Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Scheffler.
Hi Tracy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I received my B.A. in Fine Art and Design from Iowa State University before continuing my studies at the Harrington College of Design, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Palette and Chisel Art Academy, Chicago, the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, and the North Shore Art League. I have worked in stage and product design, and volunteered in several museums. My art and mural work have been commissioned by residential clients and donated to numerous auctions. I am originally from a suburb of Chicago. Many of my formative years as a painter were spent living on two separate U.S. coasts — Sausalito and Miami. These two sunny places are where I was inspired to paint with bright colors.
After vacationing in South Carolina,
After vacationing in South Carolina, I found that this location was an excellent fit for my equestrian lifestyle and as an artist. We decided to purchase a horse farm in Aiken, SC, a couple of years ago, and I reside here most of the year.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am married, so having my husband’s financial and emotional support has helped to smooth the road as an artist. However, personal challenges persist.
I love creating for others. I love working with their vision and producing pieces based on their ideas. It’s very rewarding for me to create something that sparks joy in people. I decided to paint full-time a few years ago. Throughout these years, my ideas, visions, and motivation started to shift. At times, I became creatively blocked or even scared to put brush to canvas. I was second-guessing what I was doing all the time. I try to stop comparing myself to other artists, which has helped me, but at times, I still struggle to silence the voices in my head. I doubt myself with questions like, “Will anyone like my work?” “What direction is my style going in, and is this even good?”, “How can I become more successful in corporate sales?” It’s pushing myself through these creative blocks that I find the most difficult.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an oil painter. I prefer working on large-scale projects with canvas or wood boards. I aim to create vivid, colorful moments and landscapes that will draw the viewer in. I was tired of looking at the abstract modern, political images and dark paintings on the market. I questioned who enjoyed these paintings and who was buying them.
My expressionistic style features vibrant interpretations of natural surroundings, characterized by dramatic layers of color and bold lines. Technique sets me apart from other painters. I want to transport the viewer to moments in time that exist somewhere between the real and the imaginary. I try to create a calm, dreamlike sense of place — and ideally to bring them aware of the present moment.
My proudest moment was when I did my first solo show. After the paintings were hung, I sat quietly in the back and observed as people came to view the pieces. Each person made lovely comments, filling my heart with glee. As they walked away, I watched proudly as more and more people flooded in. People were smiling, the atmosphere was electric, and I was thrilled.
How do you define success?
Success for me is when someone purchases a piece of my art or expresses their love for it in their space.
It is the defining moment of all the hard work that I had put in.
Pricing:
- $250
- $3500
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Tracyschefflerart
- Facebook: Tracy Scheffler
