bio/cv

biography

Sonia was born in Richland, Washington and raised in Vacaville California. She attended Solano Community College to complete her Associates Degree and transfer to a University. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Art Practice in 2008 with highest honors. During her time at Cal she took on painting as a new focus. Ms. McNally was nominated and awarded an honor studio in 2007, a privilege only 8 students out of the entire Art Practice department are awarded. She received the Certificate of Excellence in painting for her 2008 graduating class. Although she has been an artist since the age of 8, she has been painting since 2006. In her spare time she enjoys travel, food, nature, and disc golf.

education
  • 2006 AA Fine Arts, Solano Community College
  • 2008 BA Art Practice, UC Berkeley

-Graduated with Highest Honors
-Awarded Honors Studio
-Recognized with Certificate of Excellence in Painting

statement

My work is driven by observing my environment piece by piece and reflecting commonalities inherent between even the most disparate of associations. I create landscapes that recognize moments of naturally occurring patterns that are symmetrical and repetitive, yet incongruous. By emphasizing and contrasting imperfections in repeated imitations of shape and structure, my paintings are transformed into a playful and hypnotic whole. These imitations allow me to develop an intricate configuration using the structural similarities found in nature as well as imprints we leave behind. I create abstract interpretations with faintly recognizable traits that evoke familiar connections even though the subject inspiration may not be apparent. Ultimately, I explore the multifaceted aspects of imagery with webs, layers and depth.

As a painter, I work environmentally conscious and follow healthy practices. I practice archival techniques such as eliminating the use of destructive mineral spirits and strive to create works that are archivally sound. I am fascinated with how historical paintings have and have not endured time and the elements.

cv

group exhibitions

  • ”Purses Discusses”, Worth Ryder Gallery, UC Berkeley 2008
  • ”Honors Show”, Worth Ryder Gallery, UC Berkeley 2008
  • ”Alumni Show” 2008, Worth Ryder Gallery, UC Berkeley
  • ”FVAA Annual Juried Art Show”, Fairfield Center for the Visual Arts, Fairfield, 2009
  • ”Artoberfest”, Ledgewood Creek Winery, 2009

  • ”Color and Light”, Fairfield Center for the Visual Arts 2009

  • ”FVAA Annual Juried Art Show”, Fairfield Center for the Visual Arts, 2009

  • ”Old Stomping Grounds”, Solano Community College, Fairfield, 2010

  • ”FVAA Annual Juried Art Show”, Fairfield Center for the Visual Arts, Fairfield, 2010

  • ”Shaw”, Worth Ryder Gallery, UC Berkeley, 2012

  • Convention Center, Oakland, CA, 2013

  • Antologia, 515 Broadway St, San Francisco, CA, 2013

  • MACLA, 510 South First St, San Jose, CA, 2013

  • Infiniti Grand Opening, Oakland, CA 2014

  • Vacaville Art Gallery, Vacaville CA 2014

  • Candlelite Gallery Opening Inaguration, Fremont, CA 2014

  • Solano Allumni Exhibition, Fairfield, CA 2017

solo exhibitions

  • ”let’s sweat the small stuff”, Albatross Pub, Berkeley 2008

  • ”this into that”, Rooz Cafe, Piedmont Oakland 2011

  • ”I don’t think so…”, Rooz Cafe, Park Blvd, Oakland, 2012

  • ”what are you suggesting”, Antologia, 515 Broadway St, San Francisco, 2013

  • ”what are you suggesting”, Mama Art Cafe, 4754 Mission Ave, San Francisco, 2013

  • ”What are you suggesting”, Vacaville Art Gallery, Vacaville 2015

  • ”Get Closer”, Solano County Administration Center, Fairfield 2018