Tom Betts American

Works
Overview

The Salt Lake City - based artist takes realism to sophisticated new levels, successfully employing figuration to capture more elusive concepts, such as the nature of existence, in a way more commonly achieved through abstraction. His handling of light, color, texture, and composition is as compelling as that of the most accomplished academic painters of the past. Observing his subjects from both life and photographs, he carefully captures nuances of light and shadow, line and form to create atmospheric images that lure the viewer in with their mysterious subjects.

Biography

Tom Betts' exquisitely rendered artworks undoubtedly fit into the tradition of realist painting, but there is far more at work here than meets the eye. Adding deep layers of meaning and metaphor to the containers, cups, landscapes and lights that dominate his oil paintings, the California-based painter takes realism to sophisticated new levels, successfully employing figuration to capture more elusive concepts, such as the nature of existence, in a way more commonly achieved through abstraction.

Betts' handling of light, color, texture, and composition is as compelling as that of the most accomplished academic painters of the past. Observing his subjects from both life and photographs, he carefully captures nuances of light and shadow, line and form to create atmospheric images that lure the viewer in with their mysterious subjects: string lights, single or multiple porcelain cups and saucers. But these works, of course, are not just vehicles to display his expert handling of paint and well-trained eye.

Born and raised in Bountiful, Utah, Tom Betts was drawn to the stillness and desolation of the Great Salt Lake. Identifying with the lake’s entropic lure, he floats along with family heirlooms, mesmerized by the fragility of innocent identity within nature. As time ages these everyday objects in his work, their nostalgia glows brighter with the light that illuminates these moments of quiet simplicity. Now living in Southern California, Betts continues to paint the subjects that float along with him.

His work has been featured by Southwest Art Magazine, Artists Network, and Park City Mountain Morning News.  Betts received his BFA and MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Utah. 

Store
  • California Blue Mint by Tom Betts
    California Blue Mint, 2019
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    12" x 12"
    $6,800.00
  • California Dessert Sands by Tom Betts
    California Dessert Sands, 2019
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    12" x 12"
    $6,800.00
  • Chocolate and Vanilla Western
    Chocolate and Vanilla Western, 2019
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    12" x 12"
    $6,800.00
  • Desolate Tea by Tom Betts
    Desolate Tea, 2024
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    28" x 30"
    $10,500.00
  • Affectionate Tea
    Affectionate Tea, 2009
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    17" x 18"
    $6,000.00
  • Treasure Tea by Tom Betts
    Treasure Tea, 2009
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    28" x 30"
    $10,500.00
  • Lagoon and Glass
    Lagoon and Glass, 2017
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    36" x 24"
    $12,800.00
  • Mojave Mountains and Cups by Tom Betts
    Mojave Mountains and Cups, 2017
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    24" x 24"
    $10,800.00
  • Skyline Glass and Cups by Tom Betts
    Skyline Glass and Cups, 2017
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    36" x 24"
    $13,800.00
  • Climbing Lights & Flower
    Climbing Lights & Flower, 2016
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    18" x 14"
    $6,800.00
  • Hearth Light and Cups by Tom Betts
    Hearth Light and Cups, 2016
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    12 x 12
    $4,800.00
  • Lantern Light & Cup by Tom Betts
    Lantern Light and Cup, 2016
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    36" x 24"
    $12,800.00
  • Light Steps & Flowers by Tom Betts
    Light Steps & Flowers, 2016
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    18" x 14"
    $6,800.00
  • Tumultuous Tea
    Tumultuous Tea, 2016
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    17" x 18"
    $6,000.00
  • Twist of Light and Flower by Tom Betts
    Twist of Light and Flower, 2016
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    18" x 14"
    $6,800.00
  • La Danza Bajo la Luz by Tom Betts
    La Danza Bajo la Luz, 2014
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    43.5" x 31"
    $11,500.00
  • Icon with Lights & Peaches by Tom Betts
    Icon with Lights and Peaches, 2012
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    16" x 20"
    $6,800.00
  • Light & Climbing Vine by Tom Betts
    Light & Climbing Vine, 2012
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    26" x 36.5"
    $10,500.00
  • Storm with Lights & Peaches by Tom Betts
    Storm with Lights & Peaches, 2012
    Tom Betts
    Oil on Panel
    16" x 16"