Toni Ware
Artist’s Statement
My art is reflective of relationships with family and friends. It is a way for me to express and celebrate people who have had a significant influence on my life and those whom I admire and love. Each of my artworks contain objects ands symbols that represent a person, an emotion and a moment in time. I hope that by sharing my meditations though my art, it will allow viewers to feel a synergy and identify with their own important personal relationships.
Biography
From, out of curiosity, enrolling in an introduction to painting class a little over two years ago, Toni Ware is now a dedicated still life artist who achieves a realism style from a combination of a loose, painterly technique with the application of intense detail to her work. Painting exclusively with oils, Toni captures ceramics and antiques from her personal collection of treasured ornaments and objects she has collected from artisans, thrift and specialty gift shops, family heirlooms and travels in Australia, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. She creates movement and life to these subjects by including cuttings and produce from her garden and that of family and friends. Each of Toni’s painting tells a story of relationships and connections through the personal significance of the subjects she portrays. The capture of light, the sheen on a ceramic, dramatic shadows and fun, pops of colour are often showcased with neutral tones. Toni left a corporate career in 2023 to focus on her art journey. During her recent career as an artist, Toni has exhibited in galleries in Brisbane and has achieved recognition as a finalist in the 2024 Lethbridge Small Scale Exhibition, a finalist in the 2024 Rotary Brisbane Art Prize, a finalist in the 2024 Doyles Art Award and finalist in the Top 20 People’s Choice Award for Bluethumb’s 2023 Art Prize. She lives with her husband and three young, adult children in Brisbane and can also often be found exploring the beaches and headlands of Lennox Head, Northern NSW.
Influences
I am greatly influenced by impressionist artists, particularly, Cézanne's still life's, his compositions and the casual fall of cloths and shadows in his work.
I am under the tutelage of award winning still life artist, Brownwyn Searle, and have also attended courses with other fine art oil masters such as, Andrew Bonneau and Marcel Desbiens.
I admire the exquisite realism and simplicity of John Honeywill's work and believe it has helped me be more adventurous with my choice of food subjects.Awards
Highly Commended, 2024, Lethbridge Small Scale Exhibition
Exhibitions
2024 Finalist, Lethbridge Small Scale Exhibition
2024 Finalist, Brisbane Rotary Art Show
2024 Finalist, The Doyles
2024 Finalist, Petite Pieces Competition, Aspire Gallery
2023 Finalist, Bluethumb Art Prize
2023, Finalist, Foot Square Competition, Aspire Gallery
Showing all 3 artworks