Tonya Andreovich

Who am I?

Born in England 1972. I have always been involved with something creative or involving music, Born in England 1972. I have always been involved with something creative or involving music, theatre or art.  I studied art and theatre as a parallel throughout school.

Due to Theatre being the cheaper option to study I had the honour to be accepted into Bretton Hall College of Leeds University... now of course it is only Leeds University.  Graduated in 1995 with honors in Theatre Design and Technology.

As a means to earning a living I did a course in AutoCAD and used my tehcnical drawing design training.  With all this I began my life as career Draughtswoman. The urge to learn art continued as I studied in the evenings at University of Hertfordshire School of Art figure and composition work. I took on commissions as they came along and didn't really promote myself in anyway.  Just enjoyed the work and freedom of experimenting.

In 2003 I backpacked my way throughout the north of India and Nepal, met my Dutch partner Gerard.  In 2004 I up rooted myself to North Holland. My mind made up to take my love of painting and drawing more seriously.

In May 2008, I became seriously ill with Transverse Myelitis - a cousin to MS.  This left me in lots of pain and with a light paralysis.  Unable to work I have once again picked up my paint brushes and used my love of art as means to building a life again.

I work now as a volunteer at "De Onopgemertke Schatten" in English "The Unnoticed Treasures" in Enkhuizen, North Holland.  This organisation gives people with a psychiatric background a place to be artistically creative and show their work.

Also being a member of a local art collective Touche has been a big boost to my confidence as an artist. 

I am presently working to set up my own company as an artist and artisan. This will include my enjoyment of making beautiful items for people to wear but also enable me to teach people how to make them. Keep watching this web-site or join my mailing list.                               
      

Education:

• Hertfordshire College of Art & Design – 1988 – 1990.Course: Life study
• Bretton Hall College of the University Leeds – 1992 – 1995 Course: Theatre Design and Technology B.A.(Hons.)
•  University of Hertfordshire School of Art – 1995 – 2000.Course: Life Study
• Oaklands college school of engineering 1996
• Course: Computer Aided Design - City and Guild.
•  De Blauwe Schuit, Hoorn, The Netherlands – 2008 – Course: Sculpture in bronze, ceramics and stone.

 Transverse Myelitis

Since 6 May 2008 I have been diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis T6 and light paralysis. This is a seldom seen auto immune nervous disorder effecting 1-4 people per million, per year. Here in Holland that means I am one of 25 people to fall victim to this disorder.

It effects the spinal column where the fatty tissue surrounding is damaged or destroyed ending with the patient with paralysis and extreme nerve pain. It can be caused by a virus or an accident and some other traumas to the body.

The symptoms are very similar to Multiple Sclerosis.In some cases it can become MS.

In my case the TM was brought on after having an unknown virus.  The anitbodies stayed on my spine causing me body to attack itself and thus damaging my the fatty tissue surrounding the spine.

In January 2009 after further examinations, it became evident that I had regained power in my legs.  Although some of the sensation has still not come back.

In May 2009 in we were given answer that my permanent situation would be permanently disabled thorough continual, irrational pain in my legs.  We are still trying to find a pain treatment which can control it.

I can move about, walk a bit, stand for a while, cycle for a while, swimming for a while and sit for a short while.  All of these  activities are painful and exhausting and limited.

As of April 2010 I have been given the offical status of 80-100% handicapped. 

Wie ben ik?

Ik ben in de jaar1972 in Engeland geboren. Vanaf het begin was ik altijd bezig met muziek, kunst of toneelspelen. Ik heb kunst en drama/theater tegelijk gestudeerd toen ik naar de middelbaar school.

Omdat theater de goedkoopste studie was, had ik de kans om een Bachelors degree te studeren bij de Bretton Hall College, Leeds Universiteit. In 1995 was ik cum laude afgestudeerd in theater technische ontwerpen en vormgeven.

Om mijn brood te verdienen heb ik een diploma gehaald in AutoCad en begon ik als beroep technisch tekenares te werken.

 Ook begon ik  bij een avond cursus bij de Universiteit Hertfordshire school of Art om model tekenen te studeren.

Over die periode heb ik opdrachten gekregen

In 2003 ging ik naar India en Nepal toe op een drie maanden vakantie. Toen heb ik mij partner Gerard ontmoet.

In 2004 verhuisde ik naar Wijdenes, Noord Holland om mijn relatie met Gerard goed te beginnen. En vanaf het begin begon ik in serieus te schilderen.

In mei 2008 werd ik ziek. Myelitis Transversa - een MSachtig ziekte. Dit betekent dat ik behoorlijk pijn in mijn benen heb en een lichte verlamming.Hierdoor kon ik  niet meer als techniesch tekenares werken.

Vanaf juni 2009 begon ik als vrijwilligster te werken bij De Onopgemerkte Schatten te Enkhuizen. Dit is een galerij kunstwinkel voor kunstenaars met een psychiatrische achtergrond.

Ik ben nu ook lid van de kunstkring de Touche in Hem.

Opleiding:

• Hertfordshire College of Art & Design – 1988 – 1990. Cursus - Model tekeningen. 
• Bretton Hall College of the University Leeds – 1992 – 1995 - Diploma: Theater Technische ontwerp - Bachelor of Art (Hons)Cum Laude
•  University of Hertfordshire School of Art – 1995 – 2000.Cursus: Model tekeningen 
• Oaklands college school of engineering 1996 Diploma: Technische tekening met AutoCAD - City and Guild.
•  De Blauwe Schuit, Hoorn, The Netherlands – 2008 – Cursus: Beeldvorming in brons.