TRACY KING
ARTIST
ARTIST STATEMENT
“I found that I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for. – Georgia O’Keefe
My art is the way I explore universal spirit and tap into something bigger than myself. The inspiration for my work comes from my fascination with both the human and natural world and my desire to find the endless connection points between the two. I like to think of myself as an open channel for the force of creation, and when I can get out of my own way, I see glimpses of magic. My intuitive way of living allows me to tap into undercurrents in society which manifests in a variety of expressions ~ things that are often too difficult to put into words. My desire to work across a variety of artistic mediums reflects my life philosophy of facing my fears and embracing change. I never want to get too comfortable with the status quo.
I have always had a built in wanderlust ~ a fascination for beauty, ambition to visit far away places and find meaning. Having been previously involved in the fashion world, I developed a love of imagery, curves, color, texture and shapes. My eye is always looking for ways to mix and combine elements that are unconventional, thought provoking and depict connectivity.
I look to nature to find my still point. This is a place where I find divine perfection and I can witness the continuous cycle of birth, life, death, decay and rebirth. There is a perfect balance of light and dark, inter-dependency and a place where times seem to be curiously calibrated.
Through my art my intention is to represent the profound strength of universal spirit, human consciousness and transformation, marrying the form with the formless and striving to create a new language out of abstraction.
BIOGRAPHY
My roots are in the midwest, Chicagoland, and my college education was in textiles and business where I attended both Bradley University and Arizona State. These decisions were based on my love for fashion, palm trees, low humidity and people and I knew I wanted to grow and to be able to firmly stand on my own two feet. Because I believed that dreams really could come true, I started my apparel and fashion career back in the 80’s with the biggest apparel company (at the time) Levi Strauss & Co where I enjoyed a 26 year business career. I started at the bottom and made my way up to the likes of a corner office holding various positions in sales, merchandising, brand management and community engagement. It shaped a lot of who I am today. I then moved on to explore other aspects of the fashion world in NYC only to decide that it was time to get off the hamster wheel.
My decision to become an artist occurred at a crossroads in my life. A time when the left side of my brain was highly developed and the right side of my brain was screaming to be explored. It was a time of deep exhaustion, frustration, excitement and fear about diving into the unknown. It set into motion a move to San Miguel Del Allende, Mexico site unseen. My husband and I spent eight years abroad, redesigning our lives and living a fully creative existence. I immersed myself into my art and had the opportunity to open and run a studio/gallery “Chrysalis” at the well known Fabrica La Aurora.
We have now repatriated back to the states and are living in Santa Fe, New Mexico where we are building our dream home and my new art studio. It is a place that speaks to us both and we now fully understand why it is known as the “Land of Enchantment”.
EXHIBITIONS & REPRESENTATION
ViVO Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM, 2020 – Present
El Nido, Santa Fe, NM, 2022 – Present
New Mexico State Committee of the National Museum of Woman in the Arts, 2023 – Present
Monothon Santa Fe, 2023
Chrysalis Studio, Fabrica la Aurora, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2016 – 2018
Manuk Gallery, Fabrica la Aurora, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2018
Imagine Gallery, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2017
Mixta, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2016 – 2018
Dee Ropers Gallery, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2011 – 2015
Ablu, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2012
ART EDUCATION
INSTITUTIONS
Anderson Ranch, Aspen, CO, 2018 (Painting – Roberto Juarez)
Ah Haa School, Telluride, CO, 2018 (Painting – Colleen Randall)
SRISA International School of Art, Florence, Italy, 2018 (Printmaking Ron Pakrasso)
Michelangelo School of Art, Florence, Italy 2014 (Abstract Painting)
Silvermine Arts Center, New Canaan, CT, 2008 (Encaustic)
WORKSHOPS
Lauren Mantecon, Alchemy of Mixed Media, Painting Big, Santa Fe, NM 2020 – 2021
Nancy Hillis, Studio Journey on-line course, 2018
Aaron Garcia, Cold Wax, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2017
Aaron Garcia, Painting with Coccinelle, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2017
Paula Roland, Encaustic Painting & Monotypes, Santa Fe, NM 2017
Joseph Benett, Assemblage, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2016
Xochitl Franco, Abstract Painting, San Miguel de Allende, MX 2016
Dee Ropers, Mixed Media, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2012 – 2015
Rae Miller, Encaustic, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2012 – 2014
Victoria Piece, Abstract Painting, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2012
Britt Zaist, Abstract Painting, San Miguel de Allende, MX 2012
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
Ron Pakrasso, Printmaking, Santa Fe, NM, 2016 – 2018
Lourdes Rivera, Abstract Painting, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2017
Kelley Vandiver, Watercolor, San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2011-2017
Jennifer Lynch, Printmaking, Taos, NM, 2016
Nancy Kullgren, Painting, Aspen, CO, 2016
Carl Heyward, Abstract Painting, Sausaltio, CA , 2016
Jamie Morris, Abstract Painting, Florence, Italy, 2014
Leslie Allen, Mixed Media, Sausalito, CA, 2007