Brookfield resident Liz Peyton has been capturing the charm of local homes and landmarks — the Congregational Church, St. Joseph's School, the Brookfield Craft Center — in pen and ink drawings for more than 30 years.

" I also have real estate agents who ask me to draw homes for them, so they can give it as a gift to the person whose home they have just sold," Peyton said.

Aiding that is a Web site she had created in October, which showcases her artwork — she also does still lifes, landscapes and acrylic painting — and allows people to place orders.

Peyton generally works from a photograph of the building or home, but "if it's not too far away, I will go and see it and take photos myself," she said.

Although most of her work is done locally, she recently did a drawing of a home in Texas.

Peyton, who grew up in Queens, N.Y., has always been creative and loved drawing, but art wasn't her first choice for a career. "I actually majored in chemistry at Chestnut Hill College in Pennsylvania," she said with a laugh.

Her favorite thing to draw is "Trees — I love trees, just the variety of them. They're very expressive to me," she said.

New Milford resident Ray Barton hired Peyton to do a color drawing of his stepson Scott Ehrlich's home in Westchester, Pa., which Barton gave Scott and his wife, Deb, as a housewarming gift in December.

"They just built this big, beautiful house with all of this stonework, and the detail that Liz put into the stonework is amazing," Barton said.

"They were thrilled with it, and the last time we were there we were taking votes on where to hang it in their house."

The Peytons' home also holds the work of many of their children, whom she says "are all artists."

The eldest son, Craig, is an accomplished photographer, musician and pilot; Sara is a writer; and Martha is an art teacher. Their youngest daughter, Betsy, is an artist; and son James is a chef.

Peyton now has four grandchildren as well.

She is thrilled her business is becoming busier and plans to continue it indefinitely. "This is something that I really, really enjoy doing, and people seem to be interested in it," she said.

(article excerpted from the January 31 News-Times)