Work samples

  • Ladies First- 50 years of Hip Hop
    Ladies First- 50 years of Hip Hop

    12 x 16 Mixed media collage on Giclee pays homage to women of Hip Hop.

  • Facing decisions
    Facing decisions

    This 11 x 14 mixed media collage on canvas introduces EVE as a substitute teacher and the weight of the responsibility during a teacher shortage.

  • Watch the little foxes
    Watch the little foxes
    11 x 14, mixed media collage on canvas
  • A New Creature- Found

About Tonya

"Stop thinking about art work as objects, and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences" (Brian Eno).  Tonya Blue Shelby also known as Shelby Blue began making mixed media collage art in 2017 after experiencing physical burnout and systematic bullying from the school system she worked for. Collage art became her space of refuge and a conduit for peace to restore positive well-being. Her collage portraits tell the narrative of the societal and emotional ills women… more

-23: The Lost One

The 8-piece series explore the imperative questions and ideals that one manifests when the mind is run by the world's beliefs system and culture. Fear, doubt, and anxiety tell a false narrative of refuge to our subject as it depicts a contrary theme of Psalms 23. The first 7 mono-colored photographs ("24 x 48") depict a verse from this informative text and illustrates the nomads need for a Shepherd until the Exodus. The final piece breaks the monotony with a 24" x 48" mixed media collage on canvas to show the rebirth of our subject, where all things are made new. 

  • All things new
    All things new

    24 x 48 Mixed Media Collage on Canva

     

    Available for Purchase
  • Exodus
    Exodus
  • A seat at the table
    A seat at the table
  • Without a compass
    Without a compass
  • Namesake
    Namesake
  • Naked and Afriad
    Naked and Afriad
  • The Nomad
    The Nomad
  • The Lost One
    The Lost One

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.

  • Where it begins?
    Where it begins?
    11 x 14, mixed media collage, 2023
  • Forward- March!!!
    Forward- March!!!
    11 x 14, mixed media collage on canvas, 2023
  • It is so
    It is so
    11 x 14, mixed media collage on acrylic (2023)
  • Peaceful journey
    Peaceful journey
    12 x12, mixed media collage on acrylic (2023)

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.

  • Community Leader
    Community Leader
    2022, 11 x 14 Mixed media collage on canvas
  • Holistic Healer
    Holistic Healer
    2022, 18 x 24, mixed media collage
  • Creatyve Genius
    Creatyve Genius
    2022, 12x12, mixed media collage on canvas
  • Before the sun rises
    Before the sun rises
    2022, 16 x 24, mixed media collage

The Shed Experience

It's time to uncover our faces and let the scales of doubt and uncertainty fall from our eyes. Let's shed what others have said about us and remove the labels that are now liabilities! Welcome to the Shed Experience!
  • Fail-Her Not
    Fail-Her Not
    2021, 11 x 14, mixed media collage
  • She sheds
    She sheds
    2021, 30 x 50 inches, mixed media collage
  • Clear Eyes
    Clear Eyes
    2021, 11 x 14, Mixed media collage
  • Survivors Soul
    Survivors Soul
    2021, 11 x 14, mixed media collage
  • Behold Her
    Behold Her
    2021, 11 x 14, mixed medial collage on acrylic.
  • Survivors Strength
    Survivors Strength
    2021, 18 x 24, mixed medial collage on acrylic.
  • The power of the tongue
    The power of the tongue
    2021, 11 x 14, mixed media collage on acrylic
  • Voices Carry
    Voices Carry
    2021, 11 x 14 mixed media collage
  • Happy Go Seek
    Happy Go Seek
    2021, 9 x 12, mixed media collage on acrylic
  • I be well.
    I be well.
    2021, 16x 24, mixed media collage.