Artist Bio
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