Tassajara Crown

Bettie Goosman
Oils/Watercolor

"I was born in South Africa and I emotionally relate to both California and South Africa, having lived equal years in both places. As a gardener and artist, country scenes have always drawn me. In my paintings I strive to find the hidden view or capture a mood, season or time of day. I also try and find scenes with depth, since that is a challenge to paint successfully.

"Painting came to me in a roundabout way. I qualified as a dietitian, but was offered a position in medical research. While finishing work for my doctorate I contracted tuberculosis and during my 18 months of recovery started painting, teaching myself. Upon my return I was assigned to assist a visiting U.S. scientist. That led to an invitation to work in the USA where I subsequently met my husband, David. We settled in Livermore and I resumed painting, being inspired by the rural scenes of the Tri-Valley.

"Entering art shows and being accepted in juried shows became a part of my new life. Numerous times my painting has helped me overcome minor injuries and setbacks, and every time I thank God for having led me to painting. It lets me forget everything else and looking at a completed painting fills me with peace and tranquility. Now I strive to open people's eyes to the beauty around them and hope to preserve, through my paintings, the fast-disappearing rural scenes.

"I paint in both oil and watercolor and have done several large commissions in oil. Limited editions of giclees on canvas or paper are available by contacting me: send email to goosman3@sbcglobal.net or call 925-447-8415.