A Natural Artist Mosaic and acrylic artist Sue Betanzos is not afraid of change. “Many people fear change and will avoid the unknown, but I embrace it! The unknown is like getting on a roller coaster ride. Yeah, it can be intimidating, but also it’s really exciting and fun. Inevitably I want to get back in line and try it again!” The self-described “animal and nature artist” showcases her passion for wildlife through colorful mosaics as well as glass and acrylic paintings. Betanzos’ work has been displayed at many Arizona spots including Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tohono Chul Park, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. Additionally, in 2002 Starbucks partnered with the San Diego Zoo to select Betanzos’ illustration of baby panda Hua Mei. The drawing became a limited edition coffee tumbler with proceeds benefiting the zoo’s endangered wildlife program. Although Betanzos has accomplished many things in her life, she recalls that the journey toward becoming a working artist took time and passion, along with her secret weapon — planning. “I believe in following your dreams. However, the key to success is planning. It doesn’t matter what kind of journey you are going to take, you may know where you want to go, but you have to have a plan to get there.” Betanzos was born in San Diego, California, and comes from an artistic family. Her uncle Miguel Angel Betanzos is a well-known architect in Mexico, and her uncle Luis Betanzos is a successful graphic artist. Eventually, the California native enlisted in the military where she would study graphic design. “I worked in the United States Air Force as a graphic designer. I wanted to attend college and see the world. It was a great choice for me.” After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a minor in illustration, Betanzos was ready for her next adventure. In 1985 she was stationed in Woodbridge, a village located in East Anglia, England. “My idea of art transformed while living in the UK. I realized that I do not need to be afraid of failure. It’s okay to fail — that’s how we learn. I try to move forward and not repeat my past mistakes.” The artist began experimenting with stained glass while honing her skills in acrylics and later mosaics. Inevitably, there were a few missteps along the way, something Betanzos proudly recalls. “My art has been a process, which is a good thing. I learn best by trial and error. I have a whole closet full of ‘don’t do this again’ creations, but that’s how I got to where I am.” After living overseas for four years, Betanzos eyed her next move. “I knew that I wasn’t going to remain in the military forever. I had been previously stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and discovered how beautiful Tucson is. It was a natural progression to want to move here and it was the perfect place to start my business. I simply took out an ad in the local newspaper seeking clients who wanted commissioned art and here I am today. I can now say I am finally doing what I was born to do! “On my website is a picture I painted of my eleven-year-old Australian Shepherd. Her name is short for Sonrisa, which in Spanish means ‘to laugh.’ She was born a happy puppy and it is fun as an artist to showcase that joy. Animals have been a huge inspiration in my work.” Betanzos uses her art to bring awareness to the natural world. “It is easy to disconnect with today’s ever-changing technology. My goal is to use my art to make people realize how connected everything is. Ideally, people will take a second look at how magnificent animals and nature are. It is a beauty that should not be overlooked.” Literacy is another issue the artist hopes to promote through her creations. “I’m doing a series with words right now in my mosaics and I also volunteer with a group called Reading Seed. Their mission is to help children in Pima County learn to read. It is amazing how much a few hours a week can do to benefit our community.” The Tucson International Airport installed four of her mosaic murals as a permanent exhibit on the ground floor of the airport in 2008. The mosaics tell the Tohono O’odham folktale of “Coyote and Bluebird” in both Spanish and English. “The murals are site specific to Tucson. I wanted to retell a folktale that Arizonans could relate to. Public art is fun because I’m able to share it with everyone, not just those who can afford it. Beauty is meant for everyone. “Time flies when I’m making art — it doesn’t feel like work at all. It took some planning, but I’m finally where I always wanted to be.” Website: http://www.betanzosdesigns. com; Reading Seed: http://literacyconnects.Org