Betsy Buurma-Morton
Betsy Buurma-Morton
Watercolorist, Print Maker, Mix Media Artist, Crafter
Betsy has earned the reputation as the painter of Holland's tulip lined streets and iconic landmarks. Working chiefly in watercolor, but mixing in works involving print making, mixed media and experimental techniques.
A native of Holland, MI, Betsy first studied painting in her early teens with Cora Bliss Taylor of Saugatuck. After graduating from Calvin College with a degree in Art and Art Education, Betsy had her first solo show at East Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, MI. She taught high school art for five years in Lexington, MA. While there, she studied figure drawing and had her second solo exhibition at the Ockenga Gallery of the Gordon-Conwel Library in South Hamiltion, MA.
Betsy moved back to Holland with her husband and two children in 1995 after living in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Florida. Since then she has focused on watercolor painting and has been an active member of the Holland Friends of Art, the Holland Area Arts Council, and a weekly painting group. She has studied watercolor technique in several workshops. Her work may be seen each summer at Holland’s “Art in the Park” and year round at Lake Effect Gallery in Holland.
Betsy has entered many paintings in various shows and competitions, receiving numerous awards. In 1998, two of her paintings were accepted into the Michigan All-Media Competition at the Lansing Art Gallery. In 1999, her entry in the West Michigan Fine Art Competition at the Holland Ara Arts Council received the Frederick Meijer Gardens Award. Betsy’s painted pig “Hamage to Van Gogh” participated in Holland’s “Pigs on Parade” during the summer of 2000. That same year she exhibited her first series of Tulip Lane scenes at the Uptown Gallery in Holland. Also in 2000, her entry in the Holland Friends of Art members’ show received the Purchase Award and the judges second place award. She received the Purchase Award again in 2001 at that show. At the Tulip Time HFA members’ show Betsy’s painting was awarded the people’s choice for favorite watercolor and for favorite portrait. The following year, 2002, her paintings again received favorite watercolor and favorite portrait awards. Betsy has also illustrated three educational children’s books for the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council. Her paintings are in many private and corporate collections across the world, including “The Shannon Princess”, a luxury barge that travels the Shannon River between Dublin and Killaloe.
Betsy continues to paint as often as she can while taking care of her family, two cats, one spaniel, and many, many flowers at their home in Holland’s Historic District, where she finds constant inspiration to paint.
