019: Tonya Dee McDaniel
A born and raised Guamanian, Tonya Dee McDaniel is an interdisciplinary artist whose creative journey encompasses various mediums, including printmaking, collage, ink, watercolor, and charcoal.
My Eyes Are Up Here (Eyes Series 2)
2020. Digitized Handmade Collage. 4018 × 5349 pixels.
Tonya Dee McDaniels
For Tonya, defining art is a complex task, as it encompasses multiple interpretations and purposes. As a Micronesian Pacific Islander, she reflects on how her cultural background influences her art, though she remains open to its subtle impacts. While art serves as a means of self-expression and communication, she says that it can also take on elitist, commercial, or political dimensions. Despite this complexity, she views art as a transcendent experience, offering individuals a glimpse beyond what she calls their “mortal coil.”
Flower Power 10
2022. Gouache and ink.
Tonya Dee McDaniel
Initially drawn to collage for its natural affinity with surrealism and printmaking for its graphical appeal, Tonya's artistic exploration has led her to experiment with a range of mediums. Incorporating bold patterns, colors, and floral motifs into her art, her process begins with conceptualization, research, and composition exploration. She views art creation akin to crafting an argument, with stages of ideation, material gathering, and refinement. Tonya draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists, including Wallace Polsom, Andy Warhol, and Salvador Dali, among others.
Slumber Party (Red and Pineapple)
2021. Linocut Relief Handpressed Print. 12x12 inches.
Tonya Dee McDaniel
Despite grappling with challenges like finding inspiration and reckoning with art's environmental impact, Tonya acknowledges the role of artists as storytellers and cultural perpetuators in society. She believes artists possess inherent ego or strife, driving their creative endeavors. Reflecting on her artistic evolution, her work has matured over time, with refined skills and a deeper exploration of themes. Her pursuit of art stems from a childhood aspiration, evolving into a passion for making art accessible and meaningful.
"The Two Lovers (In Red)" Guam Legend Series
2023. Linocut Relief Handpressed Print.
Tonya Dee McDaniel
I'd Rather Be Alone
2019. Digitized Handmade Collage. 3714 × 5778 pixels.
Tonya Dee McDaniel
Describe what you do.
I make art sometimes. My main mediums are printmaking, collage and ink, but I also dabble in watercolor and charcoal.
How would you define art?
That's a tough question because art is many things and I don't know how to express it in words. It depends on how you look at art and its purpose. Art can be self-expression, a tool to communicate when words are inadequate. Art can be elitist. Art can be made purely for commercial purposes or for political propaganda. And some people rebel by making art without meaning or art that disturbs.
But I think everyone is drawn towards art, in all its forms, because it is the closest people can come to transcending their mortal coil and engage in something that is simultaneously an integral part of and beyond themselves.
Why did you choose your art form?
I was drawn towards collage because the medium naturally lends itself to surrealism. And I enjoy the graphical look of printmaking; it's easy to make something look interesting when you make it into a colorful block print.
How has your ethnicity/race affected the type of art you make?
I'm not entirely sure if my ethnicity or race has affected the type of art I make, but I wouldn't say for certain that my ethnicity or race doesn't have an effect on my art.
How did you get into art?
I started drawing as soon as I could grasp pencil. And I used up all the lined paper I was given for school on doodling compulsively instead. My family noticed, and thankfully, they encouraged me to cultivate that interest and skill as I grew up.
Who do you idolize?
I try not to idolize anyone. I agree with the expression "Never meet your heroes."
Where do you get your inspiration?
While I don't 'idolize' them, I do find much inspiration from a variety of artists. Wallace Polsom, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, AM DeBrincat, Christa Carleton, Jhonen Vasquez, Shintaro Kago, Robyn Redish, Martha Haversham, Bao Pham, Jamie Hewlett, Tim Burton,... just to name a few.
What do you do when you're stuck on an artwork or lacking motivation or inspiration?
Take a break and find some inspiration! My art blocks can last a long time, but sometimes inspiration or motivation comes unexpectedly.
What do you like incorporating most into your art?
Flowers!
What is something that you add to your art as like your signature?
I wouldn't describe it as "my signature," but I noticed that I like to incorporate at least one of the three in every one of my artworks: bold patterns or lines, bold colors, or floral motifs.
Take us through your process for making art.
It either starts with a vague concept or feeling I want to express, or with an image that I feel inspired to take apart and re-contextualize. I go through the process like I would if I were writing an essay.
There is the initial ideation phase. If the piece has some meaning, some "point" behind it, I develop that point as I would an argument or thesis statement.
Next is the gathering of materials and researching. Sometimes this stage is just cutting up and saving images I think I would want to use. And sometimes I am scouring the internet, books and other resources for information about my chosen subject.
I make drafts and explore different composition styles. At this stage, I might ask someone their opinion on how I might improve the working draft.
Once I've decided on the composition, I do the gluing, painting, carving, whatever that the medium requires. After that, I can make additional refinements, or "edits," as I see fit to finalize my work.
What do you struggle with the most when making art?
Oh, too many things, but the things I struggle the most with: Finding inspiration and motivation to make art. Engaging with my art through different lenses and justifying why it exists. Reckoning with art's impact on the environment and finding ways to make my work more sustainable.
What role do artists have in society?
Artists, if they are not recluses, are storytellers and perpetuators of culture. They can promote the ideals that a society espouses or criticize the status quo.
What characteristics do you think all artists share?
Maybe this is pessimistic, but I do think being an artist requires that one have some ego or a good deal of strife in their life.
What’s your favorite place in Guam?
I like the University of Guam campus. The facilities aren't the best, but the view of the ocean along the cliff is incredible and I'm quite sentimental as I practically grew up on the campus.
How has your artwork evolved over time?
I want to say that my art has "matured" over time, or at least I hope it has. Certainly, some of my skills are more refined.
Why did you choose to become an artist?
I pursued art for my younger self that had always answered the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" with "An artist." Of course, I didn't know what 'being an artist' entailed back then.
Is your art geared towards a specific audience?
Not necessarily. When I'm not doing a commission or making something to sell, I like to make art that appeals to my own tastes. I don't have an specific audience in mind.
This makes it more interesting when I do hear other people's interpretation of my art, because I don't anticipate how any given viewer will engage with the ideas my art presents to them,
Do you have any tips for aspiring artists?
Define what 'being an artist' means to you. My goal while pursuing art was to be recognized as and called an 'artist' by established artists. I've accomplished that goal in some respects, but it is a shallow goal. My passion now is to study art and make art more accessible. As I mentioned before, art can be many different things and every aspiring artist must find their own purpose for making the art they do.
