Betty Klass, Artist

Betty Klass went back to college in her mid 40’s, receiving her BA in Fine Art; has entered juried art shows and exhibits throughout Southern California, and has sold along the way. She specializes in assemblage art, mixed-media sculptural collage, contrasting color, texture and shape. 

When visiting her home, which is also her gallery and studio, it’s obvious she loves what she does. Her home is truly a work of art! She admits she spends little on decorating; fortunately, she doesn’t need to. She recalls as a young bride, wanting to wallpaper a bathroom and couldn’t afford the expense. What did she do…but, wallpaper with napkins (at that time, napkins cost $.29 a package).

Since moving to the desert with her late husband, in 2003, she has participated in the Art Under the Umbrellas three times in La Quinta, exhibited works in several local galleries and furniture stores, is currently working with several interior designers, and does commission pieces. 

Healing through art, a life support for Betty, is something she discovered years ago and now wishes to share.

To see more of Betty's work go to  www.klassart.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lauretta (Lauri) Lowell, Artist

In 2004, Lauri Lowell moved from Santa Barbara to the desert. During the 28 years she spent in Santa Barbara she worked for the Santa Cruz Island Foundation curating their extensive Plein Air art collection along with their private collection of contemporary artist Richard Diebenkorn's Channel Island paintings.

2006-2008 Lauri managed the Wentworth Gallery in Indio, CA.  During her management, Wentworth Gallery had several successful shows featuring talent from well-known California artists, the non-profit Desert Arc's First Annual Art Show, and an art show featuring 20 amateur artists from the Coachella Valley. Her California rustic folk art was also featured in the gallery. 

2009 Lauri participated twice in the juried Art Under the Umbrellas show in La Quinta, CA. She started her new business called Whimsical Curiosities (www.whimsicalcuriosities.com) selling and showing her work around the country. You can find her mixed media assemblage dolls in a high-end home decor and fine apparel store called PK's Place in Alden, Michigan and Heusso Gallery in Palm Springs.

Lauri has been designing home interiors for 20 years, graphic designing for 4 years, and has spent 35 years as an independent artist. She has experimented in fabric design, assemblage art, batiking, graphic design, jewelry design, folk altar-art, acrylic painting, collage, murals, furniture design and faux painting. Her work has been shown and sold in Oahu-Hawaii, Santa Barbara, Westlake Village, Utah, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, and throughout the desert. Her eclectic projects were influenced by travels to Hawaii, Mexico, Japan, Caribbean, Tahiti, Peru and Australia.  Upon viewing her unique pieces, you become aware of the importance of warm color, bold textures, found-art and whimsy influencing her Bohemian style of design. 

Lauri has two sons who live in San Francisco. Her oldest, John, works as a graphic designer.  Patrick, her youngest, is an entrepreneur.