Composers form sounds wishing to have them played and heard. Poets form words wishing to have them read or heard. Visual artists form images wishing to have them shown or seen. Why? Certainly not for acclaim or reward which are, at best, uncertain and unpromising. Art, as we know it, seems limited in its usefulness. Yet, it has evolved because special individuals have allowed themselves to respond to an inner need too difficult to deny. It is a need to give form, to give appearance, to give meaning to sensibilities, which influence their lives. What is formed, heard and seen are expressions of personal inner worlds. With each individual, sensibilities as well as experience vary so that their worlds and expressions vary, as do the meanings. Even the materials with which the expressions are made can vary. Even so, these special individuals offer extraordinary possibilities of unexpected realities, uncommon vision, and unusual insights to enrich ordinary events in daily life.

Betty Jo Fitzgerald, with this display of many magical images, opens a door to her inner, personal world of uncommon insight and unusual vision. What is this world? It is a world of whimsical childhood memories. It is one, which reveals joy, emotional moods along with sensuality. Fitzgerald's world is uncomplicated, direct (only allowing for essentials). Fields, trees, clouds, insects and plants are identified symbolically, as visions while presented with their best profile showing.  Roads, rows of growing plants or bordering fences curve along their routes sensually. Shapes, colors, (whether exuberant or moody) entice any eye to look and see what a pleasure is there. Fitzgerald's artistic vision expresses a special domain that is, in all its colorful locations, inviting, non-threatening, open in its invitation to visit and discover or perhaps rediscover one's own memories forgotten or set aside some time ago. Travel these roads, enjoy, and be renewed. No umbrella will be needed.

Ernest J. Velardi
Professor of Art, Emeritus
California State University Northridge

Betty Jo Fitzgerald has dedicated herself over the past 20 years, with extraordinary discipline and energy, to creating a significant personal artistic vision through water media. She has developed a unique body of work which demonstrates her special joy for living and delight in the natural world. Her subjects are interpreted through a kaleidoscope of pattern and lively high-key color. She manipulates the illusion of deep space for her own ends and employs arbitrary color to heighten the drama of her iamges. She has explored her subjects in endless variation and through many media, but always with the same vigor and engaging result. Hers is a playful, imaginary world which easily entices the viewer. Her personal enthusiasm and technical knowledge have inspired many studens who have benefited from her generous tutelage.

Marianne F. Partlow
Consulting Curator
and Fine Art Dealer
Olympia, Washington