Explore Your Vision. Elevate Your Art.

The Artist's Expedition

The creative journey is like climbing a mountain, full of challenges and rewards at every step. The Artist’s Expedition is my personalized art coaching and mentorship experience, designed to guide you along the way. Through expert feedback and support, I help you build skills, set meaningful goals, and move confidently toward your creative summit.

With over fifteen years of experience teaching painting, illustration, and visual storytelling at the college level, I bring seasoned expertise to every coaching and mentorship session.

I’ve worked with artists of all ages and skill levels, from beginners picking up a brush for the first time, to college students finding their path, to professional creatives refining their voice. My approach combines technical insight, compassionate listening, and imaginative exploration to help artists grow in both craft and creative vision.

Artist sketching in a studio, surrounded by concept art and illustration studies.

Who this is for

Artists who are ready to pursue their craft seriously

The Artist's Expedition is designed for adults on a creative path who:

  • Have outgrown YouTube tutorials and want precise, tailored feedback on their work.

  • Feel their portfolio is a mix of styles and want a cohesive, professional artistic voice.

  • Are self-taught or academically trained but missing a clear roadmap for the next 12–24 months.

  • Want accountability, structure, and clear actionable critique to improve their work.

  • Are willing to show up consistently, share work-in-progress, and experiment beyond their comfort zone.

Choose your route

Three mentorship tiers for where you are on the trail.

Each tier creates space for you to grow your art, not just through skill-building, but through intentional direction. When you invest in one of these tiers, you’re investing in yourself as an artist and making time for the work that matters most.

Pathfinder Tier

For emerging artists who need clarity, structure, and consistent feedback to stop second-guessing every stroke.

  • 3 x 60-minute live critique call

  • Personalized action plan

  • Written summary of feedback

  • Access to resource library and creative prompts.

Investment:

$250 / 3 session bundle

Trailblazer Tier

For intermediate artists building a focused portfolio and a recognizable style, ready to push into professional territory.

  • Weekly 30-minute critique calls

  • Detailed paint or draw-overs on 2 works per month.

  • Portfolio positioning review and style development guidance.

  • Custom exercises to strengthen weak areas (composition, color, storytelling, etc.).

  • Access to resource library

  • Support on project planning for pitches, social series, or personal branding.

Investment:

$475 / month

Mountaineer Trail

For committed artists treating their practice like a career, ready for high-level critique, bigger projects, and long-term artistic direction.

  • Weekly 30-minute mentoring sessions with in-depth critique and planning.

  • Ongoing feedback on major projects (books, series, client pitches).

  • Style and voice refinement with clear milestones and review cycles.

  • Professional practice support (pricing, pitching, client communication).

  • Priority email support between sessions for quick course-corrections.

Investment:

$1350 / 3 months

Why it works

Mentorship built on meaningful connection

Hi, I'm Katy.

One of my greatest joys is helping artists step into their creative calling. Whether you’re returning to painting after time away or pursuing the path toward becoming a full-time artist, I’m here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

What sets my mentorship apart is the emphasis on meaningful connection. I don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach—I take the time to truly know you as an artist and as a person. I begin by listening carefully to understand your goals, your motivations, and the challenges you’re facing. And if those goals feel unclear, I’ll help you uncover and shape them.

My feedback is honest, thoughtful, and grounded in years of experience reviewing portfolios, working in the illustration industry, and teaching artists across a wide range of styles, personalities, and skill levels. I don’t just point out what isn't working - I help you understand why and how to grow, equipping you with the tools and direction to make meaningful, lasting progress.

What people are saying

Mentorship that changes how you see your work.

These are real words from artists who worked with me in mentorships, classes, and portfolio development, each with different styles, goals, and starting points.

“After working with Katy, I’m a much better painter now. I understand the practical applications of color theory. I have been drawing and painting for more than 45 years. Only now do I consider myself a painter.”

Brandon K.

“Katy’s feedback was extremely insightful. She always found real opportunities for improvement and gave me enough meaningful feedback to keep me moving in the right direction, while not so much that it would be overwhelming. ”

RMCAD student

“I wouldn’t be as successful in my art career as I am today if it weren’t for Katy’s guidance and instruction as an art teacher and mentor. ”

Daniel L.

“Katy truly pushed me to create pieces I didn’t even know I was capable of accomplishing. She has been the teacher that has inspired me the most and made me get my excitement for art back!”

RMCAD student

“The quality of my art increased tremendously working with Katy. She is the best professor I’ve ever had and is always pushing the boundaries and parameters of our art. I’ve never seen my art improve so much until I had her as a professor. She has a fantastic knowledge of the elements of art and knows how to push us in the right direction!”

RMCAD student

“I have had a wonderful experience working with Katy Betz. She truly knows her profession, both teaching-wise and freelance. She even learns more with us along the way, which is a great trait to have as a teacher. Not only that, she’s very professional, and her work ethic is admirable and influential. Even more compelling than those qualities is her time management.”

Ringling student

“ Katy Betz always challenges us to think about our impact on the world and how we are going to change it for the better. She is an excellent teacher.”

Ringling student

“Katy is a highly knowledgeable and helps you find yourself as an artist and professional. She has a lot of industry experience and gives excellent insight as to how to make a name for yourself as an illustrator.”

Ringling student

“Katy Betz cares deeply for her students and the course content which in turn makes me passionate about what I’m doing. Nothing is worse than having a teacher who couldn’t care and Katy is far from that. I’ve always enjoyed discussing my project/project scope with her and working out the details. I feel that more than that, Katy cares on an emotional level—for her students’ mental health and happiness. She wants to get to know each of us personally.”

Ringling student

Ready to begin Your Expedition?

Tell me a bit about where you are in your practice, which tier you’re interested in, and what you’d love to accomplish in the next 6–12 months. I personally review every application and will follow up with next steps.

Spots are limited so that I can give each artist the depth of attention they deserve. If applications are full, you’ll have the option to join the waitlist.

Book a FREE 20-Minute Consultation

Unsure Where to Start?

A relaxed introductory conversation for artists and creatives interested in mentorship.

This free 20 minute call is a space to connect, discuss your creative goals, ask questions about The Artist's Expedition, and explore whether working together feels like a good fit. If you feel creatively stuck, uncertain about your direction, or simply ready for deeper artistic growth, this conversation is designed to help you gain clarity about your next steps.

Please note: this session is not a portfolio critique or coaching session. If you are seeking in depth artistic feedback, portfolio review, or detailed guidance on your work, please book a Portfolio Review instead.

Copyright 2026 Katy Betz

1090 S Wadsworth Blvd. Unit C-7178

Lakewood, CO 80226