Tracey, the Artist: from There to Here

Ain't I cute?  Don't tell any of my former students that I just used "ain't," but this picture calls for it.  Here I am in the early years- second grade to be exact.  You see those circles on my poster?  Oh, that's just where I glued my favorite cereal, Fruit Loops, or was it a favorite candy, Lifesavers, onto the poster.   This was an early attempt at mixed media.  If my memory serves correctly, the were placed inside a lasso and I may or may not have been using them as bullet points.  Then again, my memory could be a little faulty going back that long ago. 

I am very much so the serious little artist here, but cute with a head full of blond hair.  And that prize money!  I can't remember if I received $5.00 or $3.00, but I remember it feeling like the world.  That was dime store shopping money.   

41st Annual National Wayne County Juried Show

"Gather 'Round" - mixed media

The hear and now:  I won't mention how many years must have passed between second grade and when the photo above was taken which was about a year ago at the 41st Annual National Wayne County Juried Show.  One thing is for certain, oh, the mixed media...and maybe the food...?  I'm still gluing as you can see in the mixed media piece, "Gather 'Round."  It's completely created with patterned paper and acrylic paint.

If you want to read more of my story from the there to the here,  check out the beautifully written editorial from my friend Rebecca J. Whitman over on her blog, The Bohemian Princess Journal.