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. she and her artist husband,
Howard Carr, 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.'
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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.
"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
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