Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracie Joyner
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love for nature was cultivated in my childhood. I grew up in Bluffton, South Carolina, and spent endless hours exploring the untamed beauty around me, developing a deep connection to the Lowcountry. It will always feel like home, although now I split my time between South Carolina and Georgia and travel extensively throughout the world.
I’ve always had a creative soul, but for many years my artistic passion took a backseat to life’s demands. After losing my son to a rare cancer in 2019, I sought refuge in the creative process. Art became my therapy, a source of healing that helped me navigate my grief. I see life differently now and that view is reflected in my work, where I strive to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
For me, art is more than a passion – it’s my lifeline. The time I spend creating nurtures my soul and takes me to a place of calmness and serenity. I hope that when you view my work, you will experience the same sense of peacefulness and wonder.
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?
One of my favorite quotes is by Stella Adler — “Life beats down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one.”
My son, Trevis, was undoubtedly my greatest creation and biggest supporter. He inspired me to be more, do more, live more, and love more. Losing him to a rare cancer in 2019 left such a huge hole in my heart and an immeasurable void in my life. Every day became a struggle. I stopped creating. I stopped interacting. I stopped connecting. I stopped living. The world just isn’t the same without him.
I was lost for what felt like an eternity, but slowly, I found my way back to creating. Joy has been difficult to rediscover, but I know that’s what he would have wanted. I’ve started traveling more, embracing each day as an opportunity to explore something new in his honor.
For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is the ability to bring joy and beauty into the lives of others. There will always be challenges ahead, but dedicating myself to my art and photography has given me a renewed sense of purpose, and I will forever be #inspiredbytrevis.
My hope for everyone is a future filled with beauty, hope, love, and JOY.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Art is my passion – an integral part of my soul that I simply cannot exist without. An inspired new work is a creation waiting to happen and brings with it a sense of excitement, wonder, and pure joy. It is an ever-evolving journey, and I am constantly learning, exploring, and experimenting. I enjoy working with a variety of mediums, including fine art photography, magazine collage, cyanotype, acrylic paintings, alcohol inks, and fluid art creations. When everything starts to come together and I’m “in the zone,” it feels like pure magic.
Having always been captivated by the creative process, I’m drawn to patterns, colors, and textures, and I strive for uniqueness in design and technique. Seeing a piece come to life before my eyes never ceases to amaze me. Through my camera lens, I capture the beauty of nature, evoking emotion through my fine art photography. I’m able to bring extraordinary collages to life, transforming thousands of tiny hand-cut pieces of magazine paper into bespoke commissions, each one a deeply meaningful work of art.
Inspiration is everywhere, and my imagination is sparked by everything I see, feel, and experience, whether traveling the world or simply exploring my own backyard.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
No matter what life throws our way, whether good or bad “luck,” I believe we all have the power to create – and recreate – our own stories. I am endlessly grateful to my family and friends, whose unwavering support and encouragement have carried me through the years. My son, Trevis, always had an unshakeable faith in me. He was constantly pushing me to do more and be more, in spite of my own doubts and insecurities. His memory continues to inspire me every day, filling me with renewed confidence in both myself and my work.
I also value and treasure the meaningful connections I’ve made with so many incredible people from all walks of life. My “tribe” means the world to me. I am so thankful for everyone who has encouraged, inspired, and supported me on this journey, and I do all I can to uplift them in return.
Everyone is carrying something, and we all have our battles. Have compassion. Show empathy. Be present. Open your heart and your mind. We are stronger together.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://traciejoynerart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traciejoynerart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracieJoynerArt
- Other: https://traciejoynerfineart.etsy.com
