Bonnie Bews

Bonnie Bews was born and raised in Queensville, Ontario, where she developed her imagination and keen sense of observation. Bonnie attended Georgian College of applied Arts and Technology and graduated receiving a 2nd year scholarship in the Creative Arts program. In 1990, Bews backpacked to Australia and throughout Europe. While sketching in a piazza in Germany, she was approached by artist, Rudolf Schmid. This prominent Bavarian Glass painter showed an interest in Bews’ style of work and offered her an apprenticeship at his gallery/studio, Gläserne Scheune, Viechtach, Germany. Bews accepted this unique opportunity and returned to Germany in 1992 for three months to discover a whole new medium including reverse glass painting (Hinterglas).

After her studies abroad she returned home to start her career as a full-time Hinterglas Painter. She began in Toronto but soon after, moved to Muskoka. Bews quickly became known for her exploration of the magical world of fairies hidden in the Muskoka woodlands. In 2016 she moved to Bracebridge and converted an old Livery (1890’s) into a studio/gallery. In 2019 Bews started to travel to the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. She became enthralled with the mossy organic forests and seaside landscape. In 2023 she bought a home and property on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Bews looks forward to not only painting Cape Breton fairies but also discovering a whole new world of Merfolk.