Follow Me

Hello, All,

I'm still painting, illustrating & writing.

I've started a new writing service. I write blogs, articles, social media and website copy for overwhelmed business people.

I also have a new blog where I focus on only good news.

Please, visit: www.TracieSeedArt.com  and Join: www.GoodNewsRhody.com

FOLLOW ME:

on Twitter: @tracieseedart and @goodnewsrhody

and Facebook: www.facebook.com/tracieseedart and www.facebook.com/goodnewsrhody

All is Well and Good,
Tracie

Puppy Love

If you are a dog lover, you know what it is like to have one of these sweet creatures as a member of your family.  I've grown up with dogs and can remember each and every one of their names, faces and loving licks by heart. There is a quote by Anatole France that hits home every time I see a tale wag:  "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

Here are some recent pet portraits I've created for clients.  When presented to the customer, each one met their painting with either a smile, a tear, a laugh or even all three!  Hopefully these images will help you remember a loved pet in your life.
www.TracieSeedArt.com

Here is my new painting.  It is called ‎"Web Browser" in honor of one of my favorite stories Charlotte's Web by E.B. White.  It is 6" x 6" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. Contact me for price.

http://www.TracieSeedArt.com/6-x-6-animal-paintings.html

Crunch Time

We had a party to attend last night.  I was excited about it, because it has been ages since I have gotten to dress up.  I've become so relaxed in my daily appearance that my children get concerned and confused if I have on even the smallest amount of makeup: "Why do you have on makeup? Where are we going?  What do we have to do?"  So, last night I put their heads in a spin with a full makeover: complete with a glossy, straight waterfall of hair down my back.

Ka-Boom! That is when the downpour came!  Buckets of rain.  I looked at my satin dress, my flowing hair and my heels.  Hmm.  I cursed Mother Nature a bit and then started pulling out my trench coat, cheetah rain boots and green polka dot umbrella.  My heels would have to wait a little longer for the party.

We planned to attend an event before going:  it was an art show at Gilbert Stuart Museum. (www.gilbertstuartmuseum.com)  I had put a few paintings in it, since I am starting my journey into the RI art scene on my tippy toes.  I had a split second thought of not going, dreading sloshing through the puddles and huddling under shelter.  But since this was one of my first show participations, I really wanted to be there to see my work on the walls.

So I geared up, grabbed my heels, sloshed to the car and my husband and I went:  me dressed in my beautiful floral satin cocktail dress and cheetah rain boots. Not quite the ensemble I envisioned, but I had no choice, really.  

I loved seeing all the different art:  there were so many different styles and I truly appreciated the beauty in all of them.  Of course, I also loved seeing my paintings among them.  At almost the same time, my husband and I saw a red sticker on my apple painting called "Crunch Time."  Ever the pessimist, my first thought was that surely there was something wrong:  they must've put that on the wrong painting.  I could not have sold a painting on the first night!  I was so nervous and befuddled that my husband double checked to make sure for me that I had, in fact, sold a painting!

I got to meet the woman who bought it.  She told me that when she saw it, it spoke to her immediately and she bought it on the spot.  She talked with me of its delicious color and the lusciousness of the apples. Her deep appreciation for my work left me awestruck and hovering somewhere between Wonderland and Heaven.

The sun came out, so I didn't have to make a mad dash for the car and I could slip out of my trench coat.  In the car, on the way to the party, I switched my shoes and checked myself in the mirror.  There with my humidity ravaged body: frizzy hair, swollen feet and a rain spotted dress, I felt more beautiful than ever knowing that something I created made someone else so happy.  The woman who purchased my painting  gave me more than just a payment.  She presented me a gift of encouragement and a little shot of self confidence, both of which are much more glorious than pencil straight hair. 

www.TracieSeedArt.com

King of the Sketch

I was recently with a 13 year old girl whom I love very much and admire tremendously.   She is shrouded in privacy, so I can't reveal who she is to me.  But I can say that she is an amazing artist who gets better by the minute, because she literally draws every second she possibly can.  I've seen her even use a scrap piece of paper and the bottom of her shoe as a drafting table.  Whenever something is in her head, she just has to get it out.  I wish I could show you one of her drawings, but she is extremely protective with them and only lets a lucky few see them.  I am one of the lucky ones who are blessed and inspired by her tenacious drawing produces.
On a recent trip home, I found myself with a ton of time to on my hands.  I watched her no-stop sketching and decided to pick up a pencil and pad myself.  I haven't sketched in several years, even though I have been painting.  It was so relaxing to watch the pencil move quickly but cautiously across the page.  Scribble here. Line there.  Should this be darker?  Does that look weird?  His nose is too long.  The shadow is wrong.  It was a process that took me right into the present.
I don't necessarily think this lion sketch is the greatest.  But it does represent a moment in time where I let loose for an hour and just let the lead flow.  I have found myself sketching a bit more---mostly basic apples, spheres, bowls of eggs--mainly to study the importance of lights and darks to apply to my painting.  You can't feel the depth of a pig's eye socket or the meaty nose of a cow without the highlights and the shadows.
I guess there is something to that theory in life: putting together our bright times and dark times to create a whole, solid life that looks like you could actually touch it.  Enjoy your moment: now.  www.TracieSeedArt.com

Chin Up!

I'm really swimming through a sea of confusion (sorry for the cliche) called "The Art World."  Like anything, I guess, I just have to do what I do and hope that someone likes it.  Or, better yet, buys it!  I'm reaching for the ultimate dream of loving what I do and doing what I love.  I know I am just going to have to figure things out on my own.  I really wish my Fairy Art Mother would swish in and tell me what to do next.  Will a cow painting sell faster than a pig?  Should I do another rooster?  Where do I sell my prints? How do I sell my prints?  How am I going to sell any of these?

I have a stack of canvases and a checklist of ideas in my head for paintings I want to create.  As a wife and mother, time is precious.  Although, I must admit, since deciding to try this venture (my family made me do it!), my family is more understanding about giving me a bit more time to paint.  Both my kids are creative and my husband is literally my biggest fan.  He wants me to sell my paintings, but doesn't want me to sell any I paint!  He ends up loving them so much, that he wants to keep them.  I understand, but a little wish of mine is for one of my paintings to hang someplace other than on my walls or in my extended family's home.  Don't get me wrong, I feel blessed by the support I get for my creativity from my family!  Just starting to put paintings in small area shows is a really thrilling for me--knowing other people are seeing them and probably smiling, because how could you not smile at a pig?

Today I was able to squeeze out some time for myself.  I decided it was a good day to try a painting on a 6" x 6" canvas.  I've always wanted to try a smaller size, but just haven't done it.  Here is the little piggy who showed up on my canvas.  The title is "Chin Up!"  Which is just what I need to do:  keep my chin up and keep doing what I'm doing until it is done!

Please visit my website at www.TracieSeedArt.com.

My New Painting Adventure

I Prefer Redheads
12" x 12"
www.TracieSeedArt.com
Reproductions Available 

I'm so excited about tonight.  Our beach club hosts a member's art show every two years.  Both my children are presenting two pieces from their portfolios.  My daughter, age 10, has two paintings and my son, age 13, has two pencil drawings.  I am so proud of both of them!

I've grown so much as an artist over the past two years.  I am curious and a bit trepidatious about how my paintings will be received this time.  I'm so self deprecating sometimes and just think people are being nice when they express how much they like my paintings.  My husband always says, "Well, they could be nice but they could also really like your paintings!"  My confidence has grown as an artist, but I still have a bit to go.

I'm also unveiling my Fine Art Reproductions of two of my four paintings. My pig (To Oink or Not to Oink?) and Rooster (I prefer Redheads) will be shown tonight. I also offer the reproductions of my cow (Bloo Moo) and sheep (Three Bags Full). I have three standard sizes for each print, so they can be easily framed. 


We will see what happens.  One step at a time, right?


I have a new website:  www.TracieSeedArt.com.  Please check it out to view more of my paintings.