Bonnie grew up in a francophone area where they could never say her name. She began signing her work as Bonn and finds this name suits her very well.

If there is a message Bonn can give about her painting life, it is to never, ever give up. If a dream dies, find a way to wake it up. And embrace any disability you may have.  We all have something we are dealing with.  Learn how to work WITH it.

Bonn knew at 5 years old she wanted to be an artist.  She would spend hours outside, in nature, feeling and absorbing her surroundings. This helps her absorb tiny moments of wonder that give her the body memory she needs to paint expressively. This is a practice she continues to this day.

Bonn studied under Gerry Squires of St. John’s, Newfoundland for 3 years, while living there during a corporate move with her family.  Gerry helped her see with an artistic eye.  Next came a study in abstraction with Virginia Henderson Caldwell. There is a saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher comes.” That is exactly how Bonn and Virginia met, at an art show in London, ON.  Together they embarked on an intensive 2-year journey that taught Bonn how to paint feelings onto canvas.  This meant painting lots of dark and scary.  Virginia said to her, “You can’t have the good without the bad, and you never know what is going to bubble up, so just keep painting.”

Bonn was born with sight in only one eye.  This poses depth perception challenges in her painting life. But not to be deterred, she sought out more mentors to help her understand how to work WITH this unique eye-ABILITY. Bonn often uses texture and high contrast in her work to enable her to feel and sense her way around the canvas. This has helped her develop the Contemporary Expressive style that defines her now.

Looking back on her painting life of over 35 years and all the exhibitions she has had, Bonn sees a pattern of evolution that has brought her to this moment.  It all fits together in mapping her internal landscape.  She says, “I work to paint moments as authentically as I can with my God-given passion.  And this is what I invite the viewer to see and feel, moments that touch me deeply.”

Bonn launched her art career publicly in London, ON in 2012 and now travels back and forth between London, St. Marys, and surrounding areas to show her work.

Works hang in private, international and corporate collections. www.bonnierichardson.com