Residence

Seattle, WA,

Personal Statement

My work explores the recurring forms and patterns found in deep spaces within the natural world – planetary nebulae, microbial organisms, underwater sea life and geological formations. Inspired by my dive and snorkeling adventures, I began to see similar organic or biomorphic shapes recurring in different fields of natural science, on both the micro and macro scale. I am fascinated by their surface properties, their translucency, and the channels and passageways formed when they group and relate to one another. I look for ways to abstract and juxtapose their similarities. My process is to build up multiple transparent layers of intense color that reference images from my research, such as agates or opals, jellyfish, bacterial membranes or galactic dust. The final acrylic paintings wrap around a 2- to 3-inch deep canvas edge and exhibit a translucency similar to encaustic or polymer resin.

Awards and Honors

2008 Artist Residency Fellowship, Jentel Artist Residency Program
www.jentelarts.org

2008 Special Award, Green: Art and the Environment, Juried Show, Shoreline Center Gallery, Shoreline, WA

2007 Artist Residency Fellowship, Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences, Rabun Gap, GA

2006 Judges Choice Award, Art/Not Terminal Gallery, Seattle, WA

2006 Edge Professional Development Program, Artist Trust, Seattle, WA

Contact Information

bettyhageman@comcast.net

206/909-4310

Artist's Website

www.bettyhageman.com