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  
Read More
03Sep 2013 by Leisa

Official Ribbon Cutting for the Opening of My New South Pasadena Studio

News
On Wednesday, the 21st of August, I had the ribbon cutting of my new studio in South Pasadena. I was privileged to have the Mayor of South Pasadena Richard Schneider in attendance and who helped to cut the ribbon.  Annika Burman, a local artisan and representative of the  South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Barb Skoog, a local artist helped out, too. Just want to mention and thank Scott Feldmann,  the president of the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and Bill Glazier, the editor of the South Pasadena Review weekly newspaper, for also attending. The really nice thing is that my mother Melva Collins was in town for the event as she happens to be visiting from New Zealand.  She is an artist who did architectural art in NZ years ago…
Read More
21Aug 2013 by Leisa

More Studio Photos

News
Here are some further photos of my new studio in South Pasadena. I am having an official open house today with a ribbon cutting ceremony and everything.  Members of the  South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and City Council will be here to help me cut the ribbon at 6pm.   The address of my studio is 812 Fremont Ave, Loft 101, So. Pasadena. You can enjoy the slideshow below. [gallery columns="4" link="file" type="slideshow" ids="3556,3557,3558,3559,3560,3562,3563"]
Read More
18Jul 2013 by Leisa

My New Studio in South Pasadena!

News
Hello! Just wanted to let everyone know I have been busy finding and moving into my new digs the past few weeks. Bruce and I have a great new apartment/studio in South Pasadena! It is an artist's dream! South Pasadena is great because it has tremendous historical properties and is located conveniently to tour such in the greater LA area. The city website describes the area as follows: "The City of South Pasadena is a charming community, situated only six miles from downtown Los Angeles. Called the City of Trees, the area is known for its stunning homes, unique small businesses, and top quality schools. South Pasadena’s diverse population of about 25,000 occupies a mere 3.44 square miles of flatlands and hillsides on the west side of the San Gabriel…
Read More
28Apr 2013 by Leisa
USA Historic Preservation Tour — Historically Preserved Rock Formations in Colorado!

USA Historic Preservation Tour — Historically Preserved Rock Formations in Colorado!

News
Restored Old Homes in Historic Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, Colorado Prior to arriving in Colorado Springs we had to traverse the Great Plains of Midwest America. You can really see how they came to be called that.  Endless expanses of wide open space!  You could almost see the buffalo herds roaming the plains as they used to in days gone by, with Indian hunters in fast pursuit!  And imagine what it must have been like for new settlers coming across the plains in wagons to make their home there and start a new life! Now that would take some courage. Today this is cattle grazing country mainly as it is too dry to grow crops.  One could see the odd ranch house from time to time, but otherwise is…
Read More
26Apr 2013 by Leisa
USA Historic Preservation Tour – Through Nebraska and into Missouri

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Through Nebraska and into Missouri

News
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…
Read More
24Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – How to Paint Historic Buildings Workshop

News
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…
Read More
24Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Old Homes and Buildings Across Rural Iowa

News
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…
Read More
11Apr 2013 by Leisa
Old Homes made New!

Old Homes made New!

News
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…
Read More
03Apr 2013 by Leisa
Repurposing a Lansing Michigan Treasure

Repurposing a Lansing Michigan Treasure

News
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…
Read More