Meet Bonnie Robinson Stewart | Textile Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bonnie Robinson Stewart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bonnie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
When most people think of risk, it mostly pertains to financial risk, but for me, taking emotional risk has lead to the successes I’ve had more than anything else. Asking to be included in art shows, talking to artists who inspire me and doing new things even though I don’t feel quite ready to do them has lead me to creating more art, being involved with more art shows and becoming friends with the more amazing people than I ever thought I would be. If doing something makes me a bit nervous, I know it’s probably a good idea to do. If I wait until I feel READY to do something, I might never do whatever that thing is. It means I have had to deal with rejection, disappointment and failure too, but those also bring the benefit knowing where to stop directing my time and energy, learning what doesn’t work and gets rid of that little voice that will always ask “what if I had?” To be fair, I’ve gotten far more yes than no answers when stretching for new goals.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I make art plushies using quilting fabric. I started sewing less than 10 year ago; mostly learning from trial and error. I’ve never taken any sewing classes or used kits. I started as a quilter and made over 60 quilts in about 3 years when I started making plushies. My first plushies were my interpretation of koinobori (Japanese koi flags). I had been collecting koinobori for years and couldn’t get the idea of making a plushie version out of my head. I never thought other people would be interested in them as much as they are! I figured I would make few for myself and that would be it. From there, people started asking me to make other creatures and characters in the same style. I’ve stopped making quilts, but live making plushies and I am now experimenting with ways of making framed art using the same reductive appliqué method I create the details on my plushies with.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wacko Soap Factory, La Brea Tar Pits, Olvera St and Little Tokyo are the first places that come to mind. For food, Doomies, Phillipe the Original, Teres Mexican Food, Kung Pao Bistro, House of Pie, Fred 62 and the Bright Spot. And I’ll never spot thinking of more places to go!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Lori Herbst! She has done so much to help and encourage me and I don’t know where I would be without her.

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