About Me

Tonya Blue- Shelby is a Bible-study Scholar and Creator. She manifests her talents by writing books  to encourage reflection and by creating visual representation of biblical themes in her collage artwork.

After too many " Blue Mondays" I quit teaching 8th graders and reoriented my skills to preparing the mindset of future educators. My objective is simple- Incorporate practical strategies based on biblical principles to help others regain emotional balance and wellbeing."

Tonya's work is an example of interdependence using mixed media collaging and scripture.  Her pieces engage her audience to visually explore the themes of self-reflection, relationships, healing, and reconciliation.  Her hybrid contemporary approach of cut and torn paper from magazines and verses from the Bible illustrate a journey of restoration. This process frees the participant from false narrative and allows the voiceless to tell the stories they'd rather hide.

 Her desire to help the whole woman led her to create Inside Ella’s Closet, a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes professional attire to college students and women in transition.  

Tonya is the author of two novels "I am the Children I Teach" and "My Life Is 

Not My Sermon."  She wrote and starred in the one woman show “I AM."

based on the characters "I am the Children I Teach. The anticipated third novel, "Unraveling the Knot" is due for release in 2025. Tonya is an avid traveler, reader, theater goer, and teapot collector. She lives with her husband Paul in Maryland.