This post was first published on May 17, 2016

Bonnie Hislop and her ceramics

One of a kind ‘I touch Myself’ Bowls hand built from stoneware and painted by Bonnie Hislop

From a young age, Bonnie Hislop’s mother encouraged her daughters to ‘draw outside the lines’ and create their own imaginary worlds without boundaries.  We love this concept, and are in awe with the resulting free flowing creativity that Bonnie exhibits in her hand painted ceramic creations.  

Read on to discover more about this Brisbane based artist, who will be selling her ceramics at our Brisbane market this weekend!

Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to begin your label.
Drawing has been my one constant passion since I could pick up a pencil.  I remember keeping myself happily occupied on long car trips as a kid by sketching, and my Uni books are more filled with intricate doodling than they are with notes.

Ceramics was something I fell into by chance.  My mother took my sister and I to a ceramics painting class one school holidays, which sparked an interest in her as well.  Eventually it resulted in her pursuing her own ceramics business – both teaching and creating personalised plate ware.  By the time I was 13, our house was equipped with a ceramics studio including one, (now two) kilns.  By the time I was 18 I had developed and was selling my first collection of pendants and brooches at markets and a few boutiques.  The last 10 years have been a progression to where the label is at now, with some detours into illustration, painting and leatherwork in between.

bobbie girl plate – designed and made by Bonnie Hislop. image credit by Rachael Baskerville

splatter mugs – designed and made by Bonnie Hislop. image credit by Rachael Baskerville

Pink splatter mug – designed and made by Bonnie Hislop. image credit by Rachael Baskerville

What would be one piece of advice you would give a first time seller at The Finders Keepers?  

Bring snacks!!

Tell us something exciting that you have planned for Bonnie Hislop this year?
This year I’m hoping to explore all (or as many as I can manage) of the ideas for projects and products that are bouncing around my brain.  I’m constantly scribbling them down on post-it notes and shoving them in my pockets.  I’m also really interested in ideas sharing.  So far this year has already provided quite a few opportunities for collaborating with other creatives and teaching ceramic painting workshops, which have been fantastic and I hope to continue.

leopard and tiger vessel – designed and made by Bonnie Hislop. image credit by Rachael Baskerville

koala vessel – designed and made by Bonnie Hislop. image credit by Rachael Baskerville

Name one resource that your label could not live without.
YouTube actually!  I’m largely self taught so if I get a little stuck as to how to approach a project or I want to check I’m using correct technique, I’ll look up a tutorial.

Tell us about your favourite product from your collection.
Right now my favourite pieces would have to be the eye brooches, but I just started developing quite a few new products so I’m really excited to release those very soon!

bonniehislop.com
instagram.com/bonnie_hislop
facebook.com/BonnieHislopArtist

one of a kind ceramic Cat Vessels, hand built from stoneware and meticulously painted by Bonnie Hislop