Hello, thanks for dropping by
I'm Sonya, an artist from Surrey and my studio is in the loft where I can look over the rooftops and watch the sun setting over the trees.
I trained at Cheltenham Art College many moons ago and have a 2:1 BA Hons Degree in Fine Art Painting. In 2023 I was shortlisted and placed Runner Up in Surrey Artist of the Year.
My inspiration
My paintings are inspired by strong light, everyday moments and human experience. I often paint people from behind or in silhouette as it can hint at what might be going on beneath the surface and create a story or feeling that we recognise in our own lives.
I'm also drawn to melancholy, like a beautiful song in a minor key, as life is not always easy. A solitary figure looking pensive or an old lady carrying her shopping can really tug on my heartstrings and I want to translate that into paint.
Themes that I keep returning to
A bit of my story
After school I went to Cheltenham Art College because I was ‘good at art’ and couldn't think of anything else to do. Much as I enjoyed art college, it never really explained how I was supposed to make a living from painting. I had a monoprint accepted at the Mall Galleries but, apart from that, I felt a bit lost after college and got various temping jobs before travelling the world when I was 25. I took my paints with me and had fun painting on beaches and doing little exhibitions with friends in youth hostels. I also got one of my paintings on the back cover of New Zealand’s Reader's Digest in 1996.
When I got back from my travels in my late 20s, I had a real yearning to follow my acting dream so I did a post-graduate in acting at Academy of Live and Recorded Arts and, for about ten years, the two careers of art and acting went hand in hand. There were a few years when painting wasn't forefront of my mind but I saw it as the faithful partner that would always be there and, whenever I came back to it, there it was waiting patiently for me to pick up my brush again. In 2004 after a couple of years of painting drought (or creative hibernation), I felt the need to pursue art again so I set off with a carful of canvases, spending two weeks on my own in a little converted barn in Yorkshire. It was a wonderful time, I did loads of work and I couldn’t get my ideas out quick enough. I went back to Yorkshire many times, it is one of my happy places.
Once back in London I started to have solo exhibitions, I hired out spaces, filled them with my paintings, had busy private views and really started selling my work. I often think of that time as the beginning of my painting career when I 'started again'.
There have been other stop/start times alongside various milestones in my life (like having children) but painting has always been a thread running through my life. I seem to gravitate towards lofty studios with skylights. This photo shows me in 2004 in my top floor flat in Clapham and 20 years later in my studio now.
Painting small
Lockdown was an interesting time where I discovered the love of painting small. I did a 5"x5" acrylic on paper every day and loved the discipline of this. I continue to paint these small studies alongside my bigger work as they help me think through ideas. They are true originals as I don't tend to make prints of them. Many of them are sold and in private collections around the world. I keep the price low and accessible as I would love everyone to have one on their wall so please do have a peruse. I change the collection every few months.
Plein Air
A few years ago I joined the Surrey Hills Plein Air Painters and dipped my toe into painting outside. I love it, especially when the sun is out, and enjoy the challenge of finishing a painting in one session.
Oh and another thing...
- If you're interested in dates and places, here is my CV.
- I love all things vintage - typewriters, record players, lindy hop dancing and 1940's music.
- I have coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.
- I like attempting the Telegraph cryptic crossword and do Wordle every day.
- I have two teenage children, a dog and two guinea pigs. I also have a patient husband who has had Parkinson's Disease since we were married.
- I come from a creative family. My two older brothers are broadcaster Jeremy Vine and stand-up comedian Tim Vine.
- One day I'd like to make my world completely analogue again but I'd probably only last that one day.
Thanks for visiting
If you like what I do and want to send me a bit of creative encouragement, you can buy me a coffee to keep me going. Or sign up to my Letter from the Loft below which also would make my day.