Bettina Norton

About the Artist

I grew up in Germany and California and began drawing Breyer horses when I was about six years old.  I’d draw for hours and hours (and from all angles to be sure that I was getting the anatomy just right). Eventually, I was allowed a mini studio in my own bedroom, which traveled on every move with me, from home to college, back to home, and then on to grad school. I’ve always felt that art should come to life; right off the canvas so, when I graduated to a much larger art studio space, I was so happy to have that extra working space for larger paintings.

Now, I paint because I cant not paint… it brings me such joy to create in my studio every night, and the best thing of all is that it brings joy to others. It makes my day every time a piece goes on to celebrate a wedding, birthday, or anniversary or just because it brings joy.

Most of my work is inspired by my horse Frankie, a 14-year-old chestnut Rocky Mountain horse with a flaxen mane and tail. We have been together, exploring trails and the seashore since he was just a gangly 4-year-old.

Sometimes I will include a scattering of dogs, landscapes, and girls mixed in. However, I have found that in the same way that some artists communicate through landscapes and/or nudes, for example, horses are my clearest vehicle for communication to say what I need to say.

Mediums vary and typically include charcoal, Sumi ink, gold leaf, and acrylic on canvas or paper.