Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrea Bonadiman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Andrea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

It’s wild to me to pinpoint one piece that I have created that would mean more to me than others. Each piece I have created throughout the years of finally calling myself an artist holds a significant meaning behind it. Especially the pieces that are bone art. As these pieces were once living being on this earth, when those bones are held in my hands it is my duty to give that animal the utmost respect. My goal with each skull and bone is to give rebirth to that animal. Every bone and skull tells a story, the trick is to listen to what it says. Sometimes a skull tries to tell the story of the animal’s life or its symbiotic relationship with another species. Other times the skull is reaching into our souls to coax us into releasing what is striving to get out.

One of the most recent pieces that have had immense meaning behind it, is a digital art piece that is titled ‘FENRIR’. Since I was a small child I have had a spiritual connection to wolves. I have always been drawn to them. My memories when I was a girl were always centered on learning more about wolves, surrounding myself with them in some form, and watching anything that offered a glimpse of one. Wolves stand for many things in different cultures as well as regions in the world. To me, they always stood for peace, loyalty, and fierceness. The last two years felt as if I was shaking off so much of what was not meant for me. Finally, I had stepped into becoming who I wanted to be and felt strong like the wolf. I felt as if the chains that were holding me back had finally been broken. Much like the chains that FENRIR breaks in the age-old tale. The illumination of the wolf through the darkness, the determination in its stare, and the ring of power around its eye. When I look at this piece it immediately reminds me of how far I’ve come, and how hard I have worked.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’ve always been someone who loves to be creative. I was the type of person through school to take any and every art class available. Art has always offered me an outlet to be myself fully without judgment. Within my art, you can see a common subject that is a deep vein of love, which are biology and nature. The flora and fauna of the natural world are greatly inspiring to me. When I lived in Western Montana, I was given the opportunity to explore with so many natural elements and mediums. Bones and skulls were widely available from what is known as ‘deadpiles’ and also an abundance of butcher houses. While inspired by the Native American belief to use all of the animals that were harvested, I combined my interests in biology, nature, and art and started to explore different techniques on bone. From there I have now sold skull and bone art internationally. My inspirations still hold true with the flora and fauna of the natural world. The mediums I apply to skull and bone are painting, carving, and pyrography.

I also have been altering clothing since I was in junior high or so. Always finding a way to stand apart from the rest of the crowd, assuring each piece of apparel was unique. When others started to show interest in my style and personal creations I made those available via my website, with the same themes as my other art.

While an artist is said in some circles to stick to one medium and establish yourself within that medium, that’s been the hardest struggle for me. As an artist, I love to spread my wings and play with new mediums and materials. That’s how we grow and learn how to evolve our techniques. That has led me to create with saw blades, driftwood, fabric art, and now digital art as well.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

First and foremost, we as a society must stop supporting the theft of art by large corporations. Companies like Hobby Lobby and even Target, are known for mass-producing art pieces that are so similar to a small artist’s piece, and marketing it for hundreds of dollars cheaper. Quit buying the art from the store with fluorescent lights and start purchasing pieces made with love.

Also, so many people believe that you can only support an artist or creative by purchasing their work. However, you can still greatly support us by doing something free and very helpful. That is to share our work via social media, and engage with our posts so that the algorithm favors it and shares it with more people.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Not sure if it’s so much a lesson or a belief system that I needed to unlearn so badly. It was always the belief that every little stroke and line, every art piece created needed to be absolutely perfect.

I remember visiting with a fellow artist and friend of mine and venting some of my frustration about a piece I was working on. I just couldn’t get it to look just right. Then all of the sudden he said something that has forever stayed with me… “Quit trying so hard”. What? What is that you say? Go against everything I had ever been taught and strived for, to be the best? “Yes”, he said. He went on to explain that when you try so hard you are giving yourself tunnel vision, and not able to see the big picture. Once you open your mind and allow it to flow it will all make sense. This advice has been applied to art as well as many different aspects of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bonadimaniart.com
• Instagram: @bonadimani_art
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/BonadimaniART
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-bonadiman