Biography

I began my career as a registered nurse and have since retired. After having children and looking for an outlet for my creative bent, I discovered the Art of Floral Design. I joined the Horticultural Society and then the Winnipeg Flower Arranging Group of which I am still a member. I competed in the World Flower Show in Toronto in 1993 and I have visited the World Show in Glasgow, Scotland and the show in Pennsylvania. I have been a flower show judge for many years, judging here in Manitoba, Thief River Falls U.S.A. and at the Canada Blooms Show in Toronto. My love for flowers and floral design has certainly influenced the way I paint as the two art forms are very similar. 

In 1997, I began taking Watercolour Classes at the Forum Art Institute in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I have also taken classes with well-known Winnipeg artists. My fondest memories are classes taken with John Gaudes, a much respected instructor of Watercolour (now deceased). For the past ten years during the months of January and February, I take classes at the Scottsdale Artist School in Arizona. Highly respected artists such as Betsy Dillard Stroud, Eric Wiegardt, Stan Miller and Judy Betts, to name a few, have been my inspiration. 

I have a creative spirit and a love for detail. Although I am detail-oriented, I appreciate objects that are unique/quirky. This feeds my creativity and will often result in a painting. I thank God daily for this creative spirit. I developed an early love for nature having grown up at Victoria Beach, Manitoba, a beautiful lakeside resort area. I paint detailed watercolour landscapes which often include birds, water, trees, rocks etc. My love for colour presents itself in my detailed paintings of flowers and certain birds. Many of my scenes are reminiscent of my travels throughout Arizona. In particular, I love visiting the Riparian Preserve in Gilbert, Az. where I gain much inspiration. I have also painted portraits of my grand-children as babies and toddlers. 

My pictures hang in many private homes, including out of province and the U.S.A.. Several have been accepted into the annual Manitoba Society of Art Open Juried Competition and Exhibition. This event is held in various locations in Winnipeg. More recently, I had been invited to exhibit my art in a church gallery in Scottsdale, Az. in the winter of 2015. However, due to a sudden illness I was unable to exhibit my Art at that time.

In January, my picture titled Pelicans at Lockport Dam was juried into Scottsdale Artists' School's 2016 Best and Brightest Juried Art Show and Sale.

 Presently I am a member of the Local Colour Art Group. We exhibit our works of art at annual Spring and Fall Shows.

For show dates and/or a price list of my pictures, please contact me at bonhild@gmail.com.