Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonni Brahmbhatt.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Absolutely! I’m a self-taught artist from Orange County, CA. I discovered my ‘style’ later in life. It developed a few years ago when I came across artists pouring paint directly onto canvases — no brushes, no rules, just letting gravity and motion do the work! They’d tilt the canvas, swirl the colors, and use whatever tools they had on hand — fingers, palette knives, combs — to create these mesmerizing, unpredictable designs. I remember thinking, what kind of crazy magic is this???
I had to try it! Of course, my first attempts were total chaos — a beautiful hot mess. But there was something about the process that I couldn’t resist. It was freeing, meditative, and wild all at once. I kept experimenting, learning to work with the paint in unconventional ways. I ended up with some pretty cool pieces and began selling them online. One day though, as a dried pour painting sat in front of me, I started to notice things — shapes, patterns, flowers, little bugs emerging from the piece. It was like staring into space and spotting whole new worlds.
That’s when it clicked. I bought some paint pens and started doodling on top of the dried pours, bringing those strange, whimsical forms to life. That’s how Wacky Gardens was born. A universe of funky flowers, cheeky suns, little bugs, and the occasional UFO. It became my signature — bold, chaotic, color layered with humor and imagination.
I continued to paint and pour and create weird little gardens. I sold pieces here and there, but most of my art stayed with me. I got attached to it — each piece felt like a little part of my imagination on canvas. Every time I sold one, I’d miss it and regret it later. So I stopped actively selling my art. Occasionally, when I received an inquiry about a new piece, I’d even say it was sold. It wasn’t…
Then my life took an exciting turn. I met and married my husband, Mitesh. One morning over breakfast with his brother, while browsing through my portfolio they both said, “You have to sell this art — it’s super unique and creative and you have to sell it now!” That was the spark. Their encouragement gave me the push I needed to turn my passion into Wacky Gardens by BB (…and other art atrocities) officially! Since then, with my incredibly amazing husband’s support, I’ve continued to chase color, chaos, and happiness, while now also working day and night to build a weird, wacky and whimsical brand! ….and actively sell it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, the challenges… Well, it’s definitely been an exciting ride — but I had no idea how much work actually goes into starting a real business (my hat’s off to you entrepreneurs out there!). When I decided to make Wacky Gardens by BB official, I thought it would just be about painting and selling my art. But wow — the behind-the-scenes stuff is endless! There’s permits, licenses, DBAs, expense tracking, marketing, managing a website, an online store, figuring out taxes — the list just keeps growing. And then, of course, there’s the biggest challenge: finding enough time to actually keep creating something wacky!
It’s a ton of work, but also incredibly rewarding. When I see someone connect with my art or laugh at one of my weird little flowers or UFOs, it makes all the long nights worth it. I’m learning as I go, figuring things out step by step, but I’m determined to take Wacky Gardens as far as it can go… and then a bit farther. I’m building my brand, but more than that — I’m building this funky little universe that I get to share with people. And that part is pure magic!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I paint weird, chaotic and colorful gardens on canvases, My process begins with acrylic pour paintings — uncontrolled, fluid backgrounds that become the foundation for my imagination. Then I pull out the paint pens and begin to draw on the painting, filling the space with whimsical garden scenes. The results are equal parts playful and peculiar: wobbly flowers with personality, bossy suns, gossiping bugs, and the occasional UFO drifting overhead.
Once I began posting my wacky gardens online, I quickly became known in my social media ‘art’ circle as the wacky garden girl. And I was absolutely here for that, 100%!
I’m proud of the unique art style I’ve created for myself. Each wacky garden is bright, graphic, and humorous. The work carries a distinctly retro energy, drawing inspiration from 1970s funk and soul, psychedelic patterns, and old-school album art. There’s a sense of movement and music in every piece, as if the whole scene could start dancing at any moment. I know I do when I’m painting it. Of course, the music helps!
My art doesn’t take itself too seriously — and that’s the point. My paintings are about finding joy in imperfection, laughing at the weirdness of life, and celebrating the messy, vibrant energy of creativity itself.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned that your weirdness is your strength. I used to overthink what people might like, but the truth is, my art got better and people connected with it more when I stopped trying to make it “normal.” The more I leaned into the funky, the funny, and the imperfect, the more it felt like me.
I’ve also learned that building an art business is just as much about patience as it is about passion. Growth can be slow, and that’s okay. Each print, each post, each connection is a seed. Some sprout quickly, others take their time, but the garden keeps growing.
And maybe the most important thing? Keep it happy. The business side can get heavy, but when I remember to have fun — to play, to laugh at my mistakes, to dance while painting — everything works better. The energy you put in absolutely comes through in the art!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wackygardensbybb.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wackygardensbybb/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577831092588
