About Tonilee

Have you ever heard the voice in your head that says, “I am not artistic, talented, or creative”? That voice plagued me for most of my life until I participated in the Landmark Education Wisdom Course. Here is the collage I created to unconceal and break up that disempowering conversation. What I realized was that, I was letting a voice in my head dictate my happiness and self-expression. The aha moment wasn’t sufficient to open up my creative expression. I found a group of artists involved in a grant project called, “Different Ways of Knowing” bringing arts to public education. It was a natural for me, as my life for 30 plus years was dedicated to public education. These amazing artists, from all disciplines, encouraged me to dip my toe into the creative waters and the medium that inspired me was oil pastels with watercolors. I love the feel of the oil pastels as they warm under the thumbs guidance. I love the surprises that come when watercolors are applied and bead-up over the oil pastels or sink into the paper revealing unplanned delights.

You will quickly see that I am not a classically trained artist. In fact, it has taken a leap of faith to declare that I am an artist. Trained or not, art and beauty have called to me for as long as I can remember. My pathway to artistic expression has been fulfilled over the years by creating a beautiful home and gardens, and nurturing wonderfully creative children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with my extraordinary  husband, Andy, in our big, beautiful, blended family. Local rocks, flagstone, flowers and the joy of arranging them was my artistic palette for many years. 

In 2005, I connected with and took a class from Master Rassouli. He truly unleashed my creative expression. Only now, being fully retired and immersed in the Fusionart Community, do I feel the flow of creative energy surging though my heart and soul every day. My hope is that you embrace your own creativity and share it. The world longs for the creativity, inspiration, and love that each of us brings to life.

Love, Tonilee