artist statement
I am an artist located in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. My work is influenced by the changing of seasons, and the natural world that surrounds me. I quite often abstract the patterns that I find in the natural landscape of my garden—leaves, petals, flowers, raindrops, seeds, feathers—as well as the rolling Palouse hills. I also explore thoughts of aging and being a mortal woman who fears for her sanity in this world of chaos. I want my work to elicit a sense of peace and quiet, even though the world rages around us.
I work with fibers and fabrics, because these materials are comforting and quieting to my soul. Almost all of the fabrics that I use are recycled, or re-purposed in some way. I rarely use fabric that I haven’t dyed, painted, stamped, or in some way changed the surface design. While I don’t consider myself to be a quilter, I use quilting as a technique. I also work with paper to create mixed media abstract collages. Here again, I paint, or print, or mark-make on the paper. Whichever media I am using, I create the marks and compositions by hand, without the use of AI or any computerized assistance.
I delight in the spontaneity of each project along the way—happy accidents often lead to new discoveries. My finished compositions are quite often very detailed. I want my work to be accessible and comforting. In a world of computerized anxiety, I hope my work is calming to those who view it and quieting to those who purchase it.
I also explore thoughts of aging and being a mortal woman who fears for her sanity in this world of chaos and computerized anxiety. I work with paper and paint to create mixed media abstract paintings and collages. I am not interested in being a camera, simply recording the truly representational. The challenge of creating a compelling composition that is fully abstracted is of much more interest to me. Whichever media I am using, the abstractions are my own. I create the marks and compositions by hand, without the use of AI or any computerized assistance. My finished compositions are quite often very layered, textured, and visually detailed. I want my work to elicit a sense of peace and quiet, even though the world rages around us, and my anxiety is getting the better of me.
Tracy Randall is a contemporary mixed-media artist with an unwavering love for exploring color and form. Through fiber art surface design, painting, and collage, she creates layered abstract compositions that ignite the senses and invite exploration. Fabric and fibers are her primary art medium. She also enjoys the looseness and more immediate gratification of mixed media painting and collage. Her work is done by hand, and the hand of the artist is evident, nothing created with AI or computer. Tracy studied at and has her BFA from the University of Idaho. She has work available through the Carrie James Gallery in Colfax, WA, as well as the Greystone Grand Gallery in Pullman, WA. She has had a public art studio at the Dahmen Artisan Barn in Uniontown, Washington since 2006, where she also teaches classes.
“It really feels very self indulgent and self absorbed to be making art right now. I don't have as much energy for it. But I am going to keep at it.”
-Tracy Randall