Harley Bartlett

Harley Bartlett was born in 1959 near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. However, having lived in Rhode Island for most of his life he considers himself a Rhode Islander. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania (BA, 1981) and followed up with studies at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. (1984-85 year).

Harley’s paintings are known for their finely crafted compositions and subtle coloring. His brushwork and paint application is evocative of American and European paintings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As well as poetic landscape and coastal paintings, he delves into the allied fields of Sporting and Marine art.

Harley has broad experience in the art world. He has exhibited his paintings in New England Galleries for over 30 years. His paintings may be found in many Rhode Island Institutions, such as universities, hospitals, land trusts and wildlife sanctuaries, state and local government buildings, as well as private collections. He has been commissioned to create numerous paintings and murals for corporate offices, sporting clubs, businesses, and religious institutions. Harley’s portrait commissions include Rhode Island governor Donald Carcieri and Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin, as well as other government officials, notable CEO’s, presidents and Headmasters of many notable Rhode Island businesses and institutions. Harley and his work have been featured in many articles in publications such as; American Artist Magazine, Florida Architecture, Traditional Home Magazine, Home Gallery (R.I. and S.E, MA.) and recently Soundings Magazine.

In 2018; he won the Alden Bryan Memorial Award for Landscape at the Guild of Boston Artist’s annual members show, Best of Show at the Providence Art Club’s Fall Member show, first prize at the Bryan Memorial Gallery’s Land & Light & Water exhibit and in 2019; an award of merit at the Lyme Art Association’s Waterworks show and in 2020; third place in the Providence Art Club’s fall member show. His work has been juried into many of the recent International Marine Art Exhibitions put on by the Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport (closed).

He is a past president of The Providence Art Club (2003-07), one of the oldest art clubs in the United States and has additionally served as a board member and secretary. In 2020 he was elected to serve as president of the Lyme Art Association, where has also served as a board member and is an Elected Artist. In 2015 he was voted in as an Elected Member at The Guild of Boston Artists and currently serves on the board. He is an Artist Member at the Rockport Art Association. He is a past member of the Copley Society, National Society of Mural Painters (defunct) and the New England Plein Air Painters.