I am fascinated by the marks left on the surfaces of stones and leaves by the processes of Nature. Growth, wind, sun, water — even disease and erosion — leave layered stories of richness and beauty upon the objects of Nature.

The appeal of making monotypes is, for me, the joy of being surprised and delighted by the intricate complexity and beauty that shows up as a result of layered process.

The collage aspect of the work gives me the opportunity to indulge my love for the “treasure hunt;” I am always seeking the exquisite fallen leaf, or the beautiful accident on a piece of my disassembled monotypes.

I believe that art carries a metaphorical message as well as the one most directly understood by our aesthetic and emotional sensibilities. This work reminds me that, as humans, our inner richness and beauty is a measure of our vulnerability and compassionate willingness to fully experience what Life brings. Even suffering, consciously experienced, can make us more fully alive.

--Bonnie Wilkins

In making a monotype, one might choose one or more of countless methods for applying ink to the plate. For example, one might paint an image directly on the plate with a brush, or roll on ink with a brayer, then block out shapes with stencils—or perhaps leaves--or wipe off some ink to create negative spaces. This medium inspires experimentation and results in fascinating accidental discoveries and beautiful effects that cannot be achieved any other way.

The monotype collages that are shown on this site are made using textured materials that have been placed on an inked plate. The paper is placed on top of the inked plate and textures, then passed through en etching press under great pressure. A single piece of paper is often printed several times in order to build up layers of different textures and colors. This produces qualities of richness and complexity. Finally the prints are torn up and reassembled into collages such as those you see here.

Bonnie resides on Vashon Island, Washington, in the Puget Sound. She graduated cum laude from Scripps College, where she received a Scripps Fine Arts Foundation Scholarship and majored in Fine Art with a concentration in painting. She later received an M.A.T. in secondary art education from Reed College. Her work has been exhibited in California, Oregon and Washington, where she has taught painting and printmaking in various community college and arts programs. Since 1994, she has been a member of Quartermaster Press, a collective of Vashon print artists who share inspiration and an etching press in a cooperative studio space and show together throughout the Puget Sound area.

Bonnie has been a featured artist for the Vashon Allied Arts Auction, a juror for the selection of the Blue Heron Gallery’s exhibitions, and a recipient of a King County Arts Commission grant. Some of her recent work has been published by Grand Image, Inc., a publisher of fine art posters and limited edition prints.

Her work may be seen regularly at the Vashon Island Artists’ Studio Tour in May and December of each year, and at the Bellevue Art Museum Fair in Bellevue, Washington.