A Denver native, I studied photography in my youth. At twenty I moved to San Francisco where I studied painting, philosophy, and anything else of interest. Then I spent ten years on a tiny Caribbean island prac
Tonia, 2002
ticing the craft of painting, mixing colors and stretching giant canvases (or is it canvi?). After twenty years away I moved back home.
Now days I paint, sculpt, write, cook, build, and live and love, in one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods. Mediums include oil paint, metal leaf, photography, steel, glass, and a plethora of found objects. (Nickname: Sanford). Mostly I'm working on two or more pieces at a time, while thinking of many others. I have written a few screenplays, and continue to work on a novel that is ten plus years in the making. It's truly about the journey.
Currently I am experimenting with metal work and finding great joy in deconstructing old computers and clocks for spare parts and I find making Steampunk works to be magical. Beauty is found in most everything I see and I can count on inspiration being part of my daily life. I love what I do and I enjoy the creative process. I am a dedicated artist, for what fun is life without art?
Thank you for your interest.
Tonia, 2019
Tonia
“A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light.”
Leonardo da Vinci
ART SHOWS & Other Creative Acts
2022-2023 Building New Garage and ADU
2021-2022 Major home, yard and art studio renovation
2020, TBD
2019 Sacred Arts Practitioner Certification, Starhouse, Boulder, CO
2019 ICF Coaching Certification
2019, Rearranged my household (put down 3 beloved pets and a marriage), Denver, CO - no art this year
November 2018, West & Main, Rino Arts District ~ One person show, First Friday Artwalk, Denver, CO
August 2018, I am Strength: True Stories of Everyday Superwomen, excerpt published in Anthology
August 2015, R2 Gallery ~ Two person show First Friday Artwalk, Denver, CO (recent works: photography and steampunk sculptures).
July 2014, R2 Gallery ~ Two person show First Friday Artwalk, Denver, CO
June 2013 - R2 Gallery~ Two person show First Friday Artwalk, Denver, CO All giclee reproductions of my portfolio of prints on canvas.
April 2012 - R2 Gallery~ Three person show First Friday Artwalk, Denver, CO
December 2011 - Open Studio DGLCC Holiday Party, Denver, CO
October 2010, Mercury Cafe~ One person show, Denver, CO
February 2010, Mercury Cafe, Valentine's Day group show, Denver, CO
2006 through 2009, rehabilitated, renovated, built onto my 1880 Victorian Cottage, Denver, CO
Summer 2005 - Arco Iris Designs - Group Show, Denver, CO
Spring 2004 - Wyncoop Trunk Show, Live Music and Art ~ One person show, Denver, CO
Summer 2003 - Women's Group show Art and Live Music, Skylark Lounge, Denver, CO
April 2002 - The Westin Resort, Group Show Artist’s Association St. John, USVI
February 2002 - The Battery – Group Show Artist’s Association St. John, USVI
November 2001- March 2002 -The Art Gallery at the Grand Hotel, St. Thomas, USVI, One person show encompassing 10 years of work.
November 1998 St. Ursula’s (place of worship), St. John, USVI Commissioned to design and build large scale mosaic installed on the exterior of the building, 6’X16’ with over 30,000 hand cut pieces of glass.
