Bonny Burbank Shuptrine
As a small girl of age 5, Bonny Burbank Shuptrine loved making paper dolls with a variety of clothes alongside her artist mother. Designing Barbie dresses was another favorite activity of hers while her mother taught her the fundamentals of sewing and draping. This early love is what fueled the passion that led to her formal education and experience in the world of design.
Ms. Shuptrine graduated with a fine arts degree and is formally trained in the apparel and textile business. Winning top awards in her college, including the Earnie Award in children’s design, she went on to work in the corporate world with private and public fashion companies. Specifically in the arena of patterns, construction, and design, she worked and designed wedding dresses, lingerie, and children’s apparel. She has worked as a designer, artist, merchandiser was a vice president of merchandising and sales.
After starting a family with nationally acclaimed artist and craftsman, Alan Shuptrine, Ms. Shuptrine launched her own design company. She and Mr. Shuptrine also established Shuptrine’s Gallery and in 2022, she opened Shuptrine Creative. She facilitates the branding and marketing for all four companies. Other than her family, Mr.s Shuptrine’s true passion is creating and in 2023, The Painted Dress was launched.
Ms. Shuptrine paints to her canvas capturing textures, folds and draping of fabric through thick embodied acrylics, oil, pearlized ground pigments, gold leaf and metallic sundries. When asked what motivates her to incorporate the style and energy of fashion into the fine arts world, she says, “I’ve always had a thing for apparel. Or that special outfit. Sparkles or silks, lace and details have always fascinated me. Being trained in fashion, and simple, understated, and timeless looks with couture construction is another love. Being able to revisit the elements of fashion design by capturing someone else’s love of a special dress, I can help them continue to experience the essence of the piece. Following an event, apparel is often stored away, not to be worn again. But now they can continue to experience the moment and the feelings the dress evokes by displaying this special creation on canvas and viewing it daily. The idea is not to stick that special dress in the closet or box for years never seen. Bring it out. Adorn your walls with your favorite memory.” Her creations on canvas are simply bold and embodied with reflection.
Her work can be viewed at Shuptrine’s Gallery.