Sonia Gil Torres was born in Cali, Colombia in 1935. She studied art and ballet at the University Del Valle, finishing her studies in 1956. After completing school, Torres taught classical dance until an injury brought her career as a dancer to come to an abrupt end. It was then that Torres returned to her other passion - painting. She traveled to New York City in 1966 to get a look at the American art scene first hand; it was there where her artistic style matured and progressed. In 1975, Torres returned to Colombia to visit her family, and remained in Colombia for three years before returning to the United States in 1978. Two of Torres's main themes for her productions are wildlife and the Orient. Torres has a deep love for animals which only increased when she made a visit to the Amazon region with her brother. Her interest in the Orient derives from her being an avid collector of Japanese dolls and art. Her art has been featured in solo exhibitions shows in Cali, Colombia and in Bogota, and has been displayed in galleries in the United States and abroad.