Currently I work mainly in acrylic and watercolor. My primary painted works focus on the beauty of landscapes and abstracts. To view samples of my paintings and commissioned art please click on the portfolio link above.

I am honored to have been chosen for the cover and a feature article in the May issue of YASSE - an art magazine that celebrates creativity and cultural expression from artists of many disciplines.

You can find some of my work for sale regularly on eBay. However, if any work here interests you, please forward your inquiries to: 416-653-6928, or, tracy.call@sympatico.ca

ABOUT MY ARTISTIC JOURNEY
I began painting about 9 years ago. From the moment I picked up my first brush I knew I was meant to create. I am self-taught, although I've taken classes and studied many books on art techniques. So I supposed I'm more self-directed.

While working full-time as a Designer at an Advertising Agency, I continued to study painting and drawing in my spare time. I found that as my skill in graphic design grew so did my ability to create a balanced composition, achieve colour harmony and skillfully develop interesting contrasts in line and form in my paintings. The two disciplines were quite complimentary. As a result, I exceled in both and was eventually promoted to Art Director.

In June of 2003, after successfully marketing and selling many paintings, I decided to leave my position as an Art Director to pursue a full-time career as a visual artist. My paintings are now in private collections in various homes and commercial spaces throughout Ontario as well as the United States via internet purchases.

ABOUT MY PHILOSOPHY
To me art is a celebration of life and a way to convey joy. But I also create because I have to. Like life, art chose me.

To that end, when a particular flower catches my attention, I paint it. If I'm driving in the country and a landscape gives me pause, I do a sketch then recreate it back in the studio. If a neat shade of green on a store wall jumps out at me, or I become fixated with a certain line or form I'll use it in an abstract.

I don't subscribe to the idea that an artist has only one true voice or style of painting. Not only would it bore me to do so but limit me from expressing my creative energy in a manner true to the emotions and thoughts moving through me at that time. And, I wouldn't have discovered the three prominent styles I currently paint in.

ABOUT MY CREATIVE PROCESS
The emotion chooses the medium for the most part and subsequently plays a large role in the voice that comes forward. When I want to capture a particular vision, I paint in acrylics. Those landscapes tend to look more realistic. But If I want to capture the impression something left on me I use watercolor. Those paintings are quite loose and provide only a glimpse of the beauty I saw. Like trying to remember a dream - lots of details and structure are missing.

If I don't know what to paint, but just need to, I'll do an abstract. They're lots of fun because you can leave the critic at the door and simply go inside yourself and explore, release stress, or just play with creative energy in the spontaneous way children do. It's very freeing. However, I'm always concerned with achieving a balanced composition, colour harmony and an interesting contrast in line and form. My 8 years of experience in graphic design and art direction heavily influence my need to do so.

Rarely do I use a brush when doing an abstract. I'll either stand on a chair to position myself a few feet above the paper on the floor and then splatter the paint or kneel down close to the surface and spray or pour the paint on and then move the paper around to drain and blend colour. Both watercolor or acrylic are used for whatever effect I feel I need at the time (or whatever tube is closer).

I only use a brush when creating a geometric abstracts. I'm usually in a quiet frame of mind and prefer to create structured blocks of colorful fields. But, in the end, I'll splatter something on there, just to remind myself to not to take it all too seriously.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS DURING COMMISSIONS
Commissioned projects are a real challenge because I have to delicately manipulate the balance between spontaneity and intention. I always learn alot when painting in such a conscious way and look forward to the opportunity. To Learn more about working with me on a commissioned project please click on the commission tab above.

ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN, DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION & ART DIRECTION
In June of 1997, I graduated with honors from the Advertising and Graphic Design program at The International Academy of Design & Technology in Toronto. I gained eight years experience in Graphic Design & Branding and held a position as a Designer and Art Director with a major advertising agency until June of 2003.

I am passionate about graphic design and continue to produce digital illustrations and assist small businesses with logo and brand development. You can find samples of this work in that section of my portfolio and I would be happy to speak with you should you require my help.