Process , Development, and Creative Expression
Photo by Jim Flannagan, 1975
Bessie Smith, painting and monoprint ca. 1980
An artist’s process can take many forms and change over time. Toni ventured into an array of mediums, techniques, and expression. Her inspiration came from many places, including her dreams, historical figures, literature, design elements, and the natural world. Early on, she explored fine art and was enthralled with the Western masters and their painting techniques, but she was also heavily influenced by muralists such as Diego Rivera. Later, she ventured into photography, various types of printmaking, illustration, and commercial art.
Her art is filled with elements of myth, history, and reexamined narratives. She heavily researched concepts, questioned Western belief systems, and explored cultural themes within the United States.
Paintings often resulted from months of research, journaling, concept sketches, studies of form and line, and even exploration of monoprints and etchings. Sometimes, Toni revisited concepts and reinterpreted her work to dig deeper into concepts and messages. This page shows her process.
Come By Here, ca. 1980
This piece was inspired by an African American spiritual and simultaneously depicts a contemporary version of the “Black Madonna.” Toni worked with monoprint techniques and etchings to explore image and form.
Harvest, Fall Equinox, 2005
This work of art pays respect to the Native peoples of the Americas and how the food crops of the Western hemisphere feed the world. Here, we see a concept drawing along with the final painting. Not only did Toni explore concepts visually, but many of her paintings were accompanied by original poems and write-ups to explain her vision further.
“Harvest”
Fall Equinox
Corn to the Americas is a sacred staple,
Native farmers cultivated over 500 varieties before 1492.
Tomatoes, beans, potatoes,
Chocolate, chili, squash, peppers
Avocado, vanilla, cashews, blueberries..
Are just a few foods from indigenous gardens.
Foods of the Americas feed the world.
Toni Truesdale, 2005