About the Artist
Winning numerous art awards throughout her school years, Bothne was guided onto an artistic path from a young age by her teachers and mentors—often a scenario that leads to early success followed by burnout. In fact, she dropped out of art school after a year, disillusioned by the quality of instruction at that time.
After leaving college, her career path took many unexpected turns—real estate sales, retail management, disc jockeying, and even driving a bus. However, over time, her desire to create art became increasingly persistent.
It wasn't until she relocated from Boston to Los Angeles in 1996 that she felt compelled to return to her true calling as a painter. Eager to make up for lost time, she often arrived first each morning at the studio complex she shared with 30 other artists in Santa Monica.
“When you feel as though you’ve set aside something important—something that nourishes your soul—and you have the chance to re-engage, you become acutely aware of time: the time you’ve lost, the time that remains, and the time it will take to reach the place you believe you should be, or would have been, without all the ‘sidetracks,’” she explains.
She began with what she knew best—detailed realism in oils. However, the need to incorporate imagination was evident in her quirky early works as an adult. She explored unconventional subject matter, attempting to balance the familiar with the enigmatic. As time went on, she discovered greater joy in loosening her technique, and her work evolved into impressionism, eventually transforming into what she referred to as her “squishy realism.”
But the time spent searching for subject matter was merely time taken away from her true passion: the practice of layering color upon color and observing the ever-changing results that context provides. Around 2003, she had an epiphany—color should BE the subject matter.
Since that time, she has created hundreds of vibrant abstract works that joyfully express her rekindled spark. “I have come to the realization in my practice of abstract painting that being present and observant is essential. You need to find the confidence to let go and allow your passion for your materials to guide you.”
Bothne relocated to New Mexico in 2013 and currently works from her studio in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.
Exhibitions
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2024 “Mixology” - The Placitas Presbyterian Church – Placitas, NM
2022 "Now Streaming" - Space at 500 4th St. - Albuquerque, NM
2020 “In Lieu Of Flowers” - Matrix Fine Art – Albuquerque, NM
2020 "Hanging Gardens" - Studio J Contemporary - Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
2018 “Long Division Revisited” - Faust Gallery – Santa Fe, NM
2017 “Lucid Imaginings” - Studio J Contemporary– Los Ranchos, NM
2016 “Awash In Color” - Space at 500 4th St. – Albuquerque, NM
2016 “Enter/Exit” - Santa Fe Public Library – Santa Fe, NM
2015 "Limitless Possibilities" - Popejoy Hall - Albuquerque, NM
2015 “Reboot” - Studio J Contemporary – Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM
2015 “Time & Tempo” - Bank Of The West Building – Albuquerque, NM
2014 “Vivid Summer” - Back Street Bistro – Santa Fe, NM
2013 “Finding Finished” - Palette Contemporary Gallery – Albuquerque, NM
2013 “Champagne Tastes” - Petrossian Boutique – W. Hollywood, CA
2013 “Dividing Lines” - Maison Décor Gallery – Provincetown, MA
2012 “Pleasure & Paint” - UBM Canon – Santa Monica, CA
2012 “Mixed Metaphors” - Maison Décor/Gallery – Provincetown, MA
2012 “Driving Force” - Artamo Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA
2011 “Color Commentary” - Maison Décor/Gallery – Provincetown, MA
2011 “Between Here & There” - Gallery Elyseé – Santa Fe, NM
2010 “At The Speed Of Color” - The Electric Lodge – Venice, CA
2010 “Devise & Evolve” - Brand Library Gallery – Glendale, CA
2010 “Stopping By Woods” - Translations Gallery – Denver, CA
2010 “Morsels” - Il Moro Restaurant – L.A., CA
2010 “Ebb & Flow” - Bayside Gallery – Newport Beach, CA
2010 “Beyond The Pale” - Palette Contemporary Gallery – Albuquerque, NM
2010 "Delicious Color" - Artamo Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA,
2009 “Divisions” - Gallery 14 – Sacramento, CA
2009 “Paint Interrupted” - TAG Gallery – Santa Monica, CA
2009 “Meditations” - Center For Physical Health – L.A., CA
2008 “Depth Perception” - Copperwood Artware – Orange, CA
2007 “Long Division” - Artamo Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA
2006 “Colorcopia” - ArtHouse Gallery – Santa Monica, CA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2024 “The Placitas Artist Series" - Placitas, NM
2023 “Land, Water, Sky" Open Space Visitor Center Gallery - Albuquerque, NM
2023 “Rock - Paper - Canvas" North Fourth Art Center - Albuquerque, NM
2022 "Triple Take Art Group- Inaugural Show" - Albuquerque, NM
2021 “Spinning Color & Texture: The Placitas Artist Series” Virtual Show - Placitas, NM
2020 "Flora & Fauna" Jen Tough Gallery - Virtual Show
2020 “Windows To The Future Project” - Vital Spaces - Santa Fe, NM
2019 “My Favorite Things” - Gallery 606 - Albuquerque, NM
2019 “Movers & Shakers” – NM Cancer Center - Albuquerque, NM
2018 “Variance” – Gloria Delson Contemporary - Los Angeles, CA
2017 “In The Mix” - Faust Gallery – Santa Fe, NM
2016 “No Woman Stands Alone III” – Copperwood Artware — Orange, CA
2016 “In Contrast II” – Artamo Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA
2016 “Incognito” – Santa Monica Museum Of Art - Santa Monica, CA
2015 “The Art Of The Flower” - New Mexico Art League – Albuquerque, NM
2015 “Pasadena Show House” – Pasadena, CA
2015 “Incognito” – Santa Monica Museum Of Art - Santa Monica, CA
2014 “Summer Mix” - Artamo Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA
2014 “The People’s Art Show” Factory on 5th Gallery – Albuquerque, NM
2014 “Incognito” – Santa Monica Museum Of Ar - Santa Monica, CA
2014 “Pasadena Show House” - Pasadena, CA
2013 "Color Full" Artamo Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA
2013 "Incognito" – Santa Monica Museum Of Art, Santa Monica, CA
2013 "Art Walk" Santa Monica Airport Studios – Santa Monica, CA
2013 "Spring Forward" - Hale ArtSpace – Santa Monica, CA
2012 "Contingencies" P.S. Zask Gallery – Palos Verdes, CA
2012 "No Woman Stands Alone II" - Copperwood Artware – Orange, CA
2012 "Art Walk" Santa Monica Airport Studios – Santa Monica, CA
2012 "Women Painters West at DSG" – Culver City, CA, Juried Show
2012 "Incognito" – Santa Monica Museum Of Art, Santa Monica, CA
2012 "Seeing Double" - Gallery Elyseé – Santa Fe, NM
2011 "Liminal Examinations" - P.S. Zask Gallery – Palos Verdes, CA
2011 "Montana Ave Art Walk" – Santa Monica, CA
2011 "Women Painters West at Encino Terrace" – Encino, CA, Juried Show
2011 "Habitat For Humanity @ Arena 1" – Santa Monica, CA, Juried Show
2011 "Mysteries & Dreamscapes" Keller Williams, Larchmont – L.A., CA
2011 "Shifting Perspectives" Happening Gallery – L.A., CA
2011 "My Own Backyard" Copperwood Artware – Orange, CA
2010 "Art Ulsan" – Ulsan, South Korea
2010 "Incognito" Santa Monica Museum Of Art - Santa Monica, CA
2010 "Chaos & Order" Arena 1 Gallery – Santa Monica, CA, Juried Show
2010 "Women Painters West - Juried Show" Orlando Gallery – Tarzana, CA
2010 “A-5 Project” Artamo Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA
2010 “No Woman Stands Alone I” Copperwood Artware – Orange, CA
2010 “The Topless Project” Artful International – Hollywood, CA
2010 “The Sketchbook Project” Art House Gallery – Atlanta, GA
2009 "Up & Away" Spring Arts Tower Gallery – L.A., CA
2009 "Incognito" – Santa Monica Museum Of Art, Santa Monica, CA
2009 "Urban Abstractions" Jeanie Madsen Gallery – Santa Monica, CA
2009 "Artamo Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA
2009 "Discoveries" Morton Street Gallery – Houston, TX
2009 "Women Painters West, Juried Show" Arena 1 Gallery – Santa Monica, CA
2009 "How Did We Get Here?" North Hangar Gallery – Santa Monica, CA
2008 "Members Only" Creative Arts Center – Burbank.CA, Juried Show
2008 "Emphasis Santa Monica" Barrett Gallery – Santa Monica
2008 "California Open" TAG Gallery – Santa Monica, CA,
2008 "Color Cast" - Artamo Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA
2008 "Incognito" – Santa Monica Museum Of Art, Santa Monica, CA
2008 "In Residence" Arena 1 Gallery – Santa Monica, CA
2007 "Greener House Project" – Mar Vista , CA
2007 "Women Painters West, Juried Show" VIVA Gallery – Sherman Oaks, CA
2007 "ArtWalk" Santa Monica Airport Studios - Santa Monica, CA
2007 "Undercurrents" Los Angeles Museum of Art – Sales & Rental Gallery - L.A., CA
ART FAIRS:
2023 "Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival" - Albuquerque, NM
2022 "Art Santa Fe" - Santa Fe, NM
2022 "The Other Art Fair" - Dallas - TX
2019 “ABQ Art Showcase” - Albuquerque, NM
2018 “Art Santa Fe” - Santa Fe, NM
2016 “Scottsdale Art Fair” - Scottsdale, AZ
2014 “Beverly Hills Art Show” - Beverly Hills, CA
2012 “Miami Solo” – Miami, FL