Passport To Bliss No. 1 (2024/2025) | 50" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | Reference: JMW Turner (1775 - 1851) | Poem: Excerpt - "A passport to bliss is thy will." (circa 1809).
Passport To Bliss No. II (2024/2025) | 46" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | Reference: JMW Turner (1775 - 1851) | Poem: Excerpt - "A passport to bliss is thy will." (circa 1809).
Complex Beauty No. 1 (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | Reference - Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) | Essay: 'The Decay of Lying' - Published in the Journal 'The Nineteenth Century' (January 1889)
Complex Beauty No. II (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | Reference - Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) | Essay: 'The Decay of Lying' - Published in the Journal 'The Nineteenth Century' (January 1889)
Paradise Road No. 1 (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | Reference - Movie - Paradise Road (1997).
Paradise Road No. 2 (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | Reference - Movie - Paradise Road (1997).
Conversation With Echo No. 1 (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | References - 1. Ovid's Metamorphosis - Echo and Narcissus; Roman Mythological Epic. 2. Drawing (Study): Echo & Narcissus - John William Waterhouse, R. A. (1849-1917).
Conversation With Echo No. 2 (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | References - 1. Ovid's Metamorphosis - Echo and Narcissus; Roman Mythological Epic. 2. Drawing (Study): Echo & Narcissus - John William Waterhouse, R. A. (1849-1917).
Simple Gifts No. 1 (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | References - 1. Appalachian Spring Suite | Simple Gifts (1946) - Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990). 2. "Tis A Gift To Be Simple" (1848) - Joseph Brackett (1797 - 1882). 3. Appalachian Spring (1944) | Martha Graham (1894 - 1991).
Simple Gifts No. 2 (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard References - 1. Appalachian Spring Suite | Simple Gifts (1946) - Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990). 2. "Tis A Gift To Be Simple" (1848) - Joseph Brackett (1797 - 1882). 3. Appalachian Spring (1944) | Martha Graham (1894 - 1991).
Letter To My Children No. 1 (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | Reference: The Altruist: An Autobiography - Letter To My Children (2025).
Letter To My Children No. 2 (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | Reference: The Altruist: An Autobiography - Letter To My Children (2025).
Revelations No. 1 (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | Reference: Revelations (1960) - Alvin Ailey Repertoire | Alvin Ailey (1931-1989)
Revelations No. 2 (2024/2025) | 48" x 48" | Acrylic on Linen | J. Bonegard | Reference: Revelations (1960) - Alvin Ailey Repertoire | Alvin Ailey (1931-1989)
These paintings, embody a distinctive style, connecting to my life's journey, psyche, and philosophy. They represent my most authentic voice. Each painting, created over several days using a systematic approach, draws from the past, weaving into the present while embracing the promise of the future. Full of metaphors, these works tap into the depths of my imagination. As challenging as they are to create, they distill deep wells of emotions to bring them to life. Infused with spiritual energies, they tell unique stories and resonate with aspects of humanity familiar to all—love, forgiveness, and restoration—while depicting faith, hope, and resilience as counterbalances to hatred, betrayal, pain, and injustice.
Each painting is a complex composition grounded in technique and color theory. Though self-taught, these works show a profound understanding of art history, its evolution, and the impact of various contemporary and historical artists. After spending the last few years painting abstracts across different genres, reaching this point marks a significant milestone on a journey far from over.
The origin and choice of linen are crucial in shaping the painterly output. By innovating around composition, material science, and paint chemistry, paintings have emerged that symbolize elements of a unique pictorial language. The vibrant yet intricate outcome stems from creative boldness, ingenuity, and skillful use of various techniques for applying acrylic paint to the canvas.
The rigor with which these paintings explore their subjects makes their effects so palpable. The result is a collection of multi-layered, captivating paintings of timeless value. If you would like to learn more about my practice, you can visit the page by clicking the link ---- 'J. Bonegard'.