14Jun 2026 by Leisa
Stunning House Portraits of Denver, Colorado

Stunning House Portraits of Denver, Colorado

Historic Perservation, House Portraits
The Architectural Heritage of Denver Homes I'm enjoying expanding my series of Denver home paintings.  After all Denver's neighborhoods tell the story of the city's growth, prosperity, and changing architectural tastes. Walking through the Mile High City is like taking a journey through more than a century of residential design, where Victorian mansions, charming bungalows, sturdy Denver Squares, and elegant Tudor homes stand side by side. Many of the homes that inspire my original pen-and-watercolor house portraits were built during Denver's great building booms of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Each home reflects a particular moment in the city's history and the people who helped shape it. [caption id="attachment_57285" align="aligncenter" width="600"] This winter house portrait of a Denver historic home captures the snowy magic of the season[/caption] Victorian…
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24May 2026 by Leisa
House Portraits of Traverse City Michigan. . . that preserve the soul of the city

House Portraits of Traverse City Michigan. . . that preserve the soul of the city

Historic Perservation, House Portraits, News
On a beautiful summer day,  14 years ago, when I had only just launched my artist career, I briefly visited Traverse City in northern Michigan. That day I realized I wasn’t simply documenting buildings — I was preserving memories. Due to my short stay in 2012,  I only captured three Traverse City homes with my pen and watercolor, as featured in this post.  However, each of these three painitngs taught me to slow down and truly observe the details that make historic homes special. The curve of a porch railing, the texture of aging cedar shingles, the shadows beneath mature maple trees — these are the elements that give a home its soul. And this is why I am now back in the beautiful Traverse City area, but this time…
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17Mar 2026 by Leisa
My first watercolor painting of “floating architecture”

My first watercolor painting of “floating architecture”

Historic Perservation, Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News
In late November last year my husband Bruce and I took a few weeks to visit New Zealand. We spent part of the time in Auckland, the city where I grew up and launched my art career. While there I held an artist workshop, was part of a panel discussion about art and creativity with community leaders, and I also presented my Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award to leaders of the Toroa Preservation Society (TPS) for their ongoing efforts to restore and make sea-worthy Auckland’s only surviving steam-powered ferry boat. While I have been involved in the promotion of historic preservation for many years in the United States, this is my first maritime subject. My award was this original pen and watercolor painting featuring the 100-year-old Toroa sailing into the…
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10Mar 2026 by Leisa
Watercolor Painting of iconic Mud House Coffee House, St Louis MO

Watercolor Painting of iconic Mud House Coffee House, St Louis MO

Historic Perservation, Historic Preservation, Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, New Art
Instead of clamoring for awards, why not give one instead? I know this is a whole new way for artists to look at things, but many years ago I observed talented artists constantly entering competitions and then waiting for the judges to make their pronouncements. Being that  I have always found it more rewarding to give and to serve than to receive and hope for recognition, I decided to create my own award. So in 2013 I launched the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award as my way of giving back to those who work tirelessly to preserve the architectural legacy in this country.  And since moving to Benton Park in St. Louis a couple of years ago, I have been working to honor and build this neighborhood and city, through…
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31Jan 2026 by Leisa
Hand-Painted House Portrait – Oldest B&B in California!

Hand-Painted House Portrait – Oldest B&B in California!

Historic Perservation, News
Living History: Pen and watercolor painting of 1852 Gothic style home Hello my art-loving friends! For those of us currently housebound by snow, ice, and bitter cold, I wanted to share something a little uplifting: architectural images and hand crafted house art that radiates warmth and reminds us that spring is not as far away as it seems. Recently, I was honored to be asked by the new owners the Shaw House Inn to create a house painting of this charming beauty. Nestled in the heart of Ferndale, California, the Shaw House Inn isn’t just a place to stay — as the oldest Bed & Breakfast in California, it’s a living piece of history. Ferndale itself is a beautifully preserved Victorian village, and the Shaw House stands as its oldest…
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27Jan 2025 by Leisa
House Portraits of Lost Homes: In Memoriam

House Portraits of Lost Homes: In Memoriam

Historic Perservation, House Portraits, News
  I have long campaigned against the loss of historic homes to the dreaded wrecking ball, however over the years -- and especially within the last year -- I have had many requests for commissioned house portraits to memorialize homes that have been destroyed due to natural disaster.  The horror of losing one’s home in disasters like fires, hurricanes, or flooding is both profound and multifaceted, leaving physical, emotional, and psychological scars. A home is not just a structure—it represents safety, stability, and personal identity. The loss of it can be devastating in so many ways. As I wrote this, the ravaging wild-fires in the Los Angeles area are still not fully contained, and thousands of Angelenos remain on edge, while thousands more are facing the horrifying aftermath of lost…
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10May 2024 by Leisa
Historic Preservation Award given in Ste. Genevieve Missouri

Historic Preservation Award given in Ste. Genevieve Missouri

Historic Perservation, News
Pen and watercolor painting presented in Ste. Genevieve. The setting was a warm and blustery Saturday in the quaint and peaceful city of St. Genevieve MO, which is home to the oldest structure in the state, the Bolduc-LeMeilleur House. I was honored to present my Historic Preservation Award to French Colonial American (FCA) for their dedicated historic preservation efforts in St. Genevieve, and in particular to the circa 1810 Gemien Beauvais Linden House. Not only did they fully restore the home, but they made it into a living history museum for the benefit of the entire community. The award, an original framed pen and water portrait, was presented to board member Tandy Thompson of FCA. Tandy and I then presented a copy of the painting to David Orthwine, who was…
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15Feb 2024 by Leisa
San Francisco Custom House Portrait Collection

San Francisco Custom House Portrait Collection

Historic Perservation, House Portraits, New Art, News
Presenting my Hand-painted Homes of San Francisco San Francisco, the City of Love, has a brand of unique and romantic architecture that sets it apart from any other city across the USA. Its architectural history is as diverse and dynamic as its landscape, marked by a series of booms and transformations that have shaped its unique skyline and streetscapes. The city's architectural uniqueness can be attributed to a variety of factors, including its geographical location, historical events, and cultural influences such as the Gold Rush, the Victorian Era, and the Beaux Arts Movement.  This has resulted in unique home styles throughout the city that are characteristic of its charm. Over the years I have worked on my San Francisco collection and for the first time I am presenting it here…
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22Oct 2023 by Leisa
Tour of Historic Ste. Genevieve: the Earliest Beginnings of Missouri

Tour of Historic Ste. Genevieve: the Earliest Beginnings of Missouri

Historic Perservation, News
Last month I was thrilled to be invited by a board member of the French Colonial America organization to tour three of the historic properties it owns and operates in the Centre for French Colonial Life Museum Campus in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri.  This unique, historical museum site consists of four historic houses as well as an education and exhibits facility and it is dedicated to preserving and promoting French and Creole Culture and History of the Mississippi Valley during the Colonial Period. Ste. Genevieve is Missouri’s oldest permanent French European settlement. The village of Ste. Geneviève was settled by Canadians around 1735 on the west bank of the Mississippi River about two miles south of its present location. It was one of several important French communities forming a region known as…
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11Apr 2023 by Leisa
Latest painting in my Abandoned Building Series

Latest painting in my Abandoned Building Series

Historic Perservation, New Art
Introducing the 4th in my Love Me Don't Leave Me Series entitled "Hyde Park Elegance" Tucked away on Breman Avenue in the Hyde Park neighborhood of St. Louis, this elegant Victorian looks forelorny across a sea of lush greens. Today the park is still beautiful but once it was the talk of the town with its gazebo, fountain, stocked lake, service building and playgrounds. The wealthy and elite owned these fine houses right on the park, and this home, with its welcoming porch, was one of the earliest and without doubt one of the finest. [caption id="attachment_34372" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Love Me Don't Leave Me entitled "Hyde Park Elegance"[/caption]   So many stories and images flash before me as I look at her old tired bones, imagining those who lived and loved…
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