Halloween Witch Cat Original Painting Bonnie Barrett Boardwalk Large 30.75"w Art

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Charming original hand painted wood panel by Bonnie Barrett of a witch with a cat on broomstick. Hand signed on … Read more Charming original hand painted wood panel by Bonnie Barrett of a witch with a cat on broomstick. Hand signed on front lower left, stamped on back with accompanying documentation. Beautiful piece just in time for Halloween!

BOARDWALK ORIGINALS was founded by artist Bonnie (Ragsdale) Barrett, the original creator of this distinctive style of Victorian art. She was born in Noblesville, Indiana and then raised in the small town of Bristol. Starting her artistic career early, she apprenticed with world renowned airbrush artist, Charlie Buzzard. Her natural skill and ability quickly grasped the flair for airbrushed art. No vehicle was too unusual for Bonnie to paint, as she mastered the style to vans, tour buses, racecars, and motorcycles, individualizing to each customer’s taste. Working in this business she learned the craft of producing line art. Her reputation grew and she became one of the areas finest airbrush artists.

While raising her three children, Bonnie and her husband started their own van conversion business. They later divorced, leaving Bonnie with only her airbrush, compressor, some paint and a few odds and ends of plywood. Having worked hard all her life, she was determined to create a new life and a new job for herself and her family. Using her creative ingenuity to the fullest, she and a colleague joined forces. Bonnie designed and produced Victorian style airbrushed or wooden panels called “dummy boards”. They were originally cut with a single blade hand saw. Along with her daughter, Dana Ragsdale, they would market the art through home parties. Bonnie referred to this as “Walking the Boards,” hence the name “Boardwalk”.

Bonnie was later able to wholesale in local shows. Her unique craft brought easy recognition through word of mouth. A local merchant became interested in Bonnie’s art and offered to show her samples at the Chicago Gift Show which resulted in an over abundance of orders. Needless to say, Bonnie was overwhelmed and could no longer work out of her home. She relocated to her present building, arranged for four or five hundred [unclear] … by her friend Becky Mark to help manage the business. Bonnie mentored Jim Buller with her airbrush technique to round out the BOARDWALK team. Then she hired the area’s finest artists to reproduce her art in the quality and quantity that was needed.

Bonnie studies the art of the century as to give her work authenticity along with creativity. She begins by designing the dummy boards. A pattern is made so that the master carpenter can cut each piece to her specifications. Then the pieces are hand painted, airbrushed, stained, foil-weathered, and some times tinted thus producing the final product represented in the brochures.

With her life finally falling into place… she has since married Clyde Barrett, adding four step-sons to her own family of two daughters and one son.

BOARDWALK ORIGINALS has been producing these delightful renditions of Victorian charm for major gift shows throughout the nation for over eight years. Building a wide reputation, her show with an exclusive department stores and well known catalogues. Bonnie is known for her quality and professionalism which has gone unsurpassed within it’s market. See less