Bernadette had a culturally diverse life. Born in Alberta to Spanish/Philippino immigrants, the family later moved to Holland and travelled extensively throughout Europe before returning to Alberta. Her teaching degree later took her to Mexico where her experience of the elements, the culture and the people of Mexico moved her to explore watercolour painting. This experience transformed her artwork and she was well on her way to developing the maturity that is evident in her style today.
Bernadette currently resides in Duncan, B.C. on Vancouver Island with her husband and children. She is a member of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council and in the spring of 2008, she received an award for merit from them recognizing the consistency in her style. She was accepted into the Filberg Festival in the summer of 2008, which enabled her to further establish herself as an “island artist”.
In the early days of 2009, Bernadette was asked to paint on a seven and a half foot eagle sculpture for the BC Lions Society, which was installed in the tourist zone of Victoria, and then later auctioned off to raise funds for the Easter Seals Society for Children with Disabilities.