Nature’s themes, patterns, and variations are my sources of inspiration. Making art is a search for clarity and simplicity, creating moments of visual magic or poetic thought. This work is an attempt to create visual haiku where one encounters the singular, with space for quietude. Aspiring toward the essence, savoring a sense of connectedness to the landscape and things dearly loved with reverence and tranquility.
Bonnie Hartmann retired in 2015 as Executive Director of The Miller Art Museum where she spent 23 years of fulfilling work – a true labor of love. Serving artists and the community was an honor and privilege, a career of a lifetime.
She holds a degree in Psychology and Art from Augustana College, Rock Island IL. After studying Painting and Drawing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago she was a full time artist for many years with gallery representation in Illinois and Wisconsin, exhibits, awards, and collection purchases. She taught art for adults and children for twenty years at the Peninsula School of Art, Fish Creek and was Director for three years.
Her studio on five acres, gardens, and old farmhouse provides sanctuary. Working primarily in pastel for its immediacy, color intensity, tactile satisfaction and direct color mixing.
The primary intent of the work is inspired by the powerful influence of Japanese art and aesthetics. There is a humility, reverence for nature, and simplicity of means unlike any other culture in the world. Forever changed at age 17 as an A.F.S. student to Japan in 1967, she returned four years later as a college student for further study. While there a Buddhist priest and other teachers introduced concepts of wabi-sabi, shibui, Zen, Haiku, Ikebana, Tea Ceremony, and much more.
The beauty and mystery of nature, its themes, patterns, and variations are a never-ending source of inspiration. Making art is a search for the clearest and simplest way to record a moment of visual magic or poetic thought. Recent work is an attempt to create visual haiku where one encounters the simple and singular, with space for quietude.
Compositional simplicity, getting to the essence of a thing, is a constant aspiration, giving the viewer room to meditate. Making art helps internalize and remember the joy of an inspired moment. Making art is an opportunity to savor a sense of deep connectedness to nature. Vibrant color in an uncluttered composition produces a sense of tranquility and give pause, taking time to revel in the little things. The everyday, the ordinary can become extraordinary”.