Betsy Glassie is an artist inspired by nature.
“Beauty in nature is my joy, and I love to seek it out and share it,” she said recently.
“The visual music of leaves in the wind; the flow of a river in its ever changing moods; dramatic light in a landscape; a sparkling field of wildflowers; every season in my garden and flowers posing in a vase,” these all spark Betsy’s imagination and bring her to her canvas.
Her interest began in her early teens, and she majored in art at Catholic University. She studied with Kenneth Noland, who was one of the founders of the Washington Color School inspired by Jackson Pollack and Helen Frankenthaler, artists who created large abstract color field works.
Betsy then studied at the Corcoran for more academic training. Her personal style evolved from these somewhat opposing approaches to art.
“Color is central to my work, and I suppose a kind of intuitive abstract rhythm connects me to my subject which is inspired by nature,” she said.
Along the way, she raised five children, taught children’s art in Fairfax County, and had a studio at the Torpedo Factory. She also owned a gallery for a number of years.
About 30 years ago, Betsy moved to Fredericksburg, and her art has become known and appreciated by all. She has had a studio at Libertytown Arts Workshop since it opened and has done course work with UMW and VCU. But that’s not all. Betsy has also enjoyed a number of art trips to Europe.
“All have been so enriching in art experience and lasting friendships,” she said.
MHAF has been lucky to enjoy donations from area artists. Interestingly, almost all have personal reasons for supporting our organizations. Art, Betsy said, has given her a lifetime of joy, and she has been happy to donate her paintings to MHAF to help raise funds and awareness.
“MHAF is such a wonderful and necessary organization,” she said. “Like most people, I have experienced my own major life crises, among them, the loss of loved ones, and witnessing the pain and chaos untreated addiction and mental illness can bring.”
Betsy captured the focus of our organization in this simple sentence: For a healthy society, mental health should be as accessible as physical health.
We are so grateful for her donations and for filling our homes with beautiful, colorful scenes of nature. For art collectors, a “Betsy Glassie,” is a must.