About the Artist

Betsy Kellum, contemporary and classical realist, works in both oil and pastel with a concentration in 'still life' and 'animals'. Her still lifes are set-up in her studio and painted from life of various items collected over the years and often inspired by a theme or story.   Road trips to sketch and gather photographic references often take her to beautiful Monterey, VA where rolling hills and abundant farms offer subject manner...  especially in the spring when the farm babies are arriving. 

 

"I feel fortunate that I'm comfortable painting both oil and pastel work.  Changing from one to the other keeps my work fresh, and working with a variety of subject matter keeps me motivated for each new project," states Betsy. 

 

 Betsy graduated from William & Mary with an BA in Education.  She studied art at The Art League School, Old town Alexandria, VA and  has studied with renown artists Burton Silverman, Albert Handel, Robert Liberace, Doug Dawson, Roger Dale Brown, Quang Huang and others in workshops.  She teaches adult art classes and has served as juror and judge for local, state and regional art shows.  She has been published in national publications:   American Art Collector,    The Pastel Journal,    The Best of Virginia; Artists & Artisans,     The Best of America; Pastels, The Encyclopedia of Living Artists,      THE CHRONICAL: History of the  Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club and others.

 

SIGNATURE MEMBERSHIP IN THE FOLLOWING:

INTL ASSOCIATION OF PASTEL SOCIETIES,  (Master Circle member) 

PASTEL SOCIETY OF AMERICA,New York (Master Pastelist)

PASTEL SOCIETY OF THE WEST COAST, California (Distinguished Pastelist)

CATHERINE LORILLARD WOLFE ART CLUB, New York

SOUTHEASTERN PASTEL SOCIETY, Atlanta, GA (exceptional Pastelist)

MARYLAND PASTEL SOCIETY, Maryland.... 

 

Juried Member of the following: 

OIL PAINTERS OF AMERICA

INTERNATIONAL GUILD OF REALISM

 

SELECTED SHOWS, AWARDS & RECOGNITION:

International Guild of Realism, Intl. Annual Juried Exhibition, 'Strength and Beauty', McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD 2022

Southeastern Pastel Society, Intl. Annual Juried Exhibition, 'Bosc Trio', 'Dried Yellow Rose' (Outstanding Merit Award) 2021

NOAPS, Best of America Small Works, Principle Gallery, SC, 'Cursive Writing: A Lost Art' 2021 (Best Narrative)

International Guild of Realism, Spring Salon Online Juried Show, Bosc Trio 2021

Pastel Society of the West Coast, Juried Online Show, 2021

International Guild of Realism, Juried Gallery Show, Principle Gallery, SC 2019

International Association of Pastel Societies  'Master Circle' 'The Politician' 2019

Boldbrush Online Competition, Outstanding Pastel, 2018

International Guild of  Realism, Online Salon, 2018

Boldbrush Competition, 'The Three Rs', Dec 2018

Pastel Society America,  achieved 'Master Pastelist', 2018

Pastel Society of America, Blick Art Award ($1,500),'Bartlet Pears On Crate' 2018

Pastel Society of America, 'Enduring Brilliance' 36th Annual, 2018

UART Juried Web Show, 2018 

International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS)  2018  'The Three Rs, juried Web Show 

International Guild of Realism,  Winfield Gallery, Carmel CA. 2017

International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS)  Albuquerque, NM  2017

Artist's Magazine, Annual Competition, 'I'm Late', Jan/Feb 2017

Boldbrush Competition, Outstanding Pastel,  Nov 2016

Richmond Times Dispatch, Solo show, October, 2016

Connecticut Pastel Society,Renaissance In Pastel, Juried National Exhibition  2016

Artists Magazine, Annual Competition, Finalist, Still Life Category, 2016 

 Maryland Pastel Society, Betty Knight Memorial Award 'Dried Roses, Rocks & Marbles, 2015

Best In Show, Virginia Pastel Society, Richmond, VA, Cultural Arts Center, 2015

 American Artists Professional League, President's Award,Salmagundi Club, NY, 2012

 The Art League, Carol Bruce Award, Old Town Alexandria, 2012

 Connecticut pastel Society, Winsor & Newton Award, 2010

The Art League, Best In Show Judge: Howard Paine, Director, National Geographic 2010

 American Artists Professional League, Gamblin Paint Co. Merit Award NY 2009

 Pastel Society of America, Mid-American Award of Excellence, NY, 2008

 Pastel Society of the West Coast, Open Box M Award of Excellence CA 2008

 Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, CLWAC Gold Medal of Honor, Oil, 'James' NY 2007

 American Artists Professional League, Jack Richison Award,NY 2002

 Pastel Society of America, American Artists Award 2002

Pastel Society of the West Coast, Accutype Award, 2002

 Southeastern Pastel Society, Pastel Journal Award 2002......  And Others....

 

Betsy lives with her husband and two cats in Midlothian, VA  (suburbs of Richmond, VA)