photography by Ashley Thalman
This is the second post (see the first one here) in a three month series collaboration with MSN. As you might know, MSN has launched some brand spankin new services and products that allow us to know things faster than ever before (4x faster than other sites). These days, it's both awesome and overwhelming how fast and accessible we can attain information. I wanted to slow it down a bit here on Lars for this series and celebrate those who capture the essence of what I think MSN is going for with their new "Know. Now" campaign, which includes three statements that I have and will highlight. Last month was Fay who "consumed culture" and this month is Bonnie who exemplifies the statement, "smart is beautiful".
I knew as soon as I saw this porcelain rose, above, that Bonnie and I would be friends. Bonnie sculptured it by hand and said she "never got around" to finishing it. I find it beautiful and perfect as is. Much like Bonnie herself.
When I first knocked on her door, I was greeted by someone clearly in the midst of a project. There was a bit of dust on her face and small white pieces strewn throughout her hair. Yet, the wide smile indicated that she was in her element. I quickly got a tour of her home where she explained to me that she was in the midst of extending her family room. By herself. At 82, Bonnie's eyesight is not what it used to be. In fact, she has to do a lot of "seeing" with her hands, especially to cut the wood and maneuver the saw. She explained to me that once you're familiar with something, your muscles will naturally remember the motions. "You've just got to listen to your body." With a saw, that takes courage. And Bonnie is not lacking in that department.
Bonnie continued the tour. She made the chandelier in the dining room. And we're not talking Ikea-style assemblage. We're talking sculpting, firing, and adding the 32 bulbs. She made and installed the columns separating the dining room from the living room. She painted the paintings, sculpted the sculptures, upholstered the chairs, and made the draperies. Add 8 kids to the mix and I call that a life well lived.
Out of all the treasures she showed me, Bonnie said that she's most proud of her porcelain work. She started doing ceramics in the second grade, but it wasn't until renowned ceramicist, Helen Hassel came to Utah from New York City in her 40s, that she learned the techniques of porcelain painting. She would find the very best molds then create her pieces using the kilns she had at her home studio. Each piece was finely painted and very delicate due to the nature of the medium and detail work. If you notice closely, the doll she's creating here, as well as the ballerinas below, are decorated with porcelain lace that was carefully layered onto the skirts. "This technique is a lost art," she says. "You have to worry about the material of the lace and the firing in the kiln."
One thing that attracts me to Bonnie's work is her confidence. She is precise and accurate with everything that she does. I suppose it is this confidence that allows her to experiment in all types of art and design. At one point, Bonnie started "Bonnie's drapery and curtains" company and was constantly asked to create flower arrangements and design for other homes. At another point, she owned a catering company making wedding cakes, "and I was good at it!"
The beautiful part of Bonnie's design philosophy is that she loves giving away her creations once completed. When I asked for examples of her work she couldn't locate too many because "the dolls are at my sister's house" and the "ballerinas are at my daughters house. I just love giving things away." I think that spirit of generosity is the mark of a beautiful person.
Thank you, Bonnie, for allowing me into your home. I'm glad to call her my neighbor.This post was done in collaboration with the new, faster MSN that keeps you in the know. It has unparalleled speed and coverage, is perfect for touch, and is available on mobile. Experience it for yourself at MSN.com.
Stay tuned for next month's finale!
