Betzi Stein Art World Friends and Strangers
November 17 — December 11
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Art World Friends and Strangers opens November 17, 2021 at TAG Gallery, 5458 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036. TAG is open 1pm-7pm, Wed-Sun
People I see in everyday life and manage to capture unposed with my phone’s camera are the subjects of my paintings. I love looking at people intently—the color and detail of facial expression, dress, posture—how they present themselves to the world is what I find inspiring, and often, humorous.
Many of the portraits in this show are painted from snapshots I took while wandering through art gallery receptions, art fairs and museum exhibitions. To me, people looking at art are just as captivating as the art they come to see.
I paint contemporary, non-traditional portraits, some of which playfully tease my unsuspecting models who find themselves portrayed in my paintings. Other depictions come from a more serious intention of honoring something about them or their situation that I find inspiring and important to convey.
Rooms filled with art and people are the makings for my visual commentary, often including my version of the art on the walls and even reproductions of my own work. I like to have gentle fun painting “my people” and I hope you (and they) enjoy the show.
About the Artist: Born in Philadelphia in 1945, Betzi Stein has lived most of her life in Southern California with periods away in Berkeley, Oakland, Amsterdam, London and Morocco. She attended Art Center College of Design, earned her BFA (cum laude) in Sculpture from California State University, Long Beach, worked as a designer in the jewelry industry and has had a 34-year career as a professional massage therapist.
A longtime member of Women Painters West, Los Angeles Art Association and Signature member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters, Betzi Stein has exhibited widely throughout the United States and received numerous awards for her art. One of her great pleasures is creating contemporary portraits of individuals, children, families and pets and she very much welcomes commissions.
About the Gallery: TAG is a fine art gallery located on Museum Row in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1993, the gallery represents award-winning contemporary Southern California artists working in all mediums and styles.