Betsy Kimbrough: Travel Sketch Tubac – November 17-18, 2023

Betsy has enjoyed her artistic painting journey for more than 30 years. She regularly paints en plein air, painting using gouache as well as mixed media sketchbook work. Several years ago she found teaching travel sketching, a new creative passion she’s embraced. As an avid and experienced sketcher, Betsy has helped others avoid some of the pitfalls she has encountered while learning. She has a wealth of experience she enjoys sharing with others.
Inspiration came a over a decade ago when a fellow artist told about shared about a recent European trip. She then passed her sketchbook around the lunch table and shared that it was the best trip she ever took. Telling how stopping to truly experience the places she visited enriched her experience and her memories. “The encounter inspired me to not only keep a sketchbook, but also to learn to draw quickly and accurately. From that time forward I have kept numerous sketchbooks and they are treasured possessions.”
Years later, Betsy moved to Arizona after retiring from a professional career as Retirement Counselor in Columbus, Indiana. Knowing she wanted to pursue a lifelong interest in art she began to continue her studies through workshops and classes. This instruction came from those the gifted instructors who came to this area the area in the winter. Teaching others to sketch and paint while traveling or at home is an extension of her artistic experience.
She has won awards locally for paintings both abstract and realistic. She has participated and received found recognition en plein air events in Tubac, Casa Grande and Bisbee. A highlight of her artistic experience was being awarded Artist in Residence for Hubble Trading Post which is , a, part of the National Park Service . While she has found great success with her artistic career adventures, her pleasure is in helping others find their joy in art.