We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bonnie Shanas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bonnie below.
Bonnie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I have been enjoying my creative career for some 20 years now, 15 of which as a professional artist participating and selling my work through juried art shows and galleries. Prior to embarking on my artistic journey, I actually spent quite a few years in the corporate work force in different positions that have no connection to arts whatsoever (the last of which I was an Import Manager in a Pharmaceutical company!). While I did enjoy my “regular” jobs, at some point I realized I was too consumed by work, and I decided to close the office door behind me and focus my time on raising my young sons. In my free time however, I allowed myself to explore my passion for the arts, as a matter of a fact, on my very first day home, I signed up for a sculpting class. I had always been drawn to the arts but could never have anticipated that this would become my new “career”. So, the answer to this question is that I have not needed to wonder what it would be like to have a regular job, because life offered me the opportunity to compare both worlds and know that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Bonnie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
As an artist, my main body of artwork has been figurative sculpture. I am motivated by the study of gestures and body language that we can all identify with and share, and I enjoy embedding that into an artwork people can connect with.
While I enjoy working in various materials, most of my sculptures are created from wire mesh, an industrial steel screen otherwise used in construction for various purposes. I have found the mesh to be a unique and while unforgiving material, it lends itself well to the human form and the fluidity of both our motions and emotions.
Unlike most sculpting disciplines, which are additive or reductive, in mesh I enjoy the challenge of creating a form from an otherwise flat sheet of screen. As I mentioned, the material is unforgiving, particularly meaning that once creased it cannot be undone. This is a quality that challenges me to be attentive and intentional, and part of what I enjoy.
My body of work consists of sculptures of individuals or couples, usually from memory or drawings, and I also create works by commission.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Life has had me pivot more times than I can remember, but that is also what led me to being a professional artist exhibiting on a national level. I think that within my artistic journey, the biggest pivot has been a behavioral one.
After several years of creating and receiving recognitions in local community shows, I decided (with much encouragement from my husband and young family) to “get out there” and show my work in different venues and shows around the country. Pivoting from an art hobby to an artistic career is a move that requires not only the investment of time and money, but above all 180-degree change of mindset. I have had to force myself to come out from backstage, where most of us introverts convene, and step on to an often-unpredictable stage where I share my work, my process and my story with people I’ve never before met.
Learning to open up in this level has taught me a great deal about other people and about myself. It has also provided me opportunities such as participating in international residencies and take part in beautiful projects, Most of all, it has introduced to me to a community of amazing artists, as well as connections with wonderful clients, a few of which have even become close and dear friends.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
In addition to the wonderful connections I have made through art, I think one of the most rewarding things about being an artist is the blanket permission to explore your creative ideas and always be able to challenge yourself with things that excite you. Over the years I’ve delved into different materials, different art subjects and different art forms altogether. Some of which I’ve incorporated into my works while others I left behind. Lately I have found myself exploring digital and analog collage, not instead of, but in addition to my sculpting work. Since my sculptures are inclined to be realistic; I’m enjoying for a first the surreal components in this entirely different art form. While these mediums couldn’t be further apart in process and style, they live comfortably under my “artist umbrella”, and I find a career that lets me continue to learn and explore a very gratifying reward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://BonnieShanasArt.com
- Instagram: @bonnieshanas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BonnieShanasSculptures/
- Linkedin: 2nd Instagram for collage work : @bonnieshanasart
