Art Blog

21Jun 2022 by Leisa

Celebrating Summer and Getting Out and About

New Art, News

Summer Scenes with House Portrait Backdrops. For those of us on the east coast, the warmer weather and longer summer days are truly a blessing. These paintings are a celebration of summer and getting out and about. They include simple, enjoyable, every-day activities that we should never take for granted. From kids playing in the streets, to walking the dog and an inquisitive boy checking out a free little library. All have architectural backdrops that represent life and people in the city -- weather in urban areas or quiet suburbs. [caption id="attachment_17352" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Kids playing in Alexandria, VA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17353" align="aligncenter" width="1724"] Ball game in Philadelphia, PA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17356" align="aligncenter" width="1717"] Phone conversation in Brooklyn, NY[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17359" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Surprise flowers in Washington, DC[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17358" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Walking…

14Jun 2022 by Leisa

Hot off the Easel: Vibrant Community Series Old Town Lansing, Michigan

Historic Perservation, New Art, News

My brand new technique to show off lively historic communities. These are the first three paintings in this series where I am exploring new techniques and mediums. Old Town Lansing, Michigan, and its artsy historic vibe, inspired me to explore its interesting urban vistas and along the way I discovered some enticing nooks and crannies. Introduction to Old Town Lansing: Lansing, the capital city of Michigan, was incorporated in 1859 and the city was formerly a major center of the automobile industry. The historic homes and neighborhoods around the city tell the story of its rich past. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Town Lansing is located in the northern end of Lansing. It overlooks the Grand River and a winding walking and biking trail. The district was established in the mid-19th…

24May 2022 by Leisa

Celebrating Victorian Era Architecture

Historic Perservation, House Portraits, News

Happy Birthday Queen Victoria! Today we celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria, who was born on May 24, 1819. She became queen at the tender age of 18 and gave the Victorian era its name. During her six-decade rule she was responsible for the creation of the British Empire, becoming one of Britain’s most famous monarchs. Description of Victorian Architecture Victorian architecture is an over-riding term that describes the many ornate architectural styles that came into being during Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901. Likewise, the Victorian era of architecture includes several different styles, including Gothic Revival, Greek Revival, Shingle, Second Empire, Folk Victorian, Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne and Italianate style. The Victorian era is marked with decorative details and ornamentation, rejecting the practical simplicity of previous architectural eras.…

17May 2022 by Leisa

Architectural paintings of homes – Before & After

House Portraits, News

Some of my most challenging watercolor house portraits . . . I'm making a plug for all artists who like me, make their living from ORIGINAL hand-crafted one of a kind art. Yes I am talking about the "old-school" way of doing things where only ONE painting was created of a subject, brought about by the skilled hands of artists and crafts-people alike. People today often talk about simply "photo-shopping" things away, or creating "digitally-modified" art. My view is that while this is the "easy" way to do things, there is too much reliance on this route. Here one good reason why. Have a look at this stunning Queen Anne home in Alameda CA which I recently completed. It was built in the 1870's and has been in the family…

28Apr 2022 by Leisa

Unveiling my Denver House Portrait Collection

Coffee Table Book, House Portraits, News

The breathtaking beauty of Colorado From the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains, Colorado is a land of vast geographic contrasts that attracts outdoor adventurers, wilderness lovers and winter sports enthusiasts. However, one can also find towering cities, monumental historic landmarks, charming small towns and windswept ghost towns. I have always loved Colorado. With its soaring mountains and lakes it reminds me of my homeland of New Zealand. I include a number of Colorado homes in my coffee table book Hand Painted Homes: An Artist's Pen and Watercolor Journey Across America including this stunning log cabin home in Crested Butte in the Rocky Mountains. Recently The Mountain Ear newspaper in Nederland, CO, featured a story about my book and my feelings about Colorado. [caption id="attachment_27648" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Log home in…

20Apr 2022 by Leisa

Announcing the First of my Industrial Architecture Painting Series

Historic Perservation, New Art, News

The Rugged Beauty of Industrial Architecture As I travel across the country -- whether through cities or out in the wilderness -- I am becoming increasingly aware of the remnants of America’s industrial architecture and have been inspired by the rugged beauty of their forms. After all, at the root of this country’s progress over the last two centuries, were the factories built to produce needed goods – from the finest linens to firearms -- for a rapidly growing nation. I have just completed the first three paintings in this series. As you can see, the technique I use is a far cry from the fine detailed pen and watercolors of my signature house portraits, Iconic American Architecture series and more. This first pair of original paintings evolved from various…

17Apr 2022 by Leisa

Media on my national coffee table book

Coffee Table Book, Media, News

My artistic passion has always been to highlight the beautiful architecture in this country – especially homes and historic buildings. This led me on a ten-year project to create paintings of homes in all 50 states, which culminated in my coffee table book, entitled Hand Painted Homes: An Artist's Pen and Watercolor Journey Across America. I have been thrilled by the response to the book and here are a few stories in the media Media about Hand Painted Homes Coffee Table Book AN ARTIST’S LABOR OF LOVE October 2021 By Omayra Acevedo “It’s difficult for me to write anything that’s not from my heart. When I was asked to write a story on Ms. Leisa Collins and her coffee table book, Hand Painted Homes: An Artist’s Pen…

12Apr 2022 by Leisa

Portrait of a unique home — named the most original in the USA

House Portraits

Hidden desert home in Scottsdale Arizona As featured in House Beautiful, this unique home which was designed by architect Charles Johnson and built right into the surrounding granite boulders — in fact, they make up 60% of the structure. It’s currently on the market for around 4 million. The future owners will definitely be living as one with nature in this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom house. The nine-acre property is full of interesting forms and natural accents thanks to its stucco walls, wood beams, and stone steps. And talk about unique curb appeal: An ancient petroglyph is carved into the exterior and helped the house get a place on the National Register of Historic Places. [caption id="attachment_5936" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The entrance of the home in Scottsdale AZ[/caption] Here is a mini tour…

12Apr 2022 by Leisa

Painting of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello: Latest in my Iconic American Series

Historic Perservation, New Art, News

Monticello, “Little Mountain,” was home to Thomas Jefferson from 1770 to 1826. It was also the architectural masterpiece of the author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States. Renowned as one of America’s first and finest architects, Thomas Jefferson created, rebuilt, and revised the house throughout his long life. The home reflects the personality of Jefferson, a Renaissance man and one of the Founding Fathers. [caption id="attachment_29299" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Painting of Monticello, the latest in my Iconic American Architecture series[/caption] History of Monticello Jefferson began building Monticello in 1769 on the plantation that he inherited from his father. Located it on top of a hill, the original eight-room main house was still incomplete in the 1780s. Regardless, the sophistication of Jefferson’s design impressed European visitors. …

11Apr 2022 by Leisa

A dog rescued from death’s door, a forever home and a house portrait…

House Portraits

Once upon a time, when I lived in California, I spotted a beautiful Spanish home on Bel Aire Drive in Glendale, California. . . I decided it had to be Glendale House Portrait series. When the painting was close to completion, as is always my policy, I left a note for the owner of the home and asked if she would like to view the original painting. Little did I know who lived in this home or their touching rags to riches story. [caption id="attachment_6081" align="aligncenter" width="608"] Toni Bua's home on Bel Aire Dr, Glendale, CA[/caption] Homeowner, Toni Bua, answered with a resounding, "YES!" She told me how much she loved "Casa Bua", her forever home, and how she recently became the proud "Mom" of Miley, a white Husky who was found…

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