Artist Biography
Tonya Trest is a Dallas-based, award-winning contemporary artist working primarily in encaustic, a centuries-old medium composed of molten beeswax and resin. Her work explores the intersection of texture, light, and organic form, resulting in richly dimensional surfaces that blur the line between painting and sculpture. Through an intuitive and highly tactile process, Tonya builds each piece layer by layer, fusing pigmented wax with heat and carving into the surface to create depth, movement, and luminosity. The natural properties of beeswax, its translucency, warmth, and responsiveness to light, play a central role in her practice, allowing each work to shift subtly depending on its environment and vantage point. Drawing inspiration from nature, growth patterns, and the quiet complexity of organic structures, her compositions evoke both serenity and transformation. Her sculptural approach to encaustic invites viewers to engage not only visually but spatially, as light interacts with the work’s surface and reveals intricate details over time. Tonya’s work is held in private collections across the United States. She is a published artist and sculptor, sits on the board of the Encaustic Museum, volunteers with non-profits in and around Texas including the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum, EarthX, Dwell with Dignity, and Dec My Room. She is represented by Cerulean Gallery in University Park. She lives and works in Dallas, Texas.

Artist Statement
As an artist with a deep connection to and respect for nature, I am in awe of its sheer beauty, vastness, fragility and strength. I strongly believe every person has a responsibility to protect and preserve the gifts that our environment so generously provides. In my work, I experiment with a variety of natural and manmade mediums including beeswax, resin, shellac, tar, rust, found objects and anything that inspires my curiosity. The versatility and fluidity of encaustic painting allows me to explore the intricacies of organic forms, creating textured surfaces and luminous depth that reflect the beauty and impermanence of the natural world. Tuning into patterns like those found in waves, clouds, flowers, leaves, and tree bark, I strive to create that same depth, luminosity and complexity in my work through layering and sculpting. My recent work attempts to capture the essence and tactile beauty of the environment through sculptural encaustic abstract paintings. Utilizing fractured pieces of natural beeswax coated with alcohol ink and shellac to portray land that is literally collapsing into the ocean due to rising sea levels, melting ice sheets, and warming seas, I challenge the viewer to consider the profound effect we are having on our environment.

Group Exhibitions

January 2026, “All of Creation”, Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, TX

November 2024, “Depths of Perception”, Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, TX

September 2024, “Fall Gallery Night”, Sotheby’s Real Estate, Fort Worth, TX

Juried Exhibitions
March 2024, “BLOOM!”, R.W. Norton Museum and Gallery, Shreveport, LA, “Director’s Choice Award”
July 2023, “Fresh Ideas”, Grand Theater Gallery, Lewisville, TX
August 2023, “Dwell with Dignity”, Thrift Studio, Dallas, TX
July 2023, “New Texas Talent 30th Anniversary”, Craighead Green Gallery, Dallas, TX
September 2022, “Fall Group Exhibition”, Shanley House Gallery, Granbury, TX, “People’s Choice Award”
September 2022, “Celebrating Area Artists Group Exhibition”, Courtyard Gallery, Plano, TX
April 2022, “Flourish”, D’Art Center, Norfolk, VA, “First Place Award”
November 2022, “Botanicals”, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
December 2021, “Opening Day Exhibition”, Dunbar Road, Dallas, TX

September 2021, “Solo Exhibition”, Artifkt, Dallas, TX

Publications and Press
Shreveport Times, March 2023
Encaustic Arts Magazine, Winter Edition
County Line Magazine, June 2023
Woodlands Lifestyle and Home, December 2005
Fort Bend Lifestyle and Home, December 2005

Boards
Museum of Encaustic Art, Cerillos, NM December 2022  – Present

Forums
Earth X “Understanding Pollinators” Panel Discussion, Dallas, TX