If you are looking for unique gifts, I would recommend original art. If you have a choice of buying a famous print or an unknown artist's original art for the same price, choose the original art. Original art adds life and energy to a room. The only criteria needed to decide if it is good art is: Do you love it? If you do, that is the piece for you. That is also the only reason to invest in art. Please scroll further down the page to see original artwork by Jan Polk.
I invite you to view additional paintings on my Products page.
If you are interested in any of the following original artwork, please use the form below to contact me. My oil paintings are painted "en plein air" (on location) using only a palette knife and oil paints on panel unless otherwise stated. My watercolor paintings are painted from my photo references of places I have visited. They all hold very fond memories for me and I hope you get the sense of being there too. My paintings capture a moment of "our time" as we are living it.
"Colors of Bon Secour" (c)2009 Jan Polk Image 30"h x 40"w
This is Bon Secour Preserves in Gulf Shores, AL. It has been kept in its original primitive state yet just minutes away it is surrounded by the encroaching interlopers...humans. I think this fence is to keep us away from the alligator rather than keeping him away from us. I didn't really feel too secure knowing he could easily slip under that barbed wire. It is a beautiful area with the wild grasses and the tall pines which are everywhere on the island. Spring is just about to be in full bloom and the wild blackberries are flowering at the base of the fence posts. The alligator didn't seem to even be aware of the constant stream of cars stopping alongside of the road to look at him.
"Home Away From Home" (c) 2009 Jan Polk Image: 9" x 12", oil on panel
This is where we spend the winter months in Gulf Shores, AL. Everyday we walk this delightful path to the boardwalk through the dunes to the white sandy beach. This painting was awarded First Place in the Orange Beach Art Center Member's Spring Show 2009.
This painting is on display at the Orange Beach Art Center, Orange Beach, AL.
"Shimmering Sunlight" (c) 2009 Jan Polk Image: 9"x12" oil on panel
These palms are in front of Flippers, our favorite restaurant in Orange Beach. It was a cold and windy day yet the sun sparkled and made us feel warmer. Actually, I was very warm as I sat in the car and painted. My two friends, Jo and Barb, were being blown like crazy standing out in the cold wind.
This image is on display at Orange Beach Art Center, Orange Beach, AL.
"Ashley's View" (c) 2009 Jan Polk 11"x14" oil on panel......SOLD
This is a delightful street with huge, old live oaks and beautiful landscaping in Fairhope, AL, just a few streets from Mobile Bay. Ashley lives on this street and remarked how wonderful it was to see this view first thing every morning.
"Mobile Street Gator" (c) 2009 Jan Polk 9"x12" oil on panel Alla Prima
This is the resident alligator who lives on Mobile Street in the middle of Bon Secour Preserves in Gulf Shores, AL. A beautiful sight with tall grasses, spring just about to be in full bloom, and wild blackberries at the base of the fence posts. He is hard to spot in the lower right hand corner.
Tyler Davidson Fountain in Cincinnati, Ohio, one month before it was moved into storage for one year and then to its new location on the square in 2006.
"Vignettes of Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Hamilton County Ohio" Artist: Jan Polk (c) 2007 Oil on Canvas NFS
Jan Polk’s painting “Vignettes of Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Hamilton County, Ohio” has been accepted into the permanent art collection of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation (OFSWCD) District. Artists from all 88 counties in Ohio will be represented. Jan’s art represents Hamilton County. . All 88 paintings will be displayed at the OFSWCD annual meeting in January, 2008. The artwork will be permanently displayed in the Division’s Headquarters in Columbus, OH, except when the show is on the road. The show will be displayed in each of the 88 counties, at the 2008 Ohio State Fair, and Washington, DC. in addition to other venues.
Project theme: “Soil and Water Conservation – Keeping Ohio’s Land Productive and Water Clean”. The art reflects the unique history and natural features of a county in addition to the shape of the county.
Vignettes listed in this order:
Start in the center of the painting, go straight down, then clockwise to the left, up and around..
l) Map of Hamilton County, Ohio, showing the waterways within the county.
2) White ribbon outlining the shape of Hamilton County plus storm labels reminding us No Dumping into Streams, Lakes and Rivers.
3) Name of District: Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation
4) Western Hills Viaduct over the Millcreek with sign: Millcreek Watershed – Keep It Clean.
5) City of Cincinnati (Freedom Center, E. W. Scripps Bldg., P&G twin towers)
6) Suspension Bridge
[continue down]
7) City drain with No Dumping storm label.
8) No Dumping/Ohio River Watershed logo.
[6 o’clock position] :
9) Chemical Containment Units confined under roof and within concrete floor and walls.
[Continue clockwise to the left and up]:
10) Grassed waterway within cornfield
11) Ohio State Flower: Scarlet Carnation
12) Rock check dam in a downhill stream
13) Wetlands
14) Ohio State Bird: Cardinal
15) Dry Stack
16) Cistern covered with Trees and Garden
17) Gutter System at Horse Farm drains directly into covered cistern.
18) Heavy Use Road
19) All weather Paddocks
20) Natural Waterway (Little Miami River) and tall grasses to prevent erosion
21) Rain Barrel
22) Silt Fence: new construction conservation practice
