Bett & Barb: The double real deal, 2-4-1 , twosome teachers.

 Bett and Barb met through their art and reconnected on the treadmill of life…. literally, exercising their way to fitness, jumping up & down and bobbing back & forth. One who runs while standing and one who stands while running.

The ditzy duo, the yin & yang, the frick & frack of art. Team teachers who explore two different worlds of creative design opening two creative boulevards for their students. One would be hard pressed to find two artists who styles could be farther apart but whose creative souls could be nearer or dearer. Bett full of magical fire and Barb born from the earth. Two artists that are enthralled by each other’s creations but cannot fathom the imaginative path the other travels, both sharing road maps to describe their wanderings.

Barbara Natoli
I spent my childhood in upstate New York during a time that encouraged imagination. Creative activity was the mainstay of my entertainment, my only restriction was that whatever I used, I had to clean up. Scraps of paper became pictures, books and sculptures. Everything was fodder for creating.

My formal training, with a major in sculpture and a minor in education and gold & silversmithing, was at the State University of New York, College at New Paltz. My early work was influenced by the cool and controlled northeast. Since moving to Arizona my creations have warmed, influenced by the desert heat, its textures and my interest in the southwest’s early culture and art. Along my life’s designated path I’ve kept my sense of wonder, my willingness to experiment.

My latest technique I call ‘Painting with Paper’. Using art papers on stretched canvas, my works resemble oil paintings. On closer observation one sees the work contains no paint at all but is constructed completely with layers of torn or cut paper. My technique has been featured in national print and I am currently showing my work locally at Casa de Artistas Gallery on Main Street , Scottsdale and Art on Boston Gallery, Chandler .

Bett York
Bett started her teaching career after graduating from college with a degree in art education. Bett taught art in the public school system for twenty years. She enjoys so many forms of art that every time she has found a ‘happy medium’ something else strikes her fancy.

Bett has had her own jewelry and clothing design and manufacturing business and exhibited in galleries across the country. Bett teaches classes in several area venues. Bett also is currently creating commission sculptural pieces for several galleries. Her other works include embellishments for assemblages, jewelry, art dolls and collage.

Bett is a member of Arts and Crafts Association of America (ACAA).

Email Bett: artbybett@yahoo.com
Website: represented www.5acrearts.com

Email Barbara: azcollageartist@yahoo.com
Website:www.natoliartstudio.com

Hidden in the Pages - Monday & Tuesday morning
Unique Adornment - Monday & Tuesday afternoon
Notan - Thursday evening