Bonnie Pihl

Copywriter by day and painter by night, Bonnie Pihl is equally caring as she is talented. Just check out her newest philanthropic venture, My Art of Giving. Visitors can commission original paintings by Bonnie and she’ll donate all the proceeds to a charity of their choice. She describes the process as “a way for me to give back while doing something I love.”  See what else Bonnie enjoys below.

1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Representational. Realistic. Playful.

2. Who is your creative role model?
All the greats– Van Gogh. Giacometti. Toulouse Lautrec. I’m inspired by new artists I come across every day. My brother is definitely on the list. And kids always impress me with their originality and creativity.

3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
Paint on a giant canvas with giant brushes in a giant studio. Or maybe learn how to weld. ?  Something that takes me out of my element, I guess.

4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
Museums always make me want to rush home and paint. I’m also inspired when I travel. New Orleans, I was inspired by the music and old culture. Greece by the colors and the calm.

5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
A 3D cake decorator. There’s something thrilling about spending hours and hours on a work of art then slicing it up and watching people eat it. All that’s left is just a few crumbs. I like it.

6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
My family has a tradition called the “Make it, Bake it, Sew it or Grow it.” When Christmas rolls around, we pull names out of a hat and have to make something for someone in the family. One year I made a book called, “Grandma’s Stuck In the Ceiling.” It was based on a true story. And it was pretty awesome.

7. What is your favorite object in your home?
A letter my mom wrote me in high school, just because.

8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Do what makes you happy and don’t sweat the small stuff.

9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
Etsy, ffffound, Wooster Collective, The Long Thread, Olanos, Design Sponge

10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
When I break out the hammer and nails and hang that puppy.