09Apr 2015 by Leisa
What are the stages in creating a Pen & Watercolor House Portrait?

What are the stages in creating a Pen & Watercolor House Portrait?

News
Here's how I do it... I am often asked what are the stages a house portrait painting goes through.Here's an example of a home in Annapolis Maryland. My technique is pen and watercolor as you can see here, starting with the main photo of the house to the finished house portrait! [caption id="attachment_5751" align="aligncenter" width="500"] The main photo I am working from[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5752" align="aligncenter" width="500"] The pen work is now complete[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5753" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Adding the watercolor to the pen drawing[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5754" align="aligncenter" width="500"] The final pen and watercolor house portrait![/caption]  
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26Feb 2015 by Leisa
Do Art Not Drugs Show a Hit!

Do Art Not Drugs Show a Hit!

Do Art Not Drugs, News
A light-hearted Art Show . . . with a serious message! This was a fun one!  Held during the South Pasadena Arts Crawl, I had a wonderful array of artists  joining me.  They included: Carl Christensen and his woodwork creations; Lena Quagliato and her paintings with "tea" as well as realistic nature paintings; Katie Dean and her beautiful line of handmade jewelry: Theodore Sveningsen, an accomplished artist who displayed his interesting etchings; photographer Christine Murphy and her lovely nature photos and Kayla Cloonan who displayed a number of attractive miniature abstracts in oil. Key to this exhibition was it's theme -- Do Art Not Drugs!  Why this theme? Because drugs stultify and destroy creativity!  And not just street drugs but equally as dangerous and "legal" pharmaceuticals that are handed out…
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29Sep 2014 by Leisa
My Open-Studio Event

My Open-Studio Event

News
We all need a chance to relax.... and enjoy ART! Everyone had a great time last Saturday. It was very laid back, a chance for people to drop by, have a wine, bring the kids and all that good stuff. A chance to talk to friends, clients and I received some good feedback on my new work. Hey, I even made a couple of sales. I'm going to have more of these....I will let you know. Leisa       
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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  
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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…
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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"]
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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…
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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…
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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…
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