A life drawn between countries.
Born in Kenya, raised in South Africa, returning from the UK, painting from her studio in Simons Town, Cape Town.
Sonia was born into a large family in Kenya. She visited the local game reserves and snorkelled weekly, fuelling a love of the natural world and animals. She still finds her centre in nature and the ocean.
She withdrew internally after losing her twin brother at a very early age through a tragic accident, and found solace in the animals around her. As a child, she was surrounded by various pets, and frequently woke up with numerous cats nestled against her, a tradition she has continued to this day.
As a pre-teen, a teacher motivated Sonia to express her feelings through art. Finding a box of pastels, she created her first piece of art, a portrait of her late brother. Through his portrait, she felt like she could keep him alive forever, capturing his very essence and the divine spark within him. Since then, art has allowed her to create touchstones, connecting her and her audience to the people, places, and creatures who inspire her the most.
From the Last Safari collection.
While still running her Interior Design business in South Africa, Sonia's sister in the UK was diagnosed with a terminal illness. She made the decision to relocate, leaving behind the pace and pressure of her previous life. In this quieter space, she returned fully to art, and during the 2020 lockdowns, she launched her practice professionally.
Following her own cancer diagnosis, PTSD, and her sister's death, painting became a lifeline. It is especially vital to her during the dark English winters when she misses Africa the most. Creating helps her embrace the memories, Africa, and the local animals in the woodlands close to her home.
By showcasing the beauty of this world, the animals and people that inhabit it, especially those that succeed against the odds, I hope to inspire myself and others like me to rediscover nature and the divine within.
Sonia works in watercolour, Indian ink with calligraphy pen and brushes, oil on canvas, and ballpoint on paper. Originals carry the medium, the year, and the place. Prints are giclée on Platinum Etching 285gsm fine art paper, soulfully signed, with a certificate of authenticity. Custom sizes are available on enquiry.
She works independently, with creative input from her sister-in-law, an experienced Interior Designer, and her brother, a Graphic Designer based in the United States. Their perspectives help shape the wider vision of Sonia Hayes Art.
The brushes are travelling home.
After eight English winters, Sonia is taking her studio back to South Africa, the country where she was raised. The English collections will keep arriving as she keeps painting. The chronicle of the move back to Africa is memorialized in her range The Last Safari and the addition of many new products showcasing her love for Cape Town.