Bonnie was born in Illurpa, a place near Blackstone in the Ngaanyatjarra lands. When she was young her mother took her to Ernabella, later they moved to Angus Downs and then Mutitjulu.

She has been a guide for Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, and a demonstration artist for Maruku Arts.

Like most Maruku Artists, she has been carving punu (woodwork) since she was young. With the move into painting at the arts centre, she begun producing fascinating ‘walka’ boards (walka meaning ‘design’). These boards fuse poker burnt designs, a punu technique, with painting, creating a new style of art that is unusual and effective.

Connelly has held exhibitions with Birrung Gallery in Sydney, and a solo exhibition at Alison Kelly Gallery, Melbourne, in 2008.

Bonnie's father passed away in Alintjarra. She has a lot of family in Warakurna and in Blackstone. Bonnie's father's country is Blackstone. Bonnie has 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls.

Bonnie is now an elderly grandmother and strong cultural woman. She has been painting for many years and now works with Tjarlirli Art.

She has passed her knowledge and skills down to her daughters, Dianne and Marlene, who now paint for Kaltukatjara Art.

Bonnie was a finalist in the 2023 Wyndham Prize, and has exhibited widely across Australia.