“Monet had his garden in Givenchy, I have the Big Crooked,” reveals
Bonnie Marris. “I almost feel guilty that I paint this spot so
much, but every time I go it feels like I am seeing it for the
first time. It’s a real creek near my cabin in northern Michigan.
It’s one of those places where the light is wonderful, the sound
is wonderful and the air is magic. You can just spend hours there
letting the creek flow by. “Every time I go there is a new set
of tracks from the most recent creatures to visit. Nearby, there
is an active fox den. If you don’t see any when you come around,
it’s a good bet that one of them just left. The creek is so crisp
and clear that you can see deep into it, a great advantage for
the foxes when the trout are running. I can imagine that they
enjoy this place as much as I do, picking a spot to simply sit
back and take it all in, just laying around listening to the Big
Crooked roll.”
Bonnie Marris is recognized as one of the most important wildlife
artists painting today. Her palette and style are distinctively
her own, making a Marris painting identifiable from across the
room. "Art of the West’s" November/December 2010 issue featured
Bonnie as their cover story. Commenting on her blend of realistic
and impressionistic painting they said,” . . . she wants the best
of both worlds and seems to be finding it.”