To coincide with our 2012 Convention Theme "U TouCan Paint" we are featuring Sisters, Best Friends, Mother / Daughter, etc. throughout this convention year. For January and February our spotlight is on best friends:
Jan Pohlman
and Sue Roediger
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Sue: I am the administrative assistant for a 10-man electrical contractor’s office. I have been married for over 35 years to Dan, (who is Jan’s personal gardener). Dan is a trucker and we own our own trucking company. We have one daughter, Temeni, and one grandson, Kamden Douglas, who is the light of my life.
Jan: I have been a surgical assistance for an oral surgeon for 39 years. I have been married for 38 years to Dave Pohlman, and I have two granddaughters: 12 and 18.
When did you get interested in crafts – not necessarily painting?
Sue: My mom and I used to do paint-by-number pictures when I was a kid, but other than that, I am definitely not crafty at all. I just paint.
Jan: My mom was always crafty. She made Barbie clothes, decorations for our house, etc. I guess I followed in her footsteps. I used to crochet, knit, sew, made ceramics and did macramé before I started painting.
How did you learn about HOOT and when did you join?
Sue: The girl we hired to be our secretary, Kathy Raymont, did decorative painting. She thought I needed a hobby and got me started painting. She invited me to go to convention with her in 1985. Jan had just started painting and the painting teacher told her she should go along with us. We joined Hoot that same year because Carol Jones told us if we joined and helped at convention, we could paint with Audrey Bettin…and the rest is history.
Jan: I attended my first convention in 1985 with Sue. We joined HOOT that same year so we could paint with Audrey Bettin.
What are your favorite mediums and projects to paint?
Sue: My favorite medium is oils. I just love sharp-focus still-lifes and florals. I also like watercolors and believe it or not, acrylics…if I’m doing a Maureen McNaughton piece.
Jan: Oils is my favorite medium. I love to do landscapes on canvas, but I also like still-lifes. I like watercolors, and I have dabbled in pastels, too. I have painted in acrylics, but when I see something that’s done in acrylic, I always think I can do that…but I just never seem to be able to pull it off. So then I have to go home and “fix” it with my oils.
Have you been involved with any special projects or offices for HOOT?
Sue: With Jan, I was in charge of All Ohio Day several years ago. And for the last two years, we have been Volunteer Coordinators. Before that we wore any hat that needed to be worn: monitor, art show, trade show ticket booth, sign setters, check room, classroom setup, and once we even laid vinyl designs on the tradeshow floor.
Jan: Several years ago, Sue and I were in charge of All Ohio Day. And more recently, I’ve been Volunteer Co-coordinator. At previous conventions, I worked as a monitor, did room setup, manned the tradeshow ticket booth and the check room, setup signs, and even laid floor decals. And never forget when Sue and I were gypsies for Nancy Young.
Sum it all up!
Sue: I do this for fun and relaxation. It gets me out of the house and is cheaper than therapy…maybe. I have made friends and memories that I will keep for life. I have gone places and seen things that I never would have without painting in my life. I just love it!!
Jan: Through the years, I have made many new friends; painters and not. Painting keeps me sane!
Jan Pohlman and Sue Roediger
Samples of Jan's artwork:
 Bountiful |
 Portraits of Jan's granddaughters |
Samples of Sue's artwork:
 An early painting of an apple from 1984 |
 Iris - from a Robert Warren design |
 Sue's Painting of Ann Kingslan's Rose - from the apple to this...WOW! |