Welcome to my web site! Lots of big changes this year! I've been really getting into doing watercolors and will be offering original works as well as matted and/or framed prints (I'm suuuuuper excited about this!!) My work is generally a bit quirky, fun and colorful and definitely reflects my obsession with weird little houses. But I paint pretty much anything from coastal scenes to still life. But I'm getting a great response so far and that always makes any artist happy :) These will be listed as I paint them. All prints are sold matted in a clear cello sleeve and ready to display as they are. Frames will also be available in the options for each listing. I'll also be doing all sorts of new things like Greeting Cards (singles and boxed sets), Gift Tags and whatever other fun stuff I can think of!
So please do check them out and pop back in occasionally to see new work as it's listed!
I'm still trying to phase out my Etsy shops and this will ultimately become the only place I sell on line. It's not an easy transition but it'll eventually happen. And 1000 "Thank Yous" for being here!
I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2025! ♥♥ Tracey
Luck of the Irish.... Original Painting, Oil on Canvas block... 6 x 6
Only 1 left in stock
Luck of the Irish...
This was inspired by a Home and Garden issue from 1910. How lucky that someone actually gets to live in that house. The rolling hills on the seaside, surrounded by lush, Irish greens, birds calling, the salty smell of the sea gliding into the windows of this humble stone cottage. I can just picture the lacy curtains dancing in that breeze. Such a life.
Original oil painting by Tracey (me)
Oil on canvas block, 6" W x 6" T x 1.5 D
All of my paintings are originals (Not prints) and painted by myself (Tracey Connor) They make great one-of-a-kind gifts and are easily framed with commercial picture frames (TJ Maxx and Hobby Lobby is a great resource for them!) However, canvas blocks need no framing! ♦ I take pics in a few lighting situations but keep in mind, individual monitor settings can make colors vary slightly.
For my Watercolors, I use a 100% cotton, heavy weight archival paper. (meaning it's acid free and will not yellow over time) I leave a border on most but that can be covered up with a mat if you prefer. I do prefer the look of it though. I ship them sandwiched between carboard so it keeps them nice and flat and protects all edges. It also gives me a way to recycle my boxes. A win win!
For my Oil paintings, I prefer oil on both canvas or board (wood). I primarily use canvas wrapped wood blocks so they can be hung without the need for framing or any special tools since they're smaller and lighter weight. A small nail or even a push pin in a solid wall will do it! I love the dimensional effect this gives as they are painted on all 4 sides as well. I love that they look good alone or even in groups for a fun variety of artwork without taking up too much space. Even though these are smaller works, they take anywhere from 5 - 10 hours to complete. They are all signed (usually on the back... I find the signature is a bit of an distraction on smaller paintings.) These make great gifts or even a treat for yourself! Because everyone should have art in their lives. ♥
A bit about me... As with all of my work, I am self-taught. Glass, clay silversmithing, sewing and painting. Like many. it's just something I was born with. The desire to make stuff. I've been doing it since my motor skills allowed. I just see something that sparks an idea (and that could be anything...a color combo, a shape, my cats, a dream, a song, anything.) and after I do my mental assessment, I try it. I can look at something, get an idea, ask myself "Can I make that? How? What do I need? Do I already have the supplies? Would it take a long time to make it? Would I like to do it? And lastly, "Would I be able to sell it"? And if all or most of these are a YES, I give it a whirl. This is a super fast, 30 second thought process. Maybe less. Sometimes I absolutely love it. Sometimes,well, not so much. The stuff in the "Love" column will be practiced until I get the hang of it and sold right on here. Some of the things in the "not so much" category are things like stained glass. (hated it. Everything about it.) Acrylic pour painting (hated it...too messy), knitting (hated it but wanted to love it...just takes way too long) This does not mean what I made was awful (although somtimes it was). It just means I didn't enjoy it. At all. But I can absolutely appreciate the work that goes into it and the skill and talent that it takes to create these things. (nothing makes you appreciate art like trying to do it yourself!) But the point I'm trying to make is that I do try lots of stuff and also fail! But that's how we learn. That's how we know what doesn't work. Be patient with yourself. And don't beat yourself up if something isn't "perfect". You'll get better. And keep the "failures"! They allow you to look back and see how far you've come! Many people think they can't do something all because they haven't tried. And who knows...maybe you've got a hidden talent in there! Everyone is great at something. They just need to discover what that thing is. And trying any art is a great place to start!