Betty has painted in various media, including oil, acrylic and watercolor for most of her life.  She has been a porcelain artist for almost 30 years.

Betty moved to Hawaii from Southern California, in April, 2000. Shortly after her arrival on the Big Island, she began studying watercolor with some of the better known watercolor masters on the Big Island.  She now divides her time between the two mediums and colored pencil drawing.

Porcelain painting is an ancient art, a process that was developed over two thousand years ago.  Generally, the paint is applied in layers.  The painted piece is fired in a kiln at about 1450-1500 degrees Fahrenheit between each application of paint. Each paint application is referred to as a “fire”.  The paint is translucent so colors from previous fires can be seen in subsequent applications of color.  For this reason, the porcelain painter must plan the light areas ahead of time, because once a color is fired in, it is well nigh impossible to remove.  Depending on the desired color density and subject, a finished piece may require anywhere from 5 to 12 “fires”.
Another medium used in porcelain painting is Luster.  Lusters can be recognized by the high reflectivity of the painted piece.  Some porcelain painters fire their luster painted pieces at a lower temperature, usually 1325-1380 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The complete firing time depends on the temperature to which the piece is to be fired.   Betty's pieces usually take a little over three and one-half hours to reach the correct temperature.  After the kiln is turned off, many hours are required for the kiln and the piece(s) inside to cool off before they can be removed.    

Betty's art studio is at her home, on the Big Island, in Captain Cook, where she teaches classes in porcelain painting twice a week.