Montana, known as "Big Sky Country", is famous for its breathtaking natural landscapes and rich Western heritage. Among those born on this vast land, there is an artist whose soul seems to have been in harmony with nature from the moment she arrived. With a paintbrush in hand, she has always captured the beauty of everyday scenes. She is Bonnie Griffith, and we are honored to have her join us for this exclusive interview.
Artistic Journey
➤Could you start by introducing yourself briefly?
I am a full time artist working in pastels and oil. Pastels have been a favorite medium for 25 years when I was first introduced to them by a friend. While I love to mix paint to create an array of hues and values, there is nothing g like opening a new set of pastels are seeing all the beautiful sticks of colors!My work is primarily of the landscape. Growing up in rural Montana I learned to appreciate the land, the colors of the seasons from the warm tones of Autumn to the stark cools of winter and the greens of spring and summer. I have studied with master painters like Scott Christensen, Lorenzo Chavez and Ned Mueller to name a few.
➤What do you find most fulfilling about creating art? What keeps you motivated to continue painting?
When I paint I like to find beauty and interest in the mundane. I believe one doesn’t have to seek out the most beautiful spot to paint - there are interesting scenes all around. My goal is to bring my creative voice to those places and paint them so the viewer can appreciate the beauty I see.
➤Has anything recently sparked your creative inspiration?
I am motivated by the landscape and what I see. I want to draw the viewer of my paintings into scene and give them something that triggers a memory or a sense of being they find appealing.
Always critiquing my work and pushing myself to create better work keeps me engaged.
I paint all over the western US en plein air and from reference photosin my studio. Painting in nature is a challenge in of itself, so I use that time in the field to do small studies for future larger paintings in the studio as well as plein air work that is really finished when I’m involved in plein air competitions.
➤What message or emotions do you aim to convey through your work?
I’m inspired by the diversity of nature and to bring that emotion I have for it onto paper for the enjoyment of others.