Tracy Love
Artist
I paint portraits, landscapes & still life - people, places & things - using water-based media, primarily watercolour, but also gouache and ink. When I feel brave, I’ll dabble in oils.
My interests
My intention as an artist is to show what we sometimes perceive as old, abandoned, or mundane can be striking. I like the colour of rusty, crumbling objects, where the sheen and patina of age demonstrate that elegance can be found in the process of decay. The interplay between nature and mankind – nature reclaiming the things we have made- reminds me that we are not above nature, but part of it and vulnerable to time.
My process
I typically work inside my studio to develop a painting. The ideas come from places I visit, people I see or scenes I think may make an interesting painting because of the light, colour or composition. I tend to take several photos which I edit, merge and use for reference. I first decide what size the painting should be, then spend a significant amount of time to work out a detailed drawing. I then decide on the colour palette and sometimes do a quick test painting or study to work out technique or style. I tend to paint in sections using a layered approach, usually from light to dark to build the image up slowly. In this way, I can react to what the painting may need, problem solving along the way without feeling I’ve gone to far.
Detail and realism are crucial aspects of my work and to engage you, the viewer, I like to exaggerate elements of my composition, so you feel as though you are part of the scene. To enhance that feeling, I like to paint on large paper, typically A1 or A2 size with the hope to go even larger when my space can permit it.
My background
I am an emerging self-taught artist painting largely by instinct. Originally from Jamaica, I emigrated to the United States as a pre-teen where I studied and eventually received a Master of Science in Geology. During my 30-year career as a geologist, I re-located to the United Kingdom in 2006. In late 2020, I left the energy sector and am now embarking on a second career - hence the name "Obsidian Lime", a nod to the path that has brought me to this point in time. Thank you for visiting my website and I hope you've enjoyed viewing the paintings. Please enquire if you have any questions.