Last Summer, I had the pleasure of meeting the beautiful Jennifer Bonneteau. She is a gifted artist, teacher, and incredibly kind human. I’ve been a long admirer of her amazing paintings, and I loved getting to know her. I’m so delighted that she said yes to being a part of my Guest Artist series.

You have been a working artist and teacher for the past 20 years and founder of A La Cart Art Studio in Murrieta, California. Can you share a little about the studio program and what it means to you?

I opened my cozy little art studio and began to develop the Art Ah La Carte Visual Arts program in 2014. My goal for opening the studio was to offer a safe, confidence-building environment where opportunities for connection, creative expression, and technical skill development are provided for people of all ages and abilities.

I’ve been fortunate to get to work with a variety of personalities and creative passions over the years, which has taught me so much about people and individual creativity and has blessed me beyond the ability to express in words - especially because I started the program during a difficult time in my life. I’m so thankful to all of the parents who have allowed me the privilege of spending time with and sharing my passion for art and creatively with their children. Many of the students I’ve worked with have gone on to study art in college and pursue careers in art and/or design.

In addition to painting, you offer a variety of creative classes to inspire self-expression. Would you share a little more about the types of courses you offer?

Sure! In addition painting classes we offer clay sculpture, charcoal portraiture, collage, silk painting, mosaic workshops, and figure drawing classes. I’m also currently developing an Expressive Arts program that will focus more on the art-making process rather than the end product and will incorporate art, movement, music, and writing to help facilitate self-awareness, connection, and social-emotional wellness. I’ve been studying the healing benefits of the Expressive Arts since 2016 and am excited to share what I’ve experienced and learned along my journey to becoming an Expressive Arts for Healing coach and facilitator.

Your painting style so gorgeous! I love how you bring so much expression and color to your work. Would you share a little about the subjects you choose to paint?

I LOVE to paint big personalities, many of whom have since passed. I especially enjoy trying to capture the energy and emotion of individuals who often expressed an extraordinary style or point of view like David Bowie, Janis Joplin, and Einstein. I really enjoy painting musicians because I love listening to an artist as I’m painting them and trying to imagine what they were feeling as they were singing or performing their music. I also really dig painting animals - especially elephants. I so admire their loyal, wise, and gentle nature.

In addition to your studio classes, you offer online courses and Facebook Live tutorials. Would you like to tell us about a few of your favorites?

I really have enjoyed creating for Kara Bullock’s Let’s Face It courses. I think my favorite lessons are my Freeing Your Inner Frida course on Kara’s network and the lesson I created for Let’s Face It 2019 which was a pastel portrait of my lovely and sweet friend, Kiki. 

We all love art supplies and love to know more about an artist’s favorite supplies, what are your top five favorite art supplies?

Some of my favorite supplies would have to include Golden paint in Quin Magenta and Turquoise; credit cards to use for fine lines or thick-paint application; Sennelier oil pastels for mixed media work; skewers for etching; baby wipes for blending or removing paint; squeegees for big projects.

You can see more of Jennifer’s work here:

@jenniferbonneteau
Jennifer Bonneteau FB
Jenbonart.com

Enjoy

xo, Renee