Biography

A photograph image of the backside of Samantha sitting on her favorite chair sketching a copy from her teacher's lesson of a woman sitting on a chair and a woman posing.

"You can't do sketches enough. Sketch everything and keep your curiosity fresh." John Singer Sargent

Welcome to Samantha Bartels’ world of fine art. She is pleased to show her works as well as offer for sale her talent in the fine arts.
 
As a young girl, Sam (as she is endearingly called by many), was naturally drawn to the arts. Her first foray into guided art was in 2011 at the age of 8 years old, attending a Burbank Art Center Cartoon Drawing class hosted by local L.A. artist, Alan Huck.
 
Over the years, Sam would continue her informal drawings in her spare time between school and other activities. It wasn’t until the summer of 2023, when Sam decided to try her hand at a more challenging class and explore taking her art skills to the next level. She signed up for a Tonal Drawing and Alla-Prima Painting workshop at the Burbank Art Center. This class hooked Sam into the fine arts! 
 
The tonal drawing and alla-prima class was taught by master artist, Vadim Zang. Vadim taught the students how to master the pencil and brush, lines, shapes, and perspectives. During the eight week session, Sam absorbed every word, every movement, and every lesson that Vadim offered. Vadim noticed great mastery of her skills in the short amount of time of the workshop, and after the workshop ended, he invited her to continue her studies at his studio. Sam enjoyed learning everything Vadim had to teach her, that she is still learning and perfecting her art under his guidance to this very day! 
 
Sam spends her days at Vadim’s art studio – where she and other students alike spend their days sketching, painting, or reading and studying the many art books on Vadim’s bookshelf. Some days they will find themselves at The Getty Museum, or The Huntington Gardens – paper and pencil in hand sketching. Other times – they will pick a random picture and draw until the wee hours of the morning.
 
Sam has an eye for details and loves the idea of wedding portraiture. She also has a keen eye for the fine lines of architectural sketching. What Sam is feeling at the moment, is what will be expressed in her drawings. We hope you enjoy her artwork and experience great pleasure when viewing it.
 
Sam is available for custom portraitures, large scale wall murals, reproductions and special art requests. Thank you for visiting!