Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tracy Wilson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tracy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I have this friend, and really she’s my muse. She always asked me to do some thing for her art wise, that necessitate me stepping way outside of my comfort zone. Early this year she sent me a shot from someone’s Pinterest, of a Geode piece of art, and asked me if I would please make one of these for her. I had often seen these pieces and been very interested in learning to do them because I love crystals and glass and glitters… I’m kind of like a magpie in that respect. I told her that I would look around and see what I could come up with. So where did I go? YouTube University…
There is one artist in particular whose geodes I love, and when I visited her channel, I saw that she had a link for a class on Geodes, but it was expensive. Being the resourceful woman that I am, I went online and found myself a discount coupon, and proceeded to sign up for that class. The piece that I ended up making for my friend was gorgeous and I was so tickled with how it turned out, that I decided to make one as a wedding present for my son and soon to be daughter-in-law, and to say it was a simple gift would be doing it a disservice.
They absolutely loved it and it hangs in a place in their home where they can see it all the time. So much of an artist so goes into their work, but this was genuinely a labor of love in the highest form. From my friend that I love dearly who inspired me to learn and step out of my comfort zone again, to the child of mine and his bride who were so ecstatic about their gift, the love went full circle from her to me to them. It was not the largest piece I’ve ever done, but it was done with such love that I will always feel as if I am a part of their home even once I’m gone.

Tracy, 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?

For something that is such a core part of who I am, I actually got interested in fluid art in a funny way. I was on the Internet one night and I saw a video that George Takai had shared of a time lapse paint pour. I was absolutely entranced and I knew at that moment that this was something I was going to do – just as I did with photography when I first picked up a decent camera; this would prove to be an integral part of who I am. I began surfing YouTube and looking for everything I could find on fluid art. As weeks turned into months, turned into the first year, I began to see a definite improvement in my work. I started taking my work out and going to events and in 2021 I found myself in Dahlonega Georgia, where I had the opportunity to showcase my work and interact with some amazing artists who were so encouraging and supportive of my style of art that I view that particular event as a milestone on my developmental path as an artist.
When someone comes to me and asks me to make them a piece of art, I try to engage with them as much as possible about the colors they like, what they like to do, what kind of a vibe does their house have, what size piece, where is it going to be placed, etc. I’m patient while they decide exactly what they want, and then I give them options. Once a client of mine wanted coaster sets to look like a piece she saw on art.com…I ended up making 3 or 4 samples for her before we hit on just the right combination. I messaged back and forth with her over the course of the evening, sending pics and allowing her input in the process as well. I feel it’s important, especially if someone is buying my art, that they feel as though it is either exactly what they ask for, or better. I like to err on the side of better, personally.
In the winter of 2019 I was contacted by a local brewery manager who asked me if I’d be interested in teaching some paint pouring classes at their establishment. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to again, step outside of my comfort zone and teach people all about this art form that I love. We scheduled our class for March and I had 30 people sign up. Unfortunately that March class didn’t happen until July 2020. What an experience that was! I was so grateful to the people who signed up that they stuck with me, didn’t ask for refunds, and when class day finally came they were all in. Everyone loved it and even though I had never taught a class on this form of art previously, I didn’t do half bad!
I met a wonderful couple in my class who later contacted me for a commission of three large pieces for their living room and when I delivered the pieces to them, I was so humbled by the fact that in this beautiful home of theirs, they had chosen my art to grace a large wall of their living room. Seeing those three large panels hanging in the sunlight was one of the most satisfying feelings I have ever felt. I was so proud.
I love paint and when I was younger the first thing I ever said I wanted to be was a painter but unfortunately I cannot draw even a stick figure and that was the main reason I became a serious amateur photographer.
Finding the fluid art form enabled me to express that creative facet of my self and I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing most days, except some days may be playing with my dogs!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I always feel like I am one art piece away from that pivotal moment of being discovered. That’s probably silly, but it does keep me encouraged and moving along the path. My goal is to retire from the workforce in a couple of years, and build a thriving and successful business that supports not only the art form but myself and my family as well. I want more than anything else for my art to become a full time daily experience and to step away from the corporate world. Fluid art feeds my soul and makes my heart smile and even if I never made a dollar off of my art, I would still love it as much and do it as often.

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

I feel that we as a country need to step away from immediate gratification and our support of big business. I’ve come to realize that where I spend my money is more important than the things I purchase, sometimes. If I can buy something small and unique that was made by someone’s own two hands I will choose that every time over Walmart. When you buy some thing that someone actually took the time to make, you are telling the person who made it that they’re important.; that they matter. As a society we should encourage creativity not only in the things that we purchase from people as adults, but the example that it sets for our children and how they come to understand “value”. People have forgotten the excitement and anticipation of some thing that is being created especially for them. There are occasions in life where nothing but a handmade and created gift will do. These are the gifts that people remember, not the gift cards.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.musebytracy.com
• Other: TikTok: @musebytracy

Image Credits
Tracy Wilson Maria Castelo