Bonnie Meyer Day
This place is a Zoo!
Bonnie Meyer Day’s studio is full of wild animals. Amid gorillas, elephants and grizzly bears, you’ll find her sculpting her favorite creatures in clay. Bonnie is a recognized Wildlife Artist whose work is in collections throughout the USA and in a few foreign countries. She has been invited to exhibit her Wildlife Art at Zoo Workshops and Conventions with international attendance.
Bonnie’s observations and interests in wildlife were nurtured by her parents whom are taxidermists. Working in the family business from a young age taught Day that wildlife must be respected and preserved, and also the importance of the wise management of wildlife habitat.
After graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Day worked in the Art and Design Department at Kings Island Amusement Park in Ohio. She sculpted Hana-Barbera characters in clay and polyurethane foam. Some of the foam characters were so large, chain saws were used to cut out the rough form, then butcher knives for the finer detail. (This is something they don’t teach in Art school!!!)
This sculptors natural talent and respect for nature are shared in her wildlife likenesses. Nature never goes out of style.
Description of Medium & Process:
Bonnie Meyer Day’s animal likenesses are shaped by hand from a ball of stoneware clay. The wall thickness is a maximum of ˝ inch. Each piece air dries for 2 weeks then an underglaze is brushed on the eyes. After bisque firing a glossy glaze is painted on the eyes to give them the wet lifelike look. The body of the animal is generally not glazed allowing the natural color and texture of the clay to be a point of interest. The piece is then fired to 2200 degrees F. in Day’s studio size kiln, taking approximately 10 hours. It is always a thrill to open the cooled kiln and see that the sculpture has not exploded and is now ready to be displayed!
Bonnie Meyer Day
Mason, Ohio 45040
Phone: 513-398-6365