About the Artist – Bonnie LeBeaux
Quilting has been Bonnie’s passion since she returned home from the US Navy and she has since been creating through quilting. She grew up watching her mother and grandmother at their sewing machines designing beautiful items at their kitchen tables. She has been inspired by them from a very young age. She recalls sewing making shift “pockets” onto bags at the age of 8 with her mother’s new sewing machine. She currently owns and operates her own quilting businers — Bonnie LeBeaux Quilts and Jewelry.
Bonnie customizes each quilt, using alternate fabrics if it is critical to the design or requested by her customer. Employing designs that are relevant to the Lakota, Bonnie’s quilts depict a variety of traditional symbolism, including specific color combinations, animal patterns, and other various designs. Her work is predominantly contemporary, although the traditional influence of Lakota culture is always discernable in her work.
Wigmunke Waste Win, is her Lakota name given to her by her Grandmother Marcella, meaning Pretty Rainbow Woman. She is a descendent of Chief Four Bear and Rain-in-the-Face. On her mother’s side she belongs to the Red Forehead and Weaver Clans of the Dine.
