Betty Shelton | U.S. Figurative Painter

I obtained my BA and MA degrees in Drawing and Painting, graduating with honors, from California State University at Fullerton. After receiving my MFA degree, I was the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Project Award in the College of the Arts at California State University at Long Beach, and I was selected as the University of Texas at San Antonio's Visiting Artist in 1987. I've taught and traveled through out the western states, and Europe. I've been on the faculty at the University of Texas in San Antonio, University of Denver, Metropolitan State College, Arapahoe College, Irvine Valley College, and California State University at Fullerton University. I began teaching at Laguna College of Art & Design in 1995, and I've served as Interim Dean and Chair of the Drawing and Painting Department. Currently I teach full time, and I'm the Director of the European Summer Program. I've taken our students to Italy, France, Belgium, Austria, Czech Republic, Holland and Greece. My realistic figurative paintings continue to be inspired by my yearly pilgrimages to the great museums of the world. Among the many master artists who've motivated me are Caravaggio, Rubens, Michelangelo, and Tiepolo. The small-scale, intimate and detailed paintings of Vermeer, and Rogier van der Weden are also very influential on my work. Since the 1980's, my artwork has received awards and been exhibited in solo and group shows throughout the United States. In addition to teaching, I'm currently working on commissioned portraits, and maintaining a studio in the historic "Ice House" in Orange. I feel blessed to be able to share my experience and skills with my students at LCAD.

-Betty Shelton