Loving art: I really enjoy and appreciate texture and vibrant colours, so working with mixed media is a natural choice to express my creative voice. Mediums include fine art quality acrylics, faux metal finishes, modelling past scented natural elements and other components that add texture and meaning for the viewer – especially in encaustic wax art. 

Loving the things you love: I love creating custom paintings, especially pet portraits as for those moments, I have the privilege of being interwoven with people and their pets they celebrate in their lives. I work with pet owners to help point to and share the treasures of their furbabies. 

My pet portrait paintings which feature non-realistic fur colours have been described as unique and intuitive. These custom paintings have been popular gift ideas that have been greatly appreciated by the happy recipient. 

I consider myself privileged to sometimes be creating artworks secretly in preparation for birthdays, Christmas, Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, and even as wedding gifts. Sometimes loved ones have taken the easier choice of giving a Gift Certificate which then provides the recipient with the ‘experience’ of working together with me to create a very unique and customised painting of their beloved pet. 

Loving connecting with you: A highlight for me is to be able to chat with people about what they love on-line through social media, and face to face through my involvement as Co-Gallery Manager at Creative Hearts Art Gallery on the Gold Coast. You might also find me at some local pet-related events taking every chance to meet pet and their ‘hoomans’. 

Loving creatives: The opportunity to paint with other creatives of varying levels of experience and ages has been something I have grown to truly appreciate over the past year as I have designed and run adult art workshops (both in person and on-line). I believe everyone has a bit of creativity in them, and it is fun to see this in action when I facilitate a positive and fun art experience.  The result: a special artwork that is their very own - something they are happy to share with friends and family as it hangs in their own home. 

People like you loving my art: My artworks are in collectors homes in Australia, South Africa and in Japan. Some of the feedback and reviews I have received relating to custom paintings include the following comments:     

From Ros: Fantastic portrait artworks of people's pets. Some come alive off the canvas, due to the real looking eyes and nose, mouth. Part of the portrait is done in a stylised artistic way, using colours to bring out the character of the pet. Amazing creation is the end result. The artist, Sonia is a very lovely lady as well as wonderful, creative artist.

From Jenny: I have followed Pets Portraits for awhile and love Sonia's work. Late last year I was able to commission a portrait of my senior girl Leah. The whole process has been fantastic. Sonia's love for her craft and enthusiasm about getting to know the pet really shines through.

(Find more reviews here)

Loving sunshine: Born in Zambia and having lived in a myriad of southern African countries, and New Zealand, I now find myself based on the beautiful Gold Coast in Australia. 

Loving good business practice: My art business has been designated as a "Trusted Art Seller' with the Art Storefronts Organisation which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.