Check Out Bonny Butler’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonny Butler.

Bonny, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember. As a child, I loved drawing and taking art classes, and art was always the place where I felt most myself. But like many people, life took me in a more practical direction for a long time.

I eventually opened and operated a dog grooming shop, and pet store, which I owned for 29 years, while also raising my son. Even though my career was in a completely different field, creativity never really left me. It showed up in how I built my business, connected with people, and created a life centered around care, beauty, and expression.

When I sold the business in 2016 I finally gave myself permission to fully explore painting. I began with watercolor and quickly fell in love with the process of learning and experimenting. From there, I expanded into mixed media, acrylic, soft pastel, collage, oil pastels and plein air painting. I’ve taken countless classes, workshops, and courses over the years, and I still approach art with the curiosity of a student.

Today, my work balances, abstraction and realism, and is deeply inspired by nature, emotion, movement, and joy. My Studio has become a sanctuary- a place where I can explore, play, and express myself freely.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Like many artists, one of the biggest challenges has been balancing art with real life. Finding the time and energy to create consistently can be difficult, especially when life asks your attention elsewhere.

Over the years, my spouse has faced some significant medical challenges, and naturally that shifted priorities for periods of time. There have been seasons when it was hard to participate as fully as I wanted- getting to shows, dropping off artwork, attending events, or simply having the emotional space to create.

But even during those times, art remained important to me. I always tried to keep it in the foreground, even if sometimes it had to share space with caregiving, responsibilities, and the unpredictability of life. In many ways art became not just a creative outlet, but also a source of grounding, healing, and resilience.

I think those experiences have actually deepened my work. They’ve taught me patience, gratitude, and the importance of continuing to create, even when circumstances aren’t perfect. And perhaps most importantly, they’ve taught me that an artistic journey doesn’t have to be linear to be meaningful.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work today lies strongly toward abstraction and mixed media including collage. I love layering papers, textures, shapes, and color to create pieces that feel expressive and alive. While I work in several mediums, collage has become one of my favorite ways to explore creativity because there’s such an element of discovery and play in the process.

I’m not overly focused on realism. What interests me more is emotion, movement, energy, and creating a feeling within the work. People often tell me that when they look at my art, they smile, and I think that may be one of the greatest compliments I can receive. There’s a sense of joy, lightness, and optimism that naturally finds its way into my colors, shapes, and compositions.

I also don’t like staying in one lane creatively. I’m always evolving and experimenting. Lately, I’ve been working on a series of winged creatures, which surprised some people because it felt like a new direction for me. But I love, allowing myself the freedom to follow curiosity and see where it leads.

One thing that sets my work apart is that I came to this chapter of my artistic life later, after a completely different career and a full life of experiences. I think that gives my work a sense of freedom and authenticity. I’m not trying to paint perfectly- I’m trying to paint honestly.

I’m especially proud of allowing myself to keep growing and experimenting. I’m not afraid to explore new mediums, take risks, and let intuition lead the process.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was one of four children, and I also have a twin brother, which made childhood especially fun and full of adventure. I had a wonderful, happy childhood, and I think I was always naturally curious, creative, and nurturing.

I absolutely loved animals and was forever bringing home stray kittens, or wanting to care for every creature I came across. That caring and nurturing side has really stayed with me throughout my life. I also loved coloring, dressing up, and anything that allowed me to use my imagination and creativity.

Personality-wise, I was a happy child-energetic, loving, and usually up to something. I had various types of jobs, but nothing really clicked except for the animals. I think there was always a warmth and openness about me that connected easily with animals and people.

Looking back now, I can see that many of the things that shaped me as a child and young adult- creativity, compassion, joyfulness, and a love for beauty and self expression- are still very much a part of who I am today and are reflected in both my life and my art.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.BonnyButler.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/bonnysue1
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/bonnybutlerart
• Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/bonnysue1