Betty Nance Smith
“I consider Art to be a celebration of life and a God-given gift to be shared.”
Betty Nance Smith has a lot to celebrate as a native of unique Northern New Mexico. The artistic influence of Santa Fe coupled with the dramatic scenery, have brought a special sense of light and life to her paintings. Even the common becomes uncommonly beautiful.
The beauty of Nance Smith’s creations has been recognized in the 2001, 2005 and now 2006 OIL PAINTERS of AMERICA National Exhibitions. Her work has also been chosen for the OPA West/Northwest Mountain and Central Regional Exhibitions in 2001 and 2005. Among her other numerous juried shows is the National Audubon Exhibition in Alaska
Betty has consistently been active in her native state’s art scene. One of her wildlife paintings was chosen for a New Mexico Wildlife Conservation stamp and others were published in NEW MEXICO WILDLIFE magazine for 10 years. For two years her work was selected to hang in the New Mexico Lieutenant Governors office. She was in the New Mexico State Fair Professional show for 5 years early on and numerous other state and regional shows for the length of her career.
Parenthood happily refocused her artistic celebrations to still life, people and some landscapes. During this change in life she helped start a very successful Studio Tour, which lasted 9 years. As her career continued her sense of purpose strengthened. In 2001 Congressman Tom Udall commented on Betty’s stated purpose for painting, “I admire your (Betty’s) desire to bring beauty into a world that often displays “ugliness” in many realms.”
Her art has been exhibited in galleries in New Mexico, Colorado and California..