Name: Sonya Dinsdale

Age: 44, it happens to us all.

Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT; the Avenues, mainly.

Medium and style specialty: Recently I have been working with acrylic paint, chalk, paper and fabric on paper. I enjoy the different textures that the amalgamation of these materials can create. I always have many pieces going at one time and like to throw one aside as it is drying, tape a few to the wall, work on another, then another, maybe throw one out and then do it all again. This process works well when an incomplete work is staring back at you, the composition is not working and you have no idea why you started this one or where that one is going. Eventually you figure it out.

What is your art philosophy? I don't have one. I just paint. It's what I do. The abstract painter Hans Hoffman expressed the essence of painting best: "Painters must speak through paint, not through words."

My friends are my best critics. I show them works in progress and ponder their reactions. It is amazing how one small comment can turn a work around that is going south. My boyfriend, Nick, once said about a painting: "That is f--king dark." I then knew I was on the right track.

Why did you start making art? My first works were completed on the living room walls when I was about 5, much to the dismay of my mom. I have been drawing and painting ever since. My first "real" oil painting on canvas was completed in high school. It is a rural farm scene complete with a silo and flour mill an a road to nowhere. The curious thing about this painting is that there are two small crosses that function as telephone poles. Cross forms have always been an integral symbol in my work. I'm not sure what they represent all the time but I am fond of them and know they are probably not telephone poles. No more landscapes for me, unless abstract. Abstraction is more satisfying; the resulting pieces are intense and thought provoking.

Do you have things you do when you paint; something that helps you feel more creative? Seeing or reading about other artist's work is very inspiring. I read The New York times art section regularly. It usually includes at least one artist write-up that I end up thinking about all week. I also browse many artist biographies. I keep up on local artist's shows and when I travel visit contemporary art museums and galleries whenever possible.

I like to paint at night after a strenuous gym workout, which helps me to settle down and focus. Another absolute must while painting is a good loud heavy metal, grunge or punk album. My local favorites are Top Dead Celebrity and Skint.

Being a local yourself, which local things/people/places inspire you? I find inspiration almost everywhere. An abstract painter can make color, texture, an architectural detail or funky street scene into a painting or a portion of a painting. I am a huge fan of historic architecture, so walking in old neighborhoods in downtown SLC is an exceptional visual experience for me. Local art galleries are another great resource. One of my favorites is Kayo. I can always count on them to show intriguing work. I also love visiting the Tree of Utah. It is monstrous and looks so pathetic out there in the West Desert, with the wind always whipping around.

Where can people see/buy your art? I have a show at the Tin Angel Café (365 West 400 South in Salt Lake City) through May 9. You can stop by anytime (during restaurant hours) and do a "walk through," or go for lunch or dinner (dinner reservations required). The food is fabulous and I hope you think the art is, too. Upcoming exhibits: Ceres Gallery, New York, group shoe July-August, 2009. I am also working on a Utah show for Fall 2009; stay tuned for details.

What are your accomplishments? Recent local shows include: Baxter's Café, (February - March 2009); Utah Arts Alliance Gallery (September 2008); Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery for the 65th Annual Cedar City Juried Art Show (July - August 2008)

Anything else you'd like to tell our readers? Thanks for all your support and I hope you enjoy my art.

More info: A selection of my art can be seen at www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/s/sonyadinsdale or you can go to www.absolutearts.com and search portfolios by my name; my e-mail address is dinsdales@hotmail.com.