About the Artist

Betty Bea Washburn has been a professional watercolorist for the last 30 years. Before settling in northern lower Michigan, Betty Bea was a public school art teacher in the Marshall Public School system. Today she finds inspiration for her large and vibrant watercolors in area landscapes, gardens and historical sites, especially those on Mackinac Island.

Washburn is intrigued by watercolor relationships: the harmony between the physical properties of the medium, the effect of atmosphere on the subject matter, and the use of color to create an internal glow.

Her watercolor journey which included study under Nita Engle, has led to an intuitive style of painting achieved by floating color on paper surface and pouring atmospheric colors to achieve glowing light effects.


COLLECTIONS

Oaklawn Hospital, Marshall, MI
Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire, MI
Michigan Education Association, Lansing, MI
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Kalamazoo, MI
Breakers Hotel, Palm Beach, Florida (team muralist)
Plaza Hotel, New York, NY (team muralist)
Southwest Michigan Rehabilitation Hospital, Battle Creek, MI
(Entire collection-70 paintings)
Oaklawn Hospital Joint Camp, Marshall, MI
(Entire collection-30 paintings)
and Numerous Private Collections

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Art Instructor, United Arts Council, Calhoun County, MI 1996-1999
Art Instructor, Marshall Public Schools, Marshall, MI 1965-1996
Community Education Art Instructor, Marshall, MI 1976-1996

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Education, Western Michigan University
B.A. in Art Education, College of Wooster, Wooster Ohio
Watercolor Workshops with nationally known artists.


HONORS

2008 Mackinac Island Lilac Festival
Poster Competition Award Winner

Distinguished Professional Award, Calhoun County Area School Board Association, Battle Creek, MI

1990 Artist of the Year, Standard Printing, Marshall, Michigan

1990 Teacher of the Year Award,
Marshall Public Schools, Marshall, Michigan

1989 Community Choice Award- Artist Category,
Marshall Michigan


976 Superintendent's Award for Community Service,

Marshall Public Schools