We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tracy King. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tracy below.

Tracy , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I embarked on a personal transformation, metamorphosis, 15 years ago when I left my corporate life and decided to listen to my heart and lean into my creative desires. I left my old identity , corner office and titles behind and moved, site unseen, to San Miguel de Allende, Mx to begin my artistic journey. My souls urning could no longer be ignored. I spent 8 years studying, doing my art, teaching and running a gallery. Six years ago I moved to Santa Fe, the sister city to San Miguel, to begin a new artistic chapter. It was a perfect place to establish a home and grow in the arts because it was far away from the trappings of success in the U.S. When the chapter in MX came to an end, my husband and I gravitated to Santa Fe, which is often referred to San Miguel de Allende’s sister city. Also, being the third largest art market in the U.S. it felt like a good place to settle and build our dream home and studio. Santa Fe is a magic place in terms of its community, natural beauty and artistic and cultural inspiration. Because of its unique qualities, it attracts people from all over the world. As I was looking to get involved in the artist community, I asked a leading gallery owner Tonya Turner from Turner Carroll Gallery for advice, and she immediately recommended I join NMC/New Mexico State Committee National Museum Of Women In The Arts so I did. This was one of the best decisions because it instantly gave me a 500+ female artisian community to plug into. I have been involved in the organization for about 5 years and I recently took on a leadership, Co-Chair role. I am so passionate about our mission and work, which is to “Champion Women Through The Arts”. I also decided to become a partner in ViVO Contemporary gallery, which is a successful, longstanding fine art gallery on historic Canyon Rd. In addition to these two roles, I continue to be fully committed to my own artistic journey as an abstract artist. It feels great to have my passions and initiatives all aligned with the arts and working to give voice to something that is authentic to who I am but bigger than myself.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I had a long and fulfilling career in the apparel/fashion business for almost 30 years. I worked for the iconic brand Levi’s/LS&Co for most of my life and then worked in the Womens luxury business out of NYC. I started in the business when the big, iconic brands had so much impact and influence. Also, LS&Co was a company that had strong values and a heart. It cared about communities, its employees and the way it conducted business. I worked my way through many facets of the company and it was a tremendous life experience; a way to hone my business skills and also expose me to the world, different cultures and inspiring people. My contribution was on business, sales, merchandising and brand management. I think these skills set me up to eventually transition into an art career. Being in the fashion business fine tunes your senses/visual eye and it also gives you the appreciation and ability to better manage your creative endeavors. Appreciating the connection and striking the balance between the left and right brain can be powerful. All the skills I learned through my business career have served me well, and prepared m to take on my roles as a gallery partner, Co-Chair for NMC and my own art practice. I feels good to have all of my passions and ways I like to spend my time connected to the arts.

My Art:

“The inspiration for my work comes from my fascination with both the human and natural world and striving to find the endless connections between the two. Having preciously been involved in the fashion world, I developed a love of imagery, curves, color, texture and shape. My eye is always looking for new ways to mix and combine elements that are unconventional, thought provoking and depict a dance of connectivity: creating an alchemy of sorts. 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.”

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Now, more than ever, we must understand the power of and need for the arts. With all the chaos, complexity and accelerated change we need it to strengthen and grow the art ecosphere, give artists voice and establish more balance and equality in the arts. Having exposure to the arts is truly about appealing to what makes us uniquely human ~ we all have a have innate attraction to beauty and meaning. As we cling to and protect our humanity, in our growing technologically dependent world, there is nothing more important than finding ways to fully engage our senses. Celebrating the arts is the answer.

My own personal mission, through my work with NMC/New Mexico State Committee National Museum Of Women In The Arts, is to “Champion Women Through The Arts”. We have so much work still to do and many great opportunities ahead. This is a state specific chapter that is affiliated with the National Museum Of Women In The Arts in DC. This first museum to feature only women artists. This museum supports and promotes women in the arts internationally, nationally and at the state level.

(Alarming Statistics)
– Gender bias is real.
– 46% of all artist are women but they make 74 cents for each male dollar.
– Just 11% of all acquisitions at prominent American museums over the past decade were work by women. (Artnet News)

I think it is so important for all of us to find ways to make positive impacts in our local communities, which is where we can make the biggest difference. This can help feed progress on a larger scale. For me, it feels right to focus where I can make an impact and be a part of something much bigger than myself.

This is all part of what I consider living a creative life.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My artistic journey has allowed me to learn to appreciate and listen to my own authentic voice. When I am doing my art it pushes me to express myself in my own unique way. It is my own personal language that no one else can replicate. It is a continuous, ever changing expression that gives me voice in the world and facilitates really meaningful exchanges and connections with others. It is a reminder that, if we are truly honoring what it is to be a living organism, we are always changing – so I make sure my art celebrates that. I value continuous growth, transformation and tapping into a force that is bigger than myself. To be able to create is the ultimate gift you can give yourself and the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tracykingstudio.com
• Instagram: TracyKingStudio
• Linkedin: Tracy King
• Other: www.vivocontempoary.com

  www.newmexicowomeninthearts.org

Image Credits

Audrey Durell – Photographer