Figurative paintings exploring the presence, resilience, and legacy of women of color—where beauty, history, and symbolism converge.
Return to the Studio — 2026
After a year shaped by life, loss, and birth, I’m returning full-time to the studio and beginning new bodies of work..
Collection of Work
Fine Art Prints
COMMISIONED
PORTRAITS
“Created to capture presence, story, and individuality”
A commissioned portrait is a collaborative process—an opportunity to create something deeply personal and lasting. My work centers on the experiences and presence of women, often drawing from history, identity, and adornment to shape each composition.
These portraits are not direct translations of a photograph. Through color, form, and subtle symbolism, I build layered imagery that speaks to both individuality and a broader narrative—resulting in work that feels expressive, intentional, and enduring.
Signature Portrait (Head & Shoulders)
These portraits focus on the face and upper body, offering a more intimate and direct interpretation of the subject. The emphasis is on expression, tone, and subtle detail—allowing presence to come through in a quiet, concentrated way.
While more minimal in composition, these works still carry elements of my visual language through color, gesture, and form, creating a balance between simplicity and depth.
Created from professionally captured reference images, this approach allows for clarity and precision while maintaining an expressive quality within the final painting.
24 × 18 inches and up
One subject (head and shoulders)
Created from approved high-resolution photography
Starting at $2,000
Narrative Portrait (Full Composition)
These works extend beyond traditional portraiture, allowing space for story, symbolism, and layered meaning. Rooted in themes of women’s experiences, history, and adornment, each composition is developed to hold both presence and narrative.
Figures are often styled with intentional elements—pattern, form, and gesture—creating a balance between strength, vulnerability, and visual tension. The result is a portrait that feels both personal and expansive.
The process begins with a conversation, where we explore the tone, energy, and direction of the piece. From there, I guide the development of imagery—considering styling, composition, and atmosphere—to support the final painting.
Larger scale, full or partial figure
May include symbolic elements, fashion, or environmental detail
Developed through consultation
Starting at $4,000
The Process
Each commission begins with a conversation to understand the subject, tone, and overall direction of the piece.
From there, we review or develop reference imagery that supports the final composition. Once the direction is confirmed, a deposit secures your place and the painting begins.
Throughout the process, the work evolves with careful attention to form, color, and presence, leading to a final piece that reflects both the subject and the intention behind it.
Inquiry
Conversation
Image and concept development
Painting process
Completion and delivery
Each portrait is created as a fine art piece and is not intended to be a direct replication of a photograph. Interpretation is an essential part of the process.
High-quality reference images are required for all commissions, as they directly influence the final result.
A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your commission. Lead times typically range from 8–10 weeks, depending on the scope of the work.
A limited number of commissions are accepted each year.
If you’re interested in a commissioned portrait, I’d love to hear more about your idea.
Making a difference
Helping women recognize, harness and utilize their talents.
Tronja is a Washington, DC–based figurative artist whose work examines the visibility, memory, and constructed narratives surrounding women of color. Working across painting and mixed media, she builds layered compositions that merge historical reference with imagined presence—creating figures that exist simultaneously within and beyond time.
Her visual language draws from a background in fashion illustration, where form, pattern, and adornment are used not as decoration, but as structure and meaning. Elongated bodies, saturated palettes, and textured surfaces create a tension between elegance and distortion—inviting viewers to reconsider what is seen, what is concealed, and what has been historically redefined.
At first encounter, the work presents itself through beauty and vibrancy. On closer inspection, each piece reveals a quieter disruption—gesturing toward histories of absence, resilience, and reinvention. These figures are not passive subjects; they occupy space with intention, holding both vulnerability and authority.
Tronja’s practice operates as both reflection and re-authorship—reframing inherited narratives and offering new visual legacies rooted in complexity, dignity, and presence.
Press
~ Vital Voices Unveils Portrait of Kamal Harris on Future Headquarters
https://www.vitalvoices.org/2021/01/kamala-harris-portrait/
By Alyse Nelson on the Vital Voices Podcast
~ Local Artist Ascending
https://issuu.com/frontporchfredericksburg/docs/fpfapril2021/25
By Tom Conway