Connie LaGoy is a Korean American self-taught artist, writer, collector, and owner of Plein de Bonte Studios. She lives in Atlanta, and she first caught our attention when we interviewed the owner of an artist collective and saw her work displayed. Citizen Exchange founder, Amy Barker, saw an original painting of Connie's that she'd done to raise money to support victims of a horrific crime in the city. Her sorrow and compassion for the families drove her to create her piece “Final Journey”. Limited prints were sold and 100% of the proceeds went to the families. We asked her about this meaningful piece and about her beautiful work.
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Plein de Bonte is a beautiful name for your body of work. What does it mean?
It means “full of kindness” or “benevolence”. I chose it when I opened my business in November 2020 in the midst of the pandemic and tumultuous election cycle. I wanted my business to always be a reminder to be kind. In addition, one of my core values for my business is to give back in some way to the community, so Plein de Bonte seemed perfect.
Tell us about how your paintings found their way to Citizen Exchange.
Most of my art is only viewable online during much of the year. Amy Barker and Megan Flowers of CE reached out to me after the Atlanta shootings to ask if they could help get my prints out to the local community and were kind enough to allow me to hang the original paintings of “Final Journey” and “Hallowed Heritage” during the fundraiser. While prints are still available there, the originals have been taken to their permanent homes. And I am so very honored and grateful to CE for helping me raise awareness. Amy and Megan are the best.
The peony flower shows up in quite a bit of your work. Does it have significance to you? (They are one of my favorite flowers too!)
I love all flowers, but peonies are my most favorite! I find so much joy in all things feminine and pink. I love the full, feminine, joyful spirit of the peony. Peonies also represent longevity and we intentionally chose them for my wedding bouquets.
Is there any one thing you want people to know about your art?
Art can be so powerful. It has the ability to connect people to memories, other people, the community, the world around and away from them. Art is such a crucial part of humanity and history. Since I was a child, art has been a way to push through feelings. I find joy in creating art. I work through hard emotions when creating – it is therapeutic for me. What may look like a landscape may actually be a longing to escape. What appears as a flower might be a memorial. Not all of the time, but many times.
“Between I-70 & Home” is based on a photo she took 7 years ago on a trip. She completed the painting of it a year ago and it is the inspiration for her solo debut exhibition in October 2021.
I am most touched when my art evokes emotions or memories in people of their own – when it enables them to feel something deeply or reminds them of something or someone important to them or when it inspires them to give art a try. That has happened a few times. That makes me the happiest.
You give generously to the community through your art and we mentioned earlier that you donate to charities. Can you share a few of the causes you’ve donated proceeds to?
Giving is so important to me, thanks to my parents. They have always been generous people. For every piece I sell, I give to a cause that moves me. During my pop-up events, I choose a single cause to donate a larger portion too.
I've donated to Change to Humanity, a non-profit organization that provides fresh whole food each week to the refugee, homeless, and food insecure communities in Atlanta. One pop-up event enabled me to raise money for a friend who lost her insurance in the midst of breast cancer treatment.
Most recently, I have had the privilege of donating to the Atlanta 3/16 Survivors Fund via the National Compassion Fund organization. That project was a labor of love as a Korean American.
Editor's Note:
Artwork by Connie LaGoy
“The National Compassion Fund (“NCF”), in partnership with the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (“GAPABA”), GAPABA Law Foundation, and Korean-American Bar Association of Georgia (“KABA-GA”) has launched the National AAPI Violence Prevention & Response Initiative.
The initiative established the Atlanta 3/16 Survivors Fund to support the victims and survivors of the horrible acts of violence committed in Atlanta and Acworth, Georgia on March 16, 2021, which claimed the lives of eight victims. This Fund will provide direct financial assistance to the families of those killed, and individuals injured or suffering psychological trauma from the shooting. One hundred percent (100%) of the funds donated to the Atlanta 3/16 Survivors Fund will go directly to survivors and victims of this tragedy. Contributions are tax-deductible.”
Source: Atlanta 3/16 Survivors Fund
Degas moves you along with other classical artists. We love Degas as well. Are there up-and-coming artists you like?
This was the hardest question for me! I love so many current artists. I am just amazed at all of the talent out there. And I learn so much just seeing other people's art. The artist I currently keep finding myself coming back to lately are:
Harriet Salt – I just love her still work. Actually, I love all of her work. She is the kind of artist whose talent I use as a litmus test. I aspire to be as talented and consistent as she is one day. Also, her work speaks to my love for all things vintage and feminine.
Laura Lee Zanghetti – Laura has an entire series on women in the rain that really captures the feeling of being caught there – the wind, the wet. I love how she strokes in the movement of their clothes, the way the subject tries to avoid the wind and rain. It is just lovely. I would love to hang a large original right in my entryway one day.
Ivaylo Voshtinarov – He does a lot of seascapes. Stormy ones that capture my love for the unpredictability of the ocean and water. The sea is where I find a lot of peace. I don't get to go there often, and when I do, I want to sit all day and night staring at it.
Artwork by Connie LaGoy
In addition to Citizen Exchange, where else can people see your work in person?
I am extremely excited to have my solo debut exhibition beginning in October 2021, and people will be able to view some of my new work in person during that time. I will be sharing the details of that news once all of the marketing material is approved. I have also brought my work to a couple of local outdoor markets. I may do that again in the future and will announce those when the time comes.
Artwork by Connie LaGoy
We hope you've enjoyed this peek into the art world of a talented artist. If you'd like to learn more about her pieces, you can find more on her Facebook and Instagram pages and her website:
To read more on our featured post about our local artist collective, you'll find it in Art is Growing Roots in Old Town Lilburn.
