Betsy Horn

I grew up in Texas and California during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Although I had an initial interest in art, I was never encouraged to pursue it. I was discouraged by art teachers and told I had no talent. I drifted between jobs and supported my family by working in law offices, ending up as the IT Director in a Fort Worth law firm for over 20 years. When my children were born, I felt a desire to draw and paint again, and I took one community course in drawing from Fort Worth artist, Daniel Blagg, but there was no time and no money for art supplies. Finally, at 50, when my children were no longer living at home, I began to pursue my lifelong dream of being an artist. My career had provided enough money to spend on supplies and lessons. I studied color theory with Fort Worth artist, Janis Bryant, for 5 years and began to show my work. Janis asked me to become the Co-Director of her gallery, “Mo’Martre,” on 5th Avenue in the historic Near Southside of Fort Worth, so that I could gain experience in the business of art. Subsequently, Janis retired and is now deceased, and the gallery no longer exists. A group of Fort Worth artists asked me to join their creativity support group called “3rd Saturday” because we meet on the third Saturday of each month to chat about art, our obstacles, our successes, and to show our current work to each other in a non-judgmental environment. Together we have organized group shows. Many of my works have been purchased and are in private collections in Fort Worth and across the U.S. I have donated many original works to Alliance for Children Tarrant. The City of North Richland Hills featured me and my work online and at a public art display in one of the city parks. In 2024 I showed in five venues: the “Betsy Times 2” show at the North Richland Hills Grand Hall, the “Primavera” show at Zona7 Gallery in Sundance Square, the Zona7 Booth at the Fort Worth Art Fair, the “Preservation is the Art of the City” show sponsored by Historic Fort Worth, the “Reflections” show at the House of NeVille Gallery and Gatherings, and painting an ornament for the 2024 City of Fort Worth Christmas Tree in Sundance Square. Additional exhibitions are listed on my website. I am most at home in nature and find a connection there with the power of creation that makes my life meaningful.