Through the woods and down the gently curving lane in a rural part of South Carolina, you will find the home studio of Bette Lu Bentley-Layne.  Raised as a city girl, it was not her first location choice, but, rather a family compromise.  Now, years later, she is enjoying her calm oasis with north light and overflowing inspiration. 

Many years of drafting led "Lu", as she prefers to be called, into the field of landscape design, which utilizes creative energy in a living medium.  The natural elements of plant material, strong sunlight, and dancing shadows progressed into her current expression of vivid, joyful, colorful acrylic paintings.

"I believe life, and consequently art, is a journey.  After years of structured, realistic painting, those lessons have been learned.  Now, most of my work comes straight from my heart and mind, and out the fingers."  says the artist.  "For one person to be touched by an image could truly be an undeniable self connection,"  she adds.

As an award winning artist, Mrs. Layne still accepts commissions in addition to her presence at the annual sixteen day Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibit event every May in Charleston, South Carolina.