We recently connected with Bonnie Perlin and have shared our conversation below.

Bonnie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I always loved creating art. I enjoyed drawing and painting and did so for many years without formal training. In the late 80’s I enrolled in a class at the Roslyn School of Art, upon the suggestion of a friend. I began taking a class, which led to more classes. Within a short time I rented a studio space in the back of the school, where several other artists worked. We all became close friends sharing our mutual love of painting. We painted during the day and sometimes nights. As my work evolved, I began selling. People would stop by my studio and were interested in my work. I started showing my work in a couple of local galleries and also began taking art workshops to give me a broader view of the process. Little by little I began selling my work and at this time, I realized that I wanted to pursue this path professionally. I could do something I love to do and at the same time sell my work.

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 began my career by renting a studio space in an art school in Roslyn. I was there for over 20 years, painting, showing in different galleries, getting involved in art organizations and taking workshops. After moving to Florida, 18 years ago, I reinvented myself. I made many new art connections, found a new studio, and before long, began selling again. I am now in 3 galleries in Florida. I work with designers and private clients, and I have been commissioned many times to create something unique. What sets me apart is my versatility as a painter.. I can go from figurative, to abstract, to pop art using many mediums. For this reason, I have not limited myself to one genre.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love the process of creating art. It is the driving force in my life. You can find me 6 days a week in my studio immersed in whatever I’m working on. The most rewarding aspect for me is that I can finish a piece and it sells to someone who falls in love with it.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I belonged to an art organization in Florida that ran juried art shows. I tried many times to get accepted into the shows and most of the time I was rejected. I soon found out that many of the artists who were accepted were officers of the organization. I could have given up on painting at that time, but I felt that my work was definitely better than a lot of the pieces which were on the walls of those shows. I decided at that time, to not let rejection, from anyone, stop me from doing what I loved to do, and what I was good at.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Bonnieperlin.com
• Instagram: Bonnie Perlin
• Facebook: Bonnie Perlin
• Linkedin: Bonnie Perlin

Image Credits
Looney Tunes