Nick & William 2009

Bob Bonn’s art grab’s your senses and immediately transports you into a fantasy world of brilliant color and imagination. Bonn, whose father Fred Bonn, was an exhibitor at the Sawdust Art Festival has been a familiar vibrant personality of the show. His acrylic paints exude his personality and humor. His works are full of characters of the Wild West, but perhaps one recurring element in his paintings are the grinning gatos (cats).

Bonn has created a number of public art commissions for the City of Laguna Beach.  His large scale painted banners can be seen downtown during the summer season and are part of the City of Laguna Beach public art collection. In addition, Bonn participated in painting a parking meter, funds from which go to assist homeless programs. “The Laguna Beach community is so important to me, it’s where I grew up, it’s where I live with my wife, and where my children go to school.” Last year, students at El Morro received a sneak preview of this latest public art banner. “Student’s had so many articulate questions about art; it was wonderful to share some of my knowledge with them.”

Having graduated from California State Northridge and the University of California, Santa Barbara, Bonn travelled Europe absorbing the works and influences of both the Master painters and contemporary artists that help to conceive and refine his own style. “To be exposed to art, museums and galleries is hugely influential” said Bonn. Over the past months Bonn has taken the importance of arts education further by working with children whose parents are on military duty. “It’s imperative these kids get an outlet, such as painting, to express themselves. They miss their parents so much, I hope by painting a picture it brings a little normality to their lives.”

Bob Bonn
Laguna Beach, California
bobbonn.com

Education
Cal State University of Northridge                                                                1979 – 1981
Santa Barbara City College                                                                          1981 – 1982
University of California, Santa Barbara                                                         1982 – 1984
He Graduated with honors, B.A. Fine Arts Degree                            
Traveled through Europe and studied art independently                                 1984-1985
Exhibitions
UCSB Undergraduate Student Show                                                            1984
UCSB Undergraduate Show (UC sponsored)                                               1984
Villa Esperanza Art Showing                                                                         1985
Conejo Valley Art Museum/ “Local Color Exhibition”                                   1986
Westlake Art Guild Competition                                                                   1986
Awarded 2nd place in contemporary painting
The New Gallery, Santa Barbara                                                                  1986 – 1987
Work appearance on Pacifica Community Television                                    1987
6th & 7th Annual City of Thousand Oaks Art Competition                            1988 – 1989
Awarded 1st place in 2D Abstract Painting                                     
Awarded City of Thousand Oaks Purchase Award
Awarded Best of Show                                                                                1988
Gallery Bianca, Santa Barbara                                                                      1988 – 1989
City of Santa Barbara, Cabrillo Beach Art Show                                          1989 – 1991
Los Angeles, Mozart Orchestra Art Benefit, C.G. Rein Gallery                     1989
Lincoln Center 40th Anniversary Poster Design                                             1992
Old Town Los Gatos Poster Design                                                              1993
Martin Lawrence Gallery/ Museum Shop (cat and cow watch design)            1991 – 1993
La Quinta, Arts Festival (show T-Shirt design 1991)                                      1989 – 1997
Landmark Calendars “Desert Dancin”                                                           1996
Sawdust “Winter-fest” Poster Design                                                            1997
Sawdust “Summer-fest” T-Shirt Design                                                         1999, 2004, 2005, 2006
Millard Sheets Gallery “Grins” Los Angeles                                                   1997
Zarah Co. (jewelry design)                                                                            1996 – present
Leanin’ Tree (greeting cards)                                                                         1996 – present
Illustrated Book, Cooking with Baja Magic                                                    1998 – 2003
Tempe Mayor’s Award          “Best of Show”                                               1998
C. L. Davis & Associates Design/ Gallery                                                      2001
Scaredy Cat Hospital Logo Design                                                                2002
Stevens Linens Company                                                                               2003
The Seventh Wonder Art Gallery, Grand Canyon                                           2003
Arizona Pet Basket Co.  Logo Design                                                            2004
CD Cover Designs *Mac Daddy and *Jeff Clark and Doug Agnew               2004
City of Laguna Beach Summer Banner                                                           2004 & 2008
Project Skimboard 1 and 2 “Exhibitions at Gallery 51 and 7Degrees”             2005 & 2006
La Cereza “Vaquero del Vino” Temecula Valley Winery label                        2006 & 2009
Sawdust Art Festival - documentary video “Aperture Films, Ltd.”                  2006
Joan Cawley Gallery Scottsdale, AZ                                                             2008-2009
Marcos Fine Art Publisher “ Cruise Ship Galleries”                                        2007 & 2009

© Bonn Fine Art 2010