Betty Boyle

Biography

I was lucky to have spent one year studying at night at the famed Art Center College of Design when it was on 3rd Street in Los Angeles, California. The emphasis was on drawing the human figure, which I still love to do. Many years later I learned to paint. It was an affair of the heart, literally. Neil and I were in love and I took his evening painting classes in order to have social time with him afterward, but it wasn't until we were married and I gave up horseback riding that I seriously started painting. I needed something to replace horses, the first love of my life - Neil was my second - and succeeded at doing just that with additional classes at the California Art Institute in Westlake Village, CA, where Neil taught. As when dealing with horses, one is always learning – if you're not you'd better just hang it up. I love the challenge. Every painting presents a problem to be solved. And, with every painting, finished or not, I learn a bit more.

In 2003 I acquired the status of Active Member in the Federation of Canadian Artists. A piece titled "The Ballet Class" was juried into the FCA's open international exhibition, Painting on the Edge. My works have been featured at the Timms Fine Art Gallery in Courtenay, BC; The Nanaimo Art Gallery; The Main Street Gallery in Sidney, BC; Magnolia Gallery in Cumberland, and the La Costa Gallery of Fine Art in La Costa, California. They were juried into the Filberg Lodge's annual Festival in Comox, BC and have appeared in many Comox Valley Chapter FCA Shows where they've been recognized by receiving Awards of Excellence. Prior to moving to Comox Valley, British Columbia, I was a member of the Westlake Village Art Guild and managed to acquire a few ribbons from them. These are just some of the perks that keep me encouraged.

I lean towards figurative subjects using photographs as reference material. Part of the pleasure of being an artist is the freedom to experiment. I'm never quite sure what the outcome will be. In addition to figurative work, I've begun playing with still lifes and landscapes en plein air. My high school art teacher, Mr. Nakamura, said that a good artist can make anything a beautiful painting. I'm attempting to prove him right.

My favorite painting is a portrait I did of the granddaughter of some very dear friends. Seeing the pleasure on their faces when I presented the painting was a most gratifying experience. (Another perk.)