Bonnie Thorne (Revolutionary)
Bonnie Thorne's painting The Hippie Days Were the Best, a colorful and expressive portrait of a person with long blonde hair and a dark brown beard.
The Hippie Days Were the Best, Bonnie Thorne, watercolor on paper, 11”x15”
Tell us more about yourself. What has your journey been like as an artist?
When I joined Interact Center 13 years ago, I could only draw stick figures. With the encouragement of my advocate, I started trying new mediums, such as watercolor and pastels. It took about 2 years to think that I really could be an artist. My journey has been fascinating. I mainly paint with acrylics now.
Please tell us about the artwork you are showing in Revolutionary: The Feminine Perspective Beyond 50.
When I started [The Hippie Days Were the Best], I was in a “let’s go back to the 60’s” phase. That was such a peaceful time for me. The energy and image for the painting just came into my head. I love that generation.
There is a lot of joyfulness and movement in your paintings. Do you like to listen to music while you paint?
I like to listen to music, yeah. Especially some old 60’s and 70’s stuff. That’s what I really like.
We are really excited about this exhibition. It's amazing to bring so many great women and femme artists together. How does it feel to be included in the show?
I was really excited that they picked one of my paintings, that I had almost completely forgotten that I had made. To be with other artists my age, I feel really good about it. I smile every time I think about it. Sometimes you forget how many other older artists there are.
Are you working on anything new that you would like to share with us? What’s next?
I just finished a painting, The Blue Lady, that I really like. I love making art, and helping others with their art-making. I’m going to be here till I’m 90.
Bonnie Thorne creates a sense of dreaminess and freewheeling empowerment in her paintings. Referencing elements of pop culture, music, and 60s/70s nostalgia, Thorne looks for ways to evoke happiness. “I like to see people smile,” she says. She takes a loose, gestural approach to painting, giving her work an easy lightheartedness that radiates from each piece, reflecting Thorne’s own effervescence. Thorne's recent exhibitions include Uniquinox: Tarot Alive at Interact Gallery and Randomland at The White Page (2019). In 2016, she presented work with Donovan Durham in Miracles and Happenstance, a two-person exhibition at Soo Visual Arts Center. Thorne is a member of Interact’s Artist Advisory Council, a group nominated by their peers to develop exhibitions and advocate for the careers of Interact artists. In 2019, she was a part of the curatorial team for BOOTY BODY, a forthcoming Interact group exhibition originally scheduled for March 2019 at the University of Minnesota's Regis Center for Art. Thorne also leads weekly critiques for her colleagues at Interact.
You can view more of Thorne’s work by visiting Interact’s website or instagram page.
Revolutionary: The Feminine Perspective Beyond 50, a group exhibition curated by Christi Furnas, showcasing the power, talent, and creativity of women and femmes aged 50 years and older, is on display February 15th, 2023 through March 25th, 2023.