 |
Tonya Bottomley is a native and resident of western North Carolina. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors Degree from Winston-Salem State University. Tonya completed courses in design, sculpture, and painting at Brenau University in Georgia and also studied anatomy and figure drawing at the Scottsdale Artists’ School in Arizona. Her work is held in private, public, and corporate collections.
|
| |
|
The artist's studio is located near the small town of West Jefferson in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina - just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the downtown West Jefferson Arts District. This area provides a scenic and culturally unique environment. |
|
|
| |
Semi abstract art is a style of painting that emphasizes the creative process of painting with the intent of producing an unusual, thought provoking work of art. The subject matter remains recognizable but representational accuracy is not a goal - semi abstract art is not intended to provide a mirror image of conventional reality. The painting is composed of fragmented images that are either simplified, exaggerated, or distorted in a highly stylized manner that is reflective of the artist’s imagination and personal artistic vision. Painting in this style allows a high degree of creativity and freedom of expression. |
|
 |
 |
The process of making a painting involves the interplay of mental and physical realms. As an artist I am driven by the energy of the artistic process which involves multiple sensory perceptions - I paint what I see, what I feel, and what I think. Over the years I have experimented with a wide variety of media but prefer oil painting above all others. I offer only original work.
The local culture and scenery of western North Carolina continue to inspire me, but memory and intuition play an equally important role in my work. I begin each painting with an idea and a desire to convey a general concept but I am never constrained by the original idea. Each painting takes on a life of its own. The painting and I engage in a 'visual dialogue' |
and I am led to make intuitive changes to the original sketch - those changes may be additive or subtractive. This process of discovery allows new ideas to emerge which often lead to unintended but positive results. A quote by Scott Adams says it best - "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes, art is knowing which ones to keep."
I rarely have an interest in a literal portrayal of my subject matter. The finished paintings are semi-abstract 'created arrangements' that combine reality and fantasy. Whether observed or imagined, I take shapes and objects and rearrange them in new ways. Painting with this approach allows a great deal of creative freedom and the end result is an amalgamation of interesting lines and shapes, and unexpected color. My goal is to create paintings that are playful yet thoughtful, simple but uniquely sophisticated. Hopefully, my personal artistic language is one that others will enjoy.
|
|
| |
 |
Hanes Companies, Inc.
Wachovia Bank
Black Diamond Capital Group
Carolina Realty of Wilkes
Ashe High Country Realty
Shatley Farms Distribution Center
Elevation Web Designs |
| |
 |
2009 Ashe County Arts Council, West Jefferson, NC. "Best of the Blue Ridge" juried competition - Honorable Mention, juror: Alexis Lavine.
2009 Included in feature article "Road Trip - Valle Crucis" - September Issue of Western North Carolina.
2009 Feature article and interview by The Mountain Times newspaper - "The Personal Side of Painting". August 20, 2009, Boone NC.
2009 Lake Norman Art League's Juried Spring Exhibition, Davidson, NC - honorable mention, juror: J. Michael Simpson.
2009 Accepted in the American Juried Art Salon's 2009 Spring/Summer show - www.artjury.com. Plano, Texas.
2009 Artsync: The Art Magazine of North Carolina - cover contest finalist out of 12,000 entries; included in a feature article in the March edition. www.artsyncmag.com
2009 Jefferson Landing Country Club, Jefferson, NC - Two person exhibit.
2009 Wilkes Art Gallery, North Wilkesboro, NC - Ashe County Artists - group exhibit.
2008 Ashe County Arts Council, West Jefferson, NC. "Best of the Blue Ridge" juried competition. Juror: Noyes Capehart.
2008 Wilkes Art Gallery, North Wilkesboro, NC - 29th Annual Northwest Artists' League juried show. Honorable Mention and 3 purchase awards. Juror: Chuck McLachlan.
2008 Wilkes Art Gallery, North Wlikesboro, NC - Mar/Apr. Solo exhibit.
2007 One of 30 NC artists commissioned by Hanes Companies to paint a 60" x 60" painting for their corporate headquarters in Winston Salem.
2007 Foothills Art Council, Elkin, NC - "Morrison Memorial Juried Art Show"- 1st place.
2007 Ashe County Arts Council, West Jefferson, NC - "Best of the Blue Ridge" juried competition - 1st place, juror: Kate Worm.
2006 Ashe County Arts Council, West Jefferson, NC - "Best of the Blue Ridge" juried competition.
2005 Wilkes Art Gallery, North Wilkesboro, NC - 26th Annual Northwest Artists' League juried competition.
2002 Quinlan Arts Center, Gainesville, Ga. Artists' League juried competition - honorable mention.
2001 Brenau University, Gainesville, Ga., student show - Best in Show. |
| |
|
