Art Bio 

Artist Statement

 The artistic process begins for me when I notice a scene that touches me with its beauty or humor or personality.  If I’m lucky, I can capture the moment in photos and then create a drawing that allows me to continue enjoying it and to share it with others. Often I'm attracted to people in a particular setting whose body language suggests a narrative, but the stillness of a natural setting or the drama of a sky might also speak to me.

 I try for a strong composition and choose bold colors to convey the energy I experienced when I first saw my subject. The medium of colored pencil suits my style of representational art and allows me to use my favorite art tool—a pencil.  I create the colors in my work by putting down one layer of pencil over another so the mixing of colors is done on the paper, not on a palette as a painter would do. 

I've had works juried into various shows, most notably Colored Pencil Society International Exhibitions in TX, CA and TN where I won an Award of Excellence. Others include the Dunedin Fine Art Center (FL), Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts (VA), Arlington Arts Center (VA) and many shows at the Art League Gallery in the Torpedo Factory Arts Center (VA).


Art Résumé   

Juried Group Shows                                                                                                                * Received an Award

2012          International Exhibition of Fine Art               North Bethesda, MD

                         in Miniature, Strathmore Mansion

2012          Sandy Springs Museum Art Gallery *             Olney, MD

2011          "Colored Pencil Perceptions",                           Rockville, MD

                         Glenview Mansion

2010         "For and About Women"  - FCCAVA               Fredericsburg, VA

2010         Colored Pencil Society Internat’l Exhibit,       Los Gatos, CA

                         Signature Status awarded

2010         Ratner Museum                                                  Bethesda, MD 

2009         “Let There Be Light”- Art League Gallery      Alexandria, VA

2008         “Personal Commentaries” – FCCAVA           Fredericksburg,VA

2001-8      All-Media Membership Shows, *

                  Art League Gallery, Torpedo Factory,             Alexandria, VA

                       Award – October ’07

2002-7     “Small Works” – Art League Gallery               Alexandria, VA

2006        “Colored Pencil” Chestertown Art League       Chestertown, MD

2006        “Human Element in Colored Pencil”               Dunedin, FL

2005        “Drawing: Tradition & Innovation”                 Arlington, VA

2005        “Urban Life” Art League Gallery                      Alexandria, VA

2005,6,9    Oxford Invitational Fine Arts Show              Oxford, MD  

2004         Colored Pencil Society Internat’l Exhibit,*      Memphis, TN

2004         “Food and Still Life” – Art League Gallery     Alexandria, VA

2004          CPSA, Strathmore Hall Art Center                 N. Bethesda, MD

2002          Colored Pencil Soc. Internat’l Exhibition      Ft. Worth, TX

2001,6       “International Landscape” Art League           Alexandria, VA

Group Shows

2005         “Pen and Pencil” (poets with artists)              Rockville, MD

2004          Schlessinger Arts Center, NOVA                    Alexandria, VA             

2000-'12       Student Show (Art League School)**          Alexandria, VA            

 Solo Shows

2008         Fine Arts Exhibition                                        Gaithersburg, MD

                  Gaithersburg Arts Barn

2003         Fine Arts Exhibition  - Colored Pencil          Gaithersburg, MD

                  Kentlands Mansion

 Art Education

1990 - Present      Art League School                               Alexandria, VA

1988 - 90              Glen Echo Art Foundation                 Bethesda, MD

1987 - 99              Washington Studio School                 Washington, DC

1981-82                The New School                                    New York, NY

1978-81                Art Students League                            New York, NY

 Arts Affiliations

      - Colored Pencil Society of America (National, Local DC 109),

          CPSA Signature Member

       -The Art League at the Torpedo Factory, VA

     -Kentlands (MD) Film Society – Chair of Programming

     -Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts. VA

© Betty Hafner 2011 - bettyhafner7@gmail.com - Colored pencil art, book reviews, reading suggestions for book clubs, favorite books