes homeowners or potential clients balk at the notion of me doing a portrait of their home in the winter and want to wait till spring or summer.  I often disabuse them of this  idea.  The snow has beautiful soft reflections  and the filtered lighting makes the home and its setting look quite magical. I especially love winter sunsets as they look like muted watercolor paintings with their translucent colors and purple shadows.  This portrait of an elegant  Tudor home  on Floral Ave, Grand Rapids Michigan, is a great example of this. Built in 1928, the interior color and design of the home is just as lovely as the outside, with soft muted tones  and strong  design lines. [caption id="attachment_2812" align="aligncenter" width="637"] Grand Rapids Tudor…

On our way to Michigan Driving through the snow and experiencing a slight contrast in temperature. Just a mere 80 degree drop!  We are on our way to Michigan to spend the New Year with Bruce’s family, deliver some commissioned house portrait paintings and finish some others. It’s Sunday with little traffic on the road. Here’s some photos of the winter wonderland countryside on the way. [caption id="attachment_2802" align="aligncenter" width="259"] Driving in the snow[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2804" align="aligncenter" width="282"] Ohio countryside[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2803" align="aligncenter" width="259"] Almost there...[/caption] We were definitely glad to arrive to Bruce's parents warm inviting Lansing home later that evening! Leisa

New House Portraits in Gisborne, New Zealand We are now in Gisborne where a number of my family members live, including my Mum. We are staying with my sister and her husband Paul at Wainui Beach.  Gisborne is a lovely laid back city on the east coast of the North Island. In fact it's the first city in the world to see the dawn every day. Here are a couple of my new Gisborne house portraits. That's it for now. Leisa