Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

News
Wishing you the joy of family, the gift of friends and the best of everything in 2020! One of the real joys for me this holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you for your support of original art. Best wishes,  Leisa
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News Flash! My Brand New Online Art Store!

News Flash! My Brand New Online Art Store!

New Art, News
Announcing my new  LEISA COLLINS ONLINE ART STORE   STORE OPENING SPECIAL: 25% off all items   for a limited time with coupon code LCA25OFF I am very excited to "unveil" to you my new online store that includes over a hundred pieces of my art, most of which have never been viewed before. A number of the pieces available in the store are original works and ALL those on display are also available as prints in various sizes.  As you know, architectural art is my artistic passion, so not surprisingly this is the theme of the majority of the work. So please dive in and take a look at  my art store and I would love to hear your feedback. Let me know what work you liked best, as well as what you think…
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Completion of One Hundred Historic Homes of Portland Series!

Completion of One Hundred Historic Homes of Portland Series!

House Portraits, News
Portland Craftsman Homes, Bungalows, Tudors, Colonials, Cape Cod, Victorians and more form my Portland House Portrait collection. I have always enjoyed spending time in Portland.  It's reputation of being quirky, cool, weird and green all at the same time, makes life very interesting. Its architecture follows the same mold. One of first things I noticed about the city as we ambled through it's unique neighborhoods -- stopping for coffee far too often -- is the number of solar panels on homes.  And not just new homes, historic ones as well. That is always a good sign. I learned that Portland is a leader in the green movement, incorporating this trend into its urban planning over a decade ago.  I discovered a feast of architectural styles and well preserved and maintained…
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Summer is gliding away. . . but custom summer house portraits last for ever

House Portraits, News
Looking back on my favorite summer home portraits and gardens    In the words of American Poet, Sarah Helen Whitman: "When summer gathers up her robes of glory, and, like a dream, glides away."     I hope you all have had a wonderful summer and have enjoyed the magic of this time of warmth and color and growth.  And while the season may now be disappearing, the good news is that art lives on!  As do these portraits of an array of gorgeous homes and gardens in various parts of the country.  Please enjoy this short selection of summer homes and gardens, starting with this delightful Portland bungalow -- first from the front, but you will not believe what the back looks like!  (Keep scrolling...) [caption id="attachment_12792" align="aligncenter" width="808"] Victorian…
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Newsflash! New York Times Article

Newsflash! New York Times Article

News
I hope you are enjoying some lovely summer weather. I wanted to pass on some good news in the form of this article which recently ran in the Real Estate Section of the New York Times, entitled, Why Take a Picture of Your Home When You Can Paint it Instead I am featured with a couple of other architectural artists in different parts of the country. I was really happy that my painting below of the famous New York Times Plaza Hotel was included in the article as there is such a great story behind it. I was commissioned to paint this by a client as a gift for her husband for their 50th wedding anniversary. This is where they honeymooned all those years ago after their spring wedding.  Now isn't that…
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Father’s Day House Portrait Special!

Father’s Day House Portrait Special!

House Portraits, News
In celebration of all Dads everywhere, I am offering a 15% discount for any original house portrait commission this Father's Day! This is a big thank you to the man of the house and to all my friends and clients who have renovated, painted and maintained their homes over the years, keeping them beautiful and art inspiring! I also provide beautiful Father's Day Gift Certificates -- customized if desired -- which can be presented on this special day. Here are but a few paintings of homes of fathers and clients who I happen to know have put a lot of time and creativity to make their homes both practical and enjoyable for their families. Ranch home in Arcadia, California Cottage in Rockville, Maryland Italianate home in Alameda, California Tudor in Burbank, California…
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Spring House Portrait Tour Across the USA!

Spring House Portrait Tour Across the USA!

House Portraits, News
Spring may look different is various parts of the country . . . but it always warm one's heart There's something special about spring!  After those long cold dreary days, the sun bursts forth, new buds grow and vibrant colors come to view. It's finally safe to go outside, have a picnic and revel in this wonderful time of the year. Being that I have lived all over the USA and travelled to every corner, I can appreciate the different forms of spring in every region. I often hear people say that Florida, Southern California, New Mexico and even parts of Texas don't really experience spring.  Not so. It is just a matter of looking... Allow me to take you on a  meandering spring house portrait tour across the USA…
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Meet my Latest Historic Preservation Hero!

Meet my Latest Historic Preservation Hero!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News
My latest recipient of the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award is . . . Mary Beth Grey of Grand Rapids MI for her historic renovation of 268 Paris Ave SE, Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids, MI Awarded on a beautiful spring day on this now open and welcoming porch, friends, neighbors and preservation supporters gathered  to honor Mary Beth and her latest restoration project. Since starting her home renovation business 2 1/2 years ago, Mary Beth has brought eight historic homes back to life in the greater Grand Rapids area. The majority have been in the City of East Grand Rapids, however this is her first Heritage Hill home and her most recent labor of love. It's also her most extensive project to date. Mary has a very hands on approach…
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Announcing my Grand Rapid MI Historic Preservation Awardee!

Announcing my Grand Rapid MI Historic Preservation Awardee!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News
Meet my Grand Rapids MI Preservation Hero!  INVITATION TO THE COMMUNITY I will be presenting my next Historic Preservation Award to East Grand Rapids resident  Mary Beth Grey for her historic renovation of 268 Paris Ave SE, Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids Since starting her home renovation business 2 1/2 years ago, Mary Beth has brought eight historic homes back to life in the greater Grand Rapids area. The majority have been in the City of East Grand Rapids, however this is her first Heritage Hill home and her most recent labor of love. It's also her most extensive project to date. Mary has a very hands on approach with all her projects and it took her several months to bring this beautiful Victorian to a state that is now close to…
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Completion of my East Grand Rapids MI House Portrait Collection!

Completion of my East Grand Rapids MI House Portrait Collection!

House Portraits, News
Craftsman style, Victorians, Tudors and Dutch Colonial Home Portraits of East Grand Rapids. I come to Michigan often, being that my husband of 30 years hails from Lansing Michigan. The lakes and rivers and lush green countryside remind me of my homeland of New Zealand. One of our favorite Michigan cities is Grand Rapids. It has a fascinating history, starting with its Native American roots and fur trading past. Not to mention how it grew to be one of the greatest furniture making cities, and still retains that status today.  Heritage Hill is the oldest part of the city and is the largest urban historic district in the country. I love the Victorian grandeur of this area and am currently in the process of selecting my favorite homes in order…
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