North Loup Artist’s Moment In The Sun

Betty Carlson photo

by Alan J. Bartels

Nebraska Life Magazine

   Nebraska is blessed with colorful sunrises and sunsets. North Loup painter, photographer and gallery owner Betty Carlson recently captured one of the fleeting natural works of art reflected in her pickup’s driver side mirror. Carlson and her husband, Bud, were driving home from North Platte when pink hues began streaking like watercolors through the sky.

   “We had stopped to check our tires when I saw the sunset reflected in the mirror,” Carlson said. “This photo turned out better than the ones I took of the sunset itself.” 

   Carlson’s photo received the 2020 Nebraska Life Art Award at the Vissi d’Arte Art Club’s recent art competition southwest of Comstock. Nebraska Life Editor Alan Bartels judged the show.

   “The image of a Nebraska sunset reflected in the mirror of a pickup pulling a trailer reminded me of the hardworking Nebraskans of our state,” Bartels said. “We are blessed to live and work in a place as beautiful as Nebraska.”

   This story appears in the July/August 2020 issue of Nebraska Life Magazine. The issue also includes a feature about Nebraska’s status as the “Beef State,” an eight-page feature about Hollywood actors with Nebraska roots, a travel story/photo essay about the Nebraska Sandhills, and other entertaining features from around the state. Nebraska Life is available in Ord at Anderson Pharmacy and the Grocery Kart. 

   The magazine is also available by subscription by calling 1-800-777-6158 or visiting NebraskaLife.com.

Lisa Fischer photos

A “Fake News” cruise was held in Comstock July 4 on Main Street and began at 10:30 a.m. American Legion members representing the Ord, North Loup, Arcadia, Burwell and Comstock posts led the events participants. Paul Horner, at left, and his four-year-old grandson, Lucus Lewis, were among the American Legion Riders present. Lucus is the son of Danielle and Donnie Lewis.