Artist Statement:
"My work is rooted in my passion for the natural world inspired by my international travels. It is a reflection of my fascination with the fragmented, grid-like patterns found in nature which I use to abstractly capture the essence of landscapes, journeys and migration. The paintings evoke topographical elements of land forms and feelings of exploration and interconnectedness with nature. For over two years, my work has been informed by global initiatives to restore, heal and conserve environments. In my latest series, “Trails Within” which was developed during my recent artist residency at the School of Visual Arts, NYC, I explore how restoring balance to our natural environments can serve as a metaphor to restore balance within ourselves. Drawing from personal experiences, I strive to convey feelings of connection, mindfulness and gratitude when we immerse ourselves in nature, highlighting its potential as a source of healing. Each experience I’ve had in various landscapes has reinforced my belief in the healing power of nature.
I apply multiple layers of paint, working in encaustic or acrylic, adding and subtracting layers with intuitive mark making to create surfaces rich in depth and texture. The visible brush marks and scrapes enhance the emotion and energy behind each stroke. I use my signature grid based motifs alongside organic and structural shapes to create movement and pathways for viewers to enter and engage with the pictorial space. My work invites contemplation of the duality between internal and external landscapes, encouraging healing, happiness, and reconnection."
Artistic Influences:
"Having earned my degree in Art History from McGill University, I have admired and drawn inspiration from the works of Agnes Martin, Joan Mitchell, Lee Krasner, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Jasper Johns, and Brice Marden. I appreciate Martin for her spiritually based, serene grid paintings; Mitchell, Krasner and Riopelle for their emotionally charged, gestural abstract landscapes; and Johns and Marden for their textured work and compelling subject matter."
"Blue Marble III" 40"x 60" encaustic on panel. 2022 SOLD to Adam Sandler's Happy Madison production company for set design in his Netflex film "You Are SO Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!" released on Netflix in 2023.
Bio:
Anastessia Bettas is a Canadian born artist based in Toronto, Ontario and a graduate of McGill University with an Art History degree, the Toronto School of Art with a Fine Arts Diploma in Painting and Drawing, and the University of Toronto Internet & Business Technology program. Her new series was developed during her recent artist residency at the School of Visual Arts, NYC. She has exhibited in over sixty juried exhibitions in commercial and public galleries in North America and featured in print and online media. Her painting “District” is part of the permanent collection in the Museum of Encaustic Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her work was included in John B. Aird's national survey of Canadian contemporary painting. She was a featured artist in the Encaustic Arts Magazine Winter 2022 issue. Her painting “Blue Marble” was purchased by Happy Madison Productions and featured in an Adam Sandler film in 2023. Her paintings are in private collections around the world. Anastessia is represented by Galerie St. Laurent + Hill in Ottawa where she had a solo exhibition in May 2025 and the Petroff Gallery in Toronto.
Anastessia was born with a paint brush in her hand and a vivid imagination. Her natural talent was recognized by teachers throughout her schooling and she won the art award after graduating high school, but life led her to pursue a corporate career instead of the arts. She retired from the dot com world as Head of Marketing Operations at AOL Canada Inc. and graduated from the Toronto School of Art (TSA) with a Fine Arts diploma (three year program in 2013) in Painting and Drawing where she learned to refine her techniques and explore new mediums. Her encaustic instructors at TSA were Nicole Collins and Mona Shahid and acrylic/oil abstract instructors were Tina Poplawski and Celia Neubauer. Her graduating class was mentored by abstract artist, Angela Leach.
Anastessia has served on volunteer executive committees of local non-profit art organizations from 2012 to 2017 and was a founding member of the CERA Arts Collective, a division of the International Encaustic Artists (IEA); active from 2016 to 2019 where she organized and curated group shows in Toronto.
She grew up being immersed in Ancient Greek art which informed her decision to study Art History. She has travelled all over the world and is fascinated by geography and world history. Her mother's family are Hellenic revolutionary heroes and are prominently featured in the National Historical Museum in Athens, Greece. Anastessia lives in Toronto with her husband, children and two rescue dogs.
Anastessia Bettas studio view 2025.
MAGAZINE FEATURE:
Anastessia Bettas is a feature artist in the Winter Issue of the juried Encaustic Arts Magazine. The magazine has a readership in over 42 countries, was the recipient of the 2016 La Vendéenne Award presented by International Encaustic Artists (IEA) for outstanding contributions to the advancement and practice of encaustic art in the Media category. Available as a digital/online magazine and is a full-color, full-length magazine. Click HERE.