This Artist Spotlight Series feature is sure to brighten up a dreary Monday.  

This artist creates magical pop art sculpture pieces to delight.

Enjoy getting to know the talented

Betsy Enzensberger

Los Angeles, California 

 What is your training? 

Hmmm…I guess I can start at formal education, since painting with Bob Ross as a child probably doesn’t count (or does it?).  So, I majored in abstract painting and biology at Tulane University. It was a great way to balance my mind, but really I studied both of those subjects because my parents insisted that art is not a real major. I’m sure you’ve heard this before. Anyway, I painted for many years and about 10 years ago, I started coating my paintings with resin. It was just for fun at the time, but I was really intrigued by this mystery material so I kept experimenting with the resin. I made a lot of work with wood, paint, resin. It was terrible work, but looking back it’s interesting to see how long I fought the natural evolution of my sculptures. Every time my work got sculptural, I tried to flatten it again. Then it would get sculptural again. Finally, one day I just let go…

What inspires you and your designs?

The resin itself inspires me. The smell of it. The consistency of it when it’s uncured. The strange way it acts when it’s too cold or too warm. The constant challenges and overcoming mistakes. The mistakes are usually what inspires new designs. Happy accidents, I suppose. It’s so naturally evolving for me. 

 

What is your favorite piece? 

 

If you’re asking what my favorite piece of my own work is, I can’t really answer that. Each and every piece is individually made with so much love and attention. I literally talk to the sculptures while I’m working on them. They are like my babies and when I ship them out I think “This must be what it’s like to send the kids off to college.” That being said, each and every piece I make is my favorite, until the the next one is finished. 

I have a favorite piece from another artist, though. It’s a ceramic donut I purchased from Jae Yong Kim. His work is amazing. I wish I could buy 100 of them.

 

How has the your area influenced your work?

Los Angeles has very consistent weather – 66-80 degrees average year round. It’s almost always the perfect weather to pour resin, so that means I’m always working. The only time I take a break is to travel…which is another passion of mine

What is your favorite restaurant in LA?

My current obsession is Killer Noodle in Sawtelle Japantown. It’s Japanese Ramen with a twist …and a lot of heat! Pretty sure they use ghost peppers.

 

What is your favorite cocktail?

I really only drink coffee, Kombucha and water.  My current favorite beverage is Lavender Kombucha

How do you balance personal life and work?

No idea. It all just seems to work out. I make dates with my best girlfriends at least once a week. We all have different careers, so we just get together when we can. 

Dream trip?

I’ve traveled all over the world for fun, but my favorite trips are with my art. It’s really exciting to be able to follow my work to different countries and see how other cultures respond. I would LOVE to go to Singapore with my work next. Any galleries reading this can contact me directly 😁

Dream commission?

I would love to create a cascade of colorful, 6 foot tall popsicles melting down the alps, maybe somewhere near Salzburg. It would really confuse the mountain cows.

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

Hugs


Your favorite up and coming artist?

I’m loving the ceramic works by Nina Jun. She makes ceramic balloons that hang on the wall. I already have three. Obsessed.

What is your most treasured possession?

Things are not important. Wait – Do dogs count as possessions? Of so, then Schnitzel is my most treasured possession.

What are you reading?

Demystifying the Out-Of-Body Experience.

What are you listening to?

Crime Junkie podcasts

Look at her fab pieces…