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Betsy Bear

This image is one of various wtercolor paintings by Betsy Bear that will be available at two local First Friday events tonight and a bazaar sale in North Pole Saturday. See the What's Happening calendar on pages 4-5 for more details.

FAIRBANKS — Sometimes good things come in itty-bitty packages.

Such will be the case at two First Friday events this month: The 25th annual Miniature Show at New Horizons Gallery and the Itty Bitty Teeny Weeny Elf Sized Paintings show at the North Pole Grange Hall Gallery. Both shows will hold First Friday receptions tonight, and both shows will feature a number of local artists who will contribute miniature paintings and prints — usually no more than 8-by-10 inches — in a variety of forms.

Betsy Bear is one artist involved in both shows, as well as a bazaar in North Pole Saturday.

“I’m spread pretty thin right now, I’m kind of all over, but it is fun,” she said of her post-retirement career that sometimes keeps her busier than her former teaching career did. “I tell people more and more that I had more time to myself when I worked full time.”

Bear started exploring her artistic side after retiring in 2001, and eventually decided watercolor was her favorite crafty outlet. Taking classes with local resources such as the North Pole Art Society, she developed her skills and now is renovating a home studio. She also participates in a number of art shows in the area, and is looking forward to contributing pieces to this month’s First Friday events.

“I’ve always loved to watercolor, and I just enjoy this so much. Now I just don’t know when to quit, it’s so fun,” she said.

Much of Bear’s work involves florals, wildlife and landscapes. She focuses on such artistic inspirations as moose, fox, bald eagles, bears and whales that “visit my backyards in North Pole and Excursion Inlet and provide great photo and painting opportunities,” she stated on her Web site. The pieces included in the New Horizons show will feature summer, fall and winter landscapes, highlighting the vibrant color and life in nature. Both the New Horizons and the Grange Hall shows will offer winter scenes featuring chickadees with snowy backgrounds that Bear said represent the holiday spirit.

“There are red berries in the background and they are very nice, Christmassy pieces,” she said.

Bear said she hopes to become more creative and spontaneous with her art, as she “continues to discover the magic of watercolor.” More information about her work and gallery can be found at www.betsybearcreations.com.

The New Horizon’s annual Miniature Show will be held at the gallery, 519 First Ave. from 5-8 p.m. tonight. The Itty Bitty Teeny Weeny Elf Sized Paintings will be on display from 4:30-9 p.m. in the Grange Hall tonight, with an artists reception from 6:30-8:30 p.m. From 9-11 p.m., the North Pole Art Society will host a VIP reception for organizers and sponsors of the Christmas In Ice ice carving event in North Pole. For more information, call 378-5778.

As always, various First Friday events will be hosted throughout Fairbanks tonight, featuring music and various forms of art. See the What’s Happening calendar on pages 4-5.

What: First Friday events

When: Various times, mostly 5-8 p.m. tonight; see the What's Happening calendar in this week's Latitude 65

Where: Various locations throughout Fairbanks

Contact Features Editor Erica Goff at 459-7523.