Karen Bonnie - Painting Real Culture

by Pam Eggemeyer

Snow Day – Oil on linen, 40 x 60, by Karen Bonnie

Born in Wisconsin and raised in the Midwest, many summers spent on an uncle’s farm, Karen Bonnie expressed her love for horses through her drawing pencils. It was her admiration for these noble animals that spurred her interest in western history, cowboy legend and Native American horse cultures. While retraining retired racehorses for the dressage arena as a hobby, she expanded her commercial photography career into advertising and graphic design. In 1991 Karen drew on her knowledge of ancient and traditional techniques to start up an award-winning buckskin garment company.

Since 2000, Karen has been rendering the objects of her passion – modern and historical ranching, Native American culture, wilderness, wildlife and, of course, horses. The vibrant, fluid colors are only achievable in oil paints, a medium that she finds like a living thing – tactile and flowing.

Karen plays music of all genres, often dancing in her studio while she paints. “I see horses as heroic, powerful, fun-loving and affectionate beings. Their relationships within the herd so often reflect those of our own, the human herd, and that is how I like to portray my favorite subject.” Water is a common thread that runs through many of her works as well, a spiritual symbol that unites all of us in a way that is unspoken.

The Chase – Oil framed, sold, 22 x 30, by Karen Bonnie.

“I have been fortunate to find cowboys and, particularly, cowgirls willing to teach me cowography; I am living every kid’s dream, riding in these high Colorado mountains after cows, building a spiritual connection with my beloved partner horses. Only through fully living your very unique life do you have something to offer as a painter, the adventure and the trials, the beauty and the wrecks. All of it, everything that went before, goes into the art.” She feels it is crucial to paint what she knows, so her westerns are carefully researched and are based on personal experience or that of her cowboy subjects, all of whom are consummate storytellers.

Karen’s work is represented by six major galleries and is shown in a number of juried and invitational shows. In 2004 she was given the Tuffy Berg Award for Best New Artist at the annual Charles M. Russell Museum Show and Sale in Great Falls, Montana.

Karen is grateful that the surrounding community of ranchers and farmers are willing to provide access to her subject matter, and that they support and inspire her in her admiring portrayal of cowboy and horse culture in its present-day reality, and of all things of the horse.

“To think that when a person views one of my paintings, I am sharing with them the sheer joy I had in painting it, that they will feel the music, dance with me, laugh with me and reminisce on simpler times. And whether or not they appreciate horses, I hope they feel the power and beauty of these perfectly designed creatures.”

Author Pam Eggemeyer is the owner of Spirits in the Wind Gallery in Golden, Colorado, and represents Karen Bonnie. Visit their web site at www.spiritsinthewindgallery.com.