I have a Bachelor of Science from RIT with major in Interior Design. I was also fortunate to take a summer course in photography from RIT that we spent in Europe. It really hones your skills fast to take pictures of the Coliseum, the Eiffel tower, the Tower of London, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the ruins of Dover.

I worked for Macke/Williamson, an office supply company and managed the Interior Design Department for 9 years, then formed Bonnie Haney Designs Inc. and did mainly, commercial interior design until 1997 when I had the opportunity to start to take botanical art classes with local artist Carl Zimmerman at the Museum and Science Center. I also have been able to study under and take classes and workshops from both local and national artists such as Jean Stephens, Paul Taylor, Peggy Martinez, Sari Gaby, Christine Waara, Pat Tribastone, Steve Carpenter, Karen Klugheim, etc.

I am currently a member of the Rochester Area Colored Pencil Club (RACPC). I have been program chair for that club. I am also a member of the Webster Art Club and have been the painting day chair for that club.

Most of my work is botanical in nature but I also, once in a while will venture outside my comfort zone to do a landscape, a still life or a portrait. I work mostly in colored pencil and I love working with them. Most people don’t recognize just how versatile they can be. There are watercolor colored pencils which work beautifully with regular colored pencils and there are many techniques to use with the pencils to even achieve the look of oils. It is all in how they are applied.

• Merit Award: Fall 2009, Barnes & Noble Show for “Birds of Paradise”, Colored Pencil on Strathmore Paper, Judge: Jim Hall
• Best of Show Award: Spring 2011, Barnes & Noble Show for “Princess Irene”, Colored Pencil on Mylar, Judge: Jeanne Lindsay
• Judge’s Award: Fall 2011 Barnes & Noble Show for Aunt Helen’s Rose Colored Pencil on Strathmore Paper, Judge: Sam Ferrara