Art is the most precise way of translating an experience to others.

Bonnie’s intention with her art is to have people be drawn to a place and time where they can find peace, to bring back a memory, to create a smile. She wants people to see her work and feel, not analyze it. When a person says, “I don’t know why, but I just really like this!”, Bonnie knows her goal has been accomplished.

A graduate of the Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Bonnie took her first photography class in 1985. She went on to received her BSBA in Marketing from Mississippi College. Taking a variety of art classes in both high school and college, she is primarily self taught in her current forms of art. This includes photography, digital painting, and collage work.

Almost all of Bonnie’s work begins with a photograph. From there, she simply lets the image tell her where to go. She uses both Photoshop and Corel Painter to subtly, or dramatically, alter the image to create the emotion she’s striving for. Layering techniques, changing colors and intensities, blending and painting - the digital palette is an endless array of mediums. Bonnie uses many different techniques for each image, often getting so caught up in the creation, that the precise mechanical steps to achieve the final image are forgotten. Simply letting go of technicalities and reacting to what she sees, is when Bonnie creates her best work.

Bonnie also does commissioned portrait paintings. Starting with a photograph, she works closely with her clients to ensure their final painting is just what they were hoping for. These future heirlooms are for the discriminating client, who wants more than a captured moment.

Affiliations

Bonnie is a member of the Windward Art Guild in Hawaii.

Awards and Accomplishments

• August 2008 - Featured at Cathedral Art Gallery, Honolulu, HI
• July 2008 - Winner of 2008 The Artful Home portfolio competition, international
  • “It was a pleasure to see such a rich and broad pool of entries for this year’s competition, and I was pleased to see that the popular vote went to a picture that I thought was serene and beautiful. I am sure it will be well-received by The Artful Home’s public,” juror David A. Ross said.
• March 2008 - “Dreams by the Sea” in juried show, Honolulu, HI
• December 2007 - Featured at Accents Honolulu gallery, Honolulu, HI
• October 2007 - “Lei Hala” wins Viewer’s Choice award, Ho’omaluhia gallery, Kaneohe, HI
• Spring 2007 - “Fantasy Fairy” runner up, digital art, Paint Outside the Frame (online)
• May 2007 - Solo photography show at Cathedral Art Gallery, Honolulu, HI
• February 2006 - Native Hawaiian artists show, The ArtBoard, Honolulu, HI
• October 2006 - “May Day Paniolo” in juried show, Honolulu, HI
• December 2005 - “Simple Gift” wins digital Christmas card contest, The Loft (online)