I know I came of the womb with a paint brush in hand. As a child, I was happy with a box of crayons and paper. I started taking Art Lessons at age 5. My imagination and creativity would take over and I was suddenly sailing on a lake and drawing it at the same time.  Even today when I paint, I transport myself into the story of the painting.  I do not know if other artists do that, but for me painting and creativity has always been more than just putting paint brush to paint to paper. At times, I have even cried while painting. My connection to my creativity has an emotional bridge.

“Bonzella” is what my grandmother used to call me when I was a young girl and I use it as my artist name or pen name. My grandmother was a great woman, who I loved very much and was a strong influence in my life. She taught me that anything is possible in this world and when you put your heart into it and make it a passion you will always achieve success because you are doing what you love.  I have to say I have many passions. But they all have a common theme, positive, creative and fun. 

 

I obtained my degree in Art and went on to also obtain a Bachelor’s of Science in Business & Leadership.  I climbed the corporate ladder of success and for many years I was traveling around the world as a Call Center Consultant.  My life changed drastically one day when I took a fall down the stairs in my home and severely injured my pelvis.  While I may look fine to you, I am in severe chronic pain every day. They call chronic pain the "invisible disease".  And folks who are in it, know what a struggle it is to fake it until you make it. I had to stop work, lost everything I owned, filed for bankruptcy, and had to build myself a new life.  A new normal. It was not easy and I did it alone with very little support.  I have always been a positive person, a Polly Anna of sorts, and thank goodness because I needed it on my darkest days to pull me out of the doldrums and to find myself again.  Since my injury I have found one thing that aids in my success and quality of life and that is to "choose joy".  The outcome is so much brighter when you make that choice. 

 

Fast forward to present day where I now use art as a diversion from pain.  I have had several operations, two of which were "failed" that caused more pain and left me dependent on a walker.  I found that Art was my savior and "Painting thru The Pain " assisted me greatly.   I have also gone back to school.  I completed all the requirements for Fashion Design Essentials at Parsons School of Design in NYC and most recently I fulfilled all the criteria to be a travel agent.  As a travel agent, you need to work with a larger agency to able to book travel.  The Travel Quest Network is where I took all my classes, so it made sense for me to partner with them. 

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While the journey was tough, I am grateful of where I am today.  I have a new quest to offer trips to people like me who need to use a device to walk and a little more time to get where we are going.   In the meantime, I will continue you my Art and wherever I go, I will paint a postcard to capture that memory.  

My passions are my services and are all packaged into what I call "The Happy Little Creative Company"

They include:

 

·         Art Instruction in Drawing, Watercolor and Acrylics

·         Logo Design, Graphic Services & Illustration

·         Commercial Art 

·         Marketing and Business Plans Creation and Consulting

·         Social Media and SEO Support for Small Businesses

·         Onsite Live Event Painting Wedding Portraits

·         Ministry-Officiating Weddings and Other Celebrations

 

Over the years, I have gained some very important lessons that I want to quickly share with you before I close, they are:

 

            "Live Life Like you will Die Next Week"

            "Surround yourself with People, Places and Things that         feel GOOD"

             And most importantly "ALWAYS CHOOSE JOY"

Thanks so much of stopping by and reading my story.  Feel free to leave a comment or send me a quick email to introduce yourself. 

 

Please feel free to contact me at 413-387-9099 or by email at bonzellacompany@gmail.com

 

All the Best,

Bonzella (artist name)

Bonnie McLoud