Betty Carr was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California and developed a love of art from visiting museums. For 23 years she taught art in public schools and did sculpture in her spare time. In 1980, she married landscape painter, Howard Carr, and they have devoted their lives to painting. Betty and her artist husband, Howard, travel several months of each year, from Oregon to South Carolina in a specially equipped mobile home. In numerous locations, they teach artist workshops. She advises her students to draw continually because ‘drawing is critical to good painting.’

 

From the time she was a young girl, Carr has been represented by galleries. She has been featured in numerous publications including Art of the West, Southwest Art, American Artist, Art Talk, American Artist and Vitality magazines. She is extremely proud of her acceptance into the exclusive Knickerbocker Association of New York City.

 

Energetic, brightly colored watercolor still lifes are the signature work of this artist who is known for her skillful use of light, color and shadow in her floral paintings. On the influence of light on her watercolors, she writes – ‘What catches my eye is the effect light has on form in unique situations whether fleeting, spilling over, striking, etc. I challenge myself in capturing its dramatic and/or subtle effects. The spontaneous qualities of watercolor lends itself perfectly to my impressionistic style of painting. I strive for confident enthusiastic brushwork, the maximizing of color’s value and intensity range and a fresh painterly approach, the result appearing effortless.’

 

Betty Carr is emerging as one of the foremost watercolorists and painters of the southwest. Her use of color, light and shade accentuate her subject matter while showing her love of nature and its forms.

Since gaining her MFA from San Jose State University, California, Betty has taught painting, drawing and sculpture at primary, secondary and college levels and has developed a following through both private and workshop instruction. She is collected both privately and corporately as well as being accepted in numerous juried exhibitions.

 

Betty in discussing her painting style; impressionism, enthusiastic brushwork and the use of light and dark shows the enthusiasm and spontaneity of getting the scene in her hands.

Following years of instructing art in Colorado and California and developing her distinctive painting style, Betty and artist husband Howard Carr decided to follow the sun to the southwest where color and light are ever present.

Artist Statement

 

”What catches my eye is the effect light has on form in unique situations whether fleeting, spilling over, striking, etc. I challenge myself in capturing its dramatic and/or subtle effects. I strive for confident enthusiastic brushwork, the maximizing of color’s value and intensity range and a fresh painterly approach, the result appearing effortless.” -Betty Carr