SHOUTOUT LA, MAY 27, 2020

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jodi Bonassi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jodi, can you talk us a bit about why you love what you do?
My art practice helps me to face insurmountable trials and tribulations that life can present. Hours of drawing and painting quiets the mind and the body. Painting helps me to handle the stresses of life by transferring it into the paint. I can also express the joys of life experiences too. Each work of art is also a learning experience and a way to record life situations about people and the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am self taught and paint the human experience from my perspective as an artist and as a mother. I study everyday people on the metro and in other places of communal exchange. Sketching moments are exciting. These sketches with quick cell phone shots, my thoughts about current events and my own life experiences are mixed into a people stew. I record multiple stories into drawings and paintings. I have had an interesting career so far. I have exhibited in galleries with some museum shows, and was interviewed long distance from Russia for an art article in HAIR Magazine. I was in Harpers Magazine plus other publications and have had many great reviews by people I respect in the art community. I enjoyed a residency at Torrance art museum and Poland. During the years I gave birth to an incredible son, flatlined twice and had many surgeries for female issues, but am still here. I am one of many artists in the world but I think what sets me apart is that I am persistent and disciplined. I am compelled to create art. We are all students and teachers and must be empathetic in each moment. I am grateful for my time here and even in dire times, I remind myself how lucky I am for the life I’ve been given. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be patient with myself and others and know that whatever is going on will pass. We must always have hope! I am proud of my recent works over the last 5 months. The works center on the end of the world as we know it , which is now prophetic. In the series the apocalypse is upon us and the world has been destroyed. Now we must work together, dry our tears, and rebuild all that is broken. It is about working together.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

As we are now living in a social distancing world I would select outdoor places to take a Guest. My first stop would be The J. Paul Getty Museum in Brentwood. It’s gardens are exquisite. The outdoor sculptures are truly wonderful and the amazing art collection goes from Medieval to the present. MOAH in Lancaster is a great day trip and the small town is enchanting. Huntington Library with the Botanical Gardens are beautiful. We would definitely go to Venice and walk the board walk if permitted. I would also go to the Getty Villa. . I would most likely not take a guest out to eat unless it was outdoor seating. Nobu Malibu would be my pick for an ocean view. In the San Fernando Valley my favorite place is The Gasolina Cafe and I would definitely try the honey lavender latte.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I recognize Dee Wallace. She was my first collector in the 90’s when I started out and still collects my work today. She was known as the mother in the movie ET, has done countless movies, commercials and television and is now a positive life speaker. It is so hard to limit the list. Pat Lester is my sister from another life. Motherhood was great because I met her through our kids. She is inspiring and as a nurse took care of me when I went through surgeries. Others are Betty Ann Brown, Lisa Dudley, Ruth Weisberg, Leonard Greco Jr. David S Rubin and I could easily name more!! I am grateful to all of them!