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

Jodi , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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 always loved creating art. When I don’t draw or paint I become moody or tense at times but I think it’s a myth that artists are unhappy people. As an artist I can observe the world around me and bring my thoughts to life with pencils, and paints. Life is a series of struggles with lovely moments, and art is a way to let go of what we can’t control. It is a safe harbor that fills me with joy. The desire to draw came early. As long as there were pencils, paper, and paint close by, I was a happy child. It’s easy to spend an hour just mixing paint on a palette. It has taken 3 decades to earn a living as an artist, so I know what it’s like to have different jobs. Also I married a creative so there were many years of ups and downs. I taught art at my son’s school, sold shoes, worked as a nanny, worked with autistic adults and was a registered electrologist for many years.

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’m a Los Angeles native and have been a professional artist for over 3 decades. My current art practice is devoted to drawing and painting birds and nature but before 2020 my work was very different! I started out in 1990 and 1991 with a few work-for-hire jobs and a few private commissions. I realized that commercial art was not a good fit for me. I’m self taught and my work always goes off into its own orbit. I love patterns, bright color palettes and absolutely get lost in details. The backgrounds are filled and it’s like looking for Waldo. The more you investigate, the more you see. In the 90’s while teaching at my son’s school, I became interested in people hanging out in places of communal exchange. Barbershops, cafes and metros were perfect settings to sketch in. Much of the work included animals or made up creatures that represented the alter egos of people. In 2020 I began my bird nature series which will remain the focus of my art practice for the rest of my life. The world has become complicated and nature has led me on a new more peaceful journey. Over the years I have done public art projects, and have exhibited in galleries locally, nationally and internationally. My works have been reviewed and published in the LA Times, the Boston Globe, Harper’s Magazine, Diversions LA and much more. I was even interviewed in 2012 by Hair’s How, an established fashion magazine in Russia! That was so unexpected and they did a 6 page spread! Like my art, each opportunity has been unusual, appreciated and drawn out of the lines. I mainly sell original artworks but prints are always available on my art site or by request.
My style is contemporary expressionism and is one of a kind. For this reason I accept few commissions. When collectors purchase my work it is not to match the furniture but to add to other incredible works they love. My favorite public art project was for the Sunset Strip.. I was paid to create my art vision on a 6 foot fiberglass sculpture designed by Tony Sheets for the Lou Adler family. They own the Rainbow Grill, The Whiskey A Go Go and the Roxy. They loved my family friendly proposal and my art style. I fulfilled their request to draw all their establishments and their other celebrity friends as well as the Sunset Strip. On the back of the guitar I added my son and all the neighborhood kids in my neighborhood. They loved the guitar and it remained on the strip in front of the Rainbow Grill for a whole year. It was then auctioned off at Christy’s for a children’s charity. A recent exhibit that I felt proud to be selected for was for MOAH in 2022. This is The Museum Of Art And History in Lancaster, in their MOAH Cedar Gallery. As an artist each opportunity is a blessing and I am always grateful. My artwork is how I connect to the world. It is an ongoing conversation about love, grace and the important connection to others. If people feel inspired by my work, I feel fulfilled.

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

In the 90’s I had the opportunity to exhibit a special piece of art in a wonderful gallery in Beverly Hills. It was opening night and my piece was given a lot of attention and sold. I was excited and the gallery was full of people. There was another female artist that was represented by the gallery. She had a big name and was upset because they had placed my piece in the window. I was hopeful that the gallery would want to represent me. The owner came during the evening and explained that their represented artist was upset by the placement of my work, that she was important and that after the exhibition they would not be able to show my work again. I was surprised and even offered to meet her but they said no. They thanked me for “being nice” and was happy my piece sold. I was incredibly disappointed but I was proud of myself for handling it with aplomb. That same year I had to have a serious surgery and my son was only 4 years old at that time. I came through it, grateful that I was still here and able to be around for my family. Over the years I have had many ups and downs both in my art practice and in my life. We don’t just paint all day. I’m a mother in a long time marriage with a son I adore who is now grown. And we are not rich people. Like everyone else we have bills and all the chaos that comes with living a life. When my son was little I often created in the middle of the night so that I could be with him every moment. I love being a mom and all those moments added to my life as an artist. Every artist I meet has horror stories. You can’t let a few bad experiences stop you from what you love doing. One time it took me a year to be paid for 1 painting. I would make an appointment to come by for payment and the person I put my trust in was either out, didn’t have payment or gave me a small amount “for now”. I even took another artist with me as support. I could have reacted but maintained a quiet voice. For every bad apple there are incredible people to counteract them. If we allow people to hurt us, we can’t move forward. The best strategy is to forgive their behavior, pray that they change their ways and make art. Their issues are none of your business. Your job is to produce art that brings joy and passion into the world. Praise the people who are true to their word. I have had many wonderful gallery experiences where paintings have sold and I was paid immediately. I have met some great people in the art community and incredible artists that have become my colleagues and friends. Treasure your family, treasure your friends and be true to your work and your word.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I love The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Her amazing way of writing gently inspires you to move out of your inner darker thoughts to the light of creating. It’s been around for 30 years and that is a great endorsement. So many books are out there about selling your art or how to get ahead. I am not an agenda artist and I won’t meet people just to get to the next person. This book tells you how to be a better person while striving to be a better artist. There are tasks to do and lists to fill out. The best take away are the morning pages. The book is known for the initiation of the morning pages. You write anything for 3 pages even if it’s nonsense and either keep it or throw it away. So, if life is giving you lemons you start writing out all the frustrations and by the third page you’re drinking lemonade. The book is also chock full of inspirational quotes. I also love C.S. Lewis. He wrote incredible children’s novels that many adults can learn from and his philosophy of life writings are invaluable. Marcus Aurelius Meditations or any books that promote the art of stoicism is also high on my list. Read books that help you to make choices that affect you or others in a positive way and this will enhance your creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jodibonassiart.com
• Instagram: jodi_bonassi
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/jodi-bonassi
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodibonassi
• Youtube: jodibonassi@utube