Bonnie Burns – The Great White Oak Gallery

   I was born in Danville, VA and moved to Richmond when I was three. After a few years in NJ for my father’s work, we returned to Richmond.  I spent most of my formative years in the big city of Richmond with side trips to Randolph County to visit my father’s relatives who lived on hundred acres left out of a large land grant traced back to 1786.

   Early high school brought a move from Richmond to Ramsuer, NC and I was snatched from big city life and moved to wide open country spaces. I went from a high school of over 2000 to a town of about 500. Talk about Culture Shock!

   I married three days after I graduated high school, started a family, divorced and spent the next several decades as a single parent trying to raise two kids. I often laughed at what the Government called the Poverty Level because I aspired to reach that high!

   During this time, I took several classes at various Community Collages to try and better myself. I worked at whatever job was necessary to put food on the table. I had little time to pursue my life-long love of painting but every now and then I would paint enough to earn a spot at Asheboro’s Fall Festival.

   My big break came in 1996 when I answered an ad to paint pottery for a new venture in Seagrove. Since I had lived in the area for almost 20 years, I had grown to love pottery but never thought to paint on it. I was accepted as a decorator and the rest, as they say, is history. I worked at several potteries in Seagrove including Cagle Road and Humble Mill. Through friends received an opportunity to paint for a potter in St. Thomas, V.I., and over a period of several years I spent 3 to 4 weeks at a time there, inspired by the natural beauty.

   I finally quit my day job and painted to my heart’s desire. I never thought I could earn a living doing what I really wanted to do with my life, and to be honest, could not have done as a single mom. I’ve always been an artist, drawing or painting my whole life. My favorite things to paint are found in Nature.

   As time went on I realized I wanted not only to paint but to make my own pots so I went to RCC and learned how to throw a pot. After a few years of lessons and practicing, I now can say I am a potter. Not a Master Potter, but a practicing potter.

   I met the man of my dreams, another potter named Benjamin Burns, to share my life with and we work in Seagrove in our shop. At this point, my life is complete.

   I have experimented with clay in many ways and am always amazed at the possibilities. Clay can be thrown, rolled, pinched or sculpted. There are a million ways to glaze or decorate. There are just as many ways to fire. The only limits clay has are the limits your mind sets.

   I have finally come to the part of Life that lets me express myself in art and that art is clay. It is a new and exciting journey and won’t end until my life is over.

Artistic Résumé

   Although I have not had much formal training, I have painted and been involved in the arts all my life. I have worked with schools, scout groups and my own family to involve them in the Arts.

1996 – Started decorating pottery at Humble Mill Pottery

1997 – Started decorating pottery at Cagle Road Pottery

1999 – 2001 Pottery classes at Randolph Community Collage

2005 – 2007 Helped teach children from Seagrove School the basics of pottery

2005 – Present   Demonstrated pottery techniques at various schools for 3rd and 4th graders

2008 Mentored Randleman High School Senior for her Senior Project

Bonnie Burns – The Great White Oak Gallery

437 N. Broad Street, Seagrove NC 27341

336-873-8066  contactus@greatwhiteoakgallery.com

www.greatwhiteoakgallery.com