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!

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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25Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Third Award Presentation

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award
Historic Preservation Recipient Zell Millard I was joined by the Mayor of Woodbine, Bill Hutcheson, and 30 local well-wishers for the presentation which was co-hosted by Woodbine Main Street. The award recipient, Zell Millard has held the moniker of “Mr. Woodbine,” for more than 60 years. Some years back, when an old country school house was slated to be razed, Zell went to work, found a new home for it, and organized the moving event. The Merry Brook School & Genealogical Center now anchors the south edge of a collection of buildings representative of Woodbine’s small town history: the Woodbine Depot, a 1928 canopy gas station, an outdoor amphitheater, an interpretive gazebo featuring Lincoln Highway history and one of the few remaining CNW Cabooses…all residing in the newly named Zell…
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24Apr 2013 by Leisa
USA Historic Preservation Tour – How to Paint Historic Buildings Workshop

USA Historic Preservation Tour – How to Paint Historic Buildings Workshop

News
Historic Preservation Alive and Well in Woodbine, Iowa We arrived mid-afternoon in Woodbine, the location of my third Historic Preservation Award the following day.  The town of Woodbine, with a total population of just under 1500, is a wonderful success story of main street revitalization through a state funded program and a lot of hard work by Woodbine locals. As we traveled across the state it was clear that both urban and rural Iowa have a tremendous number of unique historic properties and yet the average citizen, as well as many officials, have no clue of the historic treasures that abound in their state. Too many homes and buildings have already been tossed to the scrap heap. I have especially noted this heartbreaking trend within smaller towns and communities, however…
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24Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Old Homes and Buildings Across Rural Iowa

News
Old Homes, Buildings and Barns Our next stop is the small rural town of Woodbine, on the western edge of Iowa, a drive of just over 300 miles. Statistics show that Iowa's population has grown increasingly urban in the past decade as residents continue to leave rural counties and flock to a handful of larger cities. The indicators can be seen in the architecture. While we passed a number of beautiful old Victorian and Craftsman farmhouses, others, like this long forsaken home, were in ruin. Iowa, a huge corn producing state, is part of the Corn Belt, a region of the Midwestern United States where corn is the predominant crop.  The U.S. produces 40% of the world crop.  With spring fast approaching, the fields were tilled and ready for the…
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13Apr 2013 by Leisa
My First Historic Preservation Award Presentation

My First Historic Preservation Award Presentation

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award
And the Award Goes to Dave Muylle of Lansing, Michigan! Chilly weather conditions and even snow, could not dampen the enthusiasm regarding historic preservation from the Lansing community on this day!  Around 80 people attended, enjoying the presentation, refreshments and then touring through Dave's restored homes at 139 and 141 Leslie Street to see for themselves Dave's fine craftsmanship.  Many stayed at length to chat and enjoy the comradery of fellow supporters of old home restoration. My award to Dave was a framed and plaqued painting of 139 and 141 Leslie Street, two of the Craftsman homes Dave has completed within the last year. Here it is! I would like to thank Lansing Council President, Carol Wood and 1st Ward Councilmember, Jody Washington who joined me in honoring Dave as…
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23Mar 2013 by Leisa
Announcing the First Recipient of my Historic Preservation Award!

Announcing the First Recipient of my Historic Preservation Award!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award
Lansing craftsman brings old homes back to life! I believe that beautiful old buildings, with true craftsmanship should be preserved and maintained so that they can continue to serve an example of what QUALITY architectural design and construction is all about.  In my opinion, such homes and buildings are art forms -- that's what inspires me to paint them. The award is my way of recognizing individuals who have been instrumental in preserving the historic buildings of their area.  Naturally the award I present is a framed pen and watercolor painting of the awardees latest historic project. The first recipient of my Historic Preservation Award therefore will go to Dave Muylle, a person who epitomizes true craftsmanship and quality restoration. Being that I am in Lansing currently with it being the…
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15Mar 2013 by Leisa
My New Historic Preservation Award

My New Historic Preservation Award

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award
I have traveled around the country and had the joy of painting many remarkably preserved historic homes in many diverse locations and in many styles. In speaking with the owners, I have always been moved by their care and thoughtfulness in meticulously restoring and upholding the timelessness of their grand works of art. I have seen that it is the individual, the homeowner, the community leader who is the main cheerleader and caretaker for saving and preserving beautiful historic homes and buildings. And, in the main, I have found that most do not undertake such care just for themselves and their families who live in them but have a larger eye towards keeping whole the historic fabric and beauty of their communities. I have decided because of this that such…
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