Betty Nance Smith paints beauty she sees in the obscure and the obvious. Flower intricacies, light touched leaves, small children’s explorations, accurate portraits and grand seascapes are all within her artistic reach.

Smith’s oils have been honored in prestigious national and regional juried Oil Painters of America shows earning her Signature member status, including an AWARD OF EXCELLENCE at the 2016 OPA Salon Exhibition, Fort Wayne, IN. In 2015 her art was included in Signature and Masters OPA show at the famed Salmagundi Gallery in NY, NY. (www.oilpaintersofamerica.com). American Women Artist’s National, Salon International and National Audubon Exhibitions have also showcased her talent.

November 2014 SOUTHWEST ART magazine featured Smith in the Artists of Note section. In 2010 her oil painting DAFFODIL HOPE graced their October OPA “The Best Painters of the West” story. Smith’s skill in painting still life transparency translates to realistic water in seascapes, as showcased in a feature article of California’s Décor magazine’s article dedicated to Smith’s art. This ability to paint nature developed early in Wildlife paintings which were displayed on New Mexico Wildlife magazine covers, a wildlife calendar, and a sportsman’s collectable stamp.

Betty Nance Smith’s versatile subjects include people in natural settings, studio set up still life featuring her garden treasures, and seascapes. The artist’s sensitive figurative works share a moment in time with the viewer. She prefers to paint from life unless the subject can’t stay still.

Painting “celebrations of life”, even in the midst of tragedy, became her career emphasis after a wild fire partially destroyed her New Mexican mountain town. Smith’s faith and attitudes about life transfer into creations that help others see life’s joys

International collectors have purchased her work in Galleries in New Mexico, California and Colorado. Currently her work is represented by the Gallery Collection of “New Mexico’s Art Hotel”, La Posada de Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM. (Art Curator inquiries: 505.954.9668)