Bonnie Ziskin

I became an artist at 70 (2017), after having stage IV lung cancer for the second time. I decided that I should love every day of my life and I lost my “Fear of Failure.” Without any formal training, I became an artist in fused glass and mixed media on canvas, paper and wood. This gift of freedom prompted me to try being an artist with complete abandonment.

My art just started flowing out of every pore and was a little scary at the time. After four months I had a studio and did my first show. Most of my art is primary colors and is meant to put a smile on your face — that is my sole mission. My greatest achievement is to have a painting on the 10th floor of oncology at the Mayo Clinic.

I can hardly wait to jump out of bed in the morning and start my art — even if I still have my bathrobe on.

Live your life colorfully.