How It All Began

I was born in the small farm town of Colusa, California in 1942. I spent my youth coloring, drawing and dreaming of being a dress designer. In high school I reluctantly chose a science path. I earned a BS (magna cum laude) from California State University at Chico, and a MS in Botany from University of Washington in 1966. I taught graduate level Botany at Seattle University for a few years and was a charter founding member of the Washington Native Plant Society for ten years. My career path changed when I studied design, painting and printmaking at TESC, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Sedona Art Center, and participated in many workshops. I was accepted for master classes with Edward Betts and Ron Pokrasso. I have been painting and printmaking for 28 years, and 400 pieces reside in corporate and private collections. Honors include nomination to Who's Who in American Art and election as a Fellow of the Washington Native Plant Society. I am a signature member of Northwest Watercolor and National Collage Societies and have been an elected member of Women Painters of Washington since 1987. I taught workshops for La Connor, Coupeville Arts Center, the Frye Art Museum and continue to jury shows and teach classes for numerous art groups throughout the Northwest. I enjoyed teaching at an international residency for Irish artists at Centrum in 2000 and assisting in an exchange with Chinese printmakers in 2004. I was President of Northwest Watercolor Society and Women Painters of Washington and am an active arts advocate in Olympia. I just retired as President of the Northwest Watercolor Foundation which awards annual scholarships to college art students. I have had several solo shows and my art has been selected in 90 national juried competitions, winning more than 30 awards. My paintings have been included in international exhibitions in Germany, Kuwait and Ireland. Throughout my career, I have been an avid colorist and remain open to experimentation and play. I hope to infuse my artwork with joy, whimsy and a little bit of magic. I work and teach out of two studios/galleries in Olympia and Colfax, Washington.

Visitors are welcome by appointment. Contact me at bettyjoart@hotmail.com