Allen Toney bio

Biography

Allen Toney began his professional art carrier in 1991, while still a student
at Marshall University. There his studies focused on oil painting ,
printmaking and photography. Since 1992, he has worked exclusively with
"electronic painting", using graphics computers and electronic drawing
tablets to produce his imagery. Toney's work weds liquid, sensual,
neo-classical forms with mystical, mathematical, and surreal sensibilities. In
doing so he forms a new hybrid visionary style which is unique to the
computer medium.

Since 1991, Toney has been in 9 one man shows as well as over 50 group and
juried exhibitions throughout the United States. He is considered to be one
of the premiere figures in the field of computer fine art. His work has also
appeared in several international shows in Europe and Japan and has been
widely published in books, magazines and journals, some of which include:
"Mac World", "Wired", "Computer Artist", "Creativity", "Leonardo",
"Photo Electronic Imaging", "Publish", "International Design Network" and
"Step by Step Graphics". His work has also been featured in several new
media publications such as multimedia interactive CD's and World Wide Web
galleries and electronic magazines.

Artist Statement

On the surface, much of my work involves combining classical painting
themes and techniques with the unique possibilities of digital image
processing. This in itself can produce interesting, never before seen
imagery, but I feel there is more to be gained from this wedding of tradition
and technology than just a new type of visual style. I believe an internal
transformative process is also available. By providing what I feel is a
natural surrealist vehicle, the computer can become the facilitator for a
deeper exploration of the self, and in so doing, through this heightened self
awareness, I believe a purer form of art emerges.