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o Limits:Artist Shelly Bartek

Shelly Bartek, Award-winning and commercially successful artist.

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I enerally, one imagines an artist as

t -l someone slightly disheveled-\-J renegadesplattersofpainton

their clothes-with a meek demeanor. Localartist Shelly Bartek is anything but meek.Perhaps due to her background as an adver-tising art director, Bartek is well put togetherwith a confident smile and a clarity of direc-tion like an arrow headed straight for thecenter of an unsuspecting bullseye. Shelly'scurrent target is the world of fine art.

Though you might not recognize her nameyet, you've most likely seen some of Bartek'shandiwork. She's created original works fora variety of clients, including ParamountPictures, R.J. Reynolds, and the United Na-tions. Some of her most recognizable artwork

has been for Blue Moon Brewing Company, aCoors Brewery brand, whom she has workedwith for more than three years. Shelly hascreated numerous original, and sometimesspontaneous, paintings for Blue Moon.

"The brand has made me a bit of a Tou-louse-Lautrec artist; the brewery has sent mearound the country painting l ive to promotethe Artfully Crafted' theme of the brand,"Bartek says. "lt 's quite the challenge to painta finished piece of work within a few hourswhile people are moving about."

Although her commercial work can beseen around the world in magazines and onbil lboards, Shelly got her start right here inOmaha. In 1989, after entering and winningthe Regional River City Roundup poster

contest, Bartek used her prize money to starther own business, Brush lmages, Inc. (www.artbartek.com).

"My first great fortune in the entertainingindustry was to create international winelabels for Barton & Gustier," she says. "Beingthe artist, i l helped launchl the brand at winetastings and art shows."

Unlike other artists, Shelly is lucky enoughto sustain herself through her artwor:k, beit d6cor pieces, publishing, or commercialart. However, like her peers, she has to fit herown creative work in during her "off" hours.

'All in all, I 'm always looking for an oppor-tunity to do art for arts means. My dream isto have a niche that I can call my own in thefine arts," says Bartek.

5TORY BY HEA]HER C. AKERBER6PHOTOGRAPHY 8Y BITL SITZMANN

i t 's qurie the CHALLENGE to paint a

finished prec-e of work

within a few hours whi lepeople are moving about."

Despite having a busy commercial art business, Shelly makes

time every year to travel. She takes this time to learn more about art

through vis i t ing gal ler ies and museums and exchanging ideas with

other artists. One year, she was awarded an artist-in-residence at Red

Ink Studios in San Jose, Calif."l believe artists today have many avenues, whether it is commercial

art, d6cor art, or the fine art of galleries' and museums," Bartek says.

Art is obviously Shelly's passion, and she's devoted to pursing the

artist 's l i fe regardless of geography. Originally from David City, Neb.'

Bartek has l ived in Omaha for several years and doesn't see her loca-

tion as a hindrance to a successful career as an artist.

"Living in the Midwest as an artist has no l imits," she asserts.

Her "Contemporary Blooms" series of paintings was featured at

Lauritzen Gardens, and she has also participated in several of Bemis'

Annual Art Auctions. This Summer, Shelly's artwork wil l be featured on

the promotional poster for the Summer Arts Festival, where she plans

to have a booth featuring her recent creative work. Qi

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