BETH OWEN

“And the winner is…” In the fall of 1977, a special event occurred in young Beth Owen’s life that unbeknownst to her at the time, would have a major impact on her life. It was announced in class that Beth had won the art contest for the entire third grade. The prize…free art lessons at the South Arkansas Arts Center in her hometown of El Dorado, Arkansas. Despite her mother and maternal grandfather both being artists, the news was indeed exciting, and came at a good time. Over the previous summer, tragedy struck. Beth’s beloved maternal grandmother passed away.. Rather than ask her mom or grandfather for assistance in art, as she knew they, too were grieving, she decided that learning from other sources would be a good thing. Beth learned early on that people, whether artists or collectors, turn to art as a means of expressing their catharsis; it was a way of natural healing.

Fast forward to 2010, Beth, who had never graduated from college decided to go back and get her degree. She was awarded a BA in Art History in December of 2015. Beth started her own small visual art business selling art to neighbors and friends from her studio which was her kitchen table. On March 1, 2019 her precious mom passed away. Beth sank into a depression and stopped painting. She took care of her grieving father who was going downhill rapidly as he suffered from COPD. Beth took care of all her father’s daily needs. But then in 2020, COVID 19 hit. Beth knew she had to take care of her dad and keep him safe because if he caught COVID with COPD, it probably would have been a death sentence. Taking care of an elderly person who is ill, even someone you love, isn’t easy. The mental stress was affecting Beth. She dug out her art supplies and started creating. She threw herself into it painting her first oil work in years. It was good. In fact, it has been shown in several venues drawing good criticism. She worked hard and became quite good as a visual artist again. She became a represented artist with Art Ventures Gallery in February of 2023.

On August 19, 2023, she lost her father. His last words to her before he went to hospice were “You go do you now. Be the artist you’ve always been”. She used her grief to make it to a 6 month solo show, attend other artists’ receptions, and get to know other artists of Northwest Arkansas all of whom have been extremely supportive and encouraging. In fact, early in 2024, Beth was one of 20 artists from the entire state of Arkansas to have one of her pieces selected to have the image transferred onto fabricated metal and hang in the promenade of Hot Springs National Park. It will be on display until April 2025. The piece is entitled “Take it Up a Notch”.

She is currently a represented artist with The Art Collective Gallery, a member artist with The Art Gallery at Northwest Mall, and a member artist with Fenix Art Gallery; all in Northwest Arkansas.. Beth works from her home studio where she creates stimulating medium to large scale abstract and pop style paintings in acrylic, as well as oil and cold wax. She has lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas since 1992. She lives with her husband of 25 years, Kirk Owen, who is an incredible avenue of support for Beth. She now has collectors in Dallas and Houston, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Arizona, New York City, and Los Angeles. And you know the art piece she created after her mom’s death? It sold in March of 2025 in a local gallery. It was aptly titled “Dance” because her mom loved to dance.