Judi Polivka Betts was born in Illinois. She studied at Indiana University and  Louisiana State University. She is a signature member of both the National Watercolor Society and the American Watercolor Society on whose board she serves. She is the author of award winning books on art instruction. Her paintings have won more than 100 awards in major competitive exhibitions. She lives in Baton Rouge and is recognized in Louisiana as one of the states' premier artists.