Hartman recently moved from Virginia, her home for many years, back to Arizona where her roots grow deep. Her grandparents on both sides were brave and hearty ranchers and settlers at about the time that Arizona became a state. Her parents were born and raised in Arizona and taught her to love and respect this rugged and diverse environment with an abundance of natural resources and incredible beauty. Capturing this brilliant landscape with its great contrasts and powerfully evocative scenery is her current challenge and muse. Studying nature and art are lifelong passions and provide the inspiration for paintings.
She believes that painting on location (en plein air) as often as possible is important for the study of nature. There is no substitute for working from life to observe light, shadow and color as nature presents them. Back in the studio, she uses these painting notes to create larger works exploring new ways to design a studio painting and to organize the design with value. She creates color harmony using a set and limited palette finding new ways to express her own vision for painting the landscape. Painting the landscape allows her to study and work outdoors where she finds inspiration and gathers information surrounded by God’s original masterpiece. She interprets what she sees and feels, applying oil paint to canvas, working both outdoors and in her studio. Time in her studio is an opportunity for exploration of ideas about design, value, color and mood. Creating something new from painted sketches.
Hartman exhibited works in several Virginia galleries participating in numerous shows and winning awards including best painting and body of work at the Tidelands Plein Air Event in Tappahannock, VA. Moving to Sedona, in 2019, she is represented by the Sedona Arts Center. Her work may also be seen at her home studio by appointment.
