Mary Betlach has a PhD in Biochemistry and is retired from a long scientific career. She has been an avid gardener for over 20 years and is interested in the interplay of different colored foliage and plant forms and textures in her own garden which was featured on National Garden Conservancy tours in 2002 and 2006. She enjoys hiking, birding and the observation and study of plants, animals and birds in their native settings. She has studied at the Mary L. Harden School of Botanical Illustration since September of 2011 and received her Master Artist Certificate in May of 2014. Mary’s painting of Himalayan blackberry was part of the Intoxicating Plants exhibit, was purchased by the UC Regents for their permanent collection and is on display at the Mission Bay Oncology Outpatient Clinic.