Wards of the Sea

So with portraits for example and the eyes being the windows to the soul, not only is a likeness important to me, but that essence of what the soul contains also deserves to be recognised, sometimes being noticed for the first time through a painting, through the viewer's eyes.  I am a self taught Artist outside of O'level at school. The one thing that always felt right to me on a personal level was to see things through my own eyes, my own experiences as with everything in life, and I'm the same when it comes to painting. I like to make people think, or to notice things they may not have paid attention to before, the little things that make the world of difference to us. Whether I'm painting part of a series, or working on a commission, to be able to provoke emotions, enjoyment, memories, love, empathy, curiousness or food for thought, there is always a story to tell, or a story to find. I am grateful for each and every one of my clients who have enabled me to be a part of something so very meaningful and personal, helping to make a precious moment last forever. Whether it is through their own commissioned orders or the buyers and collectors who are touched by something that is personal to them hidden unbeknown to me at the time in something I have painted, there is nothing I consider a bigger privilege than being able to touch someone's life in some way, or make a difference with something that means so much to them and can be treasured for generations. Love, Tracie..x

Watercolour/gouache paintings from my Street Life series