Meet Katy Betz | Children’s Book Author/Illustrator and Art Professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katy Betz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katy, why did you pursue a creative career?
Art was something I was always good at and enjoyed, but I didn’t see it as a potential career path until I spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy while going to community college.

Living in Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance – revealed to me how art can enrich culture and elevate humanity through beauty. I witnessed how art was used to communicate, tell stories, provoke personal reflection, challenge ideas, or simply offer visual pleasure.

That’s when I began to understand the immense value and power of art and realize it is something worth pursuing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a writer, illustrator, maker, and teacher. My studio mantra is “Creating Space for Imagination”, which describes what I do as an artist. My work invites others to imagine what it would be like to be someone or something else, in perhaps a different time or place. Within this imaginative space, curiosity and empathy are engaged and develop an emotional connection to the subject. It is in this moment that delight, appreciation, and wonder are formed, which are keys to lifelong learning and love for life.

After my time studying abroad, I attended art college and received a BFA and MFA in Illustration. I have since pursued many different avenues. I started out as an oil painter showing work in galleries and have been doing so for about 15 years. I am currently an associate artist at Valkarie Gallery in Lakewood (Belmar) and have a show coming up in October.

In addition to showing work in galleries, I have been working as a freelance children’s book illustrator for over 10 years. I am represented by Ethan and Heather Long at the Tugeau 2 Art and Literary Agency, and am venturing into writing my first fiction novel for middle grade readers (ages 8-12). My work can be described as elegant and epic – I love creating beautiful images for stories full of action and adventure, magic and mystery.

When I was a graduate student, my professors recommended me to teach a class. I was terrified of the idea, but my sister (who ironically was teaching a public speaking class at the time), challenged me to try it, so I did. I absolutely loved it and have been teaching at the college level for over ten years now, stepping into leadership and administrative roles along the way. I currently serve as Head of Illustration at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Teaching other artists has been a deeply rewarding and fulfilling vocation. It helps me stay inspired and motivated, and it blesses me to see my students succeed and realize their dreams.

One of the valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way is to step into the things that scare you. I was scared to show my work, scared to talk in front of people, scared to step into leadership, scared to write a book. But because I said yes, ok I’ll try it, a ton of other doors opened up for me.

I am thankful for my family, teachers, friends and mentors who told me over and over – you can do it! I would be lost without them. But success is also a matter of being faithful to your calling – it’s taking yourself seriously and showing up day after day to say yes to your ideas and dreams.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A weeklong trip might include:

Hiking at Rocky Mountain National Park
Hiking at Bear Creek Lake Park
Beers at Green Mountain Beer Company and New Terrain
Dinner at Jordano’s Italian Restaurant and the Sherpa House

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This shoutout goes to my mom and dad! Their steadfast love, encouragement and support helped me believe that I could become anything I wanted. They are hard-working small business owners who built their dreams. They are the best role models I could have asked for. I am very blessed to have such amazing parents.

Website: www.katybetz.com

Instagram: @myprimordialplayground