A nurse by profession, Leslie Leavenworth has worked diligently over the years to develop her artistic interests and skills.  Although much of her work is representational, she has been experimenting with what she calls “colorscapes”, studies in color relationships, texture and design.  Leslie says, “The more I paint, the more a dialogue develops between the canvas, my spirit and my Creator.” See her work in Weertz Fellowship Hall.  

Our March Artist of the Month is Martha Rhoades, a watercolor and pastel artist living on the south side of Des Moines.  For many years she considered herself primarily a portrait painter, always working hard to capture the essences of the person in her paintings. You will note in her paintings now on display in Weertz Fellowship Hall that she has expanded her interests and now also enjoys painting vivid florals and landscapes.

Landscapes in Pastel by Susan Grant

Susan Grant, our February Artist of the Month, is an artist on the weekends and a scientist during the week. Her pastels capture the beauty or interesting features of places she and her husband have visited in their travels around the world.  Her paintings on display in Weertz Fellowship Hall are of sites in Brittany and Burgundy in France, with one from an English coastline. 

Callista Gould credits many people in her life who have influenced and encouraged her artistic talents.  They include her mother, Alice Gould, local artists, Virginia Mickunas and Mary Muller, along with a best friend’s mother, Jan Randell  who, upon her death, willed Callista all of her art supplies, plus a check for art classes.  With all of that encouragement, Callista captures scenes of Iowa in bright colors---from a boy in the barber chair at the Roosevelt Barber Shop to a beautiful barn on Iowa's rolling landscape.  Her oil paintings, watercolors, and a few charcoal sketches are on display in Weertz Fellowship Hall.

Beverly Young, a long-time St. John’s member, shares her paintings with us as October Artist of the Month. Another of Mary Muller’s numerous students, Bev began painting at an early age.  Her work has gone from abstract to realism and from acrylics to mostly oil. Her goal is to be free flowing in her painting style, loose and even whimsical.  She prefers florals, scenes from trips taken, and portraits.  We are delighted that she is sharing her lifelong passion with us now on display in Weertz Fellowship Hall.