Meet Betsy Cole | Abstract Oil painter

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

Hi Betsy, what do you attribute your success to?
Painting my feelings and maintaining this freedom is what keeps my work honest. It is easy to go on social media, look at other’s paintings, like their work and want to create the same. This can be tempting but it never works for me. If I try to do something similar rather than let my feelings drive my process, it is never successful. I keep going over it and never am happy with what appears.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Before I became an artist, I was a residential interior designer for 35 years. This gave me the business background I needed and also taught me about color, focus, composition and design, and understanding the fact that rules can be broken. It is important in any endeavor to try new ideas and materials and to experiment.

I learned my design business by hiring a designer to teach me the basic skills and received help from all the various contractors I worked with. I constantly asked questions which they happily answered.

As far as my art, most of what I learned came from working with Karja. I meditate before I paint, do not plan my work, have no expectations and accept what happens on each given day. Every day is new and brings on different feelings that are incorporated into my work. As a painting can take several days, it also will change with the flow of emotions and this is easy using oils paints. I paint wet on wet and can scrape and go over as needed.

It is scientifically proven that art heals whether viewing or doing, and I know this from my own experience. Thus this also has become a focus of my work. I spend a lot of time learning about healing, and as science continues to study this further, more information is available. Hospitals and healing centers are beginning to add original art to their offices and buildings as the benefits are becoming apparent.

I began both of my businesses later in life. I have had to trust in myself and have appreciated those around me who have given me encouragement. There are always up and downs, but it is important to seek help if you need answers and not give up on your day to day practice which is important.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a friend were visiting, we will most likely have very similar interests. I would start out with special places for breakfast as the wonderful French Cafe or the lovely Hotel Boulderado where it is quiet with no need to rush..

One day we might head to Vail, love the drive, take a short hike and have a casual lunch at Pepi’s. It is always a special place to visit.

Then on to Denver for a day and visit the Denver Art Museum, galleries on Santa Fe Drive in the Art District. and possibly include the Botanic Gardens. I know our day would end at Meininger’s to pick up a few new art supplies. There are many museums to visit so it might take two days to cover what we want to see.

Some time would be spent in my studio sharing ideas and just playing. I always feel it is important to take time to relax, and have a lot of catch up time. Walks are a must.

Then there would be a couple days in Boulder walking on the mall, maybe head to 29th street, check out The Dairy for a film and stop in The Bus Stop Gallery, There would be time to visit exhibits at the Library or the Museum of Contemporary Art. Restaurants might include Fringe, the Cork, The Kitchen, and one can’t miss The Dushanbe Teahouse.

Our life would generally be quieter with involvement in the arts which I know would please us both..

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?
My story began in Bali when I met an instructor named Wayan Karja. By chance I saw his name in a small ad in my guidebook. He was amazing and taught me to be free and conquer my vulnerability. After trying many lessons with teachers who wanted me to learn their process and told me why I couldn’t do what I wanted to create. I was amazed at what can happen with positive personal support. There was no criticism or firm direction. “Walk in the rice fields when you are stuck and then come back and just paint”. This gave me the freedom I was longing for and has stayed with me ever since.

I made several trips back to Bali to work with Karja and his “allowing” gave me just what I longed for and this totally changed my life. The direction was always play and do not try or force what I am doing. His comment was that often Westerners are known to strive for perfection and that is not necessarily freedom.

Website: https://betsycoleart.com

Instagram: @betsycoleart

Facebook: betsycole6

Image Credits
there are no credits needed –