Judy Polstra is a self- taught mixed media artist who grew up surrounded by art, books, and sewing. Born in New Mexico in 1965, she grew up in North Canton, Ohio where her mother taught her hand embroidery basics at age 7. Her mother was both a seamstress and an oil painter who inspired her daughter to create from a very young age. Judy was always surrounded by fabrics, pattern books, classical music and oil paints. While Judy received her BA in business studies with a specialty in Fashion Merchandising, she never lost her passion for the arts.
Polstra created mixed media assemblage sculptures and installations in the early and mid 2000s and has exhibited and been collected throughout the United States, Italy, and Australia. Her mannequin assemblages began with a large inheritance of costume jewelry, buttons and beads from her mother and both her grandmothers in the 2000s. One of her full-size assemblage works was featured in a major exhibition in Belgium and now resides in a private collection in Cincinnati, Ohio
Polstra now dedicates most of her artistry to her hand embroidery roots. Judy hand embroiders exclusively on vintage textiles, many of which were inherited from her mother and grandmothers. Fans of Judy’s work often gift her with vintage textiles from their own families. She hand embroiders political statements, as well as personal confessions and observations. A recent article stated that “Polstra’s work looks quaint from afar, but both terrorizes and amuses upon close inspection”.
Judy refuses to believe that hand embroidery (historically considered “women’s work”) is any less valid a form of art than any other art medium. Polstra continues to have multiple works published in The Nation. She is widely collected throughout the United Stated and world.
Beatricia Sagar’s “We Are All Connected” Art Project
Let’s start with your story, we would like to know about your journey has been so far and hear how you got started. Born in New Mexico in 1965, I grew up in North Canton, Ohio where my mother taught her hand embroidery basics at age 7. Most of my early artistic life was spent painting and creating mixed media assemblages. I returned to her hand embroidery roots when I stumbled upon a large stash of embroidery floss and vintage textiles stored away many years ago.
What does your art future hold for you? I JUST bought a sewing machine. I have not touched a sewing machine in nearly thirty years. Until now, my textile work has been 100% hand stitched. I am a bit intimidated but excited to see what a machine brings to my textile work.
Tell us about your Artwork? I hand embroider almost exclusively on vintage textiles, many of which were inherited from my mother and grandmothers. Fans of my work now often gift me vintage textiles. I am fascinated with found photographs from other eras. Without knowing anything about these people or the many significant roles they performed during their lifetimes, my hand embroidery both masks and embellishes their identities, bringing added color to a time that was all too black and white.
Artists are aways bombarded by how great it is to pursue their passion etc., but we know from a lot of people that it is not always that easy. Overall would you say things have gotten better for you as an artist in South Florida? Better, but it has not been easy. I spent many years exhibiting both locally and nationally. While I received many awards and have been featured several times in the local press, I still was not selling a lot. Once I started putting more of an effort into social media, my sales have been steady, with a big surge these past three years. I’m extremely grateful to all my collectors.
As you know I am impressed with your work, tell our readers more. What are you most proud of, and what sets you apart from others?
- I am proud that I have been collected in Italy, Australia, New Zealand and throughout United States. One of my life size assemblage pieces was the poster for an assemblage exhibition in Belgium. That work now resides in a private collection in Cincinnati. The same collector has several of my embroidered works and will be featuring one of them in an upcoming episode of PBS’s “Craft in America”. I am also proud to have my embroidered published at least a half dozen times in NYC’s “The Nation” with two more works scheduled to be published.
- One thing that may set me apart from many artists is that I can be shy and am not always comfortable talking about myself or my art. I prefer to let my art “do the talking”.
Name a famous artist that inspires you and one not yet famous artist you would like the readers to know about. Famous artists who inspire me: Francis Bacon and Lucien Freud. Not yet famous artist: Michelle Kingdom is a hand embroidery artist based out of California. Her work continues to astound and inspire me.Is there a current or upcoming show or exhibit you want to let people know about? Not yet, I’m busy rebuilding my body of work since much of it sold.
How are you giving back to your community? I frequently donate my artwork to people who are in various difficult situations with the hope of bringing them a small amount of joy. My husband and I also donate to the Wildlife Center of Fort Lauderdale
Is there anyone in particular you would like to mention, mentors, etc.? Special thank-you to Michael Mills for introducing me to Wilton Art Works Gallery!
Let’s end with a fun fact about you. I have a wig collection to rival Dolly Parton’s. (Yes, I have “bio” hair and no I’m not sick- people often ask.) I just LOVE changing things up with wigs!
Anything else you would like to include? Special thank-you to Tedd Davis of Wilton Art Works Gallery for this opportunity. Thank-you to YOU, dear reader, for learning a little bit more about me and my art.
Preferred Email Address: [email protected]
Face Book: Judy Leeson Polstra
Instagram: jpolstra
Website: judypolstra.com
The works featured here are available for purchase directly through the Artist. The Artist makes 100% of the profit of the sale of the artwork, so this is a great time to support them, while enhancing your art collection. The artist will directly pack and ship the product to you.
All works are original and signed by the artist!
For more information on these featured artworks email
[email protected]