“The process is my passion. I have dyed fabric hanging from clotheslines, and rolls of paper are strewn across the floor, all covered in watered-down paint. Once dried, the dyed fabric and paper are torn into monochromatic compositions. I believe the canvas already has a plan, and I am merely its tool. The delicate surprises of color emerge when the underlayer of paper is combined with the sheer top layer of dyed fabric, creating effects similar to mixing colors on layers of transparent film. This technique is repeated to achieve deep, organic hues. The varying sizes of the fabric weave allow the folds to become deep crevices, exposing subtle hints of rust—a focal point of warmth trickling through a monochromatic sequence of layered color. I also incorporate the use of found metal objects to dictate the rust patterns on the fabric and paper and also incorporate stitching of copper into the paintings. This multilayering process is unpredictable, and so too are the outcomes. I simply allow the painting to transform before me and trust in the process.”
BIOGRAPHY
Lauren Betty was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and grew up in the scenic mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. Spending much of her childhood riding horses, she cultivated a deep passion for nature, which inspired her to explore diverse forms of creative expression that connect visual art to the natural environment. Betty pursued her artistic ambitions by focusing on the arts at Florida State University, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. During her studies, she selected metal fabrication as one of her primary art forms. Additionally, she excelled in abstract painting, developing a remarkably colorful, spontaneous, and entirely unique style that mirrored her natural impulses. After graduating from Florida State University, Betty relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1995, where she steadily built a successful career as an independent artist. She found her passion and community within the historic art studios known as The B Complex and The Goat Farm Arts Center, which became her creative homes over the years.
In 2019, Betty and her husband found land in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in North Georgia and began building their self-sustainable farm. They aimed to create a home that also served as an artistic space for visual arts and music. In 2020, they moved from The Goat Farm Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia, establishing "Talking Tree Farm" as their homestead. For Betty, the turning point came when her artwork evolved from two-dimensional abstraction to contemporary fabric collage. She reflects, “My art studio sits above the barn, overlooking the farm. Initially, the only water source came from a rain barrel. I would watch the paint pigment seep into the earth, which led me to experiment with different methods of absorbing the paint-pigmented water. The 'Aha moment' was when I used fabric, and thus, the contemporary fabric collection was born. I realized that my passion for the environment was the foundation of my new collection.”
Today, her organic paintings reflect the forms and colors of nature, utilizing dyed fabrics and paper. Her multilayering technique embodies hybrid characteristics of sculptural paintings, employing monochromatic earth tones that convey emotion and a sense of place.
Contact Lauren Betty laurenbettyart@gmail.com /@laurenbettyart