Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Toni Toney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Toni, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my recent solo show concept, Life Behind the Fence: Echoes of Incarceration. This project has deep roots in my personal journey as an artist and in the stories that often go untold in society.

I began seriously painting for myself in 2018, reclaiming my identity as an artist after being told as a child that art wasn’t my gift. The theme of Life Behind the Fence emerged from my reflections on justice, confinement, and resilience. The show is envisioned to explore the emotional and social impact of incarceration, offering a platform to amplify voices that are often silenced.

What makes it especially meaningful is that it represents not just a culmination of my growth as an artist but also my desire to connect my work with broader conversations around humanity and justice. The Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama was the perfect venue for this show because it aligns with its mission of preserving stories of resistance and change. I hope this project inspires dialogue, empathy, and action amongst all that were able to view the exhibition.

The project is deeply personal and ambitious, symbolizing my evolution as someone who now confidently calls herself an artist and uses her work to tell powerful stories.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a painter, art educator, wife, and mother, and my journey into the art world has been both unconventional and deeply personal. Although I loved art as a child, I was told it wasn’t my gift, which pushed me away from pursuing it for a long time. It wasn’t until 2018, when I began creating art for myself, that I rediscovered my passion and realized that art was an integral part of who I am.

My work focuses on telling stories that are often overlooked, and I aim to create art that connects people to emotions and experiences they may not have encountered before. I’m particularly drawn to themes of resilience, identity, and social justice. For instance, my dream project, Life Behind the Fence: Echoes of Incarceration, aims to shed light on the emotional and societal impacts of incarceration—a subject that deeply resonates with me and reflects my commitment to meaningful storytelling through art.

In addition to painting, I teach art full-time to adjudicated young men in Alabama which allows me to nurture their creativity and offer an outlet in expressing their emotions. Being a witness to their creative journey is more rewarding than I ever imagined.

What sets me apart is the way my art weaves personal experiences with larger cultural and social narratives. My journey into art wasn’t linear, and I think that gives me a unique perspective. I know what it feels like to doubt yourself and to question whether your work has value, and now, as an emerging artist, I embrace my ability to create work that sparks dialogue and invites reflection.

What I’m most proud of is having the courage to reclaim my identity as an artist. I’ve been able to show my work at museums in several states and recently was invited to contribute to a book as an emerging artist. In addition to those things, I continue to explore new ways to share my work with the world. For anyone learning about me for the first time, I want them to know that my art comes from a place of authenticity, and my ultimate goal is to inspire others to see themselves and the world differently through the stories I tell.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to tell stories that resonate deeply with others—stories that might otherwise go unheard. Art is such a powerful medium for connection, and there’s nothing quite like seeing someone engage with my work, whether it moves them emotionally, challenges their perspective, or simply sparks a conversation they hadn’t had before.

Another deeply fulfilling aspect is reclaiming my identity as an artist after years of doubting myself. Every time I create, I feel like I’m stepping closer to my most authentic self. The act of painting allows me to process my own experiences while contributing something meaningful to the world.

As an art teacher, it’s also incredibly rewarding to inspire creativity in my students and help them see the potential in themselves. Witnessing their growth reminds me of the importance of nurturing artistic expression, no matter the stage of life or career.

Ultimately, what makes being an artist so gratifying is the opportunity to leave a mark—whether through a painting, a conversation, or a moment of reflection someone experiences when encountering my work. It’s knowing that my art can be a bridge for understanding, empathy, and inspiration.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is that art wasn’t my gift. Growing up, I loved creating and expressing myself through art, but I was told by someone I trusted that it wasn’t something I was particularly good at. That message stayed with me for years, leading me to believe I wasn’t meant to be an artist. It shaped how I saw myself and even influenced my career choices—I became an art teacher, which allowed me to stay connected to art without fully claiming it as my own.

The turning point came in 2018 when I started painting for myself again. At first, it was just a way to explore and process my own thoughts and emotions, but as I spent more time creating, I realized how much I had missed it and how deeply it was tied to my identity. Slowly, I began to unlearn the belief that I wasn’t “good enough” and started trusting my voice as an artist.

This unlearning wasn’t easy. It required me to let go of the fear of judgment and redefine what it means to be an artist. I had to embrace the idea that art doesn’t have to fit into someone else’s definition to be meaningful or valuable.

Now, I see art as my gift—not because someone told me so, but because I claimed it for myself. This shift has allowed me to take bold steps, like selling my work, contributing to a book, and dreaming of my solo show. The lesson I unlearned taught me that no one gets to define your worth or your gifts except you, and that’s a message I hope to pass on to others through my art and my teaching.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Toni.Toney

Image Credits

Photos courtesy of the artist