Armbruster Artworks School

Cathy Clark Schroeder, Bobbie Calandro, Rachelle Woodard, Claire Friedricks Taylor, Gretchen Armbruster, Kitty Cleveland, Megan Westervelt and Cindy Trist.

For 11 years, Gretchen Armbruster has been teaching students in her downtown Covington workshop. The classes, which began in her garage, are now in their own home on Columbia Street. She says, “Covington is great because there are a variety of restaurants and events that take place in downtown.”

Gretchen says she loves her job so much because she gets to teach and mentor a diverse group of wonderfully talented people. Her students include some of the northshore’s favorite artists, whose works hang in galleries and museums across the country. Gretchen enjoys fostering the talents of her adult students at any level, and in many mediums, teaching them different techniques. And, she says, “I love working with a student who has never received instruction and helping them discover, little by little, their true ability.”

Armbruster Artworks is located at 502 Columbia St. in Covington. 630-6295. armbrusterartworks.com.

Rachelle Woodard While Rachelle’s interior design portfolio spans over many decades and states, she is also a calligrapher, iconographer and artist, working in pastel, oil, and watercolor. Through her time spent painting at Armbruster Artworks, her joy and love of painting has returned. She has been recently inspired to paint many of the Catholic saints, both ancient and modern day. Rachelle’s online collection at rachellewoodard. com includes paintings in various media, her interior design work, pillows, and notecards depicting her recent saint portraits.

Megan Westervelt After taking many workshops, Megan Westervelt has found that a regular art class at Armbruster Artworks gives her the opportunity to paint different subjects and use different techniques with a great teacher and support of classmates. “I love to paint landscapes, but also love exploring subjects that are out of my wheelhouse. I have enjoyed learning about layering color and seeing light in a painting. We usually paint in oils in class, but I also enjoy other mediums.”

Cathy Clark Schroeder “Art is my passion, and my favorite thing is to paint en plein air on my rural property. My art is naturally impressionistic,” says Cathy Clark Schroeder. Animals, waterscapes and nudes are her favorite subjects, oil and watercolor her favorite media. “As someone who seeks the natural experience of humans and animals, I strive to make art that reaches the hearts of others and makes them happy.” Cathy says her classes with Gretchen Armbruster encouraged her to grow with expansive subject matter.

Cindy Trist Art has been Cindy Trist’s passion for as long as she can remember. She says, “I believe that artists view the world differently than others.” After dabbling in acrylic paintings, Cindy decided to paint with oils, and joined Gretchen Armbruster’s oil painting class three years ago. She was chosen to be the cover artist for Inside Northside’s January-February 2020 issue. For 20 years, Cindy has also pursued her creative passion through a successful career in interior design.

Kitty Cleveland Kitty Cleveland began painting in oils four years ago with Gretchen Armbruster. A professional singer, she is delighted to create beauty in a new way. Kitty’s first attempts were to recreate the paintings of ancestors William and Ellsworth Woodward. Now, her joy is to paint the beauty of God’s creation, as well as religious subjects that spring from her deep Catholic roots. Kitty is becoming more painterly, as Gretchen encourages her to let go of perfectionism and follow her bliss. IG: #kittyclevelandart; kittycleveland.com.

Linda Pippins Linda Pippins loves to paint in oil and watercolor. In classes taken at Armbruster Artworks, she highlights Louisiana birds, flora and food; she also enjoys pet portraits. Linda’s work was exhibited at the St. Tammany Hospital Healing Arts program, is a part of the hospital’s permanent collection, and welcomes children to the St. Tammany Pediatric Clinic. Her work can be seen at Armbruster Artworks, Facebook, Art By Linda or Instagram, @pippins334.

Claire Friedricks Taylor “Painting and golf are how I relax. I have always turned to art when time permitted,” says Claire Friedricks Taylor. “Now I make time.” Claire moved to the Northshore in 2004, fell in love with the art community and joined Gretchen Armbruster’s classes. She loves to catch the personality of dogs, horses and other animals, but also paints abstracts for fun. “Art is not only fun, but a rewarding look into the soul! Painting makes me happy, and that is a good thing!”

Sue Zaunbrecher “I have always loved color, design and crafts, but when I moved to New Orleans, I was inspired to capture the light and beauty all around me,” says Sue Zaunbrecher. Six years ago, she wanted to explore oils and started classes with Gretchen. “I have learned so much, especially about value and composition. My favorite subjects are florals and landscapes.” See Sue’s work at the St. Tammany Art Association, Armbruster Artworks, suezaunbrecher.com or Instagram (@suezaunbrecher). Sue loves doing commissions, especially wedding bouquets!

Bobbie Calandro Bobbie Calandro has always enjoyed painting. Her first work was sold to a teacher. Years passed, and with kids, work and fundraising, she put her brushes aside. Later, she did Louisiana and New Orleans scenes in acrylic on barstools, tables and trays. But she loved canvas and wanted to learn oils. Gretchen Armbruster became a blessing, helping her master skills in oils and bring her Louisiana scenes to life on canvas. Bobbie’s art can be found at Armbruster Artworks and the Art House.