20Oct 2026 by Leisa
Historic Preservation Award presented to the Granville Hotel in Bay Head, New Jersey

Historic Preservation Award presented to the Granville Hotel in Bay Head, New Jersey

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News
The historic Grenville Hotel & Restaurant, affectionately known as the “Victorian Jewel of the Jersey Shore,” was honored on 4 October with my Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, recognizing the continued preservation and stewardship of one of Bay Head’s most distinctive architectural landmarks. I was honored to present the award to Grenville owners Harry and Maureen Typaldos for their commitment to maintaining this treasured piece of Bay Head history. New Bay Head Painting Collection The Grenville painting also marks the beginning of my collection of architectural portraits devoted to Bay Head. While in Bay Head, I began work to select subjects to be part of my collection highlighting its historic homes, buildings and distinctive streetscapes. Through these paintings, I plan to shine a broader spotlight on Bay Head’s architectural heritage and its…
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19Oct 2026 by Leisa
Wedding Venue paintings: A Unique Wedding Gift that Lasts a Lifetime

Wedding Venue paintings: A Unique Wedding Gift that Lasts a Lifetime

New Art, News
20 hand-painted portraits of beautiful churches, romantic inns, historic estates and iconic American landmarks. What do you give a couple who seems to have everything? Finding a wedding gift that feels truly personal can be surprisingly difficult. Yet every couple has a story—and often there is a place that brings that story vividly to life. It might be the church where they exchanged their vows, an inn where family and friends gathered, or the beautiful building that formed the backdrop to an unforgettable day. A hand-painted portrait of that place is more than a picture: it is a reminder of a moment worth holding onto. As an architectural portrait artist working in pen and watercolor, I have had the pleasure of painting buildings in all 50 states. Over the years,…
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29Sep 2026 by Leisa
ANNOUNCMENT! Historic Grenville Hotel Historic Award Presentation this Sunday!

ANNOUNCMENT! Historic Grenville Hotel Historic Award Presentation this Sunday!

Historic Perservation, News
  HISTORIC GRENVILLE HOTEL TO RECEIVE LEISA COLLINS HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD Original painting of Bay Head, New Jersey’s iconic Victorian landmark will be unveiled and launch a new collection celebrating the borough’s historic architecture BAY HEAD, NJ — September 28, 2026 — The historic Grenville Hotel & Restaurant, affectionately known as the “Victorian Jewel of the Jersey Shore,” will be honored this Sunday with the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, recognizing the continued preservation and stewardship of one of Bay Head’s most distinctive architectural landmarks. Architectural Portrait Artist Leisa Collins will present the award to Grenville owners Harry and Maureen Typaldos during a special gathering at the hotel on Sunday, October 4, at 4:00 p.m. As part of the presentation, Collins will unveil an original pen-and-watercolor painting she has created of the Grenville Hotel. The painting…
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15Sep 2026 by Leisa
Watercolor House Portraits & Garden Portraits — Some favorites in bloom this summer

Watercolor House Portraits & Garden Portraits — Some favorites in bloom this summer

House Portraits, News
Capturing the Magic of a Home and Garden in Watercolor this Summer   There is something magical about a home surrounded by a garden in full summer bloom. Flowers spill over garden beds, trees are heavy with green leaves, sunlight filters across a favorite patio, and pots and planters overflow with color. For a few glorious months, the house and garden seem to become one — creating a place filled with warmth, beauty and life. But summer never lasts quite long enough.  Before the summer disappears, here are some of my favorite summer portraits of 2026. The flowers eventually fade, leaves begin to fall, and the garden settles into another season. Yet the memory of how it looked and felt at its most beautiful can live on forever in an…
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17Aug 2026 by Leisa
Some of my Favorite Greater Columbus Ohio House Portraits

Some of my Favorite Greater Columbus Ohio House Portraits

House Portraits, News
A New Chapter . . . my move to Columbus OH Following our eight-week stay at the family farmhouse in northern Michigan, we decided our next adventure would be spent exploring the greater Columbus, Ohio, area. Over the years, we have often passed through Columbus and have always enjoyed our time there. I was especially drawn to the city’s historic architectural charm, found in both its homes and civic buildings. Below is a sampling of pen-and-watercolor house portraits featuring some of my favorite homes I have painted in Columbus itself, as well as in two historic communities that are part of the broader metropolitan area: Grandview Heights and Upper Arlington. This exquisite home found in Marble Cliff, a city north west of Grandview Heights, was built in 1990. In this…
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09Aug 2026 by Leisa
Honoring the L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site in Elizabeth NJ

Honoring the L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site in Elizabeth NJ

Historic Perservation, News
ELIZABETH, NJ, July 25, 2026 A Very Special Historic Preservation Award On a hot summer day, beneath the welcome shade of an old-growth hickory tree as venerable as the 1910 home being honored, guests gathered on the back lawn of the historic L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site at 42 Aberdeen Rd, Elizabeth, New Jersey. They had come to witness the unveiling of my Historic Preservation Award honoring the restored home of author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard—the very place where the global Dianetics movement began in 1950. Dianetics would eventually reach more than 200 countries around the world. I decided to to create this original pen and watercolor award painting as I have been deeply impressed by the extraordinary care, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that has gone into the…
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05Aug 2026 by Leisa
Presenting City of Elizabeth with my Historic Preservation Award

Presenting City of Elizabeth with my Historic Preservation Award

Historic Perservation, News
In Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Americ: Elizabeth, NJ – July 23, 2026 It was a privilege to present my award -- this original pen and watercolor painting of the newly restored train station-- to the City of Elizabeth at a Elizabeth History, Heritage & the Arts event, for their exemplary work in revitalizing this important city landmark. Here is my pen and watercolor painting of the newly restored Elizabeth train station that now serves as a Welcome Center and Museum for the city!   Here I am introducing my award at the entrance of the new Elizabeth Welcome Center and Museum. As I stated in the presentation: “A building with history has a story and once it is destroyed it is lost forever. With this award I recognize…
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04Aug 2026 by Leisa
Pen and Watercolor House Portraits of New Jersey

Pen and Watercolor House Portraits of New Jersey

House Portraits, News
Spending time in New Jersey:  Some Hand-Painted Homes of the Garden State New Jersey has one of the richest and most varied collections of residential architecture in the United States. So I decided to spend some time there exploring this interesting architectural diversity, while also giving two well deserved Historic Preservation Awards in the state. Because New Jersey it was one of the original thirteen colonies and lies between two major cities—New York and Philadelphia—the state's homes reflect over 300 years of changing history, culture, immigration, and prosperity. From humble colonial farmhouses to elegant Victorian mansions and sleek contemporary homes, New Jersey's neighborhoods tell the story of America's architectural evolution. Why New Jersey's Architecture Is So Diverse Several historical forces shaped the state's remarkable variety of home styles: Dutch, English,…
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19Jul 2026 by Leisa
You are invited. . . .

You are invited. . . .

News
I am proud to announce there will be a special event this Saturday, July 25th, honoring the L. Ron Hubbard Site in Elizabeth New Jersey! On this day, I will be unveiling and presenting an original painting of this beautifully restored former home of acclaimed humanitarian and author L.Ron Hubbard. Following publication of the ground-breaking book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health in May 1950, the first Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation was temporarily quartered here in L. Ron Hubbard’s Elizabeth residence at 42 Aberdeen Rd, Elizabeth NJ. This is where Mr. Hubbard presented the first public Dianetics lectures and demonstrations. Now completely restored to its 1950 appearance,  this site now stands as it once did—complete with original furniture, vintage crystal doorknobs and refinished wood floors with mahogany Celtic pattern…
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19Jul 2026 by Leisa
Announcement: Historic Preservation Award event in Elizabeth NJ!

Announcement: Historic Preservation Award event in Elizabeth NJ!

Historic Perservation, News
Pen and watercolor painting of Elizabeth Welcome Center now completed!  In honor of the 250th Anniversary of America, I am pleased to present this painting of the newly restored historic train depot in Elizabeth -- which is now the Elizabeth Welcome Center and Museum! The event will take place next Thursday in the Welcome Center and all area welcome.  Here are the details of the event.
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