Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Bettger
Hi Jeff, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE
I have been a Realtor in the Chula Vista/Bonita/Eastlake area for the past 25 years. A few years ago, my father became ill and I had to take off about a year to care for him. He was too ill for assisted living facilities, but too healthy for the hospital. After months of being awake in the wee hours, I began thinking of words that turned into phrases that turned into poems. I submitted some of my early poems and they were accepted for publications. Then after my father passed, I found out that I had won my first local poetry contest the day after we put him to rest! This early encouragement was very important to me, as I think it is for all artists/writers/poets. Since then, I have continued to write, get published and read at local live events and international Zoom calls. For more details and some sample poems, please visit www.JeffBettgerPoetry.com
I believe that Chula Vista and the rest of the South Bay artists often do no receive the recognition they deserve. Therefore, I have created a website called www.PagesAndCanvas.com to celebrate their achievements and to create a more collaborative art community. I will be hosting two events in April for National Poetry Month. April 6 will be “A Celebration of Poetry Across Languages” in collaboration with the Chula Vista Library, in which translated poems will be read in English and then in their original language. On April 26, I will be presenting a solo reading “Poetic Inspirations: Paintings, Life Events and More.” in collaboration with the Bonita Museum and Cultural Arts Center. Details can be found at www.PagesAndCanvas.com
Last, upon a friend’s encouragment, I have most recently started the community-based magazine The Towne Local Bonita. Each issue contains interviews with local residents, business owners, historical articles, helpful advice columns, and art-related content. All issues can be found at www.TheTowneLocalBonita.com. Much like SD Voyager, my interviews highlight the many stages needed to accomplish goals. I am particularly excited about the March issue which will include part one of a twelve part historical story about Bonita. The premise is that two children are able to go back in time to important dates in Bonita’s history. Each part ends with a cliffhanger, much like the old-time radio serials.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
1) For my personal life, the endless hours navigating the best route throught the health care system and insurance companies for my father.
2) For my poetry, being too shy to show my work to others. I think this is common among all artists. I was lucky to find a group of other poets in my same age bracket who had similar life experiences. We immediately enjoyed, appreciated, and encouraged each others poems.
3) For my magazine, as with any new business, it takes some trial and error to find the right technology, realistic timeframes, and the correct modifications to your original business plan.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We divide music into many different forms–jazz, classical, pop, heavy metal, rap, etc. Typically, poetry is lumped together as one despite being very diverse in forms and content and presentation. For example, we have the classics, slam, children’s, abstract, memoir, and different forms such as sonnets and haikus. I think of myself as the Bruce Sprinsteen of poetry. I have always written for a wide range of readers, not just other poets. I try to write about themes that are universal, including serious and light-hearted.
I most enjoy the magic of poetry. Literally, there are times when I am going through my daily activities and an idea for a poem appears. I quickly try to find a way to write down the idea and suddenly the whole poem seems to write itself. All of my best poems have happened that way. Of course, there are tweaks of words and phrases here and there, but the main body just appears. It is such a wonderful feeling of satisfaction.
What makes you happy?
I am typically a happy person. I believe that most artists are more empathetic than the normal populations. When I see and feel the tragedies in the world, it is hard for me not to be thankful and joyful for what I have. As I grow older, I realize that time is too short to be unhappy and to put unhappiness out into the world. Many things make me happy. I enjoy helping a family purchase their first home. I enjoy seeing people reading my magazine. I enjoy inspiring people to write poetry for the first time. Poetry is special. It requires no special equipment, no special motor skills, no special partners, no special locations, etc. It can be started at any age. In fact, as opposed to many other art forms, being older and having more life experiences can be a big advantage when writing poetry! I believe poetry also has the most direct connection to a poet’s feelings and emotions. Poetry can produce joy and clarity, resurrect old memories, and even be therapeutic. Thank you SD Voyager for supporting the arts through artists’ personal stories!
Sharing Art
Jeff Bettger
Of all the things to share
Art is the best thing
It has no time or place
It has no mask or pretense
We practice and refine
Our skills and techniques
Art is how we display
The best inside of us
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TheTowneLocalBonita.com
- Instagram: The Towne Local Bonita
- Facebook: The Towne Local Bonita
- Other: https://www.PagesAndCanvas.com
Image Credits
n/a
