Polly Berndt

I was born in 1950 in Merrill Wisconsin, which at that time, was a small farming community. I grew up enjoying the rolling countryside, clear skies and simple lifestyle.  I always had many animals whether it be four stray kitties at a time, a big old St. Bernard, rabbits, and even a pet mouse that I kept in the little red play cupboard that my dad made for me until mom found it. My dad and mom, my sister and brother and I all lived downtown above my father's restaurant in a small apartment, so it was quite a busy place! Merrill was called "The City of Parks" and throughout this little town, the river pushed its way under many bridges and through tree covered passageways.  It was a beautiful place to grow up. I would spend endless hours swimming, sledding, playing kick the can and crack the whip. There was no worry about safety and playing outside after dark.  I married my husband, Fred, in 1970 and we moved to Chicago and then to Ohio where we still reside today. Our 3 children and their families all live within a half hour away and we consider ourselves really blessed to have them so close. 

I began painting as a business in 1985. My first painting was a Christmas gift to my husband which was a New England maple sugaring scene that was a lot like a Grandma Moses painting I saw and loved. He thought it was the best Christmas gift ever and gave me strong encouragement and support to continue my artistic endeavors. I think my childlike and simplistic paintings are influenced by my love for the beauty of nature and animals, my faith, and the joys of my childhood.
I am commissioned to create paintings for others, to paint their special memories and loves. I am always grateful to the many collectors who have encouraged me over the years.
My work has been in galleries in Ohio, Indiana, and New York.  In 2007, I added First Day Cover cachets to my repertoire and philatelists have shown much interest in acquiring my work for their collections. I enjoy my relationships with my first day cover collectors and also being commissioned to paint cachets for them from time to time. My husband and I reside in Uniontown Ohio where you will find me painting in our sunroom with our big Samoyed, Paddington and our little kitty Molly closeby.