Tracey Ellis-Haynes

Artist Statement

I’ve been drawing since the time that I can remember. I grew up in a rural community just outside of the mid-western town, Cincinnati, Ohio. We moved sometimes twice in a year, from apartment to apartment. This was due to the rowdy lifestyle of my hippy brothers, it was the 70’s and 80’s. For me, drawing and creating was a way of making sense of the constant instability. My three older brothers gave my single mother, although a strong woman, all the trouble she could handle. So I stayed quiet, finding solace with pencil and paper, in any quiet place I could find. I wanted to create a different world from what was around me. At the same time, I was soaking in the 70’s music and album art that my hippy brothers exposed me to. Eventually, I went to college, the only one from my family to do so. Although I wanted to pursue fine art, my naivety told me to study graphic design, intending to secure employment once earning my degree. That’s indeed what happened, for 27 years. But I continued to draw and paint, accepting portrait commissions and continuing to learn while working full time as a Federal Trial Illustrator. The desire to pursue art full-time was always driving me to learn more, and continue forward. I eventually left “working for the man” and am now finally painting full time.

I came to realize we all have an innate desire for story; in me, it comes through my work. When I’m asked to explain one on my paintings, I’m reluctant to give all of my story verbally. I’ve found that the viewer can interpret the piece through their unique lens, sometimes in ways that blow my mind, that may or may not be close to my intended narrative. They seem to connect to the piece on a deeper level with out my explanation. I use symbolism and color harmonies, sometimes subtly, to guide the story. In my piece, At Stake, I’m exploring the influence of Alfred Hitchcock’s imagery, intentionally redirecting the power he held over women, to women. There’s a relaxed look on her face as she’s possibly setting her self up for demise, she appears to be content, not a victim at all. This is the first of a series in the works, inspired by cinematography. I love portraying the inner strength of the feminine, subtly, and never as a victim.

My work aligns with the contemporary resurgence of representational figure painting, focusing on narrative. I’m captivated by people; our stories, spirit and most of all our perseverance. I’m inspired by historical and contemporary narrative and history painters. People are fascinating, I’m ever intrigued by the creativity, diversity, and inner strength of people. I’m an observer of this amazing thing we call life, it’s struggles and advances.

PoetsandArtists.com

Artist Magazine