biography | statement

My paintings incorporate the experiences I have gained through out my life as a therapeutic landscaper, a studio art major, and a psychology major. My mosaic style of painting largely reflects my experiences as a therapeutic landscaper. I see the bits and pieces that make up a larger picture, much like you need to see the leaf and bark in order to see the tree.

My goal in painting parallels with my goal in landscaping; which is seeing the thrill of color and shapes that fascinate and pushes me to explore and utilize them in my compositions. I incorporate my love of nature in my work and my paintings. This is my way of calling attention to whatever I am fascinated with and trying to entice the viewer to see/experience it with me.

Initially my focus in art was photography. When I started to paint I would paint from photographs I had taken. Often from a landscape that I had designed. I take a photograph and download it to the computer. Using art software I draw my composition from the downloaded photograph.

[View Bonita Van Moorlehem's page on mnartists.org]

Patty's Story

Patty's story starts when Patty was eleven months. The family was at a picnic and it is believed a mosquito carrying encephalitis infected her.

Our family is comprised of seven siblings, with Dave being the eldest, then Patty, Becky, Bonnie, Candace, Melissa, and Michael.

I would like to share how this series of paintings came about, questions I am frequently asked and some of my thought process behind the paintings.

Shortly after the picnic, Patty became very ill and had to be taken to a Twin Cities hospital. The encephalitis damaged Patty’s right side of her brain resulting in physical and mental challenges that have plagued Patty for the rest of her life.

In Patty’s early teen years, she started suffering with seizures that progressively worsen until she was seventeen. At that time, medication no longer controlled the seizures and our parents were face with two options, placing Patty in an institution or brain surgery.

Patty recovered from her brain surgery and has a strong drive to share her life experiences with others, hoping it may help someone in a similar situation. Teaching herself how to type with using only her right hand, Patty worked on her story for close to twenty years. Patty repeatedly asked me how she could share her story with others. After a number of futile attempts, it occurred to me that I may not be a writer but I could paint her story. I asked Patty for permission for me to paint her story.

Next, I was faced with the challenge as to how to go about painting her story. After numerous conversations with my daughter Sara we came up with the solution to paint the turning points of Patty’s story and in order to keep Patty involved, as much as possible I would have a quotation from her story on the title cards of each painting.

I was faced with the challenge of painting in my abstract style to stay true to myself as an artist yet I needed to include symbolism so that Patty would understand each painting too. With the help of my brother, Michael we came up with the turning points of her story and what we thought was important to include. The words have been left in Patty's voice, no changes were made.

In addition to Patty’s input, my family has been involved with this project contributing their ideas and feedback on the paintings. I am thankful for their support and involvement.

Before I started each painting, I would consult with Patty about each turning point asking her for colors, descriptions, and emotions. With Patty being my sister, I was a part of this story and I have deep feelings and emotional connections to her story. One of my struggles with the paintings was that it stirred up so many emotions for me that I had to deal with them at the same time.