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Who Is Betsy Craig?
Betsy Craig, talented artist from Lancaster
SC, has done Commissioned work for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Joe Gibbs
Interstate Batteries Race Team - a Limited Edition Print: Dale
Jarrett: Daytona’s Reigning Star |
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A Few Words
From Betsy:
For a very complicated person, the simple
fact is that I'm happiest when I'm working on an art project of
some kind. It
doesn't really matter the medium. I draw, paint, and make hand
built, wheel-thrown and altered ceramics. I've done sculptures
involving welding. |
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(1994);the
McDonalds Race Team Christmas Card (1993) and a Racing Collectibles
Limited Print: Homeward
Bound, following the Gulf War in 1991.
Among her Exhibitions are Metrolina AIDS Project:
Guess Who's ComingTo Dinner? Juried Benefit Dinner Plate Auction
in 2003 (Enfantasia
- The Enfant Fantasy); Winthrop University - Winthrop Alumni
Juried Art Exhibit in 1997 (Family-Tree
House) and 1998; Winthrop University Alumni Juried Ceramics
Exhibit in 2001; and the Winthrop University - Annual Ceramic Show/Sale
in 1997.
She also had a major exhibit for 1 year at the Talladega Motorsports
Hall of Fame, which included the following:
In 1994 she enjoyed the honor of having
her sculptural Christmas ornament, Eleven
Ladies Dancing, displayed on the White House Christmas tree.
After a break from her art for a few years she
exploded back on the scene and opened 2007 with an exhibit at the
Lancaster County
Council of the Arts. In March of 2008 she exhibited
at Bob Doster's
Backstreet Studio. Both of these locations are
in her home town of Lancaster, SC where a revival of the arts is
taking over along the streets of downtown.
These exhibitions highlighted
her classic pieces as well as her latest pieces including ceramic
spheres, and ceramic organic-shaped candle holders coupled with
driftwood stands. Several of her trademark "Candy Wrapper" vases
were on display as well.
Her latest sculptural pieces "Babies For
Sale" and "Mimiking Nature" gathered quite a bit
of attention. Patrons searched the pieces and their inner souls
for answers to some very difficult questions regarding the extent
people and science are willing to go in order to have children.
This is a subject Ms. Craig is all too familiar with.
Science vs. nature vs. income in regard to human peproduction
are hot-point debates being raised daily in our society.
Ms. Craig's family & heritage is near and dear
to her heart. The pleasures and struggles of her experiences (which
are not unlike a lot of families) are repeated symbolically
in pieces such as "Woman Tree", "Family-Tree
House", "From Mother to Child - Under the Rug".
Betsy is a graduate of Winthrop University,
in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She earned her B.F.A. (ceramics)
in 1998.
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I love altering
digital photographs. I've worked the gamut in various mediums. Unfortunately art
isn't my "paying" job.... though I'm trying to move closer
in that direction.
My art pieces all start out with a vague
idea of what I want to create, then morphe into a life of their
own. I
haven't had a great deal of time to focus on my art in a while
because I was busy creating a family. But now empty-nested, I’m
finally able to start focusing more on projects I've been putting
off for quite a while.
Before I returned to art school, I painted these NASCAR
related paintings. But quickly found that to be a very difficult
(if not treacherous) place to get a foothold in. But I’d
like to sell these and retain the copyrights, as they now sit in
a cardboard box in storage and have for some time. Put into
print, I’m sure there are race fans that would love to have
prints of these classic athletes.
I now spend my time doing drawings
and ink washes, as well as working with polymer clays. They
are easier to carry around with me. I don't currently have
my kiln or wheel set up and don't know when I will. Though I’m
having an “Art Attack” to
work with clay right now! I am working on a series of self-portraits
right now; I guess trying to find myself.
Pregnancy Belly Casting
My biggest
passion has been the casting of my oldest daughter’s belly
through her two pregnancies. This was a wonderful experience
particularly since it was a mother-daughter bonding and my first
grandchild, then the second. But they really turned into some
of my best works of art and treasured pieces. I did four different
type casts through two pregnancies. The “belly bowl” I
then inverted, and being a photo enthusiast, I did a series of
photographs of two-week-old Malachi resting peacefully in the
belly. These will be treasured heirlooms for years to come, both
the photos and the belly castings. I could spend the rest of
my art career just doing these for clients!
I'm soon to start working toward a series of non-traditional
portraiture. I'd love to be able to quit my "day job" and
just draw and paint and sculpt! ...In time! All things
in their own time.
Enjoy my art, peruse my site, and email me!
Just Betsy!
You
can email me at
betsy@cyiart.com
 Seller
ID: bcraig_art
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