Bettie's passion to create art began at a young age. Beginning with drawing and private art lessons early in life, Bettie eventually followed her dream of creating art to the University of California, Santa Barbara where she majored in painting and print-making. There she met her husband, Rudy, and they raised three children in Alaska and California. Over the years, her art developed with portraiture classes and private lessons. After retiring from teaching, Bettie and her husband moved to Julian where he had been raised. Bettie set up her studio and drew inspiration from the local environs, incorporating en plein air into her repertoire. The early California Impressionists have inspired her work, as well as other artists. Although she paints primarily in oils, she also does acrylics and watercolors. The unique atmospheric light and beauty of the small mountain community and its surrounding back-country area afford her many varied scenes and vistas. Bettie is a member of the California Art Club, the Borrego Art Guild, and the Julian Arts Guild. She participates in the Julian Open Studio Tours held every fall and displays her paintings with the Julian Arts Guild Show held in the historic Julian Town Hall twice a year as well as at The Banner Queen Ranch Gallery. Bettie's paintings are found abroad Australia, France, and Canada.
Representation: The Julian Arts Gallery, Julian
Notes:
Honorable Mention Award: Fallbrook Art Center's 3rd Annual Artist Guild Show, May, 2014
SouthwestArt Magazine August 2015 Edition: Featured in "Women in Art"
SouthwestArt Magazine March 2016 Edition: Featured in "Landscapes"
SouthwestArt Magazine December 2016 Edition: Featured in "Art of California"
SouthwestArt Magazine August 2017 Edition Featured in "Women in Art"
Artist Statement:
My landscapes endeavor to capture scenes of color and light that speak to my heart. I want to catch that magic moment I see, whether it be shadows on the snow, other-worldly sunsets, or pastures lit by evening light. I want my paintings to express feelings of peace and calm that nature inspires and hope others will see these captured moments of time in my art.
If I could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint. Edward Hopper
Color is my day-long obsession, my joy…... Claude Monet
The purpose of ART is to wash the dust of daily life off our souls. Paraphrased from the Isfahan Gallery in Sarajevo, Bosnia
