It's a Family Affair!
Since 1981, I have created paintings and pottery inspired by the northwoods of Wisconsin. I recently retired after 19 years of teaching full time as a kindergarten through 8th grade art teacher at a public elementary school in Wisconsin. While I thoroughly enjoy the process of making and teaching art - advertising, marketing and social media are not my cup of tea. With the help of my husband, Bob, and daughter, Jean, this Etsy shop has been made possible.
Jean took all the photos of my art you see on my site (and on her shop www.etsy.com/shop/WildLinesStudio )! She has developed the listings, organized my prints, and worked out the technical aspects of running the shop. Bob is also retired, and is supporting the day to day business by managing our stock of prints, shipping items, and responding to buyers. I definitely couldn't do this without them!
My art is inspired by the natural environment through all seasons. We live in northern Wisconsin and enjoy the cold snowy days of winter when we can cross country ski as much as the warm evenings of summer down by the lake. My work reflects my appreciation for wildlife and ecosystems, something that has always been important to our family - my daughters have graduate degrees in wildlife biology and environmental management. My style reflects both realism and symbolic expression. I find the interplay of watercolor, watercolor pencil, collage and geometric shapes to be especially engaging.
I have been a potter for 39 years. Each original handbuilt stoneware pot is carefully crafted in my studio. All of my work is both decorative and functional. The pottery is completely food safe (lead-free) and microwave safe. All the bowls and plates can be used as serving dishes if desired.
I mark the clay with a combination of handmade stamps, natural materials and drawings. The designs on my pottery are inspired by my detailed watercolor paintings. I enjoy developing new ways to transfer my images onto pottery. Special consideration is given to the underside of each medium to large piece. The drawings on the feet are related to the themes found on the inside of the pot. The bowls are formed on a slump mold to provide shape. After the clay dries the pots are bisque fired to cone 010 in an electric kiln. I glaze the bisqued pieces using glazes I have developed over the years along with some commercial stains. The glazed pots are fired in an electric kiln to cone 6, which is approximately 2200 degrees Fahrenheit (1204°C). Each pot is a unique original and can not be duplicated.
Be sure to check out my daughter's Etsy shop, Wild Lines Studio by Jean Polfus:
www.etsy.com/shop/WildLinesStudio
