Imagination brought to Light
A digital gallery and poetic journal of mystical translations and spiritually-inspired work designed to awaken the soul.
Born in Queens and carrying the vibrant rhythm of her Jamaican and West Indian heritage, Sonya Ki Tomlinson weaves a luminous tapestry of art and poetry. Her ecstatic paintings and lyrical verses explore the sacred connection between our inner worlds and the Divine. Through color and light, she extends a warm invitation to pause, breathe, and discover the radiant beauty residing within the soul.
The Heart of the Artist
Paths to Divinity
My quest for the Eternal began with years of deep study within the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, where I first learned to peel back the veil of the material world. This foundation of ancient wisdom eventually led me across the globe to India, where I spent profound years at the ashram of my beloved Guru, Sathya Sai Baba. His grace has been the ultimate catalyst, transforming my life and guiding me to realize the inherent Divinity that glows within us all.
The sacred landscapes of India continue to breathe through my art and poetry. I have traveled to the heart of the Himalayas, absorbing the majestic, silent energy of those holy peaks, and I have slept beside the roaring Ganges river, listening to its primordial song. These pilgrimages were not mere travels, but spiritual immersions that gave birth to numerous experiences so profound they shook the very foundation of my three-dimensional reality.
In this sanctuary of light, my creative work serves as a record of these mystical encounters. Each painting and poem captures a fragment of the Infinite, translating the ecstatic visions of my journey into color and verse. My art is a devotional bridge—a way to anchor the ethereal power of the Himalayas and the transformative love of my Guru into the hearts of others. It is an invitation to witness the beauty of a soul surrendering to the Great Light.
Today, I walk a path where the boundaries between the earthly and the divine dissolve. My life is a continuous prayer of gratitude, dedicated to the Presence that animates every brushstroke and every line of poetry. As you explore these works, I hope you feel the resonance of the sacred rivers and the stillness of the peaks, finding within them a reflection of your own inner radiance and the eternal truth of our shared spiritual origin.
The Luminous Archives
The Beauty Dance 2019
42 x 40 inches
Lord Krishna and Sri Radha dancing, as Swami Paramahansa Yogananda says: Spirit and Nature dancing together.
Sarva Dharma Star
"I separated Myself from Myself so that I may love Myself". By Sonya Ki Tomlinson, acrylic 30 x 34 inches, 2026.
Ave Saraswati, 2015
30 x 30 inches
Tribute to Goddess Saraswati, Goddess of the arts, education, music, and all creative expression. Consort of Lord Brahma. Pure, sattwic, impeccable. Hail Saraswati, Ave Divine Mother.
Swan Alcove, "I Love Mother Earth"
20 x 20 inches, 2024
An elegant swan floats on waterfall lakes surrounded by vivid flowers and lush vistas.
God is our Best friend, 2018
40 x 30 inches
God is the best friend and kinsman of devotees. In this painting Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba is surrounded by passionate devotees Mirabai, Rumi, St. Francis, Ramakrishna, and Radha. Angels hovering near toss heavenly blossoms on the gathering outside of His Whitefield Ashram (Brindavin) India.
Garden of my Heart. 24X26 inches, 2024
I was feeling kind of depressed by the Israel/Hamas conflict. I decided to create a stunning flower bed, to be close to living things that are beautiful.
In the meditation towards the end, I had a great vision of Sathya Sai Baba. He had his arms behind his back and a kind of curious smile on his face. He was inside a white garden altar, very pretty with flowers over it. I was sitting at the edge tending the flowers. I had a long veil draping behind his head and Indian clothing on.
Then this vision metamorphed and I saw thousands of people on these curling strips of matter in the starry sky with their hands folded in prayer.
Very lovely.
Rim of Star Fire, 2020
30 x 36 inches, Acrylic
I garland your heart my Swami with fresh plucked blossoms garnered from the fields of my soul, a daffodil smile tickling my face. Like teenagers without a care in the world, we stroll along the edge of forever.
Hridaya, 2024
30"X34"
When we live according to positive virtues; these become stepping stones for us to realize the ultimate goal: Union with the divine heart of God. Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba welcomes the jivi in its arduous journey from the Samsara to the Heart of God.
Namaste Mermaid (2), 2017, 12 x 12 inches
An Indian Mermaid Goddess greets you with Namaste. I bow to the light within you.
Lord Vishnu and our Lady of the Cosmos. 2016
30X48 inches
Lord Vishnu and the Egyptian Goddess Nuit are the central figures in this painting. Lord Vishnu is part of the Hindu trinity of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma. He embodies the role of preserver and energizer of the Universe. He also has a part as creator since Brahma the creator emerged from His navel. The sun energy is also associated with Lord Vishnu.
The Goddess Nuit has dominion over the Cosmos and is usually seen stretched across the night sky, Her body pregnant with stars and planets. She closely parallels the Shakti/Maya principle of Hinduism. Together they form a blazing duo of the creative forces of the Universe.
LORD OF THE UNIVERSE, 2014
48 x 42 inches.
All the Universe prays to the Lord of the Universe, Bhagavan Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, Sathya Sai Baba and Prema Sai Baba. Avatars of God.
Sai Vishwaroopa - The story of God, 2012
42 x 48 inches
Sri Sathya Sai Baba as the Cosmic Self from which all the stories of God and the Universe emanate.
Sai Shiva Crystal Dream, 2017
34 x 36 inches, Acrylic
Inspired by a vivid celestial dream of riding luminous snow-crested waves at the top of the world, this painting captures Lord Shiva as a youthful, playful presence in a cosmic ocean that may be the sacred Ganges flowing from His head. It honors the blessing of vibhuti received from three radiant sages and the feeling of being held in a divine, shimmering temple of light.
Durga Jai Jai Ma, 2021
34 x 36 inches.
Tribute to Goddess Durga and Her manifestations, imbued with the divine powers of the Hindu Trinity, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.
My husband, David, and I in Badrinath, Himalayas. 2012.
Glimpses of Heaven
2019, Acrylic 48X36 inches
Om Sai Ram! All hail the power of Sathya Sai Baba, may angels prostrate fall. Blessed Swami in Kailasa with some great Hindu Saints.
Swapeneshwari - Who am I? 2018
42 x 48 inches
The Goddess Swapeneshwari presides over the world of dreams. She answers our sincere questions. In this painting I pose a question to the starry Goddess: "Who Am I?" Seated in Her golden chariot she holds the key of Love, amid the all seeing eyes & hearts of the universe. On the threshold of a new birth Sri Sathya Sai Baba awaits the liberated Souls ascending towards Him and the Realization of Divine Oneness. The Egyptian Sphinx also asks the question "Who Am I?" of all beings, before devouring all false identification in the cycle of reincarnation, life, death and rebirth.
Sai Trimurthi, (Entrance to Heaven) 2024, 42X48 in.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba as the Trimurthi of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.
O world take refuge under the Sai Umbrella, 2022. 24X24 inches.
Very warm loving expression of bhakti devotion towards the Lord for all sentient beings.
Sai Mohini, 2016
26 x 24 inches
In this painting Sathya Sai Baba rescues me from the Ocean of Samsara, sorrows and joys, the world of rebirth. By dedicated Sadhana and grace one can realize the Eternal Self. The Goddess Mohini, feminine version of Lord Vishnu is seen in the background pouring the nectar of immortality.
42X48 inches, acrylic, Sathya Sai Baba Avatar along with deities, prophets and angels herald the Golden Age of Sai, a new age of Love, Peace, Truth.
Kalki Avatar – Acrylic, 36X48 in, 1994. I felt inspired to paint this after reading some articles about the possibility of Sathya Sai Baba being the 10th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, The Kalki Avatar.
Prema Sai and Vaishnodevi, 2023, Acrylic. 26X28 inches.
Celebrating a time of Divine Peace and Love.
Lord Varuna and Sathya Sai Avatar, 2015
36 x 48 inches
Om, Lord Varuna and Avatar Sathya Sai! In this painting I included Sathya Sai Avatar and the Queens of the Sea offering Him pearls. This art piece was inspired by a dream I had of Lord Varuna while I was on a cruise with my husband in the Caribbean sea.
Window on Infinity (He who sent me) 2020
30X30 inches
Sai Avatar and the Master Jesus.
Suns of God, 2025, 30X34 inches Acrylic. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba raises both hands in blessing. The divine messengers of Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Zoroastrianism also raise their hand blessing the worlds. These bearers of light offer the Earth spiritual illumination and a way out of the darkness of material and mental ignorance.
Waiting in the garden, 2018, 36 x 34 inches
Sri Sathya Sai Baba lovingly swings Mirabai, Radha and myself.
Sai Surya, 2022, 30X34 inches
Sri Sathya Sai Baba as the Cosmic Sun, the brightest star.
Golden Age Avatar
Golden Age Avatar, 2021, 26 x 28 inches.
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba bringing in the golden Age.
Yoga Angels, 2017
12X12 inches, Acrylic.
Yoga angels doing Yoga Asanas in the Heavens.
Lord Vishnu and Ezekiels' Wheel. 2018. 36X50 inches. Acrylic
In this painting I tried to capture an experience I had written about in the book "Sai Rapture." P. 20.
Expanding on this experience, in this painting, the breath of Life in the form of suns cascade from Lord Vishnu to my crown chakra and the wheel of time spinning around His divine finger reveals all the beauty of Divinity.
The Passion of Hanuman 2016
30 x 36 inches
Lord Hanuman represents the epitome of devotion, faith and surrender. His devotion to Lord Rama who is none other that Sathya Sai Baba is evident in the incident where he bares His heart and Sita/Rama is found seated within. In this painting we see Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba enthroned in the heart of not only Sri Hanuman, but Lord Rama, Sita, Krishna, Radha and in fact the whole Universe!
"Chris in Paradise" 2022, Dedicated to Christopher Tomlinson our brother in Heaven and all the jivis who died from Covid-19.
Chris passed away from Covid 19, 9/19/21.
Power of His Name, 2020, 30X36 inches
This painting was inspired by a powerful dream
I had with Swami, by chanting his divine name I was saved.
The Floating Bridge of Heaven, 2025. Acrylic, 28X26 inches.
This painting was inspired by a wonderful dream I had with Swami in December, 2024.
Golden Age Avatar
Golden Age Avatar, 2021, 26 x 28 inches.
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba bringing in the golden Age.
Little Papoose in Central Park, 2019
28X26 inches. Acrylic.
I used to sing this song to my daughter Kendra when she was a baby: "Little Papoose my sunlight butterfly…"
Cherry Blossom Path, 2018
26 x 24 inches
In this painting, my grandsons, Alexander Sathya and Sean Sai, along with my niece, Carina, stand at the crossroads of life. We pray they choose wisely the path that helps them to avoid undue suffering.
However, as the Goddess Kuan Yin beautifully describes:
"There is no right or wrong path. There is only the path that you choose. Whatever you choose, there will be many opportunities for you to grow and expand."
The Goddess showers the three with cherry blossoms and encouragement to choose wisely.
Blowing Kisses, 2018
12X12 inches, Acrylic.
An Indian fairy blows kisses to my husband and I seated in a boat below.
Rise Osiris Rise, Rise Osiris Rise we live forever, 2023, 20X20
Egyptian Goddess Isis resurrects her husband, Osiris.
Mount Atma. 2016
26 x 26 inches
The Bhakti Path is composed of the 9 steps of Devotion.
The final step is Atma nivedanam. Sathya Sai Baba waits for us to reach this acme, complete surrender and mergence with God.
A Divine Darshan with our beloved Sathya Sai Baba. This photo catch the devotees and myself, you can see me with the flower above my head.
Inner Realms: Featured Work
Jago, Jago, Jago Shankara
"Jago, Jago, Jago Shankara". A rhythmic call from the deep, awakening the silent dawn within the lotus of the heart. A meditation on the path of surrender.
One with the Rainforest
"One with the Rainforest". A sacred dance in the lush embrace of creation, finding the pulse of the Infinite in every wild leaf and emerald shadow.
SSS Sarva Dharma
S.S.S. Sarva Dharma (Unity of Faiths). In this painting Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba captains the boat along with the Chief Officers of the major faiths, delivering us from the Ocean of Samsara (illusion).
Breath of Eternal Dawn
24" x 36", Acrylic on Canvas
A visualization of the first breath taken in awareness—where the soul wakes to its own radiant light at the threshold of the infinite.
Ganga's Lullaby
30" x 30", Mixed Media
The silver flow of Mother Ganga carrying the whispers of centuries, washing away the dust of the world in a sacred, timeless embrace.
Stillness of the Peak
20" x 30", Oil on Linen
In the high silence of the Himalayas, the mind dissolves into vastness, finding a peace that is as unshakable as the ancient stone.
Transcending the Canvas
My mission is to bridge the gap between visual art and lyrical expression, creating a sanctuary where every brushstroke and every word resonates with soulful intention.
Connect with the Artist
Whether you're seeking a collaboration, a personal inquiry, or simply wish to share a thought, I would love to hear from you. My creative journey is a dialogue between the visual and the lyrical, and your voice is a vital part of its evolution.
Email: hello@sonyakiart.com
Location: Based in the heart of the creative world, available for global collaborations.