Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonnie Lecat.
Bonnie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am truly blessed! I get to spend my days doing what I love while supplying others with unique, custom artwork and gifts for themselves and the people they love. I grew up in rural Illinois surrounded by big skies, rustic barns, and a house full of siblings and pets. I like to think of myself as a country mouse AND a city mouse, as I moved to Chicago after high school to study art in a more urban, fast paced setting. I feel like both of these environmental influences can be seen in my artwork.
My goal is to enrich people’s lives with art that helps them understand and express themselves and their love for the people and world around them.
I have always been an artist. Creating is a part of who I am. I always knew I wanted to study art and pursue it as a career. After earning a degree at Columbia College in Chicago, I began my art career working as an illustrator and art director for various advertising and marketing agencies in the city. I’m lucky to have a wide variety of artistic experiences creating everything from the toys that come in cereal boxes, to point of sale and costume designs and large scale murals. Currently, my main focus is creating inspirational nature themed artwork and gift items, which I sell on my website and in my Etsy shop.
I see art as an opportunity to tell stories. I see the repeating and inspirational tales of life as they reveal themselves to me in nature and I strive to share those stories in my work. I share my vision with acrylic paints, transferred images and letters, plaster and reclaimed treasures thoughtfully arranged on wooden panels. The story of a fragile, yet incredibly strong family is expressed in a tangled and larger than life bird’s nest filled with eggs. The story of uncontainable hope and joy is told in the representation of a singing bird. The story of a treasured Christmas of my youth is portrayed in a vintage style sign with the words of my favorite Christmas carol. I am honored and inspired to help people discover, share, and express their own unique stories with my artwork.
My love of art, antiques, nostalgia, and family motivates me to create my artwork. I try to capture, express, and share a feeling of happiness and joy in all of my work.
I believe with all of my heart that art is an essential ingredient in all of our lives. It is a gateway to relaxation, self-discovery, self-expression and connection to the world and people around us. Art allows us to dream, to explore, to learn, and to love. Whether we are creating, viewing, or sharing it, art allows us to fill all of our empty spaces, inside and out.
Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest challenges I face is that I am super easily distracted by new ideas, and always setting the bar too high for myself. I have total “Look! A squirrel” syndrome! I am constantly reminding myself to stay focused and finish what I start and only take on what I can handle. Two of my mantras are, “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” and “Progress, not perfection.”
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business has grown and evolved over the years. I started out as an illustrator and art director for advertising and marketing agencies. In the late 90’s I became fascinated with decorative finishes and murals and had the opportunity to take on some pretty exciting projects. My main focus now is creating artwork that I sell as prints and gifts on my website and in my Etsy shop.
My mission is to create art that provides opportunities for my customers to relax with mindful craft projects, reflect on who they really are, connect to themselves and the world around them, and finally to express themselves in creative and meaningful ways with art.
I believe that whether you are the creator or the viewer, art takes us on a journey of self-discovery and self-expression. It compels us to learn, to grow, question, appreciate, love, and explore.
Art offers us the opportunity to understand and express our true feelings in a beautiful, meaningful, and thoughtful way.
As an artist, I tell stories with lines, colors, and shapes; stories about nature, stories about faith, stories about family and relationships. I paint images inspired by nature and nostalgia that inspire gratitude and love, while still looking nice hanging in your living room 🙂
By creating attainable, gift-able, meaningful art, I hope to provide a way for people to share their emotions, love, and support with their family and friends.
My customers want their homes to be filled with beautiful, inspirational images that remind them of life’s abundantly simple and beautiful messages.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I am located in Northbrook. I am planning on offering some exciting new products, courses, and gifts on my new website scheduled to launch by the end of May 2017. Connect with me on my website and social media to stay updated.
Contact Info:
- Address:
1157 Church St.
Northbrook, IL 60062-3684 - Website: www.bonnielecatdesigns.com
- Phone: 866-355-1337
- Email: blecat@bonnielecat.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonnielecat/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonnielecatdesigns/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
- Twitter: @bonnielecat
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/bonnielecat/
Image Credit:
Bailey Lecat, Paul Lecat
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
