Bonnie Joy Bardos is a multidisciplinary artist, poet, and writer whose work is deeply rooted in the natural world and the human spirit. Born on Ketchikan Island, Alaska, and raised in North Carolina, she pursued her education at Wingate College and further honed her artistic skills through various workshops, including studies at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee and on Monhegan Island, Maine. Her artistic journey has been enriched by mentorships with artists such as Patricia Cole-Ferullo, Dale McEntire, and Mike Stiler.
Bardos’s art encompasses painting, sculpture, and poetry, often blending these disciplines to explore themes of nature, transformation, and the metaphysical. Her “Esto Perpetua” series, Latin for “It is forever,” reflects her reverence for the enduring sacredness of the natural world. Another notable series, “Journey Home,” features solitary boats in expansive landscapes, drawing inspiration from ancient Asian poetry. Her “Haloed Bird” series symbolizes hope and resilience. Bardos frequently integrates poetic verses into her visual art, creating a harmonious fusion of word and image.
Beyond her visual art, Bardos contributes to the cultural landscape through her writing, penning the “Saluda Notes” column for the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Her reflections on art, nature, and daily life offer readers insights into her creative process and philosophical musings. Through her multifaceted work, Bardos invites audiences to contemplate the interconnectedness of life, art, and the environment.
