RHONDA POLEN WERNICK
Happiness is a journey, not a destination… (Souza)
Throughout the years, I have always tried to paint the life experiences that have made me the happiest - my family, my dancing, the beauty of nature and friendship. Please take time to enjoy the journey.
Rhonda Polen Wernick was born to Arlene and Leo Polen in Chicago, Illinois. Her father Leo, a Holocaust survivor, instilled in her compassion and a love of life, that projects in her artwork. The arts were no stranger to her and her sister, as they were exposed to art, dance and music for much of their childhood. Their mother was an artist in her own right and also played the piano, so it is no surprise that Rhonda wanted to emulate her. Rhonda was in art classes before kindergarten and won her first award for a painting during one of those classes. Piano started at 6 as did dance. After years of piano, art and dance lessons, she decided on a degree in Commercial Art from Central State University, located in Edmond, Oklahoma, now known as The University of Central Oklahoma.
Marriage to her husband Alan took them to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Rhonda worked as a freelance artist before landing a job illustrating newspaper ads for national furniture store. She was soon promoted to art director, and then took a position as advertising director for a hardware and tool distributor until moving to Oklahoma City. There she continued her work as a freelance artist, had 2 children and taught classes in drawing and painting at a nearby art store. An opportunity arose to travel, demonstrating for fine art paint and brush companies, which led to the publication of two books of instruction on painting technique, Sophisticated Touch and Contours.
Over the years, Rhonda never lost her childhood urge to dance. Growing up, she had always loved dancing with her father at social and family gatherings. That love eventually drew her to a ballroom dance studio in Oklahoma City. They taught her steps, and in turn found in her an artist to paint their t-shirts, studio and sets.
Rhonda discovered she was born to dance as well as to paint and first competed in dance in 1990. The two were a perfect match and led her to paint and illustrate ballroom dancing until 2007. A job opportunity for her husband moved their family to Nashville in 1994, and together they started DancingArt®. For 13 years, Rhonda has traveled the US displaying her artwork and novelty items. Her work has appeared in numerous dance publications, on book covers and CD covers, and in a set design for the MGM movie "A Guy Thing". She is nationally recognized as the premier dance illustrator in the industry. Studios and events around the world display her work as logos and awards. "DancingArt®" has sold pieces worldwide and now provides originals, prints, note cards, stationery, and gifts available on the website, dancingart.com. DancingArt® also offers a complete graphic art service.
2007 brought to Rhonda a desire to get back to painting a broader spectrum of subjects. This new phase of her art "blossomed," reflecting her love for flowers, which she photographs on location and grows in her garden. Friendship and pets are also frequent subjects of her latest works, which direct the passion inherent in her dance pieces into portrayals of intimate conversation among friends and the beauty of her garden's bounty. Her technical skill, use of color and stroke, and depth of feeling, combine to produce engaging images.
Rhonda has also created the logo images for local businesses such as The Vanderbilt Center for Women's Imaging, Wang Vision Institute and Hearing Services of TN, which also adorn their offices with her artwork, as well as many others, including Dance World of Nashville, where Rhonda practices her love of Ballroom Dance.
Rhonda has just completed several one-woman shows in Nashville, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, displaying her new images of conversation, garden and pets. She plans to expand showings in galleries throughout the US. You may find all of Rhonda's artwork on her website, www.dancingart.com, or by calling 800.716.0080.
Career Highlights of the Artist
  • Rhonda is recognized nationally as the premier dance illustrator in the industry
  • Studios and events around the world display her work as logos and awards.
  • "DancingArt®" has sold pieces worldwide and now provides originals, prints, note cards, stationery, and gifts on the website, dancingart.com. DancingArt® also offers a complete graphic art service.
  • Rhonda's work has appeared numerous times on the cover of Dancing USA magazine.
  • Her art is featured on the covers of Three Minutes of Intimacy, a book on dance by Craig Marcott, and a novel by Theresa Liggins.
  • She was commissioned to design a CD cover for musician, Stacy Beyer.
  • Rhonda's art is featured on many dance-related web pages.
  • Four of Rhonda's drawings were used on the set of MGM's "A Guy Thing," released summer of 2003.
  • She has been the subject of feature articles in the dance magazines Dance Retailer News, Dance Teacher, 5678, Dancing USA and Dance Notes, and has been featured in articles in the Tennessean, The One Paper, the City Paper and the Edmond Sun in Oklahoma.
  • Rhonda's work has been commissioned by world dance champions such as Bob Powers and Julie Gorchakova, Bill Sparks and Kimberly Mitchell, David and Leslie Elkin, Susie Thompson and Michael Neil, Ben and Shalene Ermis, David Hamilton, and numerous others.
  • US 10-Dance champions Gary and Diana McDonald and World 10-Dance Champions Anik Jolicouer and Alain Doucett are also owners of her work, as are NFL Tennessee Titan Football President, Jeff Diamond and frequent dance competition Master of Ceremonies, John DePalma.
  • Rhonda has completed several "one woman" shows in Nashville, TN, and Oklahoma, displaying her new images of conversation, garden and pets. She plans to expand showings in galleries throughout the US.
  • Rhonda's artwork also hangs in the Nashville offices of Wang Vision Institute, The Vanderbilt Center for Women's Imaging, Dance Connection, Dance World, National Dance Clubs of Belle Meade, Othello's restaurant in Edmond, Oklahoma, and the home of Oklahoma University President David and Molly Boren in Norman, Oklahoma; most recently, she has completed a 25' x 6' mural at the home of Dr. Pam and Steve Hamilton.
  • Some who have retained her to design and produce the artwork for their company logos, ads and promotions are Ben and Shalene Ermis, former US Champions in American Smooth Ballroom Dancing; David Medeiros, ranked in the top 6 Rhythm Dance Champions and organizer of the Volunteer State Dance Challenge; Lyn Wallander, owner of Lyn Wallander Designs, maker of custom-designed dance costumes, Showtime Dance Shoes, Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging Science, Wang Vision Institute, Hearing Services of Tennessee,; Vanderbilt Center for Women's Imaging, and many more.
  • The beautiful Dance Studio Dance World TN features Rhonda's artwork all over their walls, as well as on their website and on their logo.
  • The Oklahoma Chapter of the American Heart Association selected one of Rhonda's paintings for the traveling show and art auction celebrating its 2008 "Go Red" campaign
  • Rhonda presently sits on the board of trustees for the Nashville Gordon Jewish Community Center. She has co-chaired the decorations for the 2003 - 2008 GJCC Main Events, and is the 2009/10 co-chair for the Nashville Temple Arts Festival
Accolades for the Artist
"Rhonda is a fantastic dancer and I think that is one of the reasons why her art is so moving and visual. When I look at her art I can see the dance and not just the dancer. She understands it (the dance) and feels it. She is a very talented dancer and artist." Shalene Ermis, American Smooth Ballroom Dance Champion
"Her paintings show she has a master's understanding of color, value and line. She is able to incorporated the fundamentals of strong design in all her work wile capturing the theatrical elements of her subject. This is a rare and unique combination, resulting in a vibrant and emotional art." Suzanne Rusconni Accetta, Portrait Artist
"Rhonda blends in just the right amount of reality in her paintings while also leaving enough up to the imagination to make me think and come up with my own interpretation of the subjects. When I look at her work I can almost hear the music playing. It all has such movement in it." Stacy Beyer, Singer/Songwriter
"BRAVO!! I love them all but the conversation series is fabulous. If this doesn't make you famous, there is something wrong with the world. I am especially impressed with the uniqueness. The subject matter is very different and you just get a feel that you are there with the people in the picture taking part in their daily lives. I love it!"Pamela Craven, MD
"There is artwork one purchases for investment purposes or to match a décor and then there is artwork you purchase because it makes you feel good. Your art is not only beautiful, but it makes you feel good and that is why I love it!" Customer

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