About Tonya
180 Days
180 has a variety of meanings to most. For example 180 is a change in direction or behavior; for some it is used to describe time. For teachers who are burnt out it’s a prison sentence. Teachers are often caught counting the days until the weekend, a holiday break, or summer recess. The 180 days scribes a narrative for the school year with the results being a language desiring freedom. The new series “180 Days” takes you on my journey of vulnerability as I navigate my last school year as a middle school teacher before resigning. Most teachers walk into their classrooms emotionally naked, torn, and in need of healing. Unfortunately, we are waiting to be rescued by a system that doesn’t see our well-being as essential.
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Resignation without full retirement
12 x 16 black and white photo on Premium semi-matte.
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Going to sign in- The Baggage Handler
12 x 16 black and white photo on Premium semi-matte.
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Mealtime- 30 minutes
12 x 16 black and white photo on Premium semi-matte.
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Planning period- how to work in clutter
12 x 16 black and white photo on Premium semi-matte.
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Counting your what?!
12 x 16 black and white photo on Premium semi-matte.
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School daze-The honeymoon is over!
12 x 16 black and white photo on Premium semi-matte.
Dianoia- Happy Bloom Year
As we embark on a new year, let us not get stuck in past events by making them present tense. This series reveals the dawning of a new day in the reflection of her what shades her vision. 11 x 14 Mixed media collage on acrylic.
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Thankful Resolve of December
11 x 14 Mixed media collage on acrylic.
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September is October''s pride
11 x 14 Mixed media collage on acrylic.
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The awe of August
11 x 14 Mixed media collage on acrylic.
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Julying in purple
11 x 14 Mixed media collage on acrylic.
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May I change for Summer
11 x 14 Mixed media collage on acrylic.
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April is no fool
11 x 14 Mixed media collage on acrylic.
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Marching into march: still committed
11 x 14 Mixed media collage on acrylic.
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January- Her insight
11 x 14 Mixed media collage on acrylic.
The courage to surrender
As women of color, community is the core of our existence. Consulting before decision making is the key to our success. It's not about having the right answers, but asking the right questions. This series inquires you to interrogate your thought patterns of who you are and who you have yet to become. For many of us the answer is the question and who we allow to be our number 1 consultant. This series leaves you wondering and asking questions and the beckons courage to follow the advice.
Proverbs 31
Have you ever felt the presence of a woman before she enters the room? Her smell, her esence shifts the atmosphere before she utters a word. Proverbs 31 talks bout the charactersistics of a good wife. I believe these virtues are already within everyone woman before they are found by their husbands. The series, Proverbs 31 captures the beauty of women from Baltimore in black and white, while the colors around them express the virtues they possess. Featured at Jubilee Arts Center in the summer of 2022, I present to you Proverbs 31.
The Shed Experience
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Fail-Her Not2021, 11 x 14, mixed media collage
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She sheds2021, 30 x 50 inches, mixed media collage
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Clear Eyes2021, 11 x 14, Mixed media collage
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Survivors Soul2021, 11 x 14, mixed media collage
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Behold Her2021, 11 x 14, mixed medial collage on acrylic.
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Survivors Strength2021, 18 x 24, mixed medial collage on acrylic.
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The power of the tongue2021, 11 x 14, mixed media collage on acrylic
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Voices Carry2021, 11 x 14 mixed media collage
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Happy Go Seek2021, 9 x 12, mixed media collage on acrylic
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I be well.2021, 16x 24, mixed media collage.