Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Tracy.
Hi Ann, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I spent my childhood on a farm an hour southwest of Minneapolis (Green Isle) and later moved into the metro area. I got my BFA at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and attended grad school in San Francisco. I still feel the Minnesota River Valley is home, but I adore Northern Minnesota and Lake Superior. Now I live in both Duluth and Tucson (AZ).
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In a way, yes, simply because I’m doing what I love! What more can one ask for?
The biggest challenge is health. I was born with a couple of heart defects that have gotten complicated with time. I’m also a melanoma survivor. That creates limitations, but my strength always amazes me. It might take 5x longer than an able-bodied person to get up that hill, but I get there, and keep going. Some things are out of the question, and I’m not the type that handles restrictions well, so that’s frustrating, but once I’m hiking or painting, I’m in the zone and happy.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a painter and walking artist. The paintings are abstract, inspired by nature and places. My walks are documented daily via photo journaling on Instagram. I’m excessively dorky about nature and environment, especially water. I’ve just begun a new mixed media series called Safe Harbor. Mediums include water harvested from Lake Superior, raw pigment, watercolor, alcohol ink, and sewing on yupo paper. It’s about feeling safe here in Minnesota, and they are little interior landscapes influenced by Lake Superior. I consider myself a seasonal climate migrant. The intensifying heat, drought, and wildfires in Arizona, along with heart defects, made summers unbearable. I’m fortunate to return home to Minnesota, but many don’t have that option.
You can see work in-person until mid-October at the Sibley County Museum in Henderson. The exhibit is A Century of Walking Art, and includes my photos, and the walking photos of my great aunt, Lillian Simmer. If you go, take the back route on the beautiful Minnesota River Scenic Byway through Jessenland. It’s also a fabulous area to hike – try Ney Nature Center, or either High Island or Rush River County Parks.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Doing the type of art that I do, is in itself a risk. I’m not interested in commercial work or creating a lot of product. It’s about ideas, concepts, experiences – none of which pays the bills. I’ve had long stints in day jobs but never stopped making art. One of the most joyful things about pursing art is something they don’t tell you in art school: it’s full of cool opportunities: international residencies, major projects, etc. But on a smaller level, I’m never sure where each day will take me. There are always surprises, experiences. The stories I could tell! Sometimes my 25-year-old daughter has to reign me in on crazier stuff, “Mom, is that a good idea?” The only grace of having a severe illness is the constant reminder that life is fragile and fleeting. As the Roman poet, Horace said, “Seize the day!”
Pricing:
- Contact artist for pricing inquiries.
Contact Info:
- Website: AnnTracyArt.com
- Instagram: AnnTracyArt
- Facebook: AnnTracy
Image Credits
All photos by artist
