"Flow Clutch" by Debbie Tracey.  Canvas cotton clutch designed by Debbie Tracey and her paintings.  9.5" L x 6.5" W.  
 
Debbie Tracey is an independent artist working with acrylic paint and mediums. Having grown up on Kauai, she pulls many of her ideas from experiences and beauty of the islands. Debbie graduated from Pacific University in Oregon with a degree in Fine Arts, adding a Master’s Degree in Education. She taught for 30 years and art was one of the topics she loved to share with her students. Her studio is on the Puget Sound in Olympia, Washington, Tracey finds inspiration in her island upbringing. The vibrancy of island life works its way into each of her abstracts. “My joy comes from bold color!” Tracey explains. “I also love the fluid movement of my work, which becomes a ‘dance’ with my creative soul.” This fluidity comes from her loose painting process, which involves pouring paint onto the canvas, moving and sculpting it with a pallet knife, and adding layers. Her combined use of color and texture creates a unique flow that evokes the natural beauty of Kauai. While she doesn’t always start with a particular subject in mind, many of Tracey’s paintings morph into abstract depictions of nature. “Each painting is an experiment with color and movement, which creates a unique and dynamic piece,” she says. “I usually start with choosing colors and go from there, mixing and moving them around the canvas. I work with my canvas laying flat on a table so I can view it from many angles. The painting evolves with new colors or layers added to the canvas.” Some of Tracey’s major artistic influences include Bette Ridgway and Caliche and Pao. She notes that “their color pallets greatly influenced my choices of color. Bright, wild, and exciting!” Viewers and collectors often comment that Tracey’s lively abstracts bring a smile to their faces and joy to their homes. Many have felt refreshed by the presence of island life and warmth in her paintings. Tracey is a member of The Artists’ Gallery in Olympia, WA, Mosaic Arts Alliance, ISEA, Society of Washington Artists, Puget Sound Group NW Artists, and shows her work at The Artists’ Gallery in Olympia, WA, Museum Contempo in Shelton, WA, Art At The Cave in Vancouver, Wa , Phoenix Rising Art Gallery in Vancouver, WA, The Valley Athletic Club in Tumwater, Wa, Mosaic Arts Alliance in Vancouver, WA, Society of Washington Artists in Vancouver, WA, Xanadu Catalog in Scottsdale, AZ, and Perks Of Art in Hillsboro, OR. Her work is available to see on her website debbietracey.com.