We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tracey Anne. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tracey below.
Tracey , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
After being a nail artist for many years, I was very tired of salon life. I went To a festival and saw a woman doing henna by a small lamp, since it has gotten dark. She had a very long line, but she worked by this small lamp very calmly and serenely. I got Henna done and fell in love with it and how zen she looked in the middle of chaos. I received A book for my birthday, and immediately started my journey into learning all about henna, it’s origins, how to make it myself and how to begin the process of drawing with henna paste. I was Fortunate at the time to find an amazing group on Facebook filled with international henna artists that were generous with advice and tips to get started. But I am All self taught other than their priceless advice.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Henna is a 5000 year old custom and ritual, and is the worlds oldest cosmetic. It’s origins span 60 countries and several different religions, although it is not a religious practice. It’s used ceremonially and for body adornment. It’s such a beautiful way to adorn the body temporarily and has led me to meet many interesting and unique people, sharing in their celebrations and special moments.
I make all my own henna paste, all natural and vegan. It was not always easy in the beginning and I’m proud I’ve pushed forward and perfected my paste, and know that I’m using safe henna that will do no harm to anyone’s skin.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
One of my goals has been to live up to that old quote about doing something for a living that doesn’t feel like work at all, and although there are aspects of this job that are not easy, and can be exhausting., for the most part it doesn’t feel like a job at all. So I am Happy to have reached that goal. But I’m always a work in progress and another goal is to make this more year round instead of seasonal. Living in New York it’s not as easy during the cold weather to find work.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Like many people, the pandemic was a pivotal time. My salon days were already starting to become a rear view mirror situation, but when forced by the pandemic, it was bittersweet. On one hand it was scary to take the plunge into making henna my full time gig. On the other hand, that was always a goal and in a sense, the pandemic helped push me toward it.
Contact Info:
- Website: Freebirdhenna.com
- Instagram: Freebird henna
- Facebook: Freebird henna
- Yelp: Freebird henna