Local artist Leisa Collins is proud to announce she has completed the first phase of a series of original pen and watercolor architectural house portraits featuring homes she loves in Pasadena. She is delighted to reveal 125 Pasadena portraits to the community and is currently working to publish a book that will include her favorite Pasadena house portraits along with an array of paintings featuring homes and diverse architectural styles across 43 states in the USA.
The Pasadena portrait series began three years ago after Leisa and her husband, Bruce, moved to South Pasadena and fell in love with the aesthetic of the local neighborhoods. “Pasadena has one of the richest and interesting collections of original homes in the country, especially classic Craftsman homes.”
About Leisa Collins Art
A native of New Zealand, Leisa first began drawing and painting local historic homes in her hometown of Auckland three decades ago. She then became involved in a variety of non-profit activities that took her to the four corners of the world. As she traveled she documented architecture with photos and sketches. In 2009 she relaunched her artistic career and began depicting the historic homes and buildings of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Since then she has criss-crossed the USA four times documenting homes while completing home portrait commission requests. Word soon spread and today Leisa receives multiple requests from around the country every week, which she never turns down.
“Homes are like people,” states Leisa. They are all uniquely different and have their own character and style. That’s what makes my job so creative and so much fun. An added bonus is that the pleasure in creating the house portrait can then be experienced every day by the homeowner who made their home art inspiring!”
In early 2013, Leisa decided she wanted to give back to people in the community who create beautiful homes and buildings and she instituted the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award. The award recognizes “deserving individuals around the country who have set a stellar example of historic preservation through their efforts, skills or craftsmanship with regard to their historic home or building in their area.”
Every Leisa Collins Art painting is created with the finest, long-lasting, archival materials. They are drawn and painted by hand using pen and watercolor paint.
See The Pasadena Series
The Pasadena Portrait Series: Phase One is viewable in an online gallery here. Leisa is currently accepting commissions for home portraits, and is happy to expand the Pasadena series, and also capture the beauty of homes in surrounding areas. Click here to visit the Leisa Collins Art website.
