Artist Statement:
“My work is a personal interpretation of abstract landscapes inspired by topography – natural and manmade environments – using aerial perspectives. I am intrigued by landscapes where natural and manmade surfaces converge, depict history and contain numerous phases of existence. The topographical imagery and grids I incorporate include memories of my travels and evoke images of maps, satellite views and architectural structures. These visual investigations bring energy and give voice to moments I or the viewer may have experienced. My intention is to encourage an emotional narrative and captivate the viewer by making references to the wonders and beauty of nature and the built environment with form, space and materials."
Technique:
"I use multiple layers of paint, scraping back, repainting and using incised lines until the desired patterns are achieved. Adding and subtracting paint not only creates depth and visual interest but also alludes to surface decay and erosion in nature and manmade formations. I use either encaustic or mixed media with acrylic paint for my work depending on the size and scope of the series or painting.
Artistic Influences:
"I've long admired works by Agnes Martin, Joan Mitchell and Jean-Paul Riopelle. Martin for her spiritually based, serene grid paintings; Mitchell and Riopelle for their highly gestural, emotionally charged landscapes. Encaustic paint masters Jasper Johns and Brice Marden inspired me to use this luminous medium which I first learned over 20 years ago." Click here to learn more about encaustic paint.
"Blue Marble III" 40"x 60" encaustic on panel. 2022 SOLD to Adam Sandler's production company for set design in his Netflex film "You Are SO Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!" filmed in Toronto 2022.
Bio:
Anastessia Bettas is celebrating her 10th anniversary this year as an awarding winning professional visual artist. She is known for her signature grid motif paintings and has exhibited in over fifty juried exhibitions in Canada and the USA. Her paintings can be found in private collections in North America and Europe. Bettas is represented by the Petroff Gallery in Toronto, ON and Galerie St. Laurent + Hill in Ottawa, ON. Her work was featured in the December 2022 Issue of Encaustic Arts Magazine with readership in 42 countries; the John B. Aird's national survey of Canadian contemporary art "Painting 2020"; the Elaine Fleck Contemporary Art magazine as an emerging artist to watch; the prestigious Latcham Gallery’s Annual Juried Exhibition and Bettas' “District” painting is in the permanent collection in the Museum of Encaustic Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is an expert in the use of encaustic paint having over 20 years' experience; has lectured on the topic and given workshops. She has also curated several exhibitions at the Propeller Gallery (see CV).
Bettas is a graduate of McGill University with an Art History and Literature degree, the Toronto School of Art with a Fine Arts diploma (three year program) in Painting and Drawing and the University of Toronto Internet Technology program. Before studying visual arts, Bettas worked in retail and dot com marketing accomplishing extraordinary success in strategic marketing initiatives, operations and account management. In her last corporate position, she was the Head of Marketing Operations at AOL Canada Inc. She lives in Toronto with her husband, children and two rescue dogs. Her passions outside of art are travel, history and tennis.
NEW
Anastessia Bettas is a feature artist in the Winter Issue of the Encaustic Arts Magazine available Dec. 2022-June 2023.
The magazine has a readership in over 40 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.