Boni Elane Clifton-Arendt; artist and teacher:

I currently have a studio/gift shop inside The Cotton Company. Besides my artwork, I have decorative items and art supplies for sale. I also teach private lessons there. It is such a pleasure to interact with students and parents. The greatest joy besides sharing knowledge, is meeting people who support an artistic lifestyle and understand the importance of a balanced education.

I have been creating art since early childhood. Winning a few contests and being a member of the annual staff. It gave me such confidence as a kid that I would not have experienced otherwise. We are all good at something and sometimes we need a little help to get there. I went on to earn a BFA in painting and drawing which fueled my dreams to be an artist who could be taken seriously in New York, for example. Reality set in, even after I lived in England and traveled around Europe. During my travels I did, however, begin a love for portraits which I continue to produce. People primarily tend to enjoy my pencil portraits.

As far as my personal creativity is concerned, I have always loved Italian Renaissance Art and the stylized work of Jurgen Gorg. Art is something that I am driven to do, therefore I continue to look for inspiration in various subject matters.