Bernadette De Nyse
Bernadette works with acrylics to create pieces that span two-dimensional paintings, three - dimensional sculptures, and immersive installations.
Something changed in the house the day the dog died that could not be explained. You feel a presence you hear a jingle of a chain and you feel something brush pass your leg as your standing in the kitchen. Quick glimpse of shadows pass you. You can’t share this with anyone they will say you are mourning and it’s your imagination. You know what you heard and you know what you saw they will not understand.
Bernadette’s work awakens the dialogue of existence and beliefs beyond this mortal life. According to the Roman and Greek mythology Iris the goddess of the rainbow was the connection to souls crossing the Rainbow Bridge. Many cultures believe the power of the rainbow is a portal to the next life.
Fears, tears, sharing and healing. Through my work I have met people who have had unexplainable spiritual experiences some very paranormal involving pets and people. My work often bring them closure through emotional sharing. They no longer feel they are crazy for sharing and realize their experiences were very real.
“ The imagination is the preview to life’s coming attractions”
- Albert Einstein
You really have to start somewhere and you can’t worry about what people think and if you have something in your imagination you have to bring it out. When thinking about these experiences I began pulling images from the abstract under painting. I never knew where my imagination was going to take me.
Approaching the Rainbow Bridge
Approaching the Rainbow Forrest, 2025, 24” × 30”, Acrylic on canvas
Glancing up, 2025, 24” × 30”, Acrylic on canvas
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Night watch in the Rainbow Forrest, 2025, 24” x 60”, Acrylic on canvas
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Cat nip in the Rainbow Forrest , 2025, 36” x 48”, Acrylic on canvas
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Night guardians at the gate, 2025, 24” x 60”, Acrylic on canvas
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Taste the rainbow , 2025 , 24” x 30”, Acrylic on canvas
My painting serve as a memorial to the rabbits. It was complete shock -Heavenleigh, who is truly the sweetest dog on the planet, unexpectedly killed 6 baby rabbits.
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The wild horses of the Montana Prairie were being chased down with helicopters and trucks, photographers were documenting this moment the farmers and ranchers wanted their removal from the prairie claiming they interfered with their land. This motivated me to create this painting, they are running for their lives between the two worlds.
Wild horses running toward the rainbow , 2025 , 36” x 30”, Acrylic on canvas
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Beyond the Rainbow Bridge
“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
-Albert Einstein
It’s a human trait to worry about how we will be remembered and what we will leave behind a dog doesn't spend his life planning for the future and when they pass, they have left behind an imperishable legacy. From Ancient Greece to 20th century, art dogs have maintained a constant and evolving presence throughout art history. They often represented wealth, loyalty, power, devotion, good breeding grief an unconditional love.
Somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge, 2025, 36" x 36", Acrylic on canvas
This painting starts the series. There was a lot of unrelated work proceeding this body of work. I finally found my voice.
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All creatures great and small cross the Rainbow Bridge, 2025, 30" round, Acrylic on round convexo canvas
Awarded First place September 6 2026, Gillette Gallery
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Happy Meal, 2026, 30" in round, Acrylic on round convexo canvas
“The Chihuahuas aka Techichi were raised and consumed by the Toltecs and the Aztec. They believed sacrificing and eating their meat would ensure a souls safe passage into the afterlife.”
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Deja vu, 2026, 48" x 36", Acrylic on canvas
“In certain cultures there is a belief your dog was chosen for you long before you were born because something between your two souls needed to meet for a purpose a lesson to be learned patience, love, loyalty, compassion, commitment and courage.”
Deja vu there’s something called the soul dog and I know many years ago. I met my soul dog Meg. We had a short time together. Meg was diagnosed with cancer. She was the greatest sweetest wonderful dog. I was devastated after her loss. I felt her everywhere a strong spirt connection I just could not explain. I knew what we started was incomplete I wondered do dogs reincarnate? I asked my vet, he said yes they do and rather quickly before I knew it, on a Fat Tuesday afternoon four years later our spirts reunited. I got that second chance to have her again.
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God is dog spelled backwards. Once you see it you will never forget it. I really believe that dogs are angels we can touch. Maybe its was Gods way of showing us that angels are real and he sent them for a reason I say they’re angels because they never abandon us in our time of need they don’t judge or hold grudges they love us unconditionally and maybe these are the messages we all need to learn from the dog.
God is dog spelled backwards, 2026, 60×60, Acrylic on canvas
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Monotony of the urban dog , 2026, 48” round, Acrylic on round convexo canvas
The round canvas represents the ocular of our eyes, our eyes are the windows to the world through windows that surround us everywhere everyday we gather visual information. The round canvas represents the unbroken cycle of repetition in our daily routines and in the this artists imagination Heavens has windows.
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Beyond the Rainbow Bridge
A unique collection of 54 hand- painted, life- size dog and cat sculputres capturing various breeds, with no two exactly alike.
Bulldog , life size 19” x 14”
Beagle life size 28” x 20”
Cats , life size 20” x 13”
Corgi, life size 19” x 12”
