Exhibit at Frost Farm Gallery

Here is the official promotional blurb about my solo exhibit at Frost Farm Gallery, which is coming up soon:


Frost Farm Gallery will hold a “First Friday” reception, meet and greet the artist, on Friday, October 2, 2009, from 5-8pm at the gallery located in the historic David W. Frost farm, 272 Pikes Hill in Norway. The exhibit will feature "Swift River Treaures: Original Naturalist Works by Betsy Bell." Live acoustic music will be performed by Brad Hooper.

In a recent conversation at the gallery, Betsy shared how art came to be such a large part of her life. “My artist grandfather gave me a sketchbook for my first birthday. I sold my first painting when I was in my early teens. Art has always been a part of my life. I have spent most of the last thirty-five years as a homemaker, mother and caregiver; even so, I always found time and resources for art."

When asked about her process of creating art, she replied, “I live in a 180-year-old farmhouse in the mountains of western Maine. Swift River Treasures combines my passion for making art with my enjoyment of being an amateur naturalist. I take so much delight in living here in the Swift River valley and learning about the treasures I find around me. For me, the art-making process is a way of capturing and sharing the beauty I see.” Betsy has a B.A. in Studio Art from the University of Maine at Augusta. Her work is in public and private collections in many parts of the country.

In addition to the exhibit, gallery-goers will experience the live acoustic music of Brad Hooper from Midnight at the Hilltop Hotel, a compilation of original songs that have been around for as long as twenty years. Reviewers are comparing his work to artists such as John Prine, Arlo Guthrie and Steve Earl. Brad will be selling and signing CDs after the show.

The event is free and open to the public. The exhibit and sale will continue at Frost Farm Gallery through Saturday, October 31. First Friday art openings at Frost Farm Gallery are in conjunction with the Commons Art Collective, McLaughlin Garden, and Painted Mermaid Gallery. For more information call 743-8041.