Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli, 1486 Uffizi Gallery Florence, Italy Liberty of Poetry by Pio Fedi, 1870 Santa Croce Florence, Italy Atop playwright Giovanni Battista Niccolini’s tomb in the basilica of Santa Croce is a statue remarkably similar to New York’s Statue of Liberty. Both depict a woman in neoclassical robes with a crown of […]
A friend recently asked me to post a black and white photo for seven days on social media. A few of the photos here were contenders, but didn’t make the final cut. Anyway, since I took the time to participate, I thought I would share my collection plus a few extras here as well.
I love farm animals. So, you won’t be surprised to learn that I also appreciate artwork that features these sweet creatures. Over the years, I’ve collected a number of beautiful, whimsical, and funky pieces from local artists. These lovely works of art never fail to bring cheer and a smile every time I see them. I hope they’ll make you […]
A special thank you to my mother-in-law, Lynn Burke for sharing Louise Pentz’s art and inspiring journey. This short film tells the story of Louise Pentz’s evolution as an artist. Thirty years ago, she began making functional pottery, such as teacups and dishes, but eventually lost her passion for it. Then, one day, she decided to look up the […]
“The arts and humanities define who we are as a people. That is their power—to remind us of what we each have to offer, and what we all have in common. To help us understand our history and imagine our future. To give us hope in the moments of struggle and to bring us together when nothing else will.” ~Former […]
“Vintage Watering Can,” 18 x 18 acrylic on canvas by Tonya R. Hengerer *Many thanks to my wonderful art teacher! “Mother Nature’s Helper” by Tonya R. Hengerer What one uses to Attack parched, arid Terroir, Eradicating dryness and Restoring an Ideal environment Necessary for Growing Crops, such as, cantaloupe And, especially cucumbers—Mother Nature’s helper.
“A View to a Kiss,” 20 x 24 acrylic on canvas by Tonya R. Hengerer “Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.” ~Truman Capote “When you wake up every day, you have […]
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” ~Samuel Johnson I first visited London when I was 21 years-old. I was on a study abroad program while an undergraduate at Hollins College (now Hollins University)—a four-year, private women’s college in Roanoke, Virginia. To this day, I believe that my time living and studying abroad had […]
“Sea-Fever,” 11 x 14 acrylic on canvas by Tonya R. Hengerer Sea-Fever by John Masefield I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s […]
“Evening in the City of London 1944” Artist: David Bomberg “Parliament” Contemporary Artist: Kelly Stewart
My name is Tonya, and I grew up on a 300-acre farm in rural Virginia that has been in my family for over 100 years. After graduating from college, receiving my master’s degree in speech and language pathology, and living and working in a small city for six years, I decided to return to the place of my childhood. Here, in this rural area, on this patch of green, where for four generations my family has farmed, gardened, and lived, I, too wanted to be a part of this continuity. As a fourth generation farmgirl, I have many interests that not only include, but also go beyond the basics of farming, gardening, sheep and chicken-keeping. It is all of this and more that I plan on sharing in this blog.
fourth generation farmgirl 