Arik Bartelmus was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, and now lives in New York City. He has been drawing and painting since he was three, inspired by his parents to record his adventures while on Safari. Arik graduated from Parsons School of Design with a Degree in Illustration. His love for animals led to many freelance commissions for nonprofit organizations, such as the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Ocean Wildlife Campaign.

Arik‘s passion for the arts has drawn him to the gallery and museum world where he now works as a Registrar and Collections Manager at a fine art museum. He continues to paint extensively, where he likes to explore the cultural enigmas and tensions of everyday imagery and objects, delighting in subtly exposing the absurdity of common conceptions and their usual haven of easy comforts. He has also shown with Tatischeff Gallery, Spike Gallery and Dacia Gallery.