Katrina Polhamus
Artist Statement: "As a former landscape designer turned stay-at-home mother and artist, I endeavor to communicate my love for the natural world and home life in my art. My paintings are a visual celebration of my enthusiasm for creating art and have evolved into my own personal artistic language. Each painting combines realistically-painted birds, a golden structure, and a stylized or patterned background. These elements work together harmoniously to give the painting its own unique mood and/or narrative. The selection of the bird species, their positioning, color choices, and the particular background design further enhance each painting’s main idea. The use of metallic gold creates the environment for the birds, and its reflective qualities set it apart from the rest of the painting. The backgrounds are inspired by home decor patterns, sometimes modern, sometimes nostalgic, giving the birds an in-home context. The paintings are all inspired by small moments in my life – colors that catch my eye, places I’ve been, feelings I’ve had, and Ideas that are Important to me. I try to project a feeling of optimism and happiness in my work which are central to who I am as a person and artist."
Born in 1976, she grew up in Hudson, Ohio, pursuing and loving art from the time she could hold a pencil. She spent endless hours drawing, painting, and doing crafts of all kinds with her creative mother (a teacher), and borrowing scrap wood from the workshop of her father (an engineer) to create sculptures. Frequent art classes, many trips to the Cleveland Museum of Art, and domestic and foreign travel all played a role in building her enthusiasm for art and design. Of no less significance was her everyday home life - pursuing decorating projects, antiquing with her mother, and enjoying the natural surroundings of the1824 farmhouse she grew up in.
During her college years, Katrina’s love for design and art took the form of a BS in Landscape Architecture from The Ohio State University in 1998. She then practiced in the field, focusing on residential landscape design. A burning desire to study art formally at a higher level led her to the Savannah College of Art and Design where she earned her MFA in painting in 2007, while also working part time in landscape architecture. During her time in Savannah, she participated in many art shows. She was awarded the Board of Visitors Scholarship for her artistic and academic achievements, also taking her professional work into account while she was a full-time student.
Becoming a stay-at-home mother in 2010, she turned her creative and artistic pursuits to enhancing her children’s lives. She dedicated herself to creative family life - homemade Halloween costumes, over-the-top birthday parties and cakes, holiday celebrations, and happily exploring the world with her children. Taking the family to a local nature preserve where the birds will take seed from your hand remains a favorite activity. Katrina now works full time on her art from her home studio in Hudson, Ohio - nestled into the trees, colorful flowers abounding, and birds chirping all around.
