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Artist Bio: Betsy Lewis

Betsy Lewis is an artist, poetess and businesswoman. She is a Colorado native but spent her formative years in the rich cultural milieu of the San Francisco Bay Area where she studied classical violin and ballet. She developed her artistic sense from her father, a contemporary furniture designer, and from her intensely creative uncles, who had successful careers in photography and architecture. Her first memories are of being shown how to draw trees with her crayons, and how to look for pictures and stories in the clouds. A rebellious but sensible child, she rejected the artistic life into which she been born and made a career for herself in education and community services — choosing altruism over art.

Betsy LewisA poetess for over 20 years, her relatively recent foray into the visual arts began while helping a young boy in art therapy. Betsy and the young man would sit down with newsprint and markers, and while he was drawing bloody sword fights and general world mayhem, she found herself spontaneously creating bizarre fantastical flowers. Questions about the surprising color and drama emerging from a person of her mild-mannered exterior led to an exploration of mandala art. This lucky discovery opened a new world for her — revealing her inner heart and soul, and offering her tremendous opportunities for healing.

Betsy says this about her mandala work:

“Mandala means sacred circle in Sanskrit.  This type of art has been created across all cultures and all epochs of human existence. Simply put — by spontaneously applying designs, symbols and colors within the frame of a circle, we see the reflection of our inner state of mind. The thoughtful consideration of what is produced leads to an expanded self- awareness.

My mandala imagery comes to me through waking dreams, and subconscious and collective unconscious inspiration. The finished work is the expression of the vigor, color and drama of my own personal transformation.”

Wishing to combine the spirit of altruism, activism and an enthusiasm for art and its healing properties, she launched her business, ART EVENT PRODUCTIONS LLC, — and is providing her Rogue Valley client artists with individualized art marketing services, representation, and art events designed to foster each person’s artistic growth and their sales by increasing their visibility.

See Betsy's work

Betsy's links:

www.myspace.com/artistbetsylewis
Ashland Artisans Gallery and Art Center