Steve Tracy

studies at many respected art schools and is a graduate of the American Art Institute. He perfected his talents through work with various studios in San Francisco, New York and Colorado. After graduation Steve began work as a scenic artist with film companies. He found work on HBO’s ‘Dawns Early Light” and in 1991 won an Emmy Award for this work. His work as a visual art instructor has seen him work in art institutes in Colorado and Hawaii as well as conducting several workshops throughout the United States and Scotland. Today, Steve lives in Southwest Ontario where he donates his time to public art endeavors in the area. He continues to exhibit and teach throughout the United States and Canada.

Artist Statement

"My work is a reflection of the self. The mirror image I see every day subliminally finds its way into my practice, resulting in art infused with color, texture and figurative forms. Every painting represents a new day, a new diary entry, and a new emotion. While I explore a variety of genres, the common theme in my work is abstract design, through which my personal fears and passions are transposed into two or three dimensional imagery. This abstract element can be found in each painting, just as elements of landscape painting can be found in all my abstract works. My background training in design has translated into a passion for creating visually aesthetic compositions that I can offer to the community. When I was first introduced to art at the age of ten, I used a toothpick because I did not have a brush. This sort of forced me to look at art as pixels creating detail. As a traditionalist at heart, I often employ oils, acrylics, and watercolors. After years of experimenting with oil paint, I have discovered ways of mixing, dying, and playing with gravity to create fanciful pieces. My use of materials has also extended to include birch boards, papier mache, and gold leaf and a plethora of mixed media due to my film experience. Regardless of the medium, my art reflects my passion for color, natural landscapes, and imagination. I find daily inspiration from the natural beauty of my surroundings and from my own mindful experiences. I consequently lean towards scenes that are not confined by the parameters of reality. At the heart of my art lies the concept of escape – from a difficult childhood, to an altered state of mind or to a different geographical location. Throughout my life, art has provided a retreat from surrounding chaos as well as a mirror of a beautiful place. However, I have also learned to embrace forms of chaos and combine it with the essentials of design to create equity in the design. My prior experience as a scenic artist and stage manager taught me that the world is my palette; a world which I love and long to improve through the visual communication of beauty."

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