We recently connected with Tracey Luckner and have shared our conversation below.

Tracey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Painting and drawing were what I loved most growing up. I always felt art was what I was best at, but wasn’t sure what an art career would look like for me. I also liked to write, and after college I worked in publishing and then marketing, but neither of those careers felt right. I always loved taking art classes and discovered a love for abstract painting – choosing colors I loved, expressing myself and not being tied to subjects I could see. Painting was pure joy and I would completely lose track of time. I developed a series of about 25 paintings and my teacher and mentor encouraged to apply for a solo show. I was accepted and the show was titled “A Sense of Place.” It was at the Port Washington Library in Port Washington, New York in 2012. The opening reception for that show was an incredible experience – my paintings on the walls and so many friends and family members there to see and celebrate (and purchase) the work. It was an absolute highlight of my life and was when I first knew I wanted to pursue being a professional artist.

Tracey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a contemporary abstract painter based in Summit, New Jersey, near New York City. After my 2012 solo show, I continued painting while also working in a corporate career. Finally in 2021 I was able to become a full-time artist, which was absolutely a dream come true! Later that year I found my studio at Manufacturers Village in East Orange, NJ.

I paint nearly every day in my sketchbook and create larger works on canvas and wood panels at my studio. My current series is called “Lyrical Abstract Landscapes.” I’ve always been drawn to nature, inspired by the organic forms and rhythmic movement of water, trees, sunlight and sky. I also love the process of painting, especially the dance between deliberate and uncontrolled mark-making and translating feelings and experiences into a visual expression. These paintings combine expressive brushwork, layered mark-making, and a sense of place. I also create commissioned paintings. Some paintings are more expressive and high energy, like my painting “Celebration,” 48” x 48”, acrylic on canvas. Others are more serene, like my painting “Quietly Becoming,” 48” x 48”, acrylic on canvas. In all of the work I am seeking a sense of wonder.

Since my first solo exhibition at the Port Washington Library in Port Washington, NY, I’ve had four more solo exhibitions. They include “Abstract Landscapes: Wayfinding” at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (2023, Summit, NJ), and “Lyrical Abstract Landscapes” at the Gallery at 350 Bleecker Street in New York’s West Village (2024, New York, NY). In 2025, I had two solo shows including “Light of January” at Healing Arts Gallery and “Lyrical Abstract Landscapes” at Overlook Medical Center, both in Summit, New Jersey. I’ve also participated in a number of group art shows and fine art fairs, and my paintings are included in collections throughout the US.

I have a BA in Art History from Pomona College in Claremont, California, which included a semester at the Sorbonne in Paris. I’ve studied painting at the School of Visual Arts in New York, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, and privately with contemporary artist Bascha Mon. I’ve also taken the Art2Life Creative Visionary Program, based in Sausalito, California.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I most love spending time in my studio. It is a beautiful light-filled space and I love surrounding myself with inspiration and feeling open and uplifted as I’m working to imbue the paintings with that energy. I paint intuitively, letting each mark inspire the next one. It’s an exciting process to watch the paintings unfold and I’m always so filled with gratitude when I’m in my studio painting.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

After my first solo show in 2012, which was amazing, I struggled to figure out how to continue to build my art career. I put pressure on myself to find “success” as an artist and lost the joy I originally had. I also had to continue working at my day-job, which meant painting late at night and early in the morning. At one point I stopped painting because it felt so difficult. But I kept thinking back to that solo show and how much I had loved creating those paintings, and how proud I was of that work. It inspired me to keep painting and figure out how to continue building my art career.

Since then I’ve learned so much about mindset and strategies to keep going. When things start to feel challenging, I remind myself how hard I’ve worked to be where I am, and that the most important thing to do is keep creating! Once I get in motion in my sketchbook, I start to get ideas and usually have a great day of painting. I also find that community and supporting other artists is key for me to maintain a positive mindset. I love congratulating other artists whose work I admire on their paintings, shows, and other accomplishments – it creates such a great community of support and always lifts my mood. I’m also in several artist groups and really enjoy connecting with other artists there too. Coaching/mentoring from other artists who are farther along their creative journey has also been extremely helpful and I’m so grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.traceyluckner.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traceylucknerart

Image Credits

Radiant Gradient Photography