Thom Ertl

Thom J. Ertl was born and raised on a multi-generational vegetable farm and orchard in southeastern Wisconsin, owned and operated by the family for more than 100 years. Along with the expectation of being “a farm kid,” he always made time to be inspired by the environment and the world around him. “Creativity has always been central in my life,” says Ertl, “And I was fortunate enough to have had a childhood that included time with a thoughtful, creative, sometimes nontraditional person who encouraged me to think beyond the expectations. Grandma Patterson and I spent our time together ‘doing’ arts and crafts. Whether creating projects from scratch or using pre-packaged kits, Grandma always encouraged me to experiment and try the thoughts I had in my head.

“I remember my childhood as a magical time to explore, to realize what life had to offer, and having the sanctity of Grandma’s permission to do that,” says Ertl. “She had this inane ability to guide what we were doing without influencing it too much, without turning it into her project, her creation or her end result. I continue to put into practice what my childhood brought to me. Grandma’s love, support and influence have been invaluable in the thought process I employ today.”

Thom J. Ertl Designs is contemporary urban assemblage. It unexpectedly combines and repurposes common, everyday items into modern, artistic, practical and original home furnishings and interior design. It is wall art, furniture, greeting cards and gift items with a strong sense of whimsy and detail and a thought-provoking element of surprise. Thom J. Ertl Designs is a compilation of 35+ years of artistic experience that includes retail and visual merchandising, graphic design and set design for fashion shows and performance art. It showcases “the what was” and turns it into “the what it is now.” It’s modern folk art that takes the fork in the road.