22Nov 2015 by Leisa
Original painting of Summer Portch

Original painting of Summer Portch

News
Front Porch Contest Winner! Over the summer I partnered with my good friends Mary and Dave Morris of Front Porch Ideas and More and provided the winner of their Pleasant Summer Porch Contest with an original painting of their porch. This winning home is located in Waxhaw NC in a lovely rural setting.  I love the colorful flowering plants and greenery decorating this porch.   The porch, which extends along the full width of the house was  adorned with 4th of July color.     This is the photo I selected to use for the portrait. I made a few slight changes so it looked even more welcoming and vibrant.     And here is the completed painting! Don't you feel like sinking down into one of those chairs and having…
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15Nov 2015 by Leisa
An original hand-crafted House Portrait – the perfect gift!

An original hand-crafted House Portrait – the perfect gift!

House Portraits, News
It's not too late for you to place an order for Christmas! There is no more personal gift than a hand-crafted one of a kind original house portrait that captures your "labor of love" and its treasured family memories. I find joy in tackling every architectural type and season and over the years I have created portraits of homes and historic buildings in 43 states across the USA.   You can view a further array of architectural styles in my website portrait galleries. Prices vary depending on size and framing.  CONTACT ME NOW FOR DETAILS Cheers, Leisa
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13Nov 2015 by Leisa
Atwater Village Featured House Portrait!

Atwater Village Featured House Portrait!

News
Atwater Village is a funky eclectic and artsy LA neighborhood and it was fun living there. Here is a write-up featured on the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council FB page with one of my Atwater Village paintings featured in their header. Check out what's happening in the Village! They have great restaurants, specialty stores and boutique art stores there. https://www.facebook.com/Atwater-Village-Neighborhood-Council-126009230754867/ Cheers, Leisa
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29Jul 2015 by Leisa
My architectural coffee table book project

My architectural coffee table book project

News
Announcing: Art Inspiring Homes Across the USA! Over the years I have covered thousands of miles and have accumulated a portfolio of around 1500 portraits of homes and historic buildings in 46 states.    I always find it fascinating to see the changes in architectural form as one traverses the country. The reasons for those changes are as varied as local weather conditions, cultural diversity and available building resources.   As the old saying goes, "one's home is one's castle".  Imagine the stories if those walls could talk! In recent times I have been repeatedly asked by clients when I will be putting a book together that showcases my pen and watercolor home portraits. Finally I am taking their advise to heart and have started to work on my coffee table…
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17May 2015 by Leisa
Buster’s Cafe – a favorite in South Pasadena

Buster’s Cafe – a favorite in South Pasadena

News
Right in the heart of Old Town South Pasadena a few steps away from the Gold Line  is Busters Cafe. It's a funky eclectic local spot that has served the community here in So. Pas for 24 years. It is family owned and serves organic and local brews as well as a nice array of home made baked goodies.  It also has great ice-cream to match its cozy atmosphere. And here is what the train station looked like around 100 years ago.   And here is the pen and watercolor painting I did of Buster's corner. Over and out from So Pas! Leisa
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26Apr 2015 by Leisa
An Invitation to my greater Los Angeles Friends. . .

An Invitation to my greater Los Angeles Friends. . .

News
YOU'RE INVITED! To my Open Studio and "Annual Make Room for More  ART Sale!" 50% OFF THIS SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2015  5 - 9 PM  Coinciding with the South Pasadena Eclectic Music Festival & Art Walk  Studio: 812 Fremont Ave, Loft 101. So. Pasadena CA 91030      Hope you can make it.  It's always great to see you!       Cheers,      Leisa
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16Apr 2015 by Leisa
Invitation to the next Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award Presentation!

Invitation to the next Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award Presentation!

News
   Community Invitation to an Award Ceremony Please join San Marino Heritage and artist Leisa Collins in honoring San Marino residents Joelle and Ben Grossi for the stellar restoration of their 1928 Spanish home on Lorain Road Saturday May 9th, 2015   11:00 am at 1862 Lorain Road, San Marino The exterior, interior and gardens have been lovingly preserved and celebrate the original architectural aesthetic of the home  The Grossi family will be presented with an original pen and watercolor painting of their restored home by the artist Leisa Collins  Joelle and Ben are graciously opening their home for your viewing and enjoyment Light refreshments will be served under the oaks For further info contact Shirley Jagels of San Marino Heritage  --  shirleyjagels@earthlink.net  #626-926-3126
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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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