My work is based on direct experiences in nature. I am drawn to intimate places along a creek with tumbling water and lush undergrowth, reminders of the places of childhood where imagination flourished. Configurations of rocks and trees in the center of a thick forest become a sacred space for meditation. Spacious views from a mountainside, and the simple joy of feeling the earth under my feet provide renewal for a weary body and spirit. The core of my art reflects a love and joy for these places.

I am most present to life’s creative forces through the art making process. The constructed paintings are visually and physically tactile–shaped and painted elements mounted on layers of Plexiglas provide a sense of touch that is present in nature. Earth elements are interwoven with galaxies and nebulas, rough rock formations, and profusions of leaves, trunks, and branches. The aspect of transparent layers evokes the sense of walking in a physical place–providing a pathway back into the natural spaces and memories that are the inspiration for the works.

Art is a celebration of life. As I grow in the practice of being present to places in nature, I am finding my unique place in this beautiful universe, one that spans a lifetime of love for the natural world. It is a joy to share these places with others.

Bonny Stauffer lives and hikes in Prescott, Arizona. Her art includes constructed paintings, archival prints, and watercolor and ink studies.