Tony Teal, a native of Nashville, Tennessee creates figurative and landscape oil paintings based on photographs taken throughout his life. Using the photographs as reference in combination with life drawings from the studio, Teal layers paint to make an image that appears to be a loose rendition of reality. The surface of the canvas and application of paint become just as important an aspect of the picture as the subject and environment that is depicted. Teal says, "I am interested in the contrast between abstraction and realism in the painting process. Viewed from a distance or with squinted eyes the paintings may seem photographic, but viewed from a close vantage point the individual daubs of paint become clear, making it possible to better understand the steps taken to produce the illusion."

Tony is an Honors Graduate the Parsons School of Design in New York in 2001, with an Associate Degree in Applied Science.

Previous studies include workshops at the Watkins School of Art and Design in Nashville, TN and studies at The Art Institute of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA.