Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonita Raél.
Hi Bonita, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I have been drawing for as long as I could remember! My father would away from home when I was younger and would come back with beautiful sculptures and paintings he had made. I realized this could be a hobby we could bond over. So, when he would come back from his long week at work, we’d both show each other the drawings we did in our free time.
My father shaped me into the artist I am and one day enlightened me that “I was so talented and happy doing art, I could do it for a living” Since 2012, I have been taking it seriously to hopefully achieve my dream of working in the industry or making something that is honest.
I would love to be the proud Latina artist that inspires other Latino kids like me!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s certainly been a challenge! Ranging from financial aid to COVID, it has been rough! However, the event that was the most devasting was the death of my father. My dad was diagnosed with cancer the week before my freshman year at university started, and sadly, in May 2021, he passed. In 2021, I was back in Colorado taking care of my father alongside my mother and doing my whole Sophomore year of university online. Juggling my academic career, freelancing, and taking care of my father was very tough. But honestly, I would not trade it for the world. It was really unfortunate that the pandemic forced my colleagues and I to do school online. However, it gave me a whole year to be back with my family and father before he passed away. I suppose the online school year was a blessing in disguise for me.
Now, I am going to graduate with my BFA in 2023, and I am considering going into graduate school to earn my MFA! My father worked so hard and built a beautiful life for me, and I know he would want me to flourish. With my father’s teachings and my wonderful professors here at SCAD, I have been inspired to even be a professor or teach in the future! I only want to give back the knowledge I have learned to the future generation of artists!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Of course! I am majoring in Illustration with a concentration on Concept Art! I love creating expansive worlds and making characters come to life. A dream job I would love is to illustrate for Nintendo or Wizards of the Coast. I am known online by my pseudonym bonipops, and I would say I am most known for my mascot, Nazareth! I call her Naz for short; I have done silly comics with her and a few other characters of mine, and just fun or aesthetically pleasing drawings of her. I have incorporated Naz into my logo and have even made stickers, keycharms, and enamel pins of her (which you could buy here in Savannah at Neighborhood Comics! Shout out to Lee!!!).
I am most proud of the improvement in my artwork and where I want to be! I hope my silly characters and fun merchandise give people a ton of joy!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have a whole ton!!! My friends and family, my boyfriend, professors, and teachers. However, to name a few, Professor Scott Horner and Mike Wimmer for believing me. My teachers back at home, Mr. Evett and Mr. Madrid, for being the first teachers who treated me like an individual during a such developmental period of my life. Though, I think those who actually look at my work earn the biggest kudos. The fact that people enjoy my artwork so much keeps me going!
Pricing:
- I do commissions and freelancing! For projects please contact me at [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bonipops.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonipops/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heyitsmeboni/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonitarael/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bonipops
- Other: https://bonipops.carrd.co/
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/pranavnahata/
