Artist's Statement

Claudia Michelle Betty’s exposure to art began at an early age with her family’s art gallery in Sea Cliff, New York. Her training continued at the San Francisco Art Institute, where she received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree and at Art Center College of Design where she has been a full-time faculty member since 1994.

Ms. Betty began painting in the plein-air technique under the tutelage of Art Center instructors Mike Hernandez and Richard Lees. Working at Art Center, Claudia is surrounded by the art and design world, so there are many historical and contemporary painters that have influenced her work. She especially finds inspiration form Sam Hyde Harris, one of the early Los Angeles area artists, and his mastery of atmospheric perspective.

"Since moving from a beach community, to the hills above Los Angeles, I’ve been painting urban landscapes; everything from the LA River to Chavez Ravine. There is a wonderful amount of atmospheric perspective to capture, so I find painting the urban landscape challenging and rewarding," Claudia says.

Ms. Betty has painted in various plein-air events including the Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens Invitational, the Jardins en Plein Air Invitational at Descanso Gardens and the La Quinta Invitational. She is a member of the California Art Club and her work has been chosen to be exhibited at the California Art Club Gallery at the Old Mill and the Women’s City Club of Pasadena, California Art Club Venues. She’s also a member of the Laguna Plein Air Painter’s Association.