Bonnie JK Sheets
Professional Resume
"The symbolist genre is just obscure enough for me to get regular questions about what it is exactly that I'm trying to do. I love representational art, with a twist that fantasy, science fiction, or hidden meaning lends to the finished work. My influences (and corruptors) include the old masters, especially daVinci and (less old) -Rodan. The art nouveau and art deco movements and every artist involved, with a special love for Frank Lloyd Wright . There's this one little German woman named Sulamith Wulfting whose art I think I will never quite recover from. And I've got to mention Maxfield Parrish. He's still giving me skies over the Cuyamaca mountains, I'm sure of it! Guys still alive I love to watch are Doug West and Steve Hanks and Michael Parkes, Along with the comic book art of an amazing woman named Wendi Pini. The meticulous work of Jeffrey Smart Baisden has proven that I can actually go insane with colored pencils. Looks like fun!
I've been drawing it seems since before I could write. Art runs in the family; my grandmother painted every chance she got, my father could draw and sculpt, and several of my extended family are also talented. My daughter Sonya and son Alex are showing signs of having art in their souls.
In high school I was busy with everything from flyers to set designs for the drama department. Art was then offered in school, and I had at least an hour a day, sometimes two. Wow. My first job was bookkeeping, but soon the contractors were asking for logos for their small businesses. I attended Platt college for computer design, and continued with classes I was interested in, both in college and privately. I am mostly self-taught, because I've too many art interests to pin just one down.
I've been paying bills doing graphic art and technical illustration for the last 20 years. My clients are always asking for something new, and that keeps me fresh. I've found myself in automotive illustrations for Nissan, Toyota, and Honda, and they're a lot of fun. The computer has become the surprise tool I never expected to use as an artist; with the help of my husband Jeff I've discovered avenues of creativity I didn't know existed. Illustrator! Photoshop! Woo Hoo! Thank God for Adobe and Stats Imagesetting.
I spent the summer of 2002 doing murals, and am seeing a resurgence of interest in this large-scale genre. I'm having way too much fun doing them, and feel the movement and energy working it's way into my fine art projects. Or maybe that 'movement' is me falling off a ladder. If you're out our way and want to see the latest, take a look in China Blue Day Spa here in Ramona, CA and get a pedicure.
The Gicleés will continue to be added steadily to the gallery page. Posters and Gift cards are available. I have a thousand things in my head, and I'd like to get them all onto the site for you to choose from. I'm working on a series of male elementals, female seasons, and more angels. No, I do not currently have gallery representation. Still looking for a dealer...
The 4 Santas you see on the gallery page are looking for a home with forward-thinking greeting card company who can see that my Santa isn't just the same-old fat guy Coca-cola invented a hundred years ago. My Nick is healthy, larger than life, and likes his wife. I think his time has come. Lemme know what you think.
I'm still considering special projects and new murals. I really can't believe you read this far, and we thank you! Now go back and look at the Gallery page again and pick out something you can't live without."
-Bonnie
Born in San Diego, California, Bonnie lives in Ramona, California with her husband, two children, and cat. Creates representational and symbolist art on clayboard smooth surfaces in water pencil, ink, paint, and anything else that looks like it might stick. Then scans it to computer for special effects, reproducing it using the Giclée process on canvas, UV coat for a 100 year life. Signed, numbered and doodled on.