NT_021419

northbrooktower.com Life & arts
the northbrook tower | February 14, 2019 | 33
Under Bondy, NB
Arts Commission
striving to offer more
Elizabeth Manaster
Freelance Reporter
When architectural illustrator Bruce
Bondy began work on drawings for the initial
building design of the Northbrook Village
Hall back in 1986, he had no idea that
one day he would be living here.
But ten years after his designs were used
for the completion of the Village Hall —
including the design for Northbrook’s official
logo — he moved here to raise a family.
Now, as his youngest son prepares for
college, Bondy is using his artistic energy
to make a difference in Northbrook’s art
community, currently serving as chairman
of the Northbrook Arts Commission.
“When my kids were little, in their mind
my design for Northbrook’s logo was my
greatest achievement,” said Bondy, the
talented illustrator, teacher and coach who
has built an impressive resume of work
since those early days, including most
recently a design rendering for the Larry
Bird Museum in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Bondy, who grew up in Morton Grove,
joked that his younger brother was his first
actual canvas. Art was always an integral
part of their family. Their parents met in art
school, and although his father eventually
made his way into the family business as
a wholesale distributor of generic pharmaceuticals,
his mother was always a working
artist.
Bondy studied art as an undergraduate
at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
and wanted to become an architectural
illustrator, but eventually he too followed
the practical path of his father and
began working for the family business.
But a corporate life never really fit with
his heart’s passion, and when the business
underwent an expansion, Bondy became
involved in a project to enlarge the current
building. He felt an instant connection to
the beautiful design renderings. He soon
made the decision to go back to school part
time and began taking classes at the Harrington
Institute of Design.
Coincidentally, his drawing teacher was
The designs of Northbrook resident
Bruce Bondy were used for the official
Village of Northbrook logo. Bondy and the
Northbrook Arts Commission have made
it a top priority to bring more arts-related
events to the Village. Photo Submitted
working with an architectural firm, Decker
and Kemp, located in the same building.
Through that connection, Bondy began interning
there and then eventually worked
with the firm. They were instrumental in
his education, exposing him to experiences,
and giving feedback on his drawings.
During the ’90s he also continued his education
at the School of Representational
Art for four years.
“My passion is about hand-drawn imagery,”
said Bondy, whose career began in the
late ’80s and early ’90s when all drawings
and renderings were being done manually.
Bondy continues to work that way, however
with digital imaging tools readily
available, there is less manual illustration
work being done now.
“I have no interest in learning the digital,”
he said. “I believe there is absolutely
still a place for drawing. Digital imaging
is like a different language. I think there is
a degree of coldness and precision to the
digital work and I feel that drawing is more
romantic and emotional and that the place
of drawing is more valuable. I believe
Please see bondy, 34