Portraits and plein air art
6/5/2024
Leslie Leavenworth is experiencing three shifts in her artwork.
A shift from realism toward abstract painting.
A shift to learn different approaches toward art.
A shift in thinking that is a result of the first two. She explains why.
“I like trying new things. I’m in a learning mode for a different approach toward my artwork.”
Leavenworth’s art consists of exquisite lifelike portraits, where the admirer scrutinizes the piece, pondering if it’s a photograph or a painting. Family member portraits remain displayed in her home, while commissioned works are admired by eager art connoisseurs.
In addition to still life or portrait work, a favorite mode is plein air artwork, where she paints live — on location.
You might see her sketching bluebell flowers at Walnut Woods Park or the lilacs at Ewing Park. For the past 20 years, a plein air group grabs their art supplies and frequent must-paint locations.
Leavenworth became interested in art early on. Her dad, a plein air artist, took her to the harbor near their home in Virginia and painted scenery. She took lessons outdoors with a professional artist and was told she possessed talent by her early teachers.
Yet, she came from a medical family that didn’t believe an artist could have a viable career.
“I was steered away from art. I came from an era where you couldn’t have a career in art,” she said.
Instead, Leavenworth became a nurse and retired five years go after working as a school nurse at Western Hills Elementary in West Des Moines. She continued painting during her nursing career but ramped it up after retirement.
Leavenworth took painting lessons from a renowned Des Moines artist, Mary Muller, who is also known for portrait work.
Over the years, Leavenworth’s paintings have been recognized. She won best of show at the Iowa State Fair, plus awards from Hoyt Sherman’s Women’s Show, Heritage Gallery and the Iowa Watercolor Society. She says the awards are “lovely,” but winning isn’t her goal.
“There’s an internal drive that has to be a need divorced from validation. It feels better to win, but it’s not the reason I do it,” she said. “When you get a rejection, it can take a few days to recover.”
Today, Leavenworth says she feels confident in her abilities.
“I’m a recovering perfectionist. I’ve learned to be kind to myself when a painting is done.”
Once the work is completed, selling the artwork is fulfilling.
“It can’t be the driving force. When someone sees it enough to buy it, it’s confirming and encouraging.”
The goal for any painting, whether it hangs in public, at home or in a gallery, is a way to experience transcendence.
“I want my painting to create a feeling of home and invitation to coming home. It’s a way to elevate life that I experience, so others can feel it, too, through my paintings,” she said.
Painting with other artist friends provides encouragement. Painting on location takes her to her happy zone.
“My artist friends, we talk about how lucky we are. In a world full of distractions, we feel like we’re the lucky ones. All we need is just a pen and notebook to entertain ourselves.”
Find Leavenworth’s artwork at www.leslieleavenworth.com. ♦
