About me
Hi I’m Toni, born in Queens NY. I've always considered myself an artist. I never thought of being/doing anything else. I live in the Desert Southwest now with my support English Bull Terrier “Jack of Hearts”. I constantly work on my mental state.
As a child my creative outlets were writing, dancing, music, photography and building small projects, like dioramas. My mother didn’t allow paint and art supplies in the house, either because she was just plain mean or neurotic. However thanks to my Dad, the first thing I had in my hands was a camera. I loved my camera and took photo shoots all the time. My Dad saw I was a creative. He used to help me with my homework, so he knew I was a left brainer all along and helped me to express this. He also knew I was horrible in math, because he was really good. Later on in life I was fond to be dyslexic.
Leaving NYC without being able to say good-by to my family and friends was traumatizing for an eight year old. This is one factor that contributed to my trauma. Miami Beach was nice, I grew to love it and attended High School there. I stayed there because my Father eventually moved there also. In my High School years I started to spend my summers on Long Island with my cousins. I looked so forward to this every summer. It was the only place I could be me ! Art classes started in Jr High School. By the time I got to High School I got my very first art supplies, and I was happy.
As I was finishing High School my family moved out west. I went west also, reluctantly. Only after I finishing High School in Miami Beach. Again leaving behind family and friends. Some of which I didn’t get to see for years after the move. I went to college, which I left early because I landed a great job in Advertising. Yay me ! !
This was also the decade I got married and had my son. It was the early seventies and I worked in advertising for ten years before deciding it wasn't for me.
My artwork was always for armor, expression and therapy. Which I used to self medicate myself from the toxicity of having a dysfunctional mother. It was my only outlet. I’m lucky enough to be getting help now. Starting my life a new through art, therapy tools, and not medication.
I’ve worked independently for the last fifty years.
I'm am a certified non-clinical Art Therapist. Studying and practicing Art Therapy and Behavioral Health.
Always continuing my education.
I create all original work for Abracadabra Images.
My first boss had a sign over his desk that said, “Success is loving what you do”. I knew then, I was already successful.
The Work
I’ve always believed that art and science go hand in hand. Never so much then now, in the age of computers, digital cameras and technology. Color is definitely a science, like mixing chemicals for a compound. Combining a unique blue or purple. Executing a piece from an idea in the artist mind, bringing it to competition is so rewarding in itself. My style will surly continue to evolve and define itself, as I love experimenting, learning, executing with different mediums and techniques. I continue to study and practice Art and Art Therapy.
Art has always been an outlet of expression and therapy for me. I thank God for this gift. He knew that it was my only hope to stay sane and mentally healthy. I enjoy graphite drawing and drawing in general because it’s like meditating. I also enjoy working with the bold and bright colors of markers, oil, acrylic and watercolor. Because color makes me smile.
Photography has always been my first love. I had a camera in my hands before I held a pencil. I learned how to use it as a tool. Incorporated with my work and as a means to catalog and market it. Referring to photos later for a rendering or for inspiration. It’s a frozen moment that I can go back to when I need it. I enjoy Street, Micro, and Food Photography. I continue to use my 35mm and film. I still print photographs in my old fashioned darkroom. Black and white is still classic !