Artist Bonnie Auten Brings Unique Perspective to Community Arts Workshops

Posted: Oct 22, 2012 at 12:19 PM [Oct 22, 2012]

Internationally recognized colored pencil artist, Bonnie Auten brings her talent, skill and ‘spirit of excellence’ to Community Arts of Tecumseh for weekend workshops on November 10th & 11th. 

“Art work should be rendered well and the subject matter should mean something beyond a pretty picture.  Fine art must catch the eye and hold the heart,” said Bonnie.

Bonnie’s work has been included in many National and International exhibitions.  In 1995 she received the highest honor possible from the Colored Pencil Society of America with the Outstanding Recognition of Excellence Award.   She was also one of the Society’s first five members to receive the coveted 5 Year Merit Award.  Her work has also been featured in many art exhibitions, instruction books and art magazines.

Her talent is unique and so is her perspective.  “I am atypical in that I do not see everything in vivid color.  Since I am color recessive, colors are visible to me, but not all their gradations.  I used to think this was a major handicap.  Now I believe it makes my art unique,” said Bonnie.  To compensate for her colorblindness, color becomes secondary to powerful compositions with strong value contrast. 

“Originally, my work centered primarily in pen and ink.  I grew tired of black and white, but it seemed I could not mix color on a palette.  My goal was to achieve an effective method that would enable me to work well with color.  Colored pencil gave me that ability and now pushes me to try something new every time I pick up a pencil,” she said.

Bonnie shares her love of art with others through workshops and lectures.  In the upcoming sessions at CAT,  Bonnie will teach three major components of great art: composition, value and color. 

Students will each do short projects using supplied professional grade pencils and paper.  Activities will develop skills in exploring color, finding values and creating strong compositions.  The workshops will be fun and fast paced.

Sessions are available for adults and high school students.  There is a maximum of 20 students per workshop.  For more information Call 517-423-0000 or go to the CAT website, TecumsehArts.org.