Johanna Pol, Linda Kopras, Doug Hardy, and Roy Caselton gather after hanging their work at the SouthShore Library. Jacob Council photo.
Johanna Pol started painting at four years old.
The problem was, she painted on all her family’s walls.
“My father was an artist, and I knew when I was very young that I wanted to paint, so I did,” Pol said in an interview Oct. 8. “I painted on everything, even the walls of our house.”
Pol was born in Leiden, Holland, and received her art degree there. But that wasn’t enough for her. She continued her studies under several famous painters of the day, traveling to them when necessary.
She began exhibiting her work when she was just a teenager and some of her first paintings were sold to Hallmark Cards.
She has won numerous awards and has been commissioned for work worldwide. Her paintings show up-close-and-personal scenes from Belgium to Boston, and Cape Cod to Ruskin’s Little Harbor.
She says she is true to her Dutch heritage by painting in a romantic, very realistic style in oils and acrylics. She has painted and exhibited in the Netherlands, Iceland, the Philippines, Spain, Belgium, Massachusetts and many places in Florida.
This makes all of her paintings completely different, from ice scenes to tropical beaches — and sunsets over both. The Lighthouse in Rhode Island is peaceful and serene, but so are Icelandic Horses and Sunset Serenade and “Little Harbor.”
Johanna doesn’t just paint. A true art lover, she appreciates and collects many styles of paintings, which are displayed throughout her home, all with unusual framing and lighting.
Teaching others holds a special place in Pol’s heart, and currently the works of her most talented local students are being shown in many places around South County; the bulk of them are in the SouthShore Regional Library on Beth Shields Way off 19th Avenue in Ruskin.
“Recently we were part of the SouthShore Arts Council show,” said Pol, who is vice president of that organization under president Vicki Knauff. “But this showing is not connected with the work of the Council.”
These artists are all Pol’s students.
“They all have their own special talent,” she said, pointing to a collection of photographs taken at the library.
Doug Hardy poses with some of his work. The showing of his and other artists’ work is at the South Shore Regional Library and other places around town between now and Nov. 12. Jacob Council photo.
“Pat Kappes’ work is nice and soft. She takes her time. She’s beautifully detailed. Linda Kopras just started recently and painted a forest, and I could almost see the elves running through it, the work was so realistic. She would be wonderful illustrating children’s books,” Pol said. “Doug Hardy paints with his soul. He creates memories — real treasures — and is great with still life.”
She paused and laughed, adding, “My students are so good I have to keep learning to keep up!”
Then she went on describing the work of the others in the current showing.
“Lou Giacona is 90 years old and still has a real flair for painting birds and also working with pencils, while Roy Caselton concentrates on painting the places he has traveled and brings his memories back as colorful paintings. He is very detailed and disciplines himself, too. He paints a minimum of two times a week in my classes and also at home. His work is outstanding.”
Alka Gupta’s Serenity is of Keukenhof, Holland, and holds a special place in the Dutch teacher’s heart.
These artists may be seen at the library and other venues until Nov. 12.
To find out more about Pol or to hire her for parties, groups or individual classes, email dutchpol@gmail.com or call 813-649-1743.
Johanna Pol knew she was an artist at four years old. Brought up in the Netherlands, the artist now shows her work and teaches all over the world, but resides in Apollo Beach. Her work, and that of her most talented students, is being shown regionally until Nov. 12. Penny Fletcher photo.
