Fall 2015 Hikes (October 2015)

October came and went far too quickly this year. Suddenly we find ourselves in mid-November wondering what happened. However, I look back at some shots I took on a couple of hikes during this seemingly Indian Summer, and come to rediscover the importance of photography once again. Time travel may not be possible at this time, but these photographs are the best I can do to relive these beautiful autumn days.

Monster #2 - (11/16/15)

Untitled monster #2 - ballpoint pen in sketchbook

I was drawing this little dude right before the start of my shift in the coffee shop. One of our regulars saw it and proclaimed "Mike Wazowski!"

This guy needs a different name. Not every one eyed monster is Mike Waxowski, no offense to the scare-master.

Monster #1 - 11/9/15

Untitled November Monster, Sharpie on Canson Sketchbook Paper (8.5x11")

Happy (Monster) Monday!

I've decided that every Monday, I'm going to draw or create a monster in some fashion. There is no scheme to this weekly tradition other than the fact that coming up with my own creatures is something I've always enjoyed doing since the days of magic markers and model magic when I gallivanted around the house in what I considered to be princess or ballerina attire.

There could be bigger plans for these monsters, but for now they are to appear here and on Instagram (@emily_bartos) once a week for your viewing entertainment. Perhaps they could inspire your imagination, as they have redisovered mine.

xx emily

Katie & Jacob (9/12/15)

Cue the girl I used to babysit. I can't tell you how many pairs of her Barbie's shoes my sister and I must have lost when we came over and how many times I pretended to be their horse. There are so many memories of Katie and growing up; many monumental and many nonsensical. Mostly, I recall the nonstop dancing and how it could never not be a part of this girl's future.

I'm not sure about destiny, but it would only make sense that Katie would manage to find a man she could literally dance around the world with (and already has, a little) and perhaps, open a dance studio together someday. I don't think a lot of people get this lucky, but these two are.

Introduction & Welcome

It's always difficult to start a new blog. Somehow, I've always managed to figure this out as I've had so many blogs and projects over the years...why should this be any different?

Growing up, I had many neighbors in a small suburb outside of Milwaukee. I remember one of them the most--she happened to be an excellent oil painter hailing from France. I so admired my neighbor lady's works of flowers, the sea, and beloved faces that were layered in dark and vivid layers of color. If you were to touch the surface of the canvas, you would feel more than just paint. I so wanted to figure out what this was. I don't think I'll ever stop trying to figure that out in any piece of art. Perhaps this is why my art degree happened--I want to be that charming, eccentric old lady down the block that still paints her dreams and nightmares. The French accent will of course, be completely falsified and terrible: all my neighbors will have to put up with it and simply laugh.

I finished the graphic design program at the University of Wisconsin this past May, and am now actively looking for a "big-girl" job as a creative professional--ideally advertising, marketing, or design. In the meantime, I pour rosettas on tops of people's lattes. What I wouldn't give to be at a desk making awesome things on Illustrator on a 27-inch iMac screen...

This blog exists so I can share my adventures and artwork with you. Thank you for reading this today, and feel free to check out my portfolio here. I'm excited to share more wonderment with you all.

xx emily