Artist Statement

My series explores the relationship between nature and mankind conveying the fragility of the symbiotic existence between the two. Harmonious flows of colour, shape, and motion inspired by nature bring attention to the delicacies of life through abstracted dreamlike versions. My paintings explore nature and urban lifestyles probing their co-existence by creating self-reflections of our own actions within environments. My work expresses a changing holographic aesthetic in response to our morphing environments representing moments of time passing. By addressing this conversation from various perspectives, lies my expressed hope that positive change is in the now and present.

Deborah Betts

Please watch my 1 minute Vimeo Video called A Symbiotic Nest, 2024

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The Finch Nest 2024 was built with natural found twigs and synthetic plant twigs. It is nestled amongst a synthetic vine hidden away in a corner of a balcony roof. Two baby birds flew away with their parents on Thursday, May 1, 2024.

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Symbiosis Series, 2024

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Symbiosis, Part 2i and ii (ongoing), Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas, 36×36 Inches ea.

Symbiosis, Part 3, Sculpture, Mixed media on Acrylic, 4’x26″x8″

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Other Work

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Streams Series, Fall 2023

I am inspired by nature, landscapes and urban lifestyles and create abstracted representations in my drawings, paintings or lens work. Light and its ability to reflect and refract with its vibrant hues has always been a fascination of mine. Various forms, that are generated through reflection dance between the delicacy of all life and the resiliency we hope to find. Exploring a balance of abstraction merging our natural and synthetic worlds and creating that push and pull of a hypothetical earth for nature and society.

Streams, Conte Drawings, Photographed and Printed on Archival Ink Jet Paper, 21x 36 Inches ea.

Streams Sculptures

Left: Collaboration, Middle: Independence, Right: External Elements

Designs embedded with UV Flatbed Printer, 14 Inch Acrylic Rounds, 1/8th Inch Thick

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Lens

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My lens work is created with purposeful motion expressing how society is constantly moving and shifting at a fast pace. I explore the tipping point of enhanced versions of colour, flow and forms using my continued inspiration of landscapes, nature and urban lifestyles. I take realism to a state of still knowing but with a blurring of crisp lines creating that world between abstraction and reality.

Tulips In Motion 2024 Series (ongoing)

Yellow Umbrellas Series, 2023

Cityscapes Series, 2023

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Painting

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I love to paint, mostly with oil or acrylic and I find an inner peace takes over me as I blend my colours and self within my work. Painting is very meditative for me and I enjoy the solitude and quietness. I am considered a social individual, but I have learned over time that my mind needs to regroup in this complicated busy world, my whole body needs this, and painting helps me with this inner peace. Colours make me feel good and I get this positive energy and excitement that is hard to explain when I find the perfect mix and blends of palettes that resonate with me. It is like witnessing a view of nature or a landscape, it makes me in awe of the beauty of nature that I am privileged to witness.

Seasons Series, 2022 & 2023 (ongoing)

This series is one of my favourites and each one exudes a sense of season through its expressive colours.

Figurative, 2021 – 2023 (ongoing)

I celebrate being a woman through expressive use of soft and vibrant colours in my work while I continue to acknowledge the challenges we face around the world and thankfully how women continue to forge ahead.

Left: Untitled, Gouache on Paper Right: Pottery Life, Leaves, Acrylic on Linen

Fractured, Acrylic on Canvas

Fallopian, Acrylic on Canvas