MEET ALLEN POLT

At age six, Allen Polt’s first grade teacher, so impressed with his natural talent, arranged the artist’s first one-man show. His gift was acknowledged and his future established.

Polt went on to the earn his Degree in Illustrating Arts from the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art. After graduating, he worked in New York City, drawing black and white portraits for the Wall Street Journal. He continued his studies of drawing and painting under the direction of Frank Reilly of the Art Students League.

In 1974, Allen left Manhattan for a change of pace and found visual inspiration in the landscape of Taos, New Mexico — an art community inundated with landscapes. His masterful paintings have been featured in galleries across the Southwest. Albeit a diversity of subject matter, Polt’s heart kept returning to people (portraiture, Characters of the Old West, and Old Mexico Market scenes).

In 1997, Allen was diagnosed with throat cancer. Just when things looked the darkest, the Lord entered the room. For Allen, it was more real than anything he had ever experienced. There were no words spoken; he was led to a booklet that was written about Sister Faustina who had a vision of Christ. Allen knew in this very moment, it was meant for him to paint Christ.

Painting Christ consumed Allen for months. Of the many painted, only a few seemed worthy. The word got out and giclee’s were made of the portrait. Allen was quickly asked to give his testimony on TV about his healing process; which later was seen around the world and donations for many, many prints came in. All of the money received went to build wells, clothing & food for Rwanda, and construction of a church in India.

Allen’s ability to capture the essence of his subject’s personality is appreciated through commissioned work throughout the world.

“Thoughts like these keep me in check and balance, nevertheless, I can tell you that in the midst of a painting, it’s about the best place I can possibly be.”

— Allen Polt

In January 2019, Allen was challenged with a commission to create an abstract painting by a client. He quickly turned it down. Allen’s comment about modern art was that “it is an artistic license for fraud”. Nevertheless, after much discussion with his client, she convinced him to take on the challenge.

The challenge changed Allen’s views completely about Modern Art. It is just as challenging as portraiture! The saving grace for Allen is that it offers the ability to let loose with the brush and enjoy the creative challenge that it offers without the criticism of ‘too many wrinkles in a client’s face’ when commissioned for portraits. A recent comment from another client, “you have to be accomplished in the Classics in order to excel in Modern”.

Allen enjoys the opportunity and challenge to paint Modern and Portraiture. On any given day, it is a delight to visit his studio to see what his canvas is unfolding! Allen has been cancer free for 21 years and lives happily in Oro Valley, AZ with his wife, Jo Ann. His experience in many different types of artwork has shaped his diverse portfolio and turned him into the loving painter he is today!