New Zealand Artist Leisa Collins Returns Home to Show Art with a Message and House Portrat Works
After two decades of social activism across the globe that gave her a firsthand view of diverse cultures and social inequities, Leisa Collins has taken up her paintbrush and returned to her New Zealand homeland as a full time artist.

LANSING, MI November 21, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- New Zealand artist Leisa Collins is now combining her activist and artistic skills under the motto of art with a message. Her website (www.leisacollins.com) stresses the importance of the artist bringing about social change and her Art in Action page includes her activities in this regard. Her website also includes an online gallery, featuring semi-abstract as well as realistic landscape and portrait works. She regularly posts on her Art with a Message Blog and keeps her friends and clients updated through her newsletter, Art in the Making.

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Leisa embarked upon formal art training at the age of 17. However, after only a few months she abandoned the classroom, opting to learn her craft through capturing on canvas the beauty of the countryside. Exploring every nook and cranny of New Zealand, she financed her adventures by selling her work as she went. "It is great to be back in Auckland," says Leisa. "This is my old stomping ground. It is where I had my first studio and held my first exhibit, and many other firsts as well." Leisa is currently creating her latest New Zealand series while doing house portraits on commission. "I have always found house portraits to be a very fun activity in New Zealand because so many of the homes here emanate a palpable, living personality!"

Before returning to New Zealand Leisa completed a 7,000 mile journey across the United States that marked her reemergence into the art world and captured the faces and places of America on canvas. Her "Across the USA from the Eyes of an Artist" tour started in Los Angeles on September 1 and ended in New York on October 15.

"Art is a powerful means of communication and is therefore a potent weapon to bring about social change," says Leisa. "Art for me is something that goes far beyond the walls of the studio."

Press Release Contact Information:

Leisa Collins
Leisa Collins Art
Artist
1404 Wickham Drive
Lansing, MI
USA 48906
Voice: 517-763-8453
Website: Visit Our Website