We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Boni Arendt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Boni, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

After experiencing a diagnosis of breast cancer my perspective on life and specifically success related to work has changed. My faith is my success and that takes the pressure off whether or not I sell a painting. I realize now that the connection between me and my customers/students is what’s important. If I can help them receive the gift of creativity then I’m successful.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have loved Art since winning an NC Wildlife emblem contest in the 6th grade. I’m from a small town so it was fairly easy to become the go to artist. After highschool I studied Art Education, and graduated with a BFA in Painting and Drawing from East Carolina University. I moved to England for a year where I painted portraits and studied Interdisciplinary Design at Berkshire College of Art and Design. I was fascinated by architecture and design as I traveled to Egypt, Amsterdam, France and Italy.
Back in the United States, I opened The Red Rooster Gallery where I began selling art and teaching art lessons. I have since then acquired a Masters in Education. I served as an art teacher at Champion Learning Academy in Morrisville, NC for 3 years where I taught ages 4-High School, afterschool, summer camp, and specialty art lessons for 3 years. I currently enjoy painting many genres to include contemporary figurative themes and landscapes where I insert my inspiration from Italian Renaissance Art. I also continue to produce murals, portrait commissions, as well as teach painting and drawing in my home studio.
I have recently added Paint Parties for locals to enjoy and collaborated with crafters to provide seasonal events in my area.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During my Junior year ECU Art review, the department head suggested I consider a different path. And while its been a struggle as an artist and I’ve had other jobs to be able to afford the basics I couldn’t stop creating. I don’t regret my determination because I don’t feel like I have a choice. It’s just taken time to improve and feel more comfortable calling myself an artist and feeling like I should just produce the artwork and the right person will come along who wants my work or they won’t. And that’s okay.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m always pivoting! I just listen to my gut and go with the flow. I try new things all the time. I owned a retail gallery for 4 years and learned that when retail was slow I could teach. So it turned out that bring flexible is important!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.BoniArendt.com
• Instagram: @boniarendt
• Facebook: Https://facebook.com/BoniArendtArt
• Linkedin: Boni Arendt
• Other: Tiktok: @artbyboni