Dusti Bongé produced a limited number of landscapes during her early years. She more commonly veered to the bustling cityscapes of her hometown, Biloxi, or the quiet ambiance of the cemetery.

Dusti did, however, have a deep appreciation for the beautiful variety of the surrounding natural landscape. Thus, she depicted several scenes near and around various bayous, rivers and forests she loved to visit. In addition, her father had a large pine farm north of town, lovingly known as "Socca's Farm." 

However, much more unique are Dusti Bongé drawings and paintings of the Old French Cemetery in Biloxi. Dusti would stroll through the cemetery and linger quite often during her early career. One reason was that her husband Archie Bongé was buried there. Moreover, the cemetery, which dates back to the late 1700s, early 1800s, offers a beautiful setting with lots of monuments, crypts, angels and other statues all nestled under fabulous live oaks.  Thus artistically, the cemetery presented her a rich compositinal tableaux of man-made structures and landscape. 

All of these natural settings would inspire her for many years, including in her abstract expressionist art.