26Apr 2013 by Leisa
USA Historic Preservation Tour – Through Nebraska and into Missouri

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Through Nebraska and into Missouri

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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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24Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – How to Paint Historic Buildings Workshop

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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

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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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11Apr 2013 by Leisa
Old Homes made New!

Old Homes made New!

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Restoring Old Homes and Preserving the Past! I have always been a believer in preserving the character and charm of beautiful old buildings that were built in former times when quality and craftsmanship were cherished and even expected!  That's why the majority of the homes I have painted around the country are historic homes. I also know the work, time and money that has to be poured into these homes.  One can see the love and pure creation oozing out of these old homes. Here are two examples of two homes in Lansing that serve as classic examples of such restoration. In each case I chose them as house portrait subjects last year when my husband Bruce and I were in Lansing, and I put the finishing touches on them…
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03Apr 2013 by Leisa
Repurposing a Lansing Michigan Treasure

Repurposing a Lansing Michigan Treasure

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Clara's, a Wonderful Example of Historic Preservation Even though I have driven past Clara's for years, I tragically had never gone inside. That all changes when Preservation Lansing Director Gretchen Cochran suggested we have lunch there this week.  All round, a very good experience -- including the food, ambiance and of course the company! [caption id="attachment_3080" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Former Train Depot, now Clara's Restaurant[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3083" align="aligncenter" width="464"] Restored entry to the historic Clara's Restaurant in Lansing[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3085" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Inside Clara's Restaurant[/caption] Here's a bit of history about Clara's. Built in 1903, the “Union Depot” on Michigan Avenue was known as an entertainment spot for Lansing locals whose loved to watch the iron horse pull in each day. It’s rumored this station was also used as a backdrop…
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06Mar 2013 by Leisa
House Portraits in 37 states across the USA!

House Portraits in 37 states across the USA!

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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…
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07Jan 2013 by Leisa
Our Visit to the Historic Stickley Farm in Morris Plains, New Jersey

Our Visit to the Historic Stickley Farm in Morris Plains, New Jersey

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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…
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06Jan 2013 by Leisa
East Aurora, the home of the Roycroft Movement

East Aurora, the home of the Roycroft Movement

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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.…
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04Jan 2013 by Leisa
Commissioned Tudor House Portrait in Michigan

Commissioned Tudor House Portrait in Michigan

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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…
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02Jan 2013 by Leisa
House Portrait in the Snow

House Portrait in the Snow

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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…
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