Tonya attended the Colorado Institute of Art's Visual Communications Program and began her freelance career in graphic design in 1986, designing corporate logos, marketing materials and painting murals.
She began working with WJRT-TV12 in Flint Michigan, designing on air graphics for the news broadcasts and promotions, and creating artwork for documentaries and commercials. She has worked as a graphic artist for advertising agencies, marketing firms & graphic design studios, creating artwork for billboards, newspaper ads, brochures and corporate marketing materials.
After moving to Virginia in 1992 Tonya continued to do freelance design work as well as marketing her original designs through gift shows and local retailers. In 1994 her work became more centered in fine art painting and she held her first solo exhibit at the Paine Gallery in Bluefield, West Virginia in 1995. Her works were a collection of Watercolor, Acrylic and Mixed Media paintings that were exhibited throughout the lower eastern United States.
With another move back to Michigan in 1996 Tonya began painting almost exclusively with acrylics. Her work has been exhibited in shows from Pittsburgh to Orlando, Denver to New York City and extensively throughout the State of Michigan. She began teaching painting in her local community in 1997, and is currently holding painting workshops from her home studio.
Tonya’s work is now part of various private collections in more than nine states. Her work has won several awards in graphic design, illustration and fine art paintings. She has been included into the 23rd edition of Who’s Who in American Women, and is currently exhibiting work in New York, Alabama, Texas and Several locations in Michigan.
For more information about