Jennie
I have always been creative - loved colouring as a child & enjoyed art at school. I’ve made birthday & Christmas cards all my life. (My dad produced one of my early efforts during his speech at my wedding & I found all the ones my mum had kept when I had to clear their house) However, long hours at work & silly commutes meant I didn’t have much time to enjoy being creative. Fast forward to Covid times, quickly followed by early retirement 🎉🎉🎉🎉& a house move, meaning I now have a craft room, & I haven’t looked back. I challenged myself to try a new craft every year (I might have to stop that as my craft room is bursting at the seams!) So far I’ve learnt cross stitch, long stitch, glass fusing, quilling, needle felting, watercolour & acrylic painting, Zentangle &, of course, drawing with coloured pencils. Next on the list is embroidery. I joined a weekly craft group & also started art classes &, having tried the cpw earlier this year, have enrolled in Ignite. I’ve learnt so much in the last few years. It’s lovely engaging with like minded people & I’ve enjoyed encouraging others to explore their creativity. Being creative has helped me relax, appreciate beauty in nature more, brought my resting heart rate down, learn & develop skills & meet some wonderful people.
Suzanne F
10 years ago at the ago of 55, I wanted to learn how to draw. At the time, I had very little creativity in my life, but I knew it was in me. I watched every Youtube video I could find, read books and took online classes. Colored Pencil art was not as popular at the time but I was drawn to it. I came across one of Bonnie’s videos on Youtube, followed her to Patreon and then became a member of Ignite. 10 years later I still can’t get enough of drawing & Ignite. The tutorials, the confidence sessions, critique sessions and now the Spark app has literally given my life passion and joy. I have more confidence in myself than ever before mainly because of my creativity. When life gets me down and it does at times, I go to my drawing desk and I always feel better.
Sheila Linnell
During lockdown I told a friend I had an O level in art. She said why aren't you drawing. So I started drawing and enjoyed it as lockdown wax a very strange time and I needed routine. I enjoyed drawing. Then after lockdown I showed other friends who were very kind with their comments. I was asked to do a commission of a guitar which I did and the client loved it. I then heard about Bonny and did tutorial on YouTube and joined ignite May 2024.I love birds and I gained confidence in the tutorials and was amazed when my German Shepherd looked like one. Since then I have completed commissions and drawing makes me happy, calm and back to me. I have confidence and am delighted people love my work
Selma Sluijs
As a child, I loved drawing, especially with colored pencils. I drew until well into my teens, without ever having had any formal lessons. Once I entered adulthood, I actually gave up drawing. In 2009, when I was 34, I came across a colored pencil drawing course at the local community college. I signed up immediately and have been drawing ever since. Through courses, books, and YouTube videos, I have mastered more and more techniques. Drawing brings me a lot of pleasure, relaxation, and courage. In order to take a drawing course further away, I got back in the car after more than ten years of not driving to learn how to drive again! Apparently, drawing was the motivation to muster the courage to do this. Since then, I have regained the freedom to get back on the road with my car. However, what I couldn't find was a course for drawing animal portraits with colored pencils. That was and is what I love to draw most. At the time, there was hardly anything available. Until I saw Bonny Snowdon on YouTube. She taught you how to draw animal portraits with colored pencils, so when she opened her Bonny Snowdon Academy on December 26, 2021, I immediately signed up as a student. The best Christmas present ever! Since then, my drawing skills have improved enormously. I have even been asked a few times to draw an animal portrait on commission.
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073544844149
Carine
My dad was a talented artist, not professionally but as a hobby. He passed away when I was just 20 years of age which is about 40 years ago now. My whole life I wanted to be able to draw something beautiful like my dad but somehow I never found the right teacher nor the courage to really start doing something about it. Until 3 years ago when I found Bonny. Did a free tutorial with her and really liked her way of teaching. So I became a member of the Ignite Academy. That was the start of a beautiful journey and now I'm very happy because I can finally draw beautiful "things". Last year I drew my own dog all on my own and I'm so proud of myself!! I love drawing now and couldn't do without it in my life anymore!
Debbie van Beek
I gave up my full time successful career in HR back in the UK in Nov 23. Sold up the house and everything in UK and moved to Spain. I had no idea where the journey would take me but the decision to start a new chapter was after some life changing events that made me and my partner decide to make the move and enjoy life. I've always been creative and did a BTEC and degree in Art and design (30 years ago) I never progressed this to a job and ended up working in corporate environments to earn a living. My lead back in to the art world came about earlier this year where I got some fabric to make zebra cushions, then decided to do paintings of Zebras. My friend saw the paintings and loved them but asked if she could commission me to do a Giraffe. I haven't looked back since and used this as an opportunity (after discovering Bonny on YouTube) to explore coloured pencils which I have loved. I joined Bonny's academy and really enjoying the community the tools, inspiration and support this brings. I am in the process of a soft launch of my own business as a result of this journey and am delighted to reignite my passion for art and nature.
Website: https://www.debbiejart.com
Social Media: @debbiejart
Donatella Hachem
My story may not be as incredible as some others, but ever since I was little, I've loved drawing. I always had lots of coloured pencils and colouring books, more than dolls. I'm a graphic designer by training, but life led me to draw mostly technical drawings, first for boats and then the aeronautics industry. I started using a computer in 1987 when my first child was born. I remember one Sunday in November 2023, I was watching a local artist drawing on Facebook, and it inspired me to start drawing again. I got up and went out to buy supplies to start drawing with graphite. I signed up with this local artist for a graphite drawing class. Meanwhile, I kept looking at more and more drawings on Facebook until I stumbled upon Bonny Snowdon's page. I was absolutely blown away and wanted to join right away, but I missed the January 2024 intake and had to wait until September 2024 (I also missed the May 2024 session because of the time difference, which I hadn't taken into account). I can honestly say that I'm extremely happy to be a member of the Bonny Snowdon Academy. I knew absolutely nothing about coloured pencil drawing before. I was so amazed by what Bonny drew. Since joining, I’ve improved so much, thanks to the techniques and tutorials Bonny provides. She's a fantastic teacher, funny, inspiring and I really enjoy the live drawing sessions. When I first started, my children couldn't believe that I had drawn those pieces. I'm still working full-time, but I really look forward to the day when I can draw full-time. Thank you, thank you Bonny, for inspiring me and helping me find my spark. You truly light up my days. Sending you a big, big hug.
Social Media: @donatellahachemguilbault
Vivienne
I was inspired to start watercolour pencil drawing in May after joining Bonny's coloured pencil week drawing the owl, hare and deer
Jill Tomlin
Started off by reading about art then getting some books on how to draw. Always wanted to learn to draw so started by watching the free tutorials on YouTube and following Bonny. Started in 2024.
Beverly
Of course retirement. I started with just graphite but I love color! Starting with graphite is a good foundation for tonal value but I had NO CLUE how to transfer that to colored pencil until I saw you on YouTube. Such beautiful work and you could teach. A rare gift. So, I began buying colored pencils and watching influencers demonstrate brands. But you showed me a way to transfer that to my own style.
Deb
I started drawing about 18 months ago,I saw some of the work that another person in your group was doing which wSwasincredible and asked her about it. She gave me contact details for Bonny Snowdon Academy and here I am
Monica Wiles
Growing up almost 50 years ago, I was always a creative child with a deep love for animals. My parents gently steered me away from pursuing art in college, but in high school, I took drafting classes. Back then, everything was drawn by hand—no computers involved! Ironically, the very year I entered college, the field shifted to computer-generated graphics. So, I followed the “money” and the pressures of life. I began college in 1993, but it took until 2015 for me to finally earn my bachelor’s degree and become a Process Control Engineer. During all those years, my love for art never disappeared. I dabbled in oil painting and needle felting and even ran a few side businesses—like a dog boarding company and raising English Angora rabbits for their fiber. Balancing college in my 30s and building a career left little time for creativity. Then, about three years ago, someone introduced me to colored pencils—and I instantly fell in love. I felt such control and joy in drawing and blending colors with them, but I quickly realized how much I didn’t know. I craved realism. I knew I could achieve it if I only learned how. That drive led me to start researching, and a little over two years ago I joined Bonny’s Academy. It was a true game changer. I learned techniques that completely transformed my art. Soon, people started asking for commissions. I was terrified at first—but now, I’m booked out over a year in advance! I also discovered a love for art festivals and juried competitions. In just two years, I’ve earned three local awards that I’m incredibly proud of. I’ve been featured in Ann Kullberg’s Hidden Treasures V9, and a local magazine published a lovely article about my work. Joining Ignite opened so many of these doors. Even when I can’t spend as much time on tutorials as I’d like, I remain a member because I value the community, the confidence sessions, and now Spark! I love that I can share questions about my work in the Facebook group—and it’s always a thrill when Bonny herself responds. Today, I’m focused on growing my art presence through my Facebook page, Monica Wiles Art, and I donate 10% of all my art sales to Happy Wings Parrot Sanctuary, a rescue close to my heart. Looking back, I realize how far I’ve come. What once felt like slow progress has turned into something truly rewarding. I’m proud to introduce myself with confidence as an artist. I still have much to learn and explore, but I’m excited to see what the future holds and the possibilities ahead.
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/artfur.wiles/
Carol Wood
My colored pencil/creative story began at the age of 78…yes, that’s correct! 🤪. I had never taken an art class in school or anywhere but have always loved pens, papers, cards, journals, and writing and did a bit of Zentangle which I thoroughly enjoyed. I live in a retirement community in Florida and a friend mentioned that she thought I would enjoy colored pencil and felt I would do well with it. I honestly was not interested but agreed to go with her to a colored pencil workshop. As I was walking by a table, I noticed someone doing a beautiful cat drawing and I said “you can do THAT with colored pencils”? She said she was doing a Bonny Snowdon tutorial and, immediately after that meeting, Bonny became my first and only art teacher. 🤗. I joined Patreon and then the Academy and haven’t looked back since. The pencils…the papers…the colors…Art Club…I LOVE it all and I thank God every single day that, at this age, my brain and hands allow me to create, not only for myself, but to gift and uplift others. I don’t count it an accident that I ‘met’ Bonny!
Angie Penman
I dabbled in oil pastels a few years but wasn’t entirely satisfied artistically. In January 2025 I came across your highland cow exercise. Even though I had some cheap colour pencils, I gave it a try and fell in love! I joined Ignite and have loved the process of creating art through your tutorials and even ventured into creating a few of my one pieces. The encouragement has been wonderful and I do believe I have the talent to draw. I will venture into taking commissions soon, all because of this program.
Debbie
I'd always drawn as a kid and as an adult I dabbled with anything from watercolour to oils to pastels (but they can all get a bit messy!) I'd been doing a lot of 2D needlefelting, mostly animals and someone in the online group I belonged to mentioned your name. I started looking at your work and did the horses eye tutorial and that was it, I suddenly remembered how much I used to love drawing and also realised how much I'd missed it. The wool was put away and I bought myself a years membership on Boxing day 2021!
Social Media: Debbie Carter Fine Art
Linda England Duckworth
My career was in nuclear health physics and nuclear quality, working at commercial and government nuclear facilities. After retirement at age 55 due to health issues, I immersed myself in art as part therapy and part long-term desire. I have worked in oils, watermedia, colored pencil and pastels. My work has been featured in several juried shows and will be in an international art magazine early next year. Thanks to Bonny, I now have a nice supplemental income doing pet and people portraits. What a rewarding way to enjoy retirement and have a bit of extra spending money, too!
Social Media: DLE Art
Julie Rimmer
After over 40 years started drawing again after joining a colour pencil week the ignite community just over 18 months ago! Enjoyed it so much and amazed at how my drawings have progressed and the regrowth of my creativity! Can’t believe what I’m drawing these days and that I am keen to take on a challenge! Mainly due to the amazing supportive and talented community found in ignite ! I love how I can loose myself for hours just drawing! I have also taken up playing the piano again ! It’s like a completely new phase in my life! Creativity means so much , it relaxes me while challenging me, it gives me peace and happiness, pride and confidence! It has brought colour and so much more back into my life!
Angela Atkins
I drew extensively as a child - we had to make our own entertainment back then as TV was in its infancy , just a few channels and only a few hours in the evenings too. So you read, drew, etc. I always remember when as about an 8 year old going with my grandmother and buying a tin of Derwent pencils , half the size they are now and just 12 in a tin. Through life , other things get in the way, marriage, family, animals , horses and time is taken up sorting things out. I did dabble in art on and off throughout life but other crafts also took time . Then I retired at 72, widowed slightly before that and time was on my side . I started drawing again , I thought it was ok until I found Bonny and Ignite and realized what a difference , drawing with a tutor made . I honestly thought colored pencils were all the same - until I invested in many many different sorts - lol. The same with drawing surfaces - how wrong was I !! But now drawing and ignite gives me fulfillment , it gives me peace and comfort , the ignite members give companionship and it gives me a purpose in life again . With Bonny , you not only get a tutor , but a mentor, a guide , and a friend . I can’t believe that just a little while ago I spent 2 hours drawing an apple!!! 🍎 the difference now in my drawing skills is light years from when I started with still more room for improvement. And I have learned so much along the way too which is wonderful .
Social Media: Angela Atkins
Peter Robins
I started drawing with colour pencils this year.I bought a tin of 60 Polychromos 12 years ago and never used them except to draw a pear which I didn’t like.I was a Tattoo artist for many years and in my last 2 years of business I took on an apprentice who did a lot of drawing.When I retired we kept in touch on FB and Messenger and I watched his drawings and paintings really blossom
Social Media: Peter Robins
Tricia
I returned to my love of drawing during the pandemic. I was looking for a medium that was readily available and something I hadn't tried before. During my Internet research I found Bonnie and her obvious love of coloured pencils and I haven't looked back since then. Saddly my youngest son passed away two years ago. This was and still is a grief that can easily overwhelm but I genuinely believe that drawing and following Bonnie's tutorials, being part of ignite has helped me to get through difficult times. I really enjoy being creative again. I honestly feel that my drawing skills have improved immensely as a result of my membership and I have had the good fortune to have had my work critiqued by Bonnie on three different occassions. I am so glad I found Ignite.
