Reflectionist | Artist Bonnie Eggena

Encouraging exploration and dialogue in the visual arts

Bonnie Eggena

Art has been a lifelong involvement, either directly or indirectly. I was surrounded by art in my family (three graphic artists, four painters) As a young woman I was a ballet dancer and instructor; this later led to Dance Therapy and the study of movement notation and analysis. We produced early videotapes about movement. I later worked in stained glass, illustrated computer multimedia programs, and took painting courses. I first worked as a Dance therapist, went to graduate school and became a Psychologist and spent many years practicing. After retiring four years ago, I was able to devote my time to painting.

I began my training with Peter Cox at the National Arts Club and the Art Student's League and studied for seven years. The last eleven years I have worked with Alexander Shundi who is now at Arts on the Lake. I have also participated in workshops with Susan Ferri, Americo D'Rico, and Ted Jacobs in France.

I have exhibited in group shows in Gallery One in NYC, at the Art Students' League in NYC, at Wooster CT Gallery, at Cerceux sous Passavant, Town Hall, France - and at Arts on the Lake In Carmel NY. Also, I did commissioned murals at the Kent Library with L. Escher. I am a member of the National Arts Club, Arts on the Lake, and The Reflectionist.

As for my philosophy of art - the timelessness and universality of art is what is attractive to me. The paintings of Lescaux or Chauvet have not been improved upon with time or human progress. The genius that existed then is reinvented with each generation as the artist draws from their inner creativity. Art movements and cultural influences have shaped art, but it is the universal themes and the genius of the artist that speak to me.

The other aspects of art that appeal to me are freedom in experimentation and constant change. I experiment with different styles, themes, topics, techniques and palettes, and span the polarities of realism to abstraction. This does not make for a consistent body of work, but there are some basic themes and styles that emerge in the last years. I am interested in layering images. Those layers can be etched glass or silk scrims above oil paintings, grids above backgrounds, or images viewed through fog. Most of my paintings are intended to depict our way of knowing the world through layers of perception, and ask the viewer to enter and discover. I also like the element of surprise that comes through controlled dripping of paint and the use of gold and silver leaf within oil paintings. I also attempt to explore my inner life with painting. Picasso once said, "I do not need to keep a diary, I paint." I think I am beginning to understand what he meant.

Bonnie Eggena's Collection
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