Toni Thomas

My work addresses issues that are important to me as a woman of color. I paint representational images or symbolic, iconic ones that represent or speak directly to issues concerning women, beauty, survival, nature, and the environment. Many of the symbolic images of mermaids relate to Yemaya the Yoruba god portrayed as a mermaid, and sometimes as a personal reference. Because of my concern for the environment I like to paint on recycled surfaces that may include recycled canvases, wood, paper, fabric, or a mixture thereof. I also have an interest in sewing and quilting and sometimes I incorporate those elements in my work, or make quilted borders for some of my paintings. As the art evolves so do I as a person and an artist.