Sonsini has mounted successful exhibitions at a variety of art galleries and other venues, from the mid-1980s to the 2020s. He is known for his deep exploration of male subjects in his paintings, and his subjects include gay and non-gay individuals, working-class men, Latino immigrants, and day laborers from Los Angeles street corners. Sonsini's frequent subject, a Mexican American immigrant named Gabriel, played a significant role in shaping his artistic direction. Under Gabriel's influence, Sonsini shifted from painting exclusively nude or half-dressed poses with homoerotic undertones to painting fully clothed men, creating a more inclusive and personal connection with his subjects. Sonsini's artistic influences include the work of
Bob Mizer, founder of
Physique Pictorial, a significant magazine in gay culture, and abstract painters like
Willem de Kooning and
Francis Bacon. His art often combines abstraction with the human figure, and he emphasizes personal encounters with live models in his work. Sonsini's paintings are known for their collaborative nature, with many of the colors and poses inspired by the sitters themselves. Sonsini believes that finding one specific subject can be as essential as searching for a broader theme. Another has written that Sonsini's art is characterized by a Whitmanesque affection that permeates both the paint and the portraiture, creating a sense of genuine connection between the artist and his subjects. With a successful career and growing recognition, Sonsini continues to create art, frequently painting his subjects in group portraits. According to critics his paintings captured the essence of his subjects, showcasing their individuality while reflecting the collective struggles they face in their lives.{{Cite news ==Selected exhibitions==