Marian Webb Betts
My passion to share a good story - in any medium -
vocal, fiber, or on paper with pencil, pen, chalk, water colors, oils, camera, or computer.

Growing up in the South Sudan, Africa, my family had none of the modern means of entertainment such as television, radio or libraries. For evening entertainment my Father, E. Alan Webb made up stories about adventures based on his own experiences: traveling the savannah, hiking the jungle, fishing in the Nile River, interacting with the different tribes and animals he encountered, and which we all knew well. A rich tapestry of sight, sound – and odors.

In 1956, Dad was offered a teaching position at Khartoum University. Life in the city was so vary different and so scary! However, I was able to access the British Library, reading and rereading books such as Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island, and Robin Hood, and Enid Blyton’s children’s adventure series (similar to the Nancy Drew s). My favorite adult author is Lady Mary Stewart whose descriptive writing will transport you to the land of her stories.

In 1963, due to civil war in the Sudan, my parents immigrated to the United States. Even our experiences at Boarding School did not prepare us for the new life and different ways of those in this new country. Dad accepted a position with the Presbyterian Church Inner Missions and was assigned five small churches spread across southern Ohio and West Virginia.

In 1969 I married my college sweetheart who was in the Air Force, and followed him to England. Our marriage lasted seven years and produced two wonderful children of whom I am very proud.

I had given up my formal schooling when I married, so the years from 1977 to 1996 were a struggle as I sought to support my two children with little help from their father, but moral support from my own family.

There were many good, even great moments in that time, both with my children in exploring the countryside, creating adventures and magical Christmases, too. I worked with Dr. Nell Arnold on designs for 1982 Olympics in Los Angeles and later assisted her with Gala Events in California. One I remember fondly was held at Paul Newman’s Racetrack in Southern California and hosted James Hong, the well known Asian Actor and Director with over 600 acting credits.

I went into business for myself as an interior decorator and creator of “software” for the home – that is anything and everything made of fabric. My work was featured three years in a row in Sacramento, CA in the annual Street of Dreams exhibit of Architects, Interior Designers and Horticulturalists.

In 1996 Pacific Bell hired me on as a Civil Cartographer. I discovered a passion for computer science and began learning coding practices.

Then in 2005 I returned to the Midwest, to Anderson, Indiana and opened a Bed and Breakfast. I also reunited with Dr. Arnold who had moved to Australia. I operated her Stateside office, several websites and assisted in planning several more events in Australia. The B & B failed in 2007 and Dr. Arnold passed in 2012. In 2016 I was forced to retire due to high blood pressure and heart issues.

However, I continued my artwork in Graphic Design, wrote a musical and authored three books, then two movie scripts. Currently I continue to work in Graphic Design, Digital Art, writing, quilting and clothing design/construction. I am hoping to be able to begin teaching classes in the near future.

I am who I am
with the passion to tell a good story -
in any medium - vocal, fiber, or on paper with pencil, pen, chalk, water colors, oils, camera, or computer.

Growing up in the South Sudan, Africa, my family had none of the modern means of entertainment such as television, radio or libraries. For evening entertainment my Father, E. Alan Webb made up stories about adventures based on his own experiences: traveling the savannah, hiking the jungle, fishing in the Nile River, interacting with the different tribes and animals he encountered, and which we all knew well. A rich tapestry of sight, sound – and odors.

In 1956, Dad was offered a teaching position at Khartoum University. Life in the city was so vary different and so scary! However,I was able to access the British Library, reading and rereading books such as Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island, and Robin Hood, and Enid Blyton’s children’s adventure series (similar to the Nancy Drew s). My favorite adult author is Lady Mary Stewart whose descriptive writing will transport you to the land of her stories.

In 1963, due to civil war in the Sudan, my parents immigrated to the United States. Even our experiences at Boarding School did not prepare us for the new life and different ways of those in this new country. Dad accepted a position with the Presbyterian Church Inner Missions and was assigned five small churches spread across southern Ohio and West Virginia.

In 1969 I married my college sweetheart who was in the Air Force, and followed him to England. Our marriage lasted seven years and produced two wonderful children of whom I am very proud.

I had given up my formal schooling when I married, so the years from 1977 to 1996 were a struggle as I sought to support my two children with little help from their father, but moral support from my own family.

There were many good, even great moments in that time, both with my children in exploring the countryside, creating adventures and magical Christmases, too. I worked with Dr. Nell Arnold on designs for 1982 Olympics in Los Angeles and later assisted her with Gala Events in California. One I remember fondly was held at Paul Newman’s Racetrack in Southern California and hosted James Hong, the well known Asian Actor and Director with over 600 acting credits.

I went into business for myself as an interior decorator and creator of “software” for the home – that is anything and everything made of fabric. My work was featured three years in a row in Sacramento, CA in the annual Street of Dreams exhibit of Architects, Interior Designers and Horticulturalists.

In 1996 Pacific Bell hired me on as a Civil Cartographer. I discovered a passion for computer science and began learning coding practices.

Then in 2005 I returned to the Midwest, to Anderson, Indiana and opened a Bed and Breakfast. I also reunited with Dr. Arnold who had moved to Australia. I operated her Stateside office, several websites and assisted in planning several more events in Australia. The B & B failed in 2007 and Dr. Arnold passed in 2012. In 2016 I was forced to retire due to high blood pressure and heart issues.

However, I continued my artwork in Graphic Design, wrote a musical and authored three books, then two movie scripts. Currently I continue to work in Graphic Design, Digital Art, writing, quilting and clothing design/construction. I am hoping to be able to begin teaching classes in the near future.

SCHOOLS

Kaplan University On-Line
AS - IT/Web Design, 2012

ITT Technical Institue,
Indianapolis, Indiana
CADD

America River Collage,
Sacramento, California
Photography, CADD, GIS

Sothern Illinois University,
Carbondale, Illinois
Commercial Art

FORMAL STUDIES

Website Design
Commercial Art
Graphic Design
>Illustration
Photography
CADD - Civil Engineering,
Architecture, Mechanical
Technical Writing

TEACHING & TUTORING

Color Theory
Clothing Design & Construction
Beginning Quilt
Design & Construction
Adobe Photoshop
Storytelling

SELF STUDIES

Website Design
Graphic Design
Color Theory
Photography
Digital Photography
Digital Photo Restoration
Digital Art
Fine Art
Fiber Art
Interior Design
Fashion Design & Construction

ASSOCIATIONS

Indiana Wildlife Artists' Association
- 2011-2016 Central Chapter Chair - 2016-2017 President - 2018-2020 Acting Treasurer
- 2018-2021 Exhibit Registar
- 2019-2021 Exhibit Chair
- 2011-2021 Web Master
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Birding in Indianaong
Indiana Nature and Wildlife Photographers
Indiana Eagles
Sacramento, California Photographers
Florida Wildlife & Nature Photography Forum
NANPA - North American Nature Photography Association
River City Quilt Guilt

AWARDS

2021 - "Cardinals and Daisies, IwA
2020 - "Tiger Drinking" First Place;
- "Bluebells in the Dell", Second Place, IWA
2018 - "I'm Hungry, Mama! I Really Am!" Polar Bear and Cubs waiting for the seals to come into Hudson Bay. Courtesty of Dr. William Wolfe, Owner. IWA
2018 - "Dahlia on Steroids" the Haan Mansion Museum of Indiana Art, Lafayette, IN.
2017-2018 - "Dahlia on Steroids" Selected by the Hosier Women Artists to hang in the State Treasure's Office, Indianapolis, IN for a year
2016 - "First Landing" Art Association of Madison County Annual Exhibit
2015 - "Dahlia on Steroids" Art Association of Madison County Annual Exhibit
2015 - "Dewy Cardinal" Indiana Wildlife Artists Annual Exhibit
2015 - "In the 8" IWA dsisplay in the Indianapolis International Airport
2014 - "Bathing Beauties" sold and shipped out to Germany
2013 - "Sunshine & Sneezes" Indiana Wildlife Artists' Annual Exhibit
2011 - "In the 8" Indiana Wildlife Artists' Annual Exhibit
2011 - Selected first International Artist for Out of Australia
2011 - "New Birth"for the NCWQ Forum of 2012.
National Council of Women of Queensland, Australia
2010 - "Park Fountain" Historical West 8th Street Annual Fall Photo Competition
2010 - "Lunas in Flight" 1st Place. Indiana Wildlife Artists' Annual Exhibition
2010 - "Blue Heron Sunrise" 2nd Place. Indiana Wildlife Artists' Annual Exhibitionp

PROJECTS

2018-2021 - Indiana Wildlife Artists' Annual Fine Art Exhibit. Rigistrar
2016-2021 - Indiana Wildlife Artists' Annual Fine Art Exhibit. Exhibit Chair.
1989-1991 - America River Quilt Guild, Sacramento, CA. Project Designer and set up Manager for the Annual Quilt Show of over 100 quilts and wearable art pieces.
2013 - Indiana Wildlife Artists' Annual Fine Art Exhibit. Exhibit Chair.
1996 - Australian Tourism, Brisbane, Australia. Photographer and Publicity Designer.
1991-1993 - Street of Dreams, Sacramento, CA. Annual competition for Architects, Interior Designers, Building Contractors and Landscapers to build seven custom homes in the Sacramento area. My workroom supported Designers in one to three homes each year.
1982 for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, Los Angeles, CA. Assistant Graphic Designer for Architecture and Landscaping or Oriental Gardens connected with Olympic Games.

COMMISSIONED WORKS

2017 - Refurbish two murals South Anderson Veterinary Clinic, 109 W. 53rd St, Anderson, IN

LOGO DESIGNS

2017 - Phzi Jewelry
2016 - Design Studio
2016 - HINTS Development
2015 - The Handy Man
2015 - Lawn Care
2014 - 1st@11
2014 - Website Design
2012 - Adidas Challenge
2011 - Photo Restoration
2010 - Cyber Corridors,Australia
2009 - C & C Global Communications, Inc., Australia
2008 - From the Pen - Articles, poetry, musicals, short stories
2008 - GLADES - GEI, Inc., Australia Logos, Artwork, Websites for Glades - GEI, C & C Global, Brisbane Rotary.
2005 - Lady Redbird
2005 - Paw Paints - Logo for All Occasion Cards
1978 - InStitches "Anything and Everything Made of Fabric"

×