Tonia Kay

I am a creative nomad, journeying between the UK, Australia and Bali, Indonesia.
I love to paint people, children in particular, and the wise, elderly. The innate ‘joie de vivre’ they possess inspires all of my art.

Light fascinates me and is a continual source of curiosity. Australian light is dazzling, almost painful to the eye. Balinese light is warm and nurturing and the light of the UK has a depth and contrast that has kept us artists motivated for eons.

Colour and how it plays within the light excites me.
I see energy as colour and intuitively express the colours I see around people.
I choose to portray my subjects at one with their environment, present in their moment so they become transparent to the moment.
It is my aim, to transmit the energy I see into my art.
Vincent Van Gogh (my hero) with his sublime use of colour has been a steady and constant influence.

I intend my paintings to vibrate with energy.
The dry pigments I use, some containing pure metals, gold, silver and ground crystals, I apply at the completion of a piece using my hands, no brush, this I believe helps create the energetic vibration of the light.

Thank you for your time or as we say in Bali - Suksema Tonia.

An eternal student, I live to learn.

A list of my formal studies -

Graphic design & Illustration.
Figurative drawing & painting.
Oil painting.
Costume pattern making and design.
Furniture restoration.

I teach art & life drawing to children and adults.

1999 - Portia Geach Memorial Prize, S H Erwin Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
2001 - Portia Geach Memorial Prize, S H Erwin Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
2003 - Private group show, Palace hotel, Sydney, Australia
2013 - Thirst Charity event, Beverly Hills hotel, LA. USA.
2013 - 2022 - Stellas Child biannual exhibitions, Bali, Indonesia
2020 - 2022 - Bali baby & mother house fundraisers, Bali, Indonesia