Christmas decor

Quote for November

Autumn

Autumn Appreciation

The Wiggins

The Wiggins  

18” x 24” acrylics on canvas

These are my maternal grandparents, Norman and Harriet. Together they had 13 children, 1000 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, too many to count.

I was about four years old when I met them at my mom’s childhood home at “Johnnie’s Farm”. They were kind, wonderful and loving. I found out from an early age why everyone was crazy about them. They were always welcoming, warm and friendly. As far as they were concerned, their home was your home.

I visited my grandparents again when I was six years old. They moved to a new home with an indoor toilet, I was excited! Yes, the first house had a outhouse! 

Their house was always loud with the sounds of conversations, laughter and music. 

The bonus was the house was filled with the scent of “Down home southern cooking!”

I loved to visit my grandparents.

My grandfather passed away when I was about eight years old. What I love the most about my grandfather, was no matter how many grandchildren were running around in the house, he always took the time out to talk to me and he understood my quiet ways.

My grandmother lived to to the age of 94. She passed away about three years ago. What I loved about her was she too understood my quiet ways. I enjoyed our conversations over the years. The things that she would say would make me laugh so hard. She had a very good sense of humor. You need a sense of humor when raising a house full of children!

This portrait I wanted to make for years, but just never got around to it. A few months before my grandmother passed away, I have this urge to create this portrait of my grandparents. It’s a nice picture of my grandparents, but a terrible reference for painting. The photo is a little blurry. I knew I wanted to use the photo they took together  when I was about six years old. I also wanted to incorporate the house into the painting and the North Carolina landscape. The road trips to my grandparents house was always epic for me because I knew we were getting closer to the house as we made that turn around the curve of the road and you can certainly see the house from a distance. That’s when I knew I was on my way home!

They represent, family.😃

Looking your Sunday best

Customized accessories!

Custom hat and shoe designs for any occasion.

My mom is a member of a ministry at her church called “family and friends” The theme color for their anniversary was pink,  therefore it was time to add pink to her wardrobe.  She purchased a pink hat and she had white shoes that were cute and comfortable. But she wanted to be jazzy, who can blame her, she’s a stylish woman who likes to stand out. She needed customize accessories in a short amount of time, so she asked for my help.  I enthusiastically accepted the challenge. I enjoy the process of problem-solving. It keeps me on my toes and it helps me to think outside the box. So her pink hat went from pretty to  glitter fabulous. Her white shoes transformed into gorgeous shining pink shoes with a jewelry trim.

So for this year‘s anniversary, she was decked out from head to toe in pink. What made her look fabulous was her accessories, but mostly her warm personality.  When she said that I have a gorgeous mom, I couldn’t agree with her more. The smile on her face when she was ready was priceless!

If you have a hat or a pair of shoes that you don’t mind transforming into a custom color and style, contact me at artbybondny@gmail.com.

Success

I love plants!

I love plants and they don’t love me! 

Unfortunately, plants do not survive under my care. Maybe I over water them, underwater them. Perhaps my place is too hot. I don’t know. Succulents are my favorite. Especially the short ones with the rounded edges. They’re so adorable. I was told that they are hard to kill. I have purchased about five within the last three years. Each died slowly and painfully. (I am swiping my tears now)

I have come to realize that I am.....I am.........a plant killer.........Yes a plant killer!

Living wall plants are current in home design. I saw one in person and visually,  it took my breath away! 

No way I will invest in a living plant wall arrangement, but I was inspired to create my own using artificial plants and flowers.

Celebrate nature!

There is something special about nature when it’s viewed two hours before sunset!

Kamar de los Reyes

Kamar de los Reyes

Kamar de los Reyes is an American actor known for his work in theater, TV, and films. I became a fan of his work on the ABC soap opera, One Life to Live. He played the character Antonio Vega with passion and conviction. It was an exciting time as a soap opera viewer because the show started to hire actors of diversity. A combination of various skin tones, great actors, and exciting story plots, the show became hot! Yes, more or less of the storylines at times were stereotypical, but you have to start from somewhere. Besides soap operas in general are stereotypical! The difference was that they mixed the veteran workers with new blood actors and combine with over the top storylines with flava!

Anyway, Kamar de los Reyes portrayal as Antonio Vega added the letter d to the word, drama! The soap opera decided to add to the storyline a musical performance of Kamar and his family.  He grew up watching them, then eventually joining his Cuban born musician father in the percussion band. Kamar, his brothers and their father gave an electrifying and outstanding performance on this soap opera! No matter if he was acting or play a musical instrument, he performed with such passion as if he was on fire 🔥 

Kamar, was born in Puerto Rico of Cuban and Puerto Rican (Mother) descent, is not only multi-talented he is handsome as well. I decided to paint a portrait of him. I read in one of his interviews that he learned to play the trumpet at an early age. Mr. De los Reyes came from a musical family so in his portrait, the actor’s face is the foreground while an image of him as a boy playing his trumpet in the background.

The palette knife technique with acrylic paint was applied thought out the painting.

It’s amazing how watching the works of a talented individual can be inspiring to someone else. It can spark creativity. That’s what happened to me! I wanted to express my gratitude by creating this portrait and it was mailed to him.

Thank you, Mr. De los Reyes, for sharing your incredible talents with long time soap opera viewers.

My mom

My sister

And me!

11"x 14" Acrylics on board

Figurative Abstract Paintings

Figurative Abstracts Paintings Video

Encouragement

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