Understanding the Artist

Welcome and thank you for visiting. My name is Elizabeth Emison (Betsy) and I am known for my charming personality (as others have told me) and my copper shoe and copper bra sculptures. For over three years, I have turned recycled copper into art. But I wasn’t always an artist.

I suppose my story is unique to match my unique copper shoes. I was born in Minnesota and found my way to Montana, where I earned a BA in Anthropology. For a while, I worked with apes as a hands-on volunteer at the Center for Gibbon Studies in Saugus, California. I also lived in Alaska for some time. I’ve traveled to many places, from north of the Article Circle and South of the Antarctic Circle. Apparently, according to scuba diving experts, I am one of the first women to scuba dive in Antarctica. Before I started devoting my time as a copper artist, I was a Pilates instructor and still teach every now and then.

It took a series of serious medical setbacks that left me near death and unable to work before I started dabbling with recycled copper. Art in the form of copper sculptures was the result of an act of fate. I always wanted to take a welding class, and after my last encounter almost facing my death, I decided to fulfill my dream. I chose copper because, when heated it behaves like paper you can make anything out of it. So when I say, “Life is short…Buy the Shoes”, I mean it.

My masterpieces of late have been recycled copper art shoes and copper bras. This is reflective of my love of shoes and admiration of breast cancer survivors.  I do work by commission, which is why so many have asked for custom copper shoes and copper bras. Other times, I go into my studio with an inspiration and create one of kind pieces so many have enjoyed. But my work is not limited to just shoes and bras; I can make anything you want out of copper. Just give me a call.
My husband, Richard and two Labradoodles, and I live in rural Poulsbo where I also work in my copper sculpting studio. When I’m not busy sharing my love of life through art, I’m gardening, knitting, or teaching Pilates.