Welcome to my world

Hi, my name is Jennene Bartlem. (Jenn), and I was born in Mackay, Queensland, Australia.

Since I was a little girl, I have had a fascination with faces, features and especially eyes. In my free time growing up, I was always sketching family, friends, pets, teachers and people from magazines using lead and coloured pencils.

At the age of 12, I learned to paint in oils from a local artist, Harry Racine. A year later, I sold my first commissioned oil painting - a portrait of a bride and groom. By the age of 16, I had won local prizes at the Mackay District Shows and received the Annie Turner Encouragement Award for the Artist and Art Competition.

Over the years, I have continued to paint a wide variety of subjects, including portraits, pets, flowers, and landscapes. My passion for capturing people and the beauty of the world around me remains at the heart of my work.

More recently, I have expanded my artistic journey by studying and recreating works by some of history's most celebrated artists. This process provides valuable insight into their techniques, perspectives, and creative worlds. It feels as though I have a great teacher standing beside me with every brushstroke. It also offers art lovers the opportunity to own an original oil painting inspired by a favourite masterpiece rather than a printed reproduction.

Because people have always been my greatest inspiration, I also feel strongly about issues affecting women, particularly abuse within relationships. This passion has inspired me to create a collection of feminist artworks that explore strength, resilience, and identity. Through these paintings, I hope women can see reflections of their own experiences and know that they are not alone.

Painting has been a lifelong passion for me, and I am grateful to share that passion through every painting I create.

Jennene Bartlem
Email: jennb9@outlook.com