Award winning artist Elke Pollard N.D.D. Artist, designer and teacher, notable for many portraits "from lords to the milkman". She was born in Bielefeld, Germany, during the Dam Busters bouncing bomb raid on the Ruhr dams "when all the windows of the hospital were shattered!" Educated in Germany and Cyprus, she settled in England, married to the late artist Malcolm Pollard. Elke obtained her National Diploma at the School of Art in Northampton, where she lives, Henry Bird remaining her mentor, other teachers including Tom Hughes, for etching and illustration; Frank Cryer, lettering and illumination; and Peter Cubitt, brush lettering and composition. The work of Rembrandt, Goya, John Singer Sargent and Tom Coates impressed her. Pollard has been a boutique owner and designer; artist-in-residence, CCA Gallery, Cambridge; and taught for the 0pen College of the Arts and Northampton College. She has also been a member of Northamptonshire Town and County Arts Society. Group shows included The Pollards, Central Gallery of Art, Northampton, and Fermoy Art Gallery, King's Lynn. She has held solo shows at New Hall, Cambridge (it has her self-portrait); Bedford School; and Derngate Foyer Gallery and Royal Theatre, Northampton. Murals include a restored listed building in The Racecourse Pavilion, Northampton, and with her husband she designed and executed decorated panelled ceiling for extension to the Mayor's Parlour, Northampton Town Hall. She has completed posters and greetings cards for Northamptonshire County Library, Darwin College and New Hall. Pollard signs her work with initials. Source: The Dictionary of Artists in Britain since 1945, by David Buckman, published by Art Dictionaries Bristol. Personal Statement I was born on the continent, I am Eastern European. From an early age it was apparent that I was artistic. My education was geared towards art. I studied at Northampton School of Art. Usually I work to commission, specialising in portraiture. For my own pleasure I paint lanscapes I see on my travels and anything that takes my eye. My work is included in the Women's Art Collection at Newhall College, Cambridge. I am also featured in the new edition of 'Who is Who in Art' and 'Who is Who in Art Since 1945' by David Buckman. My work can be seen by appointment in the studio.