Sunday, November 27, 2011

Bonnie Hodges' Portraiture: Review by Parisian Art Collector

"The Cheerleader"
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 Reminiscent of
Thomas Lawrence

Before I tell of my impressions about Bonnie Hodges' artistry, I must first qualify my statements by explaining how I first met one whom I modestly qualify as the finest living portrait painter of the day. For many years I have collected portraits by renowned artists from the 17th to the 20th century and have offered on loan portraits to major museums. The sitters represented in these portraits, whether famous poets or composers, Kings or Queens brushed by court painters or more intimate renderings by artists of their close friends, portraits have become my companions with whom I hold imaginary conversations and let my life unfold before their understanding eyes. In the following lines, I evoke the portraiture of Bonnie Hodges, not as an art collector, but as an amateur who loves the essence of art and finds it beautifully expressed by her significant talent.
"Woman with Turban"
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Shows mastery of muted and
contrasting colors 
Life has mysterious ways which defy coincidence, and it is by chance that I had the honor of meeting Bonnie Hodges and discovering her work. This brought me the great privilege of visiting her archives with countless works which had never yet been exposed to public viewing. Her "fond d'atelier" is one which merits the detour for any genuine amateur of sensitive portraiture, with many of her works not yet given the honorary place they deserve. From her sketches and preparatory drawings one can measure the mastery that a life of portraiture has brought to her craft, and beyond the academic excellence of her technique she has the unmistakeable genius of giving life to her subject.
"Native American"
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Bonnie Hodges is of the rare breed of portrait artists to have the gift of transposing to a painting much of the nature of the soul of the individual she portrays. While in these materialist times her portraits might be called psychological renditions, they would be referred to by art historians as belonging to the tradition of "humanist portraits," a rare achievement which precious few painters ever reached. For there is a great deal of humanity which is revealed of the figures in her representations, their very being or its quintessential presence given more permanent residence, transfixed onto canvas by a mysterious alchemy of pigments.

"Reclining Woman"
When her portraits include other elements in the sitter's vicinity, one cannot help but observe her sense of composition and a natural intuitive ability to create dramatic tension combining line with color. Beyond her quick pencilling in incisive and rapid strokes of motion-bound shapes and intention-filled expressions, she has a rare gift for color which reminds of Delacroix's teachings, and is able to bring light into her portraits in her own way, different from the quick gleam of Franz Hals portraits or the sheer vibrancy of those by John Singer Sargent. Highlighted by small areas of light, there is something of the soft presence of Regency period portraits by Thomas Lawrence. And her confident lines remind us of those of Degas where I find her greatest connection to an earlier artist, both marrying classical academic influences with a crisp personal style and both on their own distinct path regardless of contemporary currents. Beyond references to other artists who inhabit museums and our collective consciousness, Bonnie Hodges is her own artist and is destined to become a reference unto herself.

"The Gypsy"
Reminiscent of Gustave
Courbet's realist movement 
As any art aficionado with an attachment to talent, I find myself wishing that one day I might commission a portrait to proudly display at the Valorism Institute founded in Paris earlier this year. For, beyond the vanity of having one's portrait painted by a gifted artist and the obvious legacy and patrimonial investment it constitutes, it has always been a sure way to link one's own destiny to that of one bound to compel admiration for time to come. I have met people who, from time to time, say "Renoir painted my grandmother" or "my father was friends with Picasso who painted his portrait." In the case of our own offspring, we can proudly grant them the privilege of declaring "my parent was portrayed by Bonnie Hodges."
"Day Dreaming"
Enlarge

Richard Oren
Art Collector
Paris, France
November 27, 2011



To see more portraits,
please click here.






____________________________________________________
 


Edmonds, Washington
Art (at) bonniehodges.com
 
 
Artwork © Bonnie M Hodges 2023
 
 
 

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Saturday, August 6, 2011

Northwest Landscape Artist Featured in Edmonds Art Studio Tour


Landscapes by award-winning Edmonds’ artist, Bonnie Hodges, will be on display at the Edmonds Art Studio Tour (EAST) on the weekend of September 17-18, 2011. The tour features more than 40 Edmonds’ artists in 20 local studios.

"Red Tulip Fields"
Bonnie Hodges
Oil on Board
24 x 36
$2,800 Framed


Edmonds, Washington, March 2, 2011 - The Edmonds Art Studio Tour (EAST) will be hosting its annual art studio tour on the weekend of September 17-18, 2011. The tour features more than 40 Edmonds artists in 20 studios, including landscape artist, Bonnie Hodges. The tour is funded in part by the City of Edmonds Arts Commission (EAC), which seeks to establish Edmonds as a destination for the arts.
Hodges is a relatively new Edmonds’ resident, but she is already very active on the local art scene. Inspired by the natural beauty of her new Pacific Northwest home, Hodges has captured such scenes as the Edmonds’ ferry, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, and Cannon Beach on canvas. Her paintings have been featured in local shows, such as the Edmonds Arts Festival Juried Gallery, the 2010 Edmonds Art Studio Tour, the Arts of the Terrace Juried Art Show, Emerald Downs Equine Art Show, Lowell Art Works in Everett, Parklane Gallery in Kirkland, and at library exhibits in Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace. Hodges teaches oil painting classes at Edmonds Community College, and has donated paintings to support local charities, such as the Edmonds Mural Society and the Louis Braille School.

For more information about the exhibit and a map of the studios, please visit the EAST website at http://www.edmondsartstudiotour.com.


Law Office of Cynthia Hodges


About Bonnie Hodges:
Hodges is an award-winning artist in Edmonds, Washington. She holds a B.A. in Studio Arts from the University of Maryland, and worked as an illustrator for the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Her paintings have been featured in national and international art shows, competitions, on book and magazine covers, and are on display in collections in the USA and Europe.

Contacts:
Nancy Thompson
Co-Chair, 2011 Edmonds Art Studio Tour
Poohfuff (at) aol.com

Bonnie Hodges Fine Art
Artist (at) bonniehodges.com
www.bonniehodges.com

More information:
What: Edmonds Art Studio Tour

When: Saturday, September 17 - Sunday, September 18, 2011, 10 - 5 pm

Where: Various studios in Edmonds (see EAST map for details)

____________________________________________________
 


Edmonds, Washington
Art (at) bonniehodges.com
 
 
Artwork © Bonnie M Hodges 2023
 
 




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Bonnie Hodges Exhibit Opens February 1



Bonnie Hodges Exhibit Opens February 1

on JANUARY 28, 2011
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The Mountlake Terrace Arts Advisory Commission presents the Bonnie Hodges Exhibit at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Avenue West. The exhibit is entitled “Scenes from the Northwest” and will feature paintings by local artist, Bonnie Hodges, and will include scenes of the Edmonds Ferry and Skagit Valley. She works mainly with oil, pastel, watercolor, and digital media. Her realistic style brings spirit and energy to her paintings.




Hodges may be relatively new to the area, but she is already very active on the local art scene. Her paintings have been featured in local shows, such as the Arts of the Terrace Juried Art Show, Edmonds Arts Festival Juried Gallery, Edmonds Art Studio Tour, Emerald Downs Equine Art Show, Lowell Art Works in Everett, and more. Hodges teaches oil painting classes at Edmonds Community College.

Law Office of Cynthia Hodges



Hodges is an award-winning artist in Edmonds, Washington. She holds a B.A. in Studio Arts from the University of Maryland, and worked as an illustrator for the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Her paintings have been featured in national and international art shows, competitions, on book and magazine covers, and are on display in collections in the USA and Europe.
The Mountlake Terrace Arts Advisory Commission oversees the library exhibits as part of its mission to promote cultural events in the community.
The show runs through February 28 at the Mountlake Terrace Library, Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.
____________________________________________________
 


Edmonds, Washington
Art (at) bonniehodges.com
 
 
Artwork © Bonnie M Hodges 2023
 
 
 
 
 


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Northwest scenes at Mountlake Terrace Library


Published: Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Northwest scenes at MLT Library

Enterprise staff
 
"Edmonds Ferry Docking at Sunset"
Bonnie Hodges
Oil on Board
24 x 36

Winner of People's Choice Award
Arts of the Terrace Juried Art Show 2011
Orders: Etsy

Paintings by Edmonds artist Bonnie Hodges are on display at the Mountlake Terrace Library through the end of the month.
The exhibit, titled “Scenes from the Northwest” and presented by the Mountlake Terrace Arts Advisory Commission, includes views of the Edmonds Ferry and Skagit Valley. The
realistic style brings spirit and energy to her paintings.
Hodges may be relatively new to the area, but she is already very active on the local art scene. Her paintings have been featured in local shows, such as the Arts of the Terrace Juried Art Show, Edmonds Arts Festival Juried Gallery, Edmonds Art Studio Tour, Emerald Downs Equine Art Show, Lowell Art Works in Everett and more.
The award-winning artists works mainly with oil, pastel, watercolor and digital media. She teaches oil painting classes at Edmonds Community College.



Hodges holds a B.A. in Studio Arts from the University of Maryland and worked as an illustrator for the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Her paintings have been featured in national and international art shows, competitions, on book and magazine covers, and are on display in collections in the USA and Europe.

____________________________________________________
 


Edmonds, Washington
Art (at) bonniehodges.com
 
 
Artwork © Bonnie M Hodges 2023
 
 
 


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Animal Portraits by Bonnie Hodges



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