Today we’d like to introduce you to Betty Rosen.
Hi Betty, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was living in Nashville and knew my life needed to change. I sought mosaics to heal from what I personally gave up to be successful in the entertainment industry. I was a workaholic. Loved my work but had no life. The more successful I got, the less I was involved with the artists whose music I loved. A friend of mine committed to working on Julia Cameron’s Artists Way book in the mid-1990s, I never looked back.
I came late to this art party. Making mosaics, other drawings, and art started for me in my 40s. My two prior careers- film production and music publishing were fascinating and collaborative. I loved that and yet spent most of my time advocating or telling others’ stories. I wondered what I would have to contribute. I’m actually working on career #4 – surface design and #5 children’s book author/illustrator. C’mon!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe that artists take risks and think for themselves. I also believe we are all artists. And anyone that takes risks and thinks for themselves and expresses that will struggle.
My personal struggles of late have been a mixed blessing.
My Mom is 88 and has had Alzheimer’s for 8 years, and of course, it’s progressing. Caregiving is taxing and overwhelming, and don’t get me started on our country’s health care system and lack of respect and care for elders. Thank God for the Alzheimer’s 24-hour hotline (800.272. 3900)
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love making art with others, be it mosaics, creative journaling, watercolors, bouquets, food. I hate waste. I love mosaics because we use recycled, upcycled, found on the ground or at Good Will or donated materials. I love working on many projects at once. I love being an assistant, a partner, a collaborator.
I like to say that my superpowers are Play, Advocacy, and Compassion. I grew up in alcoholism and suffered from endometriosis and depression most of my life. I’m reclaiming my childhood and playing as much as possible now. I’ve also lived a privileged life – food and shelter, educated, loved, opportunities to travel and see art and culture. I want that for everyone and do all I can to contribute to widening the circle. Most of what I learned in mosaics and in prior careers was trial by fire. I mentor others that way. Most of us grow when we stop thinking, fretting, wondering, and just get out there and make something. Repetition, failure, hating what I make 3/4 of the way through AND finishing…that defines my artistic practice. I can’t do that alone, and I’m so lucky to be part of many communities that support each other. The Mosaic Mafia…Arts Council for Long Beach…PiecebyPiece…Recovery communities…BFFs I’ve had for 30+ years…music and live shows…books…walks on the beach… All these inform my work, my life.
I love making art with people who are convinced that they are not creative…and proving them wrong. one of my heroines, Laurel True, told me while we were working on a mosaic in the 9th ward after Katrina that I “was a good recruiter”. I’d not seen that in myself. But, yeah, I enjoy coxing folks to give something new a try… to find the joy in creating, challenging ourselves, having fun.
A few years ago, I trained with Dr. Lucia Capacchione in Creative Journaling. I have ferocious inner bullies that I keep at bay using her nondominant hand dialogues. I’ll be showing some of them this summer in my first art show in many years. And it won’t be enough for me to just show others… I’ll have activities for anyone willing to exorcise their own inner bullies… and have fun doing so. 🙂
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
If I view my industry as art – making it on my own and with community, advocating, educating, I see a few things…
Tech and AI – Both have helped me research and learn vast amounts quickly.
They have also infuriated me and left me feeling isolated. I know this is true for many of us who make things. I host personal retreats twice a year to combat that loneliness. I’m Lead Teaching Artist for the Arts Council for Long Beach; we created Art Kits to get art in the hands of Long Beach during the pandemic. We are in the classrooms, on field trips experiencing public art, we do outreach and spend time with locals chatting and making and goofing around.
I’m often corralling those I love for local adventures.
Pre and post-pandemic, we know there is no substitute for human contact, conversation, or play. I hope AI will enhance our research and personal experiences. I hope I’m right…
Inclusivity – It’s about time the art of women, POC, indigenous, lbgtq+, etc., are emerging. And be gobbled up by my fellow artists, students, collaborators, and the general public. We crave each other’s stories… and we can more easily share them now via technology. It’s a marathon not a sprint, this life… Change is slow…The pushback is real, and I’m proud to be part of many communities on the front lines. #artlsb, #piecebypiecela
No longer are only the white euro male artists amplified and studied as ‘art.’ Yay.
I believe art is for everyone, made by everyone; doesn’t need to be monetized or appropriated to be valued. It’s part of our human cultural instincts. We thrive around beauty, and we are all creative if given time, safe places to experiment, tools, and encouragement.
Contact Info:
- Website: mosaicalchemy.com
- Instagram: @mosaicalchemy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betty-rosen-bb5b235/
- Other: mosaicalchemy.carbonmade.com, artslb.org
