Blissful Bonita

The Artist:

Bonita is an artist. But her background experiences have given her a unique perspective on life. Her parents met in Liberia, Africa; and she was surrounded by African art and culture. She is an ex-astrophysicist who has a degree in physics and Spanish. And although she has had a variety of jobs from accountant, astronomer and Spanish Immersion teacher, to greenhouse worker, personal caretaker, and bus driver for a retirement village; Bonita has also turned her passion, which is painting, into a full-time job. (She is also a full-time mom to two boys, a dog, a cat and two Scottish Highland cows.)

Painting has been one of Bonita’s favorite hobbies for over twenty-five years. Her ideal painting technique is to use watercolors on canvas. She stumbled upon this from when she went to Ecuador for a semester in college. Bonita had packed watercolors and canvas paper at the last minute. That's all she had, but she had every weekend free to paint; so Bonita developed the technique which she still enjoys today. After painting landscapes and nature, she started painting wild and domestic animals. She loves to be inspired by her fans (who she calls "Blissful Bonita Art Amigos") when they ask her to paint their favorite animals.

The Gallery:

Blissful Bonita Art Studio & Gallery opened in 2011.

It is a casual center for creativity. Local artists have taught a variety of classes such as watercolor painting, charcoal drawing, stained glass and jewelry to all ages. A wide range of local artwork was always on display and several art exhibitions were held for new local artists every year. COVID has altered the gallery space into more studio space to make room for social distancing.

If interested in classes, you may sign up and register when classes begin again; or for more info contact Bonita at blissfulbonita@aim.com.