12Jan 2022 by Leisa
Latest Iconic American Architecture Painting ….Brooklyn Bridge NYC!

Latest Iconic American Architecture Painting ….Brooklyn Bridge NYC!

New Art, News
New work unveiling! Here's “Brooklyn Bridge, NYC”!  It’s part of my growing Iconic USA collection which includes paintings and multi-media pieces I’ve created celebrating some of my favorite examples of historic American architecture. [caption id="attachment_27805" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Brooklyn Bridge, New York City[/caption]   This new piece is pen & watercolor on paper, 9 x 11.” The original painting is available for sale and I will soon make prints and art gifts available on my website. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most recognizable marvels of American engineering and it’s an iconic sight for those in New York City. The bridge (opened in 1883) spans the distance between Manhattan and Brooklyn over the East River. The bridge’s suspension towers were built in the Gothic Revival style. They’re 278 feet tall…
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09Jan 2022 by Leisa
The Destruction of Historic Architecture

The Destruction of Historic Architecture

Historic Perservation, News
 My defining moment. Why did they tear it down? Every building with history has its own story and precious memories. Those of you who have witnessed the sudden disappearance of a home or building very dear to you, will understand the emotional impact and loss I felt that day. It was a defining moment I will always remember. It was the moment when I realized I had to tell the stories of beautiful historic structures through my art …. before it was too late.  The day started out well. I had traveled back home to New Zealand to see family and also take a nostalgic journey, re-tracing my artistic roots in Auckland, the city I grew up in and where I created my very first paintings of architectural subjects. My…
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15Dec 2021 by Leisa
Destruction of Stunning South Carolina Mansion

Destruction of Stunning South Carolina Mansion

Historic Perservation, News
Road trip from Florida to Michigan Leaving Florida a few days ago, we continued our road trip heading north, through Kentucky and into South Carolina. This state is one of my favorites, with it’s diverse natural landscapes -- from Table Rock Mountain to the Chattanooga River to vast rolling farmland. Its architecture is equally varied due to early colonial influences, with roots to England. The architecture also reflects the impact that the African Slaves and other immigrants, such as the French Calvanist Huguenots, had on the state. History tells us that before the Civil War, the structures in South Carolina were mostly utilitarian and ornamentation was mostly absent. As towns and cities grew after the war the style trends widened and significant changes were seen in the architecture. Sadly, as…
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29Nov 2021 by Leisa
Traveling through Scenic West Virginia. . .

Traveling through Scenic West Virginia. . .

House Portraits, Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News
The most abandoned state in the nation  . . .and the restoration of a 200-year-old stone home. West Virginia is one of the nation’s most scenic states, known for beautiful wooded mountains and dramatic falling rivers. The state is also known for Civil War action and coal mining. It is home to grand resorts, a Cass Gilbert designed capitol and gorgeous mansions built during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. West Virginia was originally part of the Virginia Colony established by England in 1606. In 1607 the first settlement of Jamestown was formed and pioneers arrived to make their home in eastern Virginia. West Virginia, however, remained the frontier for some time and West Virginians retain that resilient pioneer spirit today. Abandoned Buildings of West Virginia But despite its…
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16Nov 2021 by Leisa
On the road again. . .

On the road again. . .

Historic Perservation, News
How do historic homes become abandoned? When circumstances unexpectedly changed last month, my husband Bruce and I had no choice but to leave our beloved home in the delightful historic East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids MI.  Rather than face the drudgery of finding a new home right away, we put our belongings in storage (once again) and hit the road.  We headed south for warmer weather, only barely escaping the frigid cold of Michigan that was beginning to creep in. On our road trips we always make it our mission to take off-the-main-road excursions from time to time and we are never disappointed.  Driving down Michigan and then into Ohio, besides enjoying the lovely countryside and the beauty of summer turning into fall, I could not help but notice the ever-growing…
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11Nov 2021 by Leisa
Honoring our Veterans

Honoring our Veterans

House Portraits, News
Grateful to those who served. . . Today is Veterans Day and I would like to show my support for our troops through this painting. The yellow ribbons are to thank them for their service and to let them know we appreciate them. On this day we honor our veterans, who fought for our freedoms and risked their lives in doing so. Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or deceased—but most importantly, it is a day to give thanks to living veterans who honorably served their country during war or peacetime. There are over 20 million veterans in this country. Sadly, many veterans get lost in “the system”, struggle to adapt to regular life or become homeless once they get back from their service. We should all strive…
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31Oct 2021 by Leisa
Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

News
Look out for the trick and treaters and have fun with your family! [caption id="attachment_27025" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] It's a Halloween family affair[/caption] Here's a spooky Halloween drawing I created for the kids (and big kids too) to test your coloring skills. Cheers, Leisa
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26Oct 2021 by Leisa
A New Definition of Fixer Upper?

A New Definition of Fixer Upper?

Historic Perservation, News
With so many beautiful historic homes being demolished today, last week I received some wonderful news from one of my clients who lives in Rockville, MD.  Jennifer excitedly told me that after overcoming many obstacles, her and her husband, Lee, had just purchased a 137 year old Victorian mansion . . . but, she added, it needed a LOT of work. That was indeed an understatement!  I found out that Jennifer and Lee had just purchased the Winderbourne, an amazing Queen Anne-style mansion that sits on nine acres and overlooks Little Seneca Lake in Boyds, MD. The home sat empty for many years and the wooden boards, beams and shingles became a canvas for vandals. [caption id="attachment_26967" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lee Levin stands in front of the 1884 Winderbourne House, his…
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12Oct 2021 by Leisa
Chicago: Destroying its Architectural Heritage with Abandon!

Chicago: Destroying its Architectural Heritage with Abandon!

Historic Perservation, News
1886 Georgian Beauty Becomes New Target of the Wrecking Ball! On this day, 150 years ago, Chicago residents were recovering from the Great Chicago Fire. It raged from Oct 8 - 10, 1871, leaving a mass of molding rubble and destruction. The deadly fire killed 300 people and destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles of the inner city. A total of 17,500 buildings were lost and more than 100,000 residents were left homeless.  In true Chicago style, the city rallied its forces and rebuilt. . . this time mainly in brick and stone and other sturdy structures. The buildings were unique, well designed and meant to last. Who would have thought that a century and a half later, these beautiful old buildings would be facing a new threat of extinction. .…
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16Sep 2021 by Leisa
Urban Warfare: Another Beloved Historic Beauty Destroyed by the Wrecking Ball

Urban Warfare: Another Beloved Historic Beauty Destroyed by the Wrecking Ball

Historic Perservation, News
This is how this historic Tudor looked when they tore it down! This story makes my blood boil.  A truly magnificent 1927 architectural showplace designed by architects Henry Knauer & Clarence Smale, was one of the original design showcase homes of the prominent Hancock Park neighborhood in Los Angeles CA.  Built of superior quality materials and close to a century old, this unique home was well loved and maintained and likely to last another 100 years or more.  The new owners spent 2.3 million to buy the house and property and agreed at the time they would not tear it down. In 2020, they cold-heartedly oversaw the demise of this stunning architectural art form. [caption id="attachment_26557" align="aligncenter" width="1020"] Built 1927, this historic Tudor style home has occupied a corner lot…
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