Bart Bemus was born in the small farming town of Troy, Ohio in 1962. He grew up in a family of outdoorsmen that introduced him to the wonders of nature's landscapes. His outdoor adventures eventually lead to his climbing high mountain peaks in Nepal, South America and Yosemite's famed 3,600 ft. face of El Capitan.

    Bart began to formally study painting at the age of 11 and continued his education on scholarships, graduating with honors from the Columbus College of Art and Design in 1984. He spent 10 years creating oil paintings as commissioned illustrations that were published in national magazines, books and advertising campaigns. His illustrations were seen in Time, Sports Illustrated, Playboy, and the cover of a Michael Critchon book. When the illustration market slowed he turned his attention to the lucrative field of drawing TV commercial storyboards, drawing for the largest  advertising agencies in Chicago. In 2003 he once again returned to painting, only this time on his own terms. He wanted to express his passion for days spent outdoors.

    Every new painting that Bart now creates has an energy that can only come from focusing his art on his favorite subject. His years spent mastering the crafts of painting and drawing has given his paintings confidence and spontaneity. By working on location he not only observes the color and lighting firsthand, he also makes an emotional connection with his subject. It is this emotional connection that he always strives to communicate in his paintings.

    Mr. Bemus has held held two solo exhibitionsat Bell Studio in Chicago and has participated in other group shows. He has continued his studies with Scott Christensen in Jackson WY and has taught painting at the Pacific College of Art in Poulsbo, WA.