Originally from the Washington DC Metro area, Bobbi now makes Fredericksburg, Virginia her home.
After graduating with honors from Parsons School of Design, she went on to enjoy a successful career as a freelance illustrator. Her clients included The Washington Post, National Geographic, AT&T, Microsoft, The National Park Service and many others. Her work is included in the permanent collection of the Society of Illustrators in NYC. A devoted educator, she taught for over 35 years at such institutions as The Corcoran School of Art and The ArtLeague School.
A strong design background is the key to her personal vision, which she describes as evocative and modernist. The principles and elements of design are foremost in her approach to the inspiration that nature offers. Observation serves as a jumping off point for her imagination and the personalities of her subjects emerge through a sculptural approach to form. Her medium is primarily oils, but she also creates works on paper. Her award winning work appears in many private collections.
As a lifelong gardener, Pratte has developed a strong connection between her subject matter and her paintings. Many of these paintings reflect the gardens of Florida where she lived for several years and still winters.
"Gertrude Jekyll: The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies."
Selected Exhibitions and articles
April, May 2025 - "Spring Blossoms" Artist of the Month Brenda McMahon Gallery, Gulfport, FL.
July 2023 - "The Painted Garden" WSLP Group show at River Farm, Alexandia, Va.
December 2021 - "In The Garden", three person show at the Athenaeum Gallery, Alexandria Va.
February 2020 - WSLP group show at Principle Gallery, Alexandria Va.
November 2019 - "Rescue Me", Solo Show at the Athenaeum Gallery, Alexandria Va.
November 2019 - Group show, Martha Spak Gallery, Washington DC
April 2019 - WSLP show, Peninsula Gallery, Lewes Delaware
April 2019 - "The Monotype Party", group show at "The Arts Club of Washington".
September 2018 - WSLP group show, Principle Gallery, Alexandria Va.
November 2017 - group show, The Athenaeum Gallery, Alexandria Va.
June 2017 - WSLP group show , Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick Maryland
September 2016 - "American Landscapes" Maryland Federation of Art, Annapolis, Md.
October 2016 - WSLP group show, Chasen Gallery, Richmond Va.
August 2015 - "Either Fish or Fowl", First Place Maryland Federation of Art, Annapolis, Md.
August 2015 - WSLP group show, Prince Georges Community College, Largo Maryland
November 2014 - Solo Show "Skies", Herndon Arts Center, Herndon Va.
November 2012 - American Impressionist Society 13th Annual Competition and Show, Indianapolis IN.
October 2012 - "Plein Air 757", Second Place winner, Norfolk Va.
October 2012 - "Richardson 75" International Small Works Show, Madison WI.
August 2012 - "Scapes" landscape competiton and show, "Honorable Mention", Alexandria Va.
April 2012- "Featured Artist" "Virginia Historic Garden Show", Virginia Beach, Va.
October 2011 - "Out and About Norfolk, Plein Air", "Juror's Award".
May 2011 – LBWC “Studio Tour “ fundraiser
April 2010 - "Virginia Historic Garden Show", "The Painted Garden", Beach Gallery, Virginia Beach, Va.
January 2010 – MAPAPA (Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association), Annapolis MD.
November 2009 –“Art at the Lake House”
November 2008 - "Old Friends, New Work", 2 person show, Liberty Arts Workshop, Fredericksburg, Va.
April 2008 - Solo Show, Metropolitan Gallery, Arlington, Va.
December 2007 - "Small Works", Metropolitan Gallery, Arlington, Va.
August 2007 - International Landscape Show – Honorable Mention
November 2006 – article in Elan Magazine
May 2006 - Solo Show "Lotus", The Art League Gallery
December 2005 - Metropolitan Gallery, Holiday Show
November 2005 - Small Works Show, Art League Gallery
October 2005 - Montgomery College Fine Arts Faculty Show
October 2005 - "Urban Life" Art League Gallery
August 2005 - International Landscape Show - Best of Show
May 2005 - "Quality of Light Show", Art League Gallery
