Beth Martens

I was born and raised in Lee’s Summit and graduated in the class of 1981.  I went on to study at the University of Kansas for 3 years studying Visual Communications. I received awards for art in both high school and college. I got married in 1987 and started a family.  In 1997, I returned to the University of Kansas earning a BFA in Illustration in 1998. I have had a creative career working in layout and design, digital illustration and currently in Marketing.

In January 2020, I began to concentrate on watercolor painting and have spent the past 18 months honing my craft.  During this past year, I began to take commission work and enter local shows.

• March – commissioned by a local company to paint a series of nine portraits for their in-house publication.
• Fourth Fridays Art Walk in Downtown Lee’s Summit in June, July and August 2021.
• First Fridays at the Crossroads with 2 pieces showing at the Jones Gallery in September 2021.
• Mid-Missouri Artists, Inc. 2021 Fine Arts Show in Warrensburg Mo, September 18
  Entered four paintings – received Artistic Excellence Awards and cash prizes for two of the pieces and Honorable Mention for the other two.
• Kansas City Parade of Hearts – submitted two designs and one design was selected for the project.  I will be completing the sculpture in November and December and it will be on display in the Kansas City area starting in March of 2022 for 3 months.

I currently have many pieces commissioned to keep me busy through the end of the year, so I don’t have any immediate plans for shows until January 2022.

ARTIST STATEMENT

CREATIVITY IS A NEED.

Although I started painting in earnest two years ago, I’ve been an artist all my life. As a child, I was always doodling on the programs at church and assignments at school. Yeah, I was that kid: “The kid who could draw.”

Executing the art that has always lived within me is a culmination of all my life experiences.

I don’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t interested in art. It isn’t just something I do, but a part of who I am.  Most artists can relate: when I display a piece of art, I am sharing a part of my soul.

Specifically, I find myself inspired by the play of light and shadow in a scene. I wondered why. I think the light and shadows of a painting correlate to the light and shadows of your life. The highs and the lows that are universal to all humans.

Every step you take in life leads you to the next opportunity.

I’ve only just begun the journey toward actualizing my soul’s creative need, and I’m ready for the next opportunity.