Artist Betzie Bendis works in her studio in Columbia County. Of late she has been drawing with acrylic and graphite and colored pencils. Betzie's primary source of inspiration comes from her work as a garden designer. Her art reflects her love of drawing, playing with color, painting in acrylic or gouache and collaging.

 

"I really enjoy singing when I'm working and I am grateful my studio affords me the luxury of total privacy!"

 

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PROFILE

Artist and Garden Designer

 

 

EXPERIENCE

 

Prior to my current work as a Garden Designer I was a graphic artist in Manhattan, NY in the 1970s. I worked mostly freelance for leading publications such as New York Magazine, but also had a permanent position as Assistant Art Director for Audubon Magazine. At the same time I continued to make my own art.

 

I moved from Manhattan to our first home in Putnam Valley, NY in the early 80s. Inspired by my new surroundings, I started my own company in 1984, building stone walls and designing and installing gardens, all the while continuing my other love and passion of making art! It was in fact because of my need to work on larger scale pieces and to have a bigger studio space, that we moved once again and landed in our current home in Ancram NY in 1993. There I continued my work as a Garden Designer, and built my own studio.

 

In addition to showing my work in Art Exhibits, I have also hosted several garden tours at my home and other gardens in Ancram. I was also a host for the Spencertown Hidden Garden Tour in 2014.

 

I feel fortunate that I have been able to live the best of two loves in my life: working with my hands in the soil and building with stone, as well as drawing and painting in my art studio.

 

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EDUCATION

 

Graduated from Queens College, Charlotte, NC, 1970

 

Studied drawing and painting at The Art Students League, NYC, throughout the 1970s.

Studied Illustration at The School of Visual Arts, NYC, throughout the 1970s.

 

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EXHIBITIONS

 

Artist Studio Tour, St. John of the Wilderness, Copake, NY, 2024

Solo show at The Art Annex, Hillsdale, NY, 2016

Studio Show in Ancram, NY, 2015

Solo show at TK Home & Garden Gallery, Hudson, NY, 2012

Exhibited at Treillage (Gallery within a store owned by Bunny Williams) NYC, 2011

Solo show at Hammertown Store, Rhinebeck, NY, 2010

Solo show at The Framing Gallery, Hawthorne, NY, 1992

Solo show at  Lance Lappin Studio, West Broadway, NYC, 1990

Exhibited at the Drawing Center, Soho, NYC, 1987

Solo show at Soghor, Leonard and Associates, Inc. Broome Street, NYC, 1986

Solo show at Open Door Gallery, Shelter Island, NY, 1972

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PUBLICATIONS

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Featured in Hudson Valley Magazine, November 2014

Featured in Private Gardens of the Hudson Valley, written by Jane Garmey,
Photographed by John M. Hall, 2013

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