Bonnie has taken an unusual path into art: she developed her talent by portraying animals “from the inside out.” While studying in college, she illustrated several major books including a leading expert’s mammalogy text containing hundreds of drawings. This project attracted the attention of noted zoologist George Schaller who invited Bonnie to prepare the art posters that would support his worldwide rare animal relief program.

But Marris had always been drawn to animals, both the wild kind as well as beloved domesticated ones. She remembers spending hours as a child at the zoo’s wolf cage, enthralled by the actions within. She also spent hours appreciating the loyalty and commaraderie of dogs and horses. Since then, Marris has sought a lifestyle that is welcoming to all animals as well as supportive of exploration. The artist is committed to taking at least two trips a year to observe wildlife in their natural habitat, spending the rest of her time sharing her home and land with her domestic animals including horses, dogs, and even skunks -- both in good health and on the mend.

Her obvious love of animals comes through in her work. Bonnie says of her animal subjects, “They exist on so many levels. Their moods show in their eyes and we can learn so much from them.” The resonance of Marris’ art has been confirmed by many years as a popular print artist and a recent sellout of her paintings at the Gene Autry Museum’s Western and Wildlife Art Show.

Northern Michigan

Published by
The Greenwich Workshop
since 1985

Preferred medium: oil

Old Faithful

“To get into a natural environment and see animals on their own terms is as important as knowing the animals themselves. Living in the wild gave me the biggest incentive to paint and increased my interest in the predators. Their moods show in their eyes and we can learn so much from them.”

Wildlife