Tonya Engel

Tonya Engel is a self-taught artist and illustrator heavily influenced by folk artists of the Deep South and Harlem Renaissance pioneers, as well as Mark Chagall, Frida Kahlo, and Romare Beardon. Tonya's illustrations speak to image, identiy, and relationships. Meshing decorative elements, oils, and occasional collage with emotional content, she portrays women with contemplative faces, implying a dream world that invites our interpretations. She has been the recipient of several awards and honors for her art and book illustrations, including a three-month residency in Paris, France, a Septima Clark Book Award for Rise!, a 2022 Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book Award for Your Legacy, and more. Tonya resides in Houston, Texas.