“Mrs. A and Mrs. B” is the name of a painting in the 62nd annual travelling exhibit of the Northern Ontario Art Association. It’s the work of watercolour artist Mariebeth Bonfield of Cochrane.
She started painting later in life, after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which forced her to quit working as a long-distance telephone operator.
“I had nothing to do, really,” Bonfield notes. “They invited me to a course at the art club, and that’s the only course I ever took, for watercolours.”
That course was taught by Catherine Cribbs of the Porcupine Art Club.
Watercolours continue to be Bonfield’s favourite medium.
Photo credit: Mariebeth Bonfield/Facebook
Her painting chosen for the exhibit is based on a photo of her husband’s grandmother and another woman, identified only as Mrs. Allan – hence, Mrs. A and Mrs. B.
This is Bonfield’s first time to be chosen for the travelling exhibition, but not her first time entering the competition.
“Last year, I put a painting in,” she says, “ because I figure if you belong to a club, you have to support it, right?”
The exhibit is at the Timmins Museum until Jan. 29.