Today, you will meet Bonnee Byrne who is Freelance Artist and Owner of Signs by Bonnee. She has been painting artwork and signs for the past twenty-six years. Sound like fun, huh? She even seems to enjoy the math aspect of the job!
Can you explain what you do for a living?
I am a painter. This includes painting portraits in charcoal, pastels, and oil paint. I also do other professional artwork such as butcher paper commercial and all occasion banners, window painting, caricatures and illustrations.
When do you use basic math in your job?
The main time that I use math is when I am planning to make very long banners. I work on an easel that is 8 feet long and 4 feet high. Many times my banners have been 20 to 40 feet long. I have to calculate how much to paint on each 8-foot segment in order for the banner to come out right and the wording to be centered.
How do you think math helps you do your job better?
It would be impossible to do this job without basic math skills.
How comfortable with math do you feel?
I am fairly comfortable with basic math all the time. I am not very familiar with advanced math.
What kind of math did you take in high school?
I chose to take Algebra and Geometry only- the minimum amount to graduate. I did not have to have any math in college since I was an art major. I did not like algebra at all and do not feel like I had a complete understanding of it. I did like geometry much better probably because I am an artist and learn things better in a visual format.
Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?
No, I picked it up using the skills I learned in school.
Goes to show that even if math is not your favorite subject, when used to do something you love…it’s not so bad!. If you want to hear more about Bonnee’s artwork, let me know I would be happy to connect you!