Becki Hartke

I am an artist based in Southern California, but I didn’t start out here. I grew up on a farm in the middle of Illinois and loved animals, drawing, and creating from the start. I even drew horses on the church bulletin when too young to follow the sermon. Art classes in K-12 confirmed my love of art, and I went on to get a BFA. Unsure if I was ready to make a living as a full-time artist, I took some museum studies classes my senior year and found myself in what became a career in the museum field, working as an exhibition and graphic designer and then in a management position.

 

But my love of animals and art has never wavered, so I am sharing that love with others. My portraits are available in graphite, colored pencil, and paper collage. Whether a drawing or collage, I work to honor the spirit of each animal. I am sure many of you who have loved an animal and shared your life with them believe animals are much like us. They each have their own special sparkle and personality that make them the unique beings that we love. Sometimes we are in awe of just how sensitive and attuned they are.

 

I invite you to view my gallery of work and follow me on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with what I am working on. You will also have sightings of my constant companion, Taco, an adorable Cairn terrier rescue with an attitude that far exceeds his small frame. He spends a lot of time next to me supervising my work. If you are interested in a portrait of your pet or favorite animal, I would love to hear from you.