Visionary Art
Patchwork Earth - "Fascinating Sonya, I admire every single work of yours, you're a gifted artist, and your creations are very inspiring!"
The Narrow Gate Poster is AWESOME art, Sonya!!! : ) You go, girl!
The Narrow Gate Poster - Your work is amazing and I look forward to seeing more.
The Narrow Gate is absolutely beautiful. It is the modern day journey of the Sumarian Goddess, Inanna. So beautifully depicted and the story well told by you. I will purchase and hang in my office as I always was close to this journey.
What Meets The I - Clever stuff, love the shadows, great action pictures, congrats on your sale.
"Celestial River is my favourite of all Sonya's artwork!"
The Narrow Gate shows that everything you have acquired in life doesn't go with you to heaven so you don't need to hold on to it forever share your stuff now and watch people enjoy it or let people enjoy your stuff when you die.
Walking Coyote - Incredible ... Wonder if we did this painting to ourselves what our past life would look like. Thank you!
Celestial River - I really love that image. There's something I resonate with. Hmmmm. She bears an uncanny resemblance to someone I know. This artist, high in the mountains...
Prairie Ocean looks fabulous! I like the way the ocean and the prairie are combined. The wave coming out of the prairie really pulls them together in a dynamic way.
Prairie Ocean is breathtaking (breath-finding?) and transporting. I love it. It opens me out before I can register what I’m looking at.
Celestial River - "Love this one! But then again its hard to find a favorite amongst all your wonderful creations."
The Narrow Gate poster is beautiful, spiritual, and moving, and Sonya’s presentation is too. I am very happy to pledge and will look forward to my copy.
We have received The Narrow Gate (Scripture) and it looks even more amazing than we remember. As Melissa read the scripture, we had chills that ran down our spine and legs (Wow) 🙂 . The mounting kit provided is top notch. We are pleased and thankful for you Sonya !! Blessings.
"Patchwork Earth is a wonderful piece of artwork with so much meaning in your descriptions."
"Sonya Shannon's art is an awakener. When first I saw, “The Narrow Gate,” it was an immediate heart-opening that brought me to my knees. It created an awe—and is a visual representation of spiritual answers I’ve been seeking my whole life. It makes me drop all distractions and get on with the purpose of why I am here."
The Narrow Gate - "Creative, spiritual and very beautiful! The image is very nice but the description holds the key to understanding the symbolism. Excellent work!"
The Narrow Gate - "Oh, I really like not only your vision and message, but the execution. Very well done. Reminds me of the Parable of the Sower, wherein one of the things that takes away the gospel is the 'cares of the world.' In effect, 'baggage.'"
The Narrow Gate - "Very beautiful. If Heaven's gate is like this, I look forward to my next experience with a happy heart. Wonderful artwork :-)"
"The Simplicity card based on the artwork The Narrow Gate is truly impressive. Sonya, your vision and connection with Spirit is divine. Your ability to communicate such deep meaning through image and symbol is inspiring. Thank you!"
Infinite Bliss - "I read a book, 'Dying To Be Me,' where the author has a near death experience and describes how our souls are 'truly magnificent'. This pictures it."
"'Infinite Bliss' just simply delights me! I feel so intimately connected to the stars myself, and Sonya captures the essence of our universal being-ness so well, with such radiant joy! My first thought on seeing this delightful image was 'that's who I want to be when I grow up!' - dancing in the aliveness of this magical primordial universe..."
Infinite Bliss - Pure love and light! Amazing, I LOVE your description...
Infinite Bliss - This is quite spectacular!
Walking Coyote - WOW!! This took my breath away! This is amazing.
Sonya Shannon's Portfolio - Beautiful work.
Dream Journal - Very cool, love this! 🙂
"As an active and engaged dreamer myself, I love the way Sonya captures that ephemeral state of drawing the dream images forth from the waters of the unconscious, as the dreamer gazes more within than outwardly, and writes..."
Gorgeous image Sonya! Happy to feature Dream Journal in Visionary Art.
Celestial River - Hi Sonya You must be the master of the mythical realm. I absolutely love your work. I love what you bring forth from your protean imagination. Amazing gallery you have here. I would love to add your gorgeous work to my list of favorites.
"‘Prayer Therapy’ is stunning, and captures the numinous essence of true, heartfelt prayer so exquisitely. I love the vibrant and active luminosity of the heart light in attunement with the Divine. Sonya is so brilliantly skillful in her use of light, and this work really demonstrates that skill."
Burning Down the House - Fantastic...composition, colors, I love everything about this piece.
Burning Down the House - Love the way you tell a story with your art! Such an intriguing composition.
What's A Heaven For? - "Sonya again demonstrates her skill in capturing a powerful archetypal image through her art. I love the intense passion of this breaking loose from bondage into newly found liberation..."
I Surrender - Magnificent! ...Beautiful and very creative.
And The Stars Look Very Different Today - "Visionary starseed child! It is the wise young ones such as this that gives me my greatest hope for the future. May we all see what he sees... Beautifully done!"
What I Know Now - "Absolutely beautiful!"
Yin-Yang - Awesome work!
Artemis Parting the Veil - Love this girl, love the moon phases. The moon phases have a lot of meaning to me.
Who Looks Inside Awakes - Very nice concept!
Even The Stars They Burn - WOW!
Burning Down the House - BEAUTIFUL!!!!
"I love the Direction card, where it says, "Not deciding IS a decision..." Wonderful advice! Beautiful colors and movement."
"In the guide book for the Connection card, where it says, "Thank you for this love," what a statement! It is easy to forget the magic, but your painting brings it all back."
"The Purification card with the artwork And Everything Emptying Into White is a great example of learning the story of a painting to appreciate the imagery more. I am interested to learn a peacock's colors come from the toxic food it eats. What fabulous symbology!"
And Everything Emptying Into White - "One of my favorites of Sonya's wonderful visionary art! The beauty, love of Earth, power, and divine lessons merge into such grace... The peacock is such a powerful symbol for all those things blended and transmuted, and you created this representation to perfection."
Artemis Parting the Veil - "Incredible piece. Very powerful energy. I also love your Transformation cards."
Prairie Ocean - Beautiful description and wonderful painting to match! The waves are done perfectly!
Prairie Ocean is a visual reminder how drastic our environment has changed over time, ice age, ocean to desert...makes changes we go thru seem almost silly by comparison.
Perchance to Dream - What a strong image. Bravo!
Sonya Shannon's Portfolio - Your creative thought process and transforming it into an art form is fantastic, I admire your work.
"Patchwork Earth is a MASTERFUL piece of work! Congrats - I LOVE IT!!"
Prairie Ocean - I REALLY love this pic. Bringing together all the elements of the plains the mountains and the sea in way that is evocative is unimaginably difficult to me, but you managed to do it well.
Prairie Ocean - "This is beautiful!! I am captivated by it — can’t stop looking at it. The imagery of the ebb and flow of pairie and ocean is such a sensual capturing of the rhythms of our bodies, and I am moved by the one short, but growing tree (of life?). Also love the colors — so peaceful. I think of them as healthy human-tones (pale unblemished skin, bright clear eyes, pure natural hair colors – baby blond & gracefully gray)."
The Divine Rite of Artemis - The colors are just perfect, I love her gaze and the power and energy she embodies.
Artemis Parting The Veil is one of my favorites - I love what the parted veil reveals, and the mystical appearance of the goddess. This is on my wishlist!
The Divine Rite of Artemis - I love this!!!
The Narrow Gate This is my favorite piece.. I love the way she becomes gradually unburdened. You did an excellent job of depicting that. Thanks for the inspiration.
The Narrow Gate - Beautiful! No matter what beliefs or religion you follow, this picture really speaks to humanity ever striving for evolution and higher consciousness.
Celestial River is simply divine. Beautiful representation of the forces of creativity and the universe and the feminine working together.
"Celestial River is a beautiful vision of mother earth in the making, stirred by wisdom and love, a creation of the souls journey. I feel hopeful and protected by the star dust and swirl in this spiritually driven dream. Thank you to Sonya for this healing inspired work."
Celestial River - This is great!! Wonderful work!
I've been enjoying your art this evening. This painting of yours Prayer Therapy makes visible the invisible, which is great fun. I think spirituality is fun, meaningful fun.
I LOVE Prayer Therapy! It radiates light and beauty, hope and peace so profoundly.
Prayer Therapy - So complete ... Lovely.
What's a Heaven For? - What a great image!
"Dear Sonya, It's such a wonderful page and your artwork is amazing!! Truly magnificent!!"
Wherever I Go, There I Am! - Wonderful whimsical image! Your artwork is fantastic!
"Meaningful art in the Resolution card. Beautiful expression in words and in the painting. My goodness you are talented!"
Cross the Difficult Ocean - Incredible work, I love it, interesting notes.
Dream Journal - Very nice artwork, well done!
The Narrow Gate poster is a beautiful heartfelt message, would expect nothing less from the likes of YOU, Sonya Shannon!
"Great job on the Narrow Gate poster. It is interesting in the timing and meaning of the poster, since it is the message I've been passing on so often in my readings and personal healing sessions!"
The Narrow Gate poster is really so beautiful. i also loved the video you made.
Your work on The Narrow Gate poster is beautiful. Best to you in the distribution of this gorgeous vibration and art!
I'm Super Excited to receive my laminated poster of The Narrow Gate!
"Sat Nam Sonya, what an amazing project, and I love the Narrow Gate image and your personal connection to the model and ceramic urn-powerful!"
The Narrow Gate - Very nice image.
The Narrow Gate poster is a very beautiful image and project. I wish for you success and happiness.
The Narrow Gate - Wonderful artwork!
The Narrow Gate is a lovely poster, and means a lot to me, as I have begun a self-created release program a few weeks ago, so I really love the idea to mass produce it.
"I think the Narrow Gate poster is a great idea - no one needs baggage - wishing you much good luck with this positive campaign."
"I think your work is stunning."
Who Looks Inside Awakes - Wonderful digital artwork! Love your description, too!
Who Looks Inside Awakes - "beautiful awakening!:-)"
Who Looks Inside Awakes - Very nice concept!
"My wife and I met you at the Holistic Fair Sunday. We are thankful for your creative Gift of visionary art. We have already decided where to hang the "Narrow Gate" as a daily reminder of what life is really about and the importance of fitting into the narrow gate at all costs.
We had such a good time at the event....Sooo much fun !!"
We had such a good time at the event....Sooo much fun !!"
Who Looks Inside Awakes - Bravo Sonya! Your artwork is featured in Women Who Run With the Wolves.
Transformation Oracle
"I love the Direction card, where it says, "Not deciding IS a decision..." Wonderful advice! Beautiful colors and movement."
"I gave my daughter a set of Transformation cards during a recent visit. She did her past, present, future reading, and she was amazed at how right on they were at this stage in her life. Thank you for doing this. You are truly a goddess with an amazing gift for helping so many people!"
"The Transformation Oracle is the most beautiful, intriguing and inspiring source of support and guidance for anyone's journey. I felt the magic and mystic power the minute I opened the box! I love that the spreads and perspectives to ponder are endless. It's a lifetime of love and loveliness for my soul!"
"In the guide book for the Connection card, where it says, "Thank you for this love," what a statement! It is easy to forget the magic, but your painting brings it all back."
"I was introduced to the Transformation Oracle by Certified reader Jeanette Peasley and fell in love with the artwork! When I attended the weekend workshop I was amazed at how the connection and interaction was with God, myself and the Transformation Oracle. I felt like had come home, that this was a big part of who I am but was never allowed to be myself. I felt alive and awake! Transformation is what I have been experiencing since that weekend and it’s gets better and better everyday! I encourage you who are reading this to try a reading, a class or just look through the artwork and see how the Transformation Oracle speaks to you!"
"For what I need to Transform in my life during the coming months I used the Transformation Oracle and got the Temptation card, which addressed my question perfectly. I DO have the tendency to just jump into things with both feet, and I DO have the tendency to place a lot more faith and trust in others than I do in myself. In any case, this card was pretty eye-opening as an answer to my question, and definitely right on."
"I choose a Transformation Oracle card every morning as I sit down to breakfast and I'm constantly amazed at how appropriate the message is! Love them!"
"The Purification card with the artwork And Everything Emptying Into White is a great example of learning the story of a painting to appreciate the imagery more. I am interested to learn a peacock's colors come from the toxic food it eats. What fabulous symbology!"
"Your cards are a huge source of support and guidance. Thank you - I truly feel the Universe had my need in mind—along with many others—when it led you to create your beautiful artwork and Transformation Cards."
"Of the three Transformation Oracle sets I got, one I gave away, one I kept and now a friend who specializes in Therapeutic Touch wants to buy the third one to use with her patients!"
"The neat thing about the Transformation Oracle is that it's not just another deck of cards. The artwork is amazing, yes, but this deck shows people that are average, that you can imagine yourself in their situation, not like Tarot Cards and their strange deities that I can't relate to."
"Meaningful art in the Resolution card. Beautiful expression in words and in the painting. My goodness you are talented!"
"I found peace this morning with Sonya Shannon's Transformation Oracle deck and was presented with a 'present' of Ascent. What a wonderful spiritual gift these messages are. Thank you Sonya! I am grounded again this morning, looking only toward the light and positive and am ready to fly!"
"I had been looking for a Tarot deck, but none called me like yours did. Your Oracle cards have positive energy and are a work of God who has chosen you to deliver this inspiring message. I am amazed feeling how your art just flows. It captures Life! There is a story behind each picture, inspiring, warm, touching, and beautiful."
"The Transformation Oracle Deck speaks to me through the amazing art and images created by Sonya Shannon. Using this deck for my client readings, I am able to cut through to the heart of the message/answers they are seeking. This deck confirms what they already know, but may not be ready to accept or trust their own judgement. It hits the nail on the head every time!"
"As a Native American, Anishinaabeg, the use of the four elements: Fire, Earth, Water and Air correlates to my own sense of spirituality, especially the Medicine Wheel. It is a deck that speaks the truth to me. It is a barometer of your own spiritual growth, gently moving you to new heights and brighter lights. I am shown where I am not in balance on my own spiritual journey, and the deck shows me, very clearly what my clients need to know. It is very empowering for both the reader and the client!"
"It is very clear to me the Transformation Oracle deck was channeled and created with great Love and Care. My readings for clients reflect that love. It is a positive, loving message to all who take the time to look and listen. There is no doom and gloom, no matter what layout I use. Even the reversed cards merely show our challenges or areas we need to grow or bring into balance. It is the perfect tool to use in your spiritual journey."
"The Transformation Oracle Deck is truly captivating and grabs at the very essence of our life experiences. Allowing yourself to go deeper within the deck will truly help you take your readings to the next level! Sonya takes you on an intimate journey within each card and shares some of her priceless channeled experiences. She teaches you invaluable skills to see each card in it's true form and gives you personal insight to help you on your spiritual path. Be ready to be transformed in your own life as well! Don't wait another day to expand your vision, be enlightened, and have a Master Healer & Artist at your fingertips."
"The Transformation Oracle has helped me tremendously to connect to myself, to trust my inner wisdom and to be a conscious creator of my life."
"Using the Transformation Oracle is a process of growing and transforming similar to metamorphosis (butterfly) and each card holds an intuitive meaning for the seeker to discover the challenges, opportunities, changes with spiritual insight and joy."
"I met you today at the Athena Fair. I bought the last Transformation Oracle deck. I just had to write to you and tell you how amazing this deck is. I cannot believe the power it has. I just really wanted to thank you. I was wrestling with something and the card I drew tonight gave me the exact answer I needed.
You're such a gift to this world. I'm so grateful we crossed paths today. Brightest blessings to you in the future."
You're such a gift to this world. I'm so grateful we crossed paths today. Brightest blessings to you in the future."
"I realized during the Transformation Oracle Workshops that the breadth and depth of the symbolism used in creating each and every card is amazing. Each time I looked at a card, something new would jump out to me. The sacred geometry, the role the I Ching played, the use of elements, the Light and models all interact to give me, as a reader, a full and complete message for my clients. I can’t imagine ever using another deck…"
Transformation Oracle Certification Workshops
"I just felt like Sonya was a channel for the energy imbued in the cards."
"I was introduced to the Transformation Oracle by Certified reader Jeanette Peasley and fell in love with the artwork! When I attended the weekend workshop I was amazed at how the connection and interaction was with God, myself and the Transformation Oracle. I felt like had come home, that this was a big part of who I am but was never allowed to be myself. I felt alive and awake! Transformation is what I have been experiencing since that weekend and it’s gets better and better everyday! I encourage you who are reading this to try a reading, a class or just look through the artwork and see how the Transformation Oracle speaks to you!"
"It was such an honor and blessing to participate in this course! I learned so much about myself and about this beautiful transformative oracle deck! I look forward to finding out all the stories that will be touched by this gift of divine wisdom! Thank you Universe /GOD for always providing a multitude of love and giving us such a variety of tools for understanding and communication to assist ourselves as well as others on this journey of life! Thank you Sonya Shannon for being willing to be the gift you are and for sharing your talents, wisdom, insight, and heart with us through your connections! Thank you fellow classmates for such an amazing experience. I appreciate the gift that each of you are!"
"Sonya really helped us understand how the cards speak to us individually and collectively."
"I got more out of one of Sonya's 3 hour-workshops than I did with the whole Angel Card Practitioner series."
"Sonya is an inspiring, patient and articulate teacher: a beautiful, gentle and kind-spirited instructor. I am grateful for Sonya's enthusiasm, direction and inspiration."
"There are few teachers that you remember in your lifetime, but Sonya is one of them. She gave me the foundation I needed to step outside my comfort zone. Today, I pattern my style on what Sonya taught me."
"Sonya is extremely gifted at drawing out the best in people and helping them come to awareness of their potential. I feel that I have benefited from every stage of the process—from defining my goals and acknowledging the tools I have, to meditating deeply into acceptance."
"I am proud of myself for working to obtain the title of Certified Transformation Oracle Reader. I took the Certification Course to learn all I could. I learned a lot more than I ever expected to about such an inspirational deck. The lectures were invaluable and always too short for my taste. I just wanted to learn all I could, as fast as I could. Documenting my readings using the different layouts proved to be even more interesting. I could see how quickly I was learning to use the images and their placement in a layout. It is a very short learning curve, unlike my previous experience with Tarot cards!"
"Being a Certified Transformation Oracle Reader means I am able to reassure my clients I know what I am doing! It is my goal to give valuable and accurate for my clients. I am now confident I can empower them in their Spiritual Journey!"
"I realized during the Transformation Oracle Workshops that the breadth and depth of the symbolism used in creating each and every card is amazing. Each time I looked at a card, something new would jump out to me. The sacred geometry, the role the I Ching played, the use of elements, the Light and models all interact to give me, as a reader, a full and complete message for my clients. I can’t imagine ever using another deck…"
"During the Transformation Oracle Certification Workshops, time was suspended and the wealth of information poured flawlessly. We were encouraged to ask questions and interact by reading cards with a partner. And, we changed partners, so we could interact and learn, with and from, each other—an irreplaceable experience!"
"The workshops were packed full of information, beautifully presented, and encouraged interaction. Hearing a variety of perspectives and interpretations from all the participants allowed me to expand my understanding of both the cards and the layouts."
"I went into Sonya's Transformation Oracle workshop as a total beginner. I was a little apprehensive about walking through the door, yet the cards and the class kept calling to me! I'm so glad I went. Sonya conveyed the information needed to get started beautifully, and I left feeling empowered that not only did I have a good feel for what I was doing, but that my gut instincts could be trusted as well. Thank you!"
I have attended three of your Oracle classes and it was such a pleasure. I was immediately drawn to your cards because of the Native Americans and the animals used in your paintings. You bring such a loving and peaceful presence to the class. There is so much to learn and receive from spirit and your guidance brings it all to the reader. Thank you for sharing your work with all of us.
"The Transformation Oracle Deck is truly captivating and grabs at the very essence of our life experiences. Allowing yourself to go deeper within the deck will truly help you take your readings to the next level! Sonya takes you on an intimate journey within each card and shares some of her priceless channeled experiences. She teaches you invaluable skills to see each card in it's true form and gives you personal insight to help you on your spiritual path. Be ready to be transformed in your own life as well! Don't wait another day to expand your vision, be enlightened, and have a Master Healer & Artist at your fingertips."
"A lot of classes have come my way and each time I’m ready to pay for a class, I changed my mind (it didn’t FEEL right). However, there was no hesitation for your class. The moment I walked into the classroom, I felt that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Your energy, soul and precise information was a breath of fresh air. I learned so much from you and the others in the class. My journey of awakening has been quite incredible! Everyday, spirit is helping me stay on my path to heal and help others."
"Thank you Sonya Shannon for a fantastic workshop, I loved every minute of it. I am looking forward to applying what I have learned to bring awareness and love to people who are seeking answers. Your Transformation Oracle cards are an answer to prayer to heal and seek wisdom for those looking for the truth. Thank you to each class member, your energy and love came as a blessing and I am grateful for the experience and opportunity to meet you."
"I have to agree with Sandy, an angel on earth seems pretty close to the truth. Thank you so much for a wonderful set of workshops Sonya! I loved how you integrated spirit working through you, the knowledge you shared and your amazing artwork into an intuitive and logically presented workshop. Working on that first assignment now..."
"Sonya really helped us understand how the cards speak to us individually and collectively."
"I got more out of one of Sonya's 3 hour-workshops than I did with the whole Angel Card Practitioner series."
"There are few teachers that you remember in your lifetime, but Sonya is one of them. She gave me the foundation I needed to step outside my comfort zone. Today, I pattern my style on what Sonya taught me."
"Sonya is extremely gifted at drawing out the best in people and helping them come to awareness of their potential. I feel that I have benefited from every stage of the process—from defining my goals and acknowledging the tools I have, to meditating deeply into acceptance."
"I am proud of myself for working to obtain the title of Certified Transformation Oracle Reader. I took the Certification Course to learn all I could. I learned a lot more than I ever expected to about such an inspirational deck. The lectures were invaluable and always too short for my taste. I just wanted to learn all I could, as fast as I could. Documenting my readings using the different layouts proved to be even more interesting. I could see how quickly I was learning to use the images and their placement in a layout. It is a very short learning curve, unlike my previous experience with Tarot cards!"
"The workshops were packed full of information, beautifully presented, and encouraged interaction. Hearing a variety of perspectives and interpretations from all the participants allowed me to expand my understanding of both the cards and the layouts."
"I went into Sonya's Transformation Oracle workshop as a total beginner. I was a little apprehensive about walking through the door, yet the cards and the class kept calling to me! I'm so glad I went. Sonya conveyed the information needed to get started beautifully, and I left feeling empowered that not only did I have a good feel for what I was doing, but that my gut instincts could be trusted as well. Thank you!"
"I have attended three of your Oracle classes and it was such a pleasure. I was immediately drawn to your cards because of the Native Americans and the animals used in your paintings. You bring such a loving and peaceful presence to the class. There is so much to learn and receive from spirit and your guidance brings it all to the reader. Thank you for sharing your work with all of us."
"A lot of classes have come my way and each time I’m ready to pay for a class, I changed my mind (it didn’t FEEL right). However, there was no hesitation for your class. The moment I walked into the classroom, I felt that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Your energy, soul and precise information was a breath of fresh air. I learned so much from you and the others in the class. My journey of awakening has been quite incredible! Everyday, spirit is helping me stay on my path to heal and help others."
"Thank you Sonya Shannon for a fantastic workshop, I loved every minute of it. I am looking forward to applying what I have learned to bring awareness and love to people who are seeking answers. Your Transformation Oracle cards are an answer to prayer to heal and seek wisdom for those looking for the truth. Thank you to each class member, your energy and love came as a blessing and I am grateful for the experience and opportunity to meet you."
Teaching
"I was introduced to the Transformation Oracle by Certified reader Jeanette Peasley and fell in love with the artwork! When I attended the weekend workshop I was amazed at how the connection and interaction was with God, myself and the Transformation Oracle. I felt like had come home, that this was a big part of who I am but was never allowed to be myself. I felt alive and awake! Transformation is what I have been experiencing since that weekend and it’s gets better and better everyday! I encourage you who are reading this to try a reading, a class or just look through the artwork and see how the Transformation Oracle speaks to you!"
Sonya and I both taught at Pratt Institute when my department (then called "Dept. of Computer Graphics") was first founded. Sonya is a very sensitive and dedicated teacher who is extremely committed to her work.
There are few teachers that you remember in your lifetime, but Sonya is one of them. I've had the pleasure of being her student and working with her at School of Visual Arts. She was the one person I could confide in about my career transition in grad school. Her encouragement and understanding helped me complete my degree on time. She gave me the foundation I needed to step outside my comfort zone. Today, I try to pattern my teaching style on what Sonya taught me.
Sonya was my MFA advisor at School of Visual Arts in NYC. I consider myself very lucky to have had such a knowledgeable and caring professor. Sonya not only listened to my vision, she steered me to appropriate reading materials for both my ideas and to enrich my background in animation. She was a completely involved teacher, who cared more about my understanding of ideas and from past animation history and movie makers who tell stories than mere techniques that usually are learned on the job. Thank you Sonya!
Sonya took out the ‘Terror’ that came with adapting to the new world of computers and its challenges. I am an artist. Sonya’s sensitivity for my specific needs to learn Adobe Photoshop and InDesign was a real advantage. One of her most outstanding assets is her willingness to adapt how she approaches tutoring each person individually. Sonya worked both with my husband and myself, and her instruction allowed for our two different styles of learning.
Sonya is a great artist, animator and leader. She is responsible for my success in animation and directed my portfolio to Disney Feature Animation. A delight to work with, she is a fantastic creative collaborator and artist! I would not be where I am without her guidance, friendship and inspiration. I cannot recommend her highly enough!
Sonya was one of my key instructors & mentors who prepared me for the Digital Age and was an inspiration to my career. A key leader in the digital field with commercial & feature film experience since the earliest times, Sonya has skills and foresight in the future of education, technology, and digital art. Sometimes she knows more about the students then they know themselves. Her perceptive insight is rare and most helpful to me.
Sonya helped me define the creative focus of my MFA thesis project at School of Visual Arts. My background and thesis was in software development and Sonya and I worked together to demonstrate the results in an animated short. Sonya was inspirational and easy to work with and I was very happy with the final results of our collaboration!
Sonya is an inspiring, patient and articulate teacher: a beautiful, gentle and kind-spirited instructor. She encouraged me to look into a program called Photoshop-to be released in the Fall of 1988. She touted the beauty of scanning in images, creating layers and playing around w/ varied opacities, toning, etc. I gave it a whirl and to this day, I still feel like a kid in a candy shop when exploring Photoshop. I am grateful for Sonya's enthusiasm, direction and inspiration.
I can't draw, so I never considered using storyboards as a tool to win proposals on video projects. But after Sonya's presentation on storyboards I saw how powerful they can be. I decided to hire an artist to design some storyboards for a big project I was trying to get. The client lives in Finland and we got the job! I believe that showing the client visuals of what I had in mind absolutely helped me land the job. Thanks for the lesson, Sonya!
I started teaching as an adjunct at School of Visual Arts when Sonya was Faculty Advisor. She got me started on my college teaching career, hiring me based on my professional experience. Since then I have taught as an adjunct elsewhere and was eventually hired as a full time professor. Of all the many faculty I have worked with, Sonya stands out for her kindness, collaborative spirit, and true appreciation and respect for artists, art faculty and students.
Sonya is always a joy to talk to and learn from. As a greeter for the Colorado Professional Videographers Association (COPVA), it was always nice to be welcomed by her smile. She also did a speech on storyboarding that was very informative and very professional. I learned a lot listening to her. Her smile and charm always makes my day when I see her. Anyone that would hire her to do a project would be getting a Gem.
The Voyage to Excellence Workshop boosted my energy and optimism about pursuing my artistic dreams. Sonya is extremely gifted at drawing out the best in people and helping them come to awareness of their potential. I feel that I have benefited from every stage of the process—from defining my goals and acknowledging the tools I have to realize that dream, to meditating deeply into acceptance of where I am now. Sonya's insight, wisdom and experience helped light a path for me when I felt lost in the darkness of uncertainty. I am so grateful for this workshop and for Sonya!
"I gained awareness, openness, deep compassion, connection, hope, love, truth and humility from this workshop. It was beautifully created and organized, balanced and well coordinated, calming and invigorating. I recommend this class for anyone seeking deeper meaning in life, or looking for a variety of meditation techniques and depth of experiences."
"The music in our workshop was wonderful...very relaxing. I enjoyed the personal stories that Sonya shared. So grateful to have the notebook of course information. Helpful to revisit the notes to refresh our memory of the class. Loved this workshop - everyone would benefit from taking it."
"My breathing is really expanding. I feel like my lungs have opened more. I think you have done such a good job with the meditation workshop! I like the chanting, breathing, and exercising all together. I love this class!"
"The 'Listening' workshop brought me many transformations and calm in the midst of the storm. Loved the music and the instructor. A perfect balance of practice and theory. The whole community could benefit from this class. It's time to share the knowledge and heal."
"I gained a ton of knowledge in this workshop. I loved being shown each meditation. I feel more empowered. I feel more clear. I feel thankful! I feel expanded. Everything was excellent!"
"I liked that everything was very practical. There were things to do. It felt like a field trip. I loved that the music playlist was included! Very well organized. I liked the practical angle and think anyone would benefit from taking this class."
"I LOVED it! All...was OVER THE TOP! I would return again. Every moment as I listened to Sonya's instruction including the guided meditations, I can only equate to the sound of a sweet violin."
"The teaching on the Ten Bodies was very beneficial and opened up awareness of an issue I have dealt with for a long time. God gave me a revelation and through Sonya's teaching, a way to begin to heal and transform. I though the entire presentation was done very well. It walked us through teaching we had never heard and was very helpful. The book, music, and activities were put together to be easily understood, and Sonya did an amazing job of presenting it all in love with a sweet and joyful spirit."
"I felt such a powerful feeling connection to myself and my Higher Power (GOD). The 'Listening' workshop gave me a better understanding of meditation and the different techniques of breath work, mudras, postures and eye focus. I really enjoyed how you explained the whole process of meditation. It opened my heart, mind, and soul. The music and incense prepared me for the journey. I recommend this workshop to everyone. I think the benefits would help everyone. Sonya's teaching brought me closer to my inner self."