Janice Kirk (Jan) Shotwell, 83, an artist whose paintings hang in many Iowa homes, died of congestive heart failure Thursday at the Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center after battling cancer for decades. The body was cremated by Brooks Funeral Care. At Jan's request, no memorial service was planned.

Born in Diagonal, Jan grew up in the Valley Junction section of West Des Moines. As a child, her artistic talent caught the eye of a neighbor, Rich Kennelly, a flamboyant gambler and bootlegger. He paid Jan's tuition at the old Cumming School of Art at Twenty- ninth Street and Kingman Boulevard.

After graduation from Valley High School, Jan worked at Bankers Life Company (now Principal Financial). During during World War Two she joined the Marine Corps, became a squad leader and ran a post exchange near Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Jan was among the early members of the Des Moines Art Center, where she painted and taught classes. Jan's paintings won many awards, including a Blue Ribbon at the Iowa State Fair. Sixteen of her paintings were willed to the Jan Shotwell Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames.

Mary Brubaker, a longtime friend, said of Jan's death, "It is the end of a glorious artistic era."

Added Peggy Patrick, former director of the Des Moines Art Center: "I know of no one in the last 50 years who has done more to encourage young artists. She was a champion."

"I've lost a dear friend who brought joy and inspiration to me and so many others," said Gerrianne Jordan, one of Jan's closest friends.

For nine years in the 1970s, Jan operated an art gallery on Fifth Street in Valley Junction. Her goal was to provide exposure for blossoming artists, and several owe their successful careers to the boost they first received at Jan's Gallery.

In addition, Jan almost single handedly promoted the old-new look of downtown Valley Junction, with its antique shops, restaurants and other attractions. Some merchants opposed her, but Jan won, and the area has prospered.

After selling the gallery, Jan became a prime spokeswoman for the Des Moines art community. She was a board member of the Metro Arts Alliance, had a studio at the old Fitch Shampoo building at Fifteenth and Walnut Streets and was one of the founders of the Artists Emporium at Fourth Street and Court Avenue. Many fledgling artists continued to get their first exposure there.

In 1954, at age 31, Jan underwent breast cancer surgery and would have six more cancer related surgeries in ensuing years. She is survived by a daughter, Rebecca, of San Francisco, and a son, Jeffrey and his wife Renate, of Des Moines. Her former husband is Walt Shotwell of Des Moines.