John Polka Painting: Lady in Waiting

John Polka came from a family of Hoteliers in Europe. He received his early training in Germany at a health spa his father ran. The family was there at the outbreak of World War II and was subsequently stuck there. To keep busy, Polka began to paint with the director, who was a summer painter, and later with a professional artist who had fled Berlin. Polka often painted large canvases of Victorian-era ladies and flowers in a romantic style. Eventually, he made his way to Saugatuck and became an instrumental figure in the art community, opening the Polka Gallery on Water Street.

During his 30 years in Saugatuck his style changed, as well as his subjects. Finely-painted details gave way to broad stokes and impressionistic drawings with bold colors and hazy outlines. His dunes were done with surprising colors: gold trees and magenta sand.

Recordings of his interviews as well as his artwork can be found at the Old School House in Douglas, Michigan.
Dimensions: 59"H x 39"W x 2.5"D