About the Artist

Rhonda Polen Wernick 

My art has always been rooted in joy. That joy began with my father, Leo Polen – his resilience as a Holocaust survivor, his laughter at family gatherings, and the way he danced with complete abandon. From him I learned that creativity is both a celebration and an act of hope, and that love of life continues to guide every canvas I paint.

I was born in Chicago to Arlene and Leo Polen and was placed in art classes before kindergarten, winning my first award as a young child. Piano and dance soon joined art as part of my daily language. Art was my focus throughout high school, which resulted in the “Most Talented” award as a senior. After years of study, I earned a degree in Commercial Art from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma, now the University of Central Oklahoma. I began my career as a freelance artist, illustrator, and art director before motherhood shifted my focus to teaching private art classes and developing my own painting voice.

Those early years led to the publication of two instructional books, Sophisticated Touch and Contours, and to demonstrating for fine-art paint and brush companies at national trade shows. My father’s love of dance became my own, and ballroom dancing opened a vibrant creative chapter. I first competed in 1990, and the rhythm of movement soon shaped my artwork. After moving to Nashville in 1994, my husband and I founded DancingArt, Inc. For over thirteen years I traveled the country exhibiting work that appeared in dance publications, on book and CD covers, and in a set design for the MGM film A Guy Thing. I became nationally recognized as a dance illustrator, with studios and events around the word using my images as logos and on awards. I was also honored with commissions from some of the top professionals during that time.

In 2007 my work “blossomed” in a new direction. I turned toward flowers from my garden, intimate conversations among friends, pets, and the quiet poetry of everyday life. Painting flowers and nature have become a way of exploring emotion without words – their fragility and resilience inviting viewers to imagine their own stories. To me, a single bloom can be a metaphor for social justice: beauty that emerges when given light, care, and the chance to grow: difference that deserves to be honored; and the belief that tenderness and strength can live side by side.

Almost two decades ago, my husband and I purchased Oakwood Cleaners in Nashville, a couture dry-cleaning and wedding gown preservation company that reflects many of the same values as my art – care, trust, and respect for what people hold dear. Serving clients who entrust us with bridal gowns, heirlooms, and vintage textiles deepened my appreciation for personal history and stewardship. I currently serve as Secretary/Treasurer of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, advocating for the highest standards in garment preservation. Through Oakwood, we are committed to eco-friendly GreenEarth cleaning, archival preservation practices and community initiatives – including partnerships that plant a tree with every wedding gown preservation – so that caring for memories also cares for the planet.

Teaching has been one of the greatest joys of my life. For nearly twenty years I have taught oil painting at the Gordon Jewish Community Center, where what began as a small class has grown into a vibrant creative community. I don’t teach a style; I help each artist uncover their own. I also served six years on the J’s board, helped plan the Main Event gala, and in 2013 co-founded Art on the West Side to expand opportunities for local artists and connect the broader Nashville community through creativity.

Whether I am painting a dancer in motion, the tilt of a wine glass, a garden flower, or a quiet moment between friends, I am searching for what feels alive. Color, light, and brushstroke allow me to express the energy beneath the surface – the part of a moment that is felt rather than seen. My paintings reflect gratitude – for beauty, for community, and for the many chapters of my creative life. Every canvas is an invitation; to pause, to feel, and to celebrate the joy of being here. Happiness is a journey, not a destination – please enjoy my journey.