The Artist

Betty Walker is a Pacific northwestern transplant to the midwest, now living in Des Moines, IA. As a teacher, Betty deeply enjoys teaching and has a great passion for her community. She is a self-taught artist that has received international acclaim and participated in shows in New York, London, Venice, and Chicago.

Artistic Statement

As an artist, I paint to create.

I celebrate the learning process. My classes, my social media, and my own pieces are there to celebrate learning and growth. Growth comes with practice, not perfection.

I enjoy challenging myself by trying new mediums and techniques. I specifically enjoy the tension between organic flowing paint and detailed pen or graphite work.

Mediums:

Watercolor: Driven by a need to find a more kid-friendly art form than oils (when my boys were born), I came upon my 1996 watercolor paints from Sears. It was originally a rough transition as the mediums could not be more different. With an upgrade of paint, paper, and a healthy dose of stubbornness, I have come to fall in love with this medium.

Coffee: After gentle prompting from a friend opening a local coffee shop, I jumped into this medium with both feet. I spent weeks perfecting how to brew the coffee and make the paint. Art became chemistry. This new and exciting medium surprises me every time I use it. It acts similarly to watercolor, yet its monotone quality creates new challenges. Never did painting smell so good.

Murals:

I generally use house paints or acrylics for murals both inside and out. My murals are a work of partnership with the commissioner. I want to create something unique and impactful while adapting to the specific project requirements.