St. Francis Manor’s New Mural

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is a familiar saying which means when faced with challenges or difficulties, you try to find a positive way to turn the situation around and create something good out of it; and that’s exactly what St. Francis Manor staff did using the artistic talents of Kaylee Maasdam from the Lynnville/Sully area.

After a water leak in the wall caused damage in one of the St. Francis Manor dining rooms, wallpaper had to be removed, drywall repaired and the wall painted. This long, 46-foot wall was then very monotonous and needed something that would bring life and light into the space. Dietary Manager Cindy Strobel had the idea of creating a mural.

Human Resource Specialist Morgan Fraker contacted Kaylee Maasdam to see if she’d be interested in the job. “Kaylee painted a gorgeous wedding picture of my husband and me during our reception so I knew she was very talented,” said Morgan. “While she normally paints commissions from home, Kaylee told me she loves to paint murals and was very interested in the project.” 

Since it would have been difficult to treat the project as a true mural with residents eating in the room, Kaylee and Morgan decided that Kaylee would paint something at home that would hang on the wall.

According to Kaylee, a country landscape felt like the best option. Many of the St. Francis Manor residents grew up in the country so they would enjoy scenes of nearby farms. She decided that a landscape with a wide blue sky, rolling hills and fields, and planting equipment would work together well. Since many residents fondly remember the St. Francis Hospital, which used to sit where some of the Seeland Park Phase I homes are now, she left a specific place open, next to one of the fields, to include St. Francis Hospital.

“I like to use a lot of color in my work. As I do in most paintings, I started by covering the two 4 ft by 8 ft panels with a bright coral base,” said Kaylee. “As I create the subject of the painting, this color inevitably peeks through, adding interest and complexity to the finished painting. I used a very limited palette to keep the art cohesive.”

“My kitchen floor worked well to house my progress,” laughed Kaylee. “My dad didn't love the mess that I made every day I was working away, and we were both glad to have our kitchen back when it was completed. I loved the challenges that this project gave me and I am so glad that it is now hanging at St. Francis Manor where it can be enjoyed by the residents and staff,” concluded Kaylee.

For more information about the St. Francis Manor life-plan community in Grinnell, visit www.stfrancismanor.com or call 641-236-7592.

St. Francis Manor is an equal opportunity provider and employer