Conrad's oil painting is distinct in its passion for color, its celebration of light and its somewhat impressionistic approach. It whispers the influence of the study of her favorites, both past; Sorolla, Sargent, Degas, and present; John Asaro, Pino, James Reynolds, Mian Situ and others.
In the year 1987 Bonnie found herself standing before a beautiful painting saying "I think I could do this if I just had time". (A conversation she had had with herself countless times since she became irreversably hooked on her first oil painting class in 1973). Of course, there had been many visits to galleries and museums, hours of study, several more workshops and even a little painting in between moving every four years with her husband's work as a ranch manager with a large company and raising six children. But the thirst wouldn't leave and this time the self conversation continued...."How long are you going to keep saying I think I could?" The challenge was accepted and Bonnie decided to throw her hat in the ring of the professional world. She was greeted with a "Best of Show" award at the first show she entered as "Professional" at the Cody Country National Invitational!
In 1991, Art of the West magazine named Conrad one of eight "artists to keep and eye on" as did Southwest Art after that. In 2006 Conrad was invited to Signature status in the prestigious Oil Painters of America as well as by the American Plains Artists. In 2007 American Women Artists (AWA) invited Bonnie to Signature status in their organization. She now serves on their Board of Directors.
Conrad's work is motivated by color-the fascinating play between complements, the mysterious subtleties of gray tones and the endless possibilities for mood. The direction and manner of the strokes is intriguing to her as well and through the use of these elements Conrad works to evoke an emotional response from her viewer. She wants the art enthusiast to hear the drumbeat and feel the excitement radiating from a dancing Indian child; to re-live a tender moment between a mother and her offspring or or to taste the dust and feel the sun on their face as they view a western ranch scene.
Conrad is deeply concerned that her work should always lift the human spirit. Her summary is "I want the world to be a finer, lighter, brighter place for my having painted here".
In the year 1987 Bonnie found herself standing before a beautiful painting saying "I think I could do this if I just had time". (A conversation she had had with herself countless times since she became irreversably hooked on her first oil painting class in 1973). Of course, there had been many visits to galleries and museums, hours of study, several more workshops and even a little painting in between moving every four years with her husband's work as a ranch manager with a large company and raising six children. But the thirst wouldn't leave and this time the self conversation continued...."How long are you going to keep saying I think I could?" The challenge was accepted and Bonnie decided to throw her hat in the ring of the professional world. She was greeted with a "Best of Show" award at the first show she entered as "Professional" at the Cody Country National Invitational!
In 1991, Art of the West magazine named Conrad one of eight "artists to keep and eye on" as did Southwest Art after that. In 2006 Conrad was invited to Signature status in the prestigious Oil Painters of America as well as by the American Plains Artists. In 2007 American Women Artists (AWA) invited Bonnie to Signature status in their organization. She now serves on their Board of Directors.
Conrad's work is motivated by color-the fascinating play between complements, the mysterious subtleties of gray tones and the endless possibilities for mood. The direction and manner of the strokes is intriguing to her as well and through the use of these elements Conrad works to evoke an emotional response from her viewer. She wants the art enthusiast to hear the drumbeat and feel the excitement radiating from a dancing Indian child; to re-live a tender moment between a mother and her offspring or or to taste the dust and feel the sun on their face as they view a western ranch scene.
Conrad is deeply concerned that her work should always lift the human spirit. Her summary is "I want the world to be a finer, lighter, brighter place for my having painted here".