All About Bonbi Forest
Bonbi Forest is a home of sorts to the illustrated wares of artist, illustrator and author Lee Foster-Wilson.
Lee grew up in the Cornish countryside surrounded by nature and her family’s menagierie of animals, a lot of it was spent outside in all weathers having adventures on horseback or exploring local beaches with her friends. These experiences when she was young have defined and influenced the things she seeks out as inspiration, it was inevitable that the natural world would find it’s way into her artwork and designs. The shapes and colours of nature always seem to make an appearance in her work no matter what she is drawing. Lee enjoys observing the relationship of people to nature and to each other, often defined in the phrases, text and weird and wonderful celestial and mystical symbols she likes to add to her pieces.
Lee started Bonbi Forest in 2006 after graduating from her Fine Art degree at the University of Brighton as a way to get her artwork out into the world. She started with hand screen printed t-shirts for bands and friends, printing them on the kitchen table and using the sofa as a drying rack. The t-shirts are long gone but the range has evolved and in their place is an ever expanding and beautiful range of jewellery, accessories, art prints, cards and stationery all featuring her colourful and thoughtful artwork.
These days Lee has some help assembling the Bonbi Forest jewellery from her sister-in-law, Mo and she has graduated from the kitchen table to two lovely spaces, a special workshop a short stroll from her front door where each and every Bonbi Forest order is packed, and a home studio where she spends her time dreaming up new ideas and making drawings.
Lee is also a freelance illustrator represented by Jehane LTD and has authored two books with Quarto, Creative Marker Art and Beyond and The Grown Up’s Guide to Making Art with Kids. As an illustrator her drawings have been commissioned and licensed by clients including Mollie Makes Magazine, Scholastic, Bravery Magazine, Shruti Designs, Design House Greetings, Sellers Publishing and more! To see Lee’s art portfolio and for information about commissioning her artwork please visit www.leefosterwilson.com
She currently lives back in the Cornish countryside in a converted threshing barn not far from the sea with her husband, two children and their cat. Alongside her work she enjoys spending time with her family, attempting to grow things, beach combing and occasionally still saddling up for a ride.
To receive Lee's monthly art bulletin full of new releases, art chat and other treats (and to receive 15% off your next order!) please do sign up to the newsletter. Don't forget to check out her YouTube channel and come and follow along on social media too. Lee is on Instagram and Facebook and shares things she finds inspiring over on Pinterest. See you there!
Images on this page and homepage credit: Michelle Coxall at Curious Creatures and Lee Foster-Wilson
