Meet Bonnie-Jane Major | Multi medium artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bonnie-Jane Major and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bonnie-Jane, why did you pursue a creative career?
There wasn’t any other option but to become an artist. I fell into it naturally , following the path that led me there.

I always said, “I came from the streets”. No education, no parenting ,no direction and lived in a convent for demolished families for 13 yrs ( 2-15 yrs). When I left the convent I continued to go to school , but I just wasn’t made for it. Finished grade 13, and then started working 3 jobs so I can live on my own at the age of 16.

We didn’t have toys at the convent , I remember playing with grass, mud, branches …anything from nature and I was pretty happy with that!

Many yrs passed , and my girlfriend met a Kennebunker. So every other weekend after my work week, I would drive 5 1/2 hrs from Montreal and go spend the weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine, Parson’s beach more specifically.
That’s when I began an addiction to driftwood .I would bring it back into Canada and store it and go back and get more…

Then, I met Claude , my husband now, and we quickly started a life together and had Twins!!! I stayed home to care for the boys for the first 3 yrs, during that time I felt I had to do something to contribute financially and had a desperate need to get creative. I took my driftwood pcs I had collected over the yrs , and an old mirror frame wich was in our basement and plucked away at the frame for the whole day, and there, I had made my first driftwood mirror. Not sure if there was a futur for me, I asked my architect friend to come over and give me his impression, he said keep going!!!!

I chose this path, because it was fulfilling, and I was recycling nature without harming it ! it wasn’t a choice, it just was the way I let things unfold naturally,.,., make something from nothing basically, like the convent days.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Driftwood art is where it started , 24 yrs ago already!

Beachcombing on a dry day, early in the morning , from May-Oct on the beaches of the Magdelene Islands every season in order to accumulate enough wood for any possible project that come during the winter months.

My summers are spent walking miles and miles of beaches in order to usually fill 2 pallets worth( 4′ x 4′ 8′ high), gets put on a boat of which it travels the St-Lawrence river back to Montreal, where I then go pick it up to then deliver to my “Atelier” back in Senneville, and unload those treasures in the proper area to be ready for the next project!

The wood is of a gorgeous bleach blond color from the sun, super softened by the sanding from the wind and sand and the salt water has eaten up the resin, so makes it very lightweight.

Each piece is carefully chosen for its spot on the work of art. Nailed one by one .

My first client? I used to run on the lakeshore and would look at the homes and handpick wich ones should have one of my stars . I knocked on the door of this house that kept calling out to me, and had brought a driftwood star (48″) in the back of my car.

I said hello ,and told her a little about my story , and then told her that her house really needed one of my stars. I pulled it out , SOLD! I always say I started like a vacuum salesman, door to door. But really , only knocked on 1, and it just spread. The key was to reject a home if it was too close to another that had one , so I wouldn’t burn the product. The star remains my signature piece.

Then, there’s hardedge art! My body can only handle so many hours a day working on driftwood art, so it so happened that one of my suppliers had many boards (Russian plywood) of different sizes and shapes and had the idea that perhaps id like to try hardedge art! Coming back from a cycling training camp in Virginia I stumbled on may large barn quilts hangings on barns, commercial; buildings and homes. I found out through a local man, what those were , and thought how cool those are and how creative it could be! I just wanted a break once in a while from driftwood. So in between projects I would go to my home basement and set a board to paint. I only needed to show it once at a fall market I organized in my town and they all sold much to my surprise. Even more surprised to find out that none of those were going outdoors!!
So that was the beginning of creating more detailed hardedge and custom for the client, all of which was word of mouth. I didn’t have a website yet .

What began to happen was that every client , or almost , who bought a driftwood piece, wether a star, trees, mirrors etc wanted a hardedge painting as well .

They wanted the Bonnie-Jane look they would say. Funny but warming .

I can say my success comes from a lot of intuition (I’ve always listened to my inner voice, and acted on it), passion and a willingness to succeed at something

It is physically demanding, but again I have many other personal artwork projects to keep away from the repetition of some of my work. I am now in a place where the creative process is very active, a lot more than before because I was only producing. So I’m learning now to take time for personal projects that puts me in a space where I feel I now have the opportunity to express myself

I am now working on building a collection of all my mediums and eventually have a private vernissage . It would be my first !

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Most of my favourite spots in the city of Montreal , or “on island” is usually spent outside for me. I would take a bike ride along the Lachine canal all the way into the Old port. Visit some art galeries in Old MOntreal and have lunch at the Monarch. From there back on our bikes we would ride north towards Parc Lafontaine and then head towards the Mount Royal (the mountain). There’s a gravel path through the Mount Royal , so you cycle up, enjoy the view of the city from top, and then cycle down towards NDG/Westmount.
There are tons of things to do on the island and lots of great restaurants ! A must see and try restaurant with will open shortly, “le9montreal”. Located on the 9th floor of the old Eaton’s dept store. Apparently it will be an inspiration of the Titanic’s dining room and apparently will be one the most beautiful Art Deco decorated restaurant in the world!

I would also take them to visit the area where I live, still on the island, called Senneville, which is at the very West Point of the Island and where some of the great house’s like Morgan’s , Angus, and were considered as they’re summer homes, we have a vineyard (the only one on the island of Montreal, all along the water , so that’s another great bike route ! LOL

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband , mom in law, and 2 cousins (sisters) and ….

My husband , who has backed me from the beginning, who has walked miles of beaches (Magdalene Islands) with me for over 22 yrs to hand pick every piece! I would have never been able to continue working with driftwood if I hadn’t had his physical help and believing in me.

My mom-in law for her feedback , her eyes. Having worked at the Montreal fine arts museum as Head of Donations for 32 yrs, Michelle was and still is present in my every day creative life for her feedback when I need it. She is my super unleaded fuel !

My 2 cousins, Dominique & Caroline who have first , invested in their own decor with the purchase of my artwork (driftwood and paintings) through the years, and who have been able to share my work with their social surroundings and propelled me to another level. They would say, were not buying your art for a favour, we are buying it because we love it, it speaks to us and we want it in our every day life.

My friend Marie-Claude, also an artist who always supported my work and would tell me to think big! Make them bigger she would say !!!

There are so many other people in my life I am thankful for , my friends, my existing clients who share with me how joyful my pieces make them feel.

At last, me, (LOL) for persevering, for listening to my inner voice and following through with my intuition.

Website: bonniejanedesign.com

Instagram: bonnie_jane_design_

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