A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
–John Keats
Glenna HARTMANN
Born in Morristown, New Jersey in 1948, Glenna Hartmann, the daughter of Erhard Hartmann, a scientist involved in the top-secret nuclear submarine project, studied Mathematics and Physics at Wells College in New York. Answering the call of her adventurous spirit she transferred to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where she was awarded a Schiedt traveling scholarship for independent studies in Europe and mural painting school in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. When she moved to Carpinteria in the seventies her mural painting skills were put to use in the high school and at city hall. For a period of time she concentrated on painting animal portraits in pastel and gradually moved to painting the landscape on location.
In her twenties she battled Hodgkin's lymphoma. After that her strong spirit willed her often-frail body to amazing feats of achievement. She and her former husband, Albert Stevens, spent considerable time exploring Baja California. Their many whale encounters and experiences diving with dolphins inspired Glenna to paint numerous large paintings of marine mammals, including a collaboration with fellow Oak Group member John Iwerks on a mural for remote Santa Barbara Island.
In 1987 Glenna was invited to join the fledgling Oak Group. She quickly became an indispensable force helping the group fly and then soar. She joined many other groups and participated in invitational trips that took her to the Forbes' Chateau de Balleroy in Normandy, a rafting trip in the Grand Canyon and to many other places, but her passion and commitment remained with the Oak Group and their causes. Of particular importance to her was the collaboration with the Nature Conservancy's Santa Cruz Island project. She conceived the audacious idea of having a yearly art show on the island's main ranch to benefit the island and its creatures.
Glenna enjoyed painting the historic ranchos and remote ranchlands of Santa Barbara and Marin counties; she also collaborated closely with her good friend Ellen Easton in the realization of a series of books published by the Easton Gallery, where her work was represented for 18 years. Many of Glenna's painting adventures culminated in important shows and sometimes in national Art magazine articles. Ray Strong called her the most fully realized painter in California.
Despite her many accomplishments and recognition she remained unassuming, warm and accessible. She was down to earth and enjoyed simple pleasures. Through the years she loved her many pets, including the pair of geese that used to fly behind her as she ran down a hill behind her house. She always looked forward to her weekly outings to the movies with her beloved brother Robert of Santa Barbara. Her brother and her mother, Norma Jean Hartmann of New Jersey, survive her.
A memorial service for Glenna will be held sometime in the near future, its date and location to be announced. It is requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Nature Conservancy's Santa Cruz Island Project: Santa Cruz Island Preserve 3639 Harbor Blvd., Suite 201. Ventura, CA 93001
Glenna leaves us in her paintings many things of beauty that “will never pass into nothingness.”
Click here to view Glenna Hartmann's recent paintings
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Remembering Glenna
I will miss your loving presence and remember you in the smell of the ocean, warmth of the sun and in the taste and smell of the countryside which you loved so dearly.
So long my friend.
– Saim
Glenna Hartmann was a gentle and uncomplicated soul, a delicate presence in the lives of her friends. She was a child of God, a person who stoically accepted life and went about her mission as an artist in spite of the ominous specters that unceasingly threatened to take her life. She is gone now, yet her work endures – each painting a silent testament to her loveliness and serenity, and yes, to her frailty. And if you look deeply, you will see her reflection in her paintings, mirrored in the beauty, tranquility and vulnerability of the landscape she loved.
– Jean Stern
Executive Director
The Irvine Museum
It is hard to conceive that she has left us. Her sweet spirit, rigorous mind, huge talent, positive attitude and unstinting hard work have always been an inspiration. The contribution that she has made to us is hard to calculate. She loved and was loved by all of us. We were very lucky to have her as a friend.
– Arturo Tello
I was so sorry to hear of her passing. Too young, a real loss to the art community. I really admired her work.
– Patricia McGeeney
I was so sorry to hear the bad news. I miss Glenna very
much, she is such a good painter. – Calvin Liang
I had pleasure of attending one of
Glenna's pastel worshops in Ojai.
In her demo Glenna did a preliminary sketch that was a finished work. The pastel was a joy to her watch develop. A lovely person, a lovely artist. I'll always have fond memories of that weekend workshop.
Thank you Glenna.
– Bruce Trentham
Glenna's beautiful, light filled pastel landscapes have been honored in major museum exhibitions, and grace the walls of her collectors and fellow artists. Those who have been blessed with Glenna's guidance in workshops or lucky enough to have painted along side her in the field will miss her fresh spirit and kind soul.
–Kim Lordier
Thanks for letting us know...
I hadn't heard and am shocked.
– Grace Schlesier
She was a beautiful person, I met her briefly at a PaintOut in Laguna, so sorry for her loss.
– Barb Ross
Thank you so much for sharing the sad news of our sweet Glenna's passing. Please be so kind as to also advise us to any information you may receive regarding her memorial service.
– Jane Fulton
Thank you so much for your words about Glenna Hartman. Her works are indeed beautiful, but she was the real work of art. She was a beautiful masterpiece. She was a gentle, good soul, who was humble and gracious and generous.
I met Glenna about six years ago at the Laguna Invitational. It was a little daunting to be painting among the giants of plein air. Glenna was so kind to me, and she welcomed me, a newcomer, as if I had always been painting among these famous artists. Her smile was so reassuring. Since then, painting in different events with her, I came to know her wonderful sweet spirit. I think that is what shines through in all of her work. She was lovely and inspirational, and so are the beautiful works she has left us.
– Carolyn Hesse-Low
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