Artists Statement
I am deeply drawn to stark landscapes and inspired by the vastness of
unspoiled lands—towering trees, forest views, bodies of water, and
endless horizons. My work consists of semi-abstract acrylic landscapes
on canvas that evoke a strong sense of place. Each painting is alive with
unexpected bursts of saturated color and enriched by textures that
echo the earth itself.
Through radiant, luminous hues, I often create a dynamic tension
between land and sky. My process is contemplative, and each piece
reflects a place to which I feel a personal connection. Inspired by
nature and informed by my extensive travels, I strive to capture
fleeting moments of magic—the shifting light, the atmosphere, the
emotion, and the profound beauty of vast, untamed spaces.
I want my paintings to invite viewers into these landscapes, to forge
their own connection with earth and sky. My hope is that they feel
inspired to pause, to witness stillness, and to deepen their relationship
with the beauty and expansiveness of the natural world.
Process
The paintings are composed by utilizing simple sketches and photographs gathered from my travels. These reference images depict the vastness of the landscape, they may randomly blur the image, provide compositional references, spark a memory of a place or may be used for color or design ideas. I work on multiple paintings at the same time all in different states of completion. I utilize heavy bodied acrylic paint and begin a piece by applying an under-layer paint color on the canvas. This color may be bright or muted and may not even be detectable in the completed work. Once the under-layer is established I complete a basic compositional line drawing, sketching on top of the under-layer in brown, blue or white paint. Utilizing the line drawing I begin to block out the various sections, the color of the sky, a horizon and the foreground. I continue to build layers of paint, often scratching or rubbing to blend or unveil colors underneath. I adjust the colors as I work to harmonize, contrast or create tension. I may use an impasto medium with a palette knife, mixed media materials glued to the canvas, oil crayon, paint markers or stiff brushes to create rough textures. Generally the resulting lines of the finished work remain simple. The works may be tranquil, dark or nearing abstraction. They may be vibrant or magical with enough expression to reflect on the beauty of the vast and expansive landscape.
Bio
Betz Steichen lives in St. Cloud, Minnesota and is an avid traveler, landscape painter, photo essayist, activist, retired Management Consultant and IT Project Manager. Betz is an active volunteer, providing organizational assistance to Heijeu Arts and has participated in Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB) grant review panels and provided event support for the Whit Gallery, Avon Hills Folk School, Bruno Press and TedX St. Cloud. Betz holds a B.S Art Education from Northern Illinois University and a Master Certificate in Project Management from Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Recent Works
Recent Works that are not for sale are displayed on their own page: Recent Works NFS
Works available for sale are displayed on their own page: Shop Works for Sale
Exhibitions
Local Blend, Solo Exhibition, St. Joseph, Minnesota, May - July 2026
Paramount Center for the Arts Echoes from the Highway, Solo Exhibition, Paramount Historic Lobby, St. Cloud, Minnesota, October 2025
Desert Botanical Garden, Toward 2050, Public Engagement, Phoenix, Arizona, January - May 2025
Paramount Gift Shop, St. Cloud, Minnesota, Various Works, January - December 2024
Art in Motion,We are Water Group Invitational Show, Holdingford, Minnesota, July - August 2024
Art in Motion Group Show, Holdingford, Minnesota, July 2023 Group Show, July 2023
Great River Regional Library, Waite Park Library Solo Exhibition, Waite Park, Minnesota May - June 2023
The Whit Gallery, Trail Mix, juried Group Exhibition, 2nd Place Award, St. Cloud, Minnesota, November - December 2022
Northside Arts Collective (NAC), Minneapolis MN, Heritage Park Group Exhibitions, The Things We Love November 19th, 2015 - February 25th, 2016 and Color, March - May 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment