Honoring the Artist: Bonnie Perlin

It was a beautiful fall day when we caught up with Bonnie Perlin, artist of this week’s cover, “Day at the Beach.” When we say, “caught up,” that’s exactly what we mean. Ms. Perlin was in New York City attending the wedding of a close family friend even though she’s now living in Florida and not Long Island/Queens where she had spent most of her adult life.

Q: How does it feel to be back in New York? You love the water, as the cover painting shows. Is the water different in Florida?

A: There is a similarity; it’s still the Atlantic Ocean, but the water in Florida is turquoise. The beach grass is the same in both places. But, of course, the landscape here is tropical; it looks like Key West. I paint a lot of palm trees and sunflowers. One of my sunflower paintings is at the Palm Beach International Airport.

Q: What do you miss about New York, even though you’ve only been gone two years?

A: There was such a bond between people I met at the Roslyn School of Painting where I went to school. My closest friends came out of that school; we would do things together, like go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We still keep in touch, and we visit. Commonality is a blessing. Of course, I have my two grandchildren living near me in Florida, so that’s a real blessing, too.

Q: It seems as if the training you had at the Roslyn School really accounted for your being an artist.

A: Yes, the teacher, Charles Pasqualina, was a strong motivating force. He had such patience; he never said ‘You’re not good’ to anyone. The class had diverse people and a creative atmosphere.

Q: You mentioned that you were an elementary school teacher, but now it seems you have a second life. For example, you travel a fair amount. What are your favorite places and how has the experience influenced your understanding of art?

A: I loved Tuscany; I could live like Diane Lane in Under the Tuscan Sun. I recently visited my sister in Malibu, too. And I like to go to Paris. Going to The Louvre took my breath away. It makes me realize that it doesn’t matter if great artists are no longer here. Their paintings are here. Their art is timeless.

Q: Wouldn’t you like to set up a studio in these places and paint?

A: In a perfect world, yes. In Tuscany, I’d like to have a villa, drink wine, eat pasta and paint. But it’s a dangerous world now. Besides, I don’t like to fly.

Q: I know you have varied interests besides painting and traveling. Can you tell us about your other favorite things to do?

A: I love to cook Italian food, as you probably already guessed. I am also committed to reading books about spirituality, nutrition, holistic approaches to health, self - help, and books, especially by Dan Brown. I love to do yoga several times a week as well. As you can see, I am a great believer in the connection between mind, body and spirit.

Q: Yes, I can certainly see that. I also see that you’re a spontaneous person who loves life. Oops. That’s not a question.

– Marion Wolberg Weiss

Ms. Perlin’s e-mail is: bonniep1448 @ aol.com