* In your evolution as an artist, (both creatively, conceptually and pragmatically), what has been the biggest frustration or obstacle? My greatest obstacles have been time to create, peace of mind to allow my creative instincts to expand and flow and a large enough space to work my large canvasses and store them. My direction has occasionally been clouded as well but I have learnt that over time that falls into place.
* Which of your works stands out as a highlight, favorite, or significant point in your creative growth and development? And why was it most significant to you as an artist? My career as an artist was concreted by my artwork 'Floater' which won an international award in Dubai. Although I fall in love with each piece as I paint, 'Floater' not only escalated my career but solidified my confidence to offer my art work to the international arena.
* Artists always vary in the importance placed on communicating their own vision without question or limitation, and the emphasis and importance placed on the audience, and how it can and will relate to them. How do you feel when people interpret your artwork inversely, or is there one primary thing you hope to have the viewer experience? I welcome inverse (and any) interpretations of my work. I like to hear how other people see my paintings and what feelings they arouse. I’m never offended, but find it interesting and constructive. It teaches me about that person and, even if I don’t agree, there is always food for thought in what people say and how they feel.
I wish viewers a pleasurable journey through my paintings. I would encourage them to take some time and develop their own connection with my artworks.
The creative approach is a very personal methodology, and every artist differs when it comes to their artistic process. How do you approach creation- can you elaborate on your working process? When I’m about to begin a new artwork I sometimes have a preconceived idea of the type of thing I’d like to paint. Other times I just begin painting and the piece evolves through my thoughts and feelings. I start by putting in a few layers of paint and then either keep building the layers or take a break and come back with a fresh perspective.
LUMINOUS LAYERS:
An Interview with Tracy Thomas
*What are the principle themes and focus of your work? I like emotion and movement in a painting as well as a journey or a story. I try to capture viewers’ imaginations as they travel through my complex layers. Sometimes a painting is a gentle journey, other times emotions are stronger, wilder, deeper. A lot of my inspiration comes from nature, either nature alone or as influenced by man. I’m also steered by sensing moods -mine, other people’s, nature, the impact upon nature of manmade forces. I try to channel them onto canvas.
*Your aesthetic; while routed in fundamental art historical themes, is also very distinctive. I’m very interested in are artist with a unique vision places themselves within the art context; which other art and artists they are inspired and influenced by. Within the evolution of your artistic journey, have you found a specific affinity to certain artists, and if so, why? Many artists and styles could claim to influence my artistic journey. I love delving into the depths and detail of M.C.Escher but also adore the lights and freedom of Monet. I suppose that’s what I’m attempting to communicate through my paintings – the moods of different times, different places and different people in different situations. In saying that, I also hope to bring a lightness and happiness to dispel the bad moods we all get into at times. Most of my paintings convey hope, happiness, light and beauty because above everything else I consider that to have a painting in your home to look at every day, it needs to be a pleasurable experience. I’d like my pieces to appeal to a person’s inner sanctum so they want to keep looking into the painting, searching for more and finding it, appealing to their creative side.
* In a wider context, why do you think art is imperative for the world, and why is it important for you personally as artist? Contemporary Art is so very important in offering the world many different ways of seeing the same thing – a picture, situation, challenge, people, everything. Not just laterally, but abstractly. Turn something upside down and inside out and look at it again and again in an attempt to find an answer.Everyone will have their own perspective, so my goal as an artist is to challenge many different types of tastes in art to leap into my paintings.
Redefining how art is seen and experienced ™
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