Rising Stars: Meet Loni T. of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Loni T..

Hi Loni, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and creative expression. My background in theater played a huge role in shaping how I see art — it taught me how emotion, visuals, and small details can tell a bigger story. Over time, that naturally led me into fiber art and photography, where I could create and capture stories in my own way. A lot of my work is inspired by emotion, fashion, music, and the process of bringing an idea to life from start to finish.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road — it’s been a journey. I’ve struggled with doubting myself at times and trying to figure out my purpose creatively, especially while growing as an artist. But through all of that, I feel really blessed to have opportunities to create and share my work. Every challenge has taught me more about myself, my voice, and why storytelling through art means so much to me.

The best advice I’ve ever received was from my theatre father, Dr. Julius John, who always told me to ‘use your wits about yourself.’ To this day, I still carry that saying with me in both my creative journey and everyday life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a fiber artist specializing in crochet and knitting, especially machine knitting. A lot of my work focuses on experimenting with textures, silhouettes, and creating pieces that feel expressive and personal. I think what I’m most proud of is the fact that I don’t come from a fashion background or formal education in this field — I really just took a chance on myself and started creating.

Over time, I’ve been able to make pieces I never imagined I’d be capable of creating, and that’s been really rewarding. I think what sets me apart is my willingness to learn as I go and approach fiber art from a very intuitive, creative place rather than following a traditional path.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something people might be surprised to know is that I actually have two degrees in theater, and before that, I attended the Detroit School of Arts as a band major where I played the clarinet, shoutout to Detroit! Music still heavily influences my creativity today — rhythm, emotion, and storytelling all play a role in how I approach my fiber art and photography.

A lot of my creative background is rooted in performance and storytelling, which heavily influences how I approach my work today. I’ve built my skills through experimentation, trial and error, and trusting myself enough to try new things. Because of that, my work feels very personal and intuitive, and I’m constantly learning and discovering new things about myself through the creative process.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_itsloni
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@itsloni.t