Artist Highlight ~~ Sue Bonnar ~~

A Rockport resident since 1998, Sue has been highly active participating in community festivals, exhibiting and selling art at the Rockport Hummer Bird Celebration, Rockport-Fulton Sea Fair, Rockport Art Festival, Port Aransas Whooping Crane Festival and the Fulton Oysterfest.   Sue was a selected artist in the 2020 Rockport Art Festival in the painting and drawing categories, which will be held in July.  Sue has art on display and for sale at Texas By Design on Austin Street in downtown Rockport.

Sue was encouraged when she started winning local t-shirt art contests for Hummer Bird Celebration and Rockport-Fulton Sea Fair, which inspired her to put more energy into her art.   She started attending festivals, exhibiting her work at the Rockport Center for the Arts and working with local organizations like Wings Rescue Center.    Sue was approached by the Rockport Cultural Arts District in 2016 to design artwork for the new city street signs that would commemorate the newly designated State Cultural Arts District in Rockport and she readily agreed to share her talent.

Sue said, “Wildlife and animals in general have always been my favorite subject so it was a natural choice to specialize in these areas. Birds are one of my favorites and are a big part of the Rockport environment. I have also recently become involved with the committee to bring back the Big Blue Crab that destroyed in Harvey. I am always glad to help out local organizations with artwork and design”.

Sue studied art in college at Riverside City College and University of California, Riverside.  She has worked in commercial art for about 15 years before starting her own graphic art business years ago.  She now works full time for HEB grocery store and practices art in her free time.     She also shares her talents by leading “paint alongs” locally and worldwide through YouTube.   You can catch Sue on YouTube at channel Sue Bonnar – Artist or visit her Facebook page “Sue Bonnar – Artist.”  She frequently posts new artwork and events where she exhibits her work.    She said, “I look forward to being able retire someday and devote all my time to art. I would love to be able to create all day!”