April-May, 2006 Gallery Exhibit Featured
"Prickly Subjects" by Sandy Tracey
Arizona
painter Sandy Tracey creates bold and almost day-glow depictions of cacti
that jump off the canvas. They do -- particularly when they sport realistic
toothpick spines and glochids! Her work has been shown in galleries from Mesa
to Tubac, Globe, Tempe, Fountain Hills, Chandler, and Scottsdale. During April
and May of 2006 her works were shown in our visitor center gallery.
Her most memorable exhibition remains her first. Let the artist explain: “My
mother used to give me crayons and a coloring book when I was still in the
crib, so I’d stay busy while she would be sewing nearby in my bedroom.
One day she was cleaning the house up for a dinner party that evening. As
usual, she gave me my crayons and coloring book, but left me alone so she
could clean the house. To her horror, when she returned to the bedroom, I
had drawn on each bar on the crib, every wall space between the bars as far
up as I could reach -- using every color in the Crayola box, of course! There
was no time to clean it up before the guests arrived, so she did the next
best thing: she brought everyone in to show off “what my little artist
has created.” I was off to a running start - since then, painting has
been my passion!”
Sandy
moved to Arizona in 1976, after graduating from Michigan State University
with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. “Having grown up in the Midwest, the desert
was an extreme change in landscape. I immediately fell in love with, and am
still fascinated by, the different plants and trees the desert offers. I love
to use the striking shapes made by cactus to create colorful interpretations
of the desert. Saguaros are a favorite theme in my work, along with prickly
pear cactus. I use colors that are bold and dynamic; my paintings are taken
from sketches, plein air painting or my desert hike photographs. Several pieces
represented in this show are new works, plein air pieces done at the Arboretum
during the past few months. My palette consists of acrylics, watercolors,
pastels, markers, and mixed media. To me color is everything: I love the shape
and texture of different cactus species, and I try to convert the play of
light and shapes of what I observe into fun interplay of colors… my work
will never be accidentally confused with a photograph!”
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a 320-acre collection of plants from the world's
deserts. Criss-crossed by more than two miles of trails, this Arizona State
Park is cooperatively managed with the University of Arizona's College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Arboretum is at highway 60 milepost #223,
about 45 miles due East of Mesa as you approach the copper mining town of
Superior. Annual memberships at the Arboretum begin at $35, and include a
full year's access, guest passes for friends and family, and many other benefits.
Gallery exhibits are displayed in the visitor center each month and may be
seen daily during business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (May-through-August
hours are 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) Daily admission is $7.50 for adults, $3
for ages 5-12. For other details please call 520.689.2811
Correspond with the artist by email to sandy@vipit.net,
or else view thumbnail images from the exhibit and review a price list at
http://www.sandytracey.com
Arboretum business hours during April are 8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (during Summer admission is taken from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m. and the Arboretum closes at 3:00 p.m. promptly) Admission is $7.50 for
adults and $3 for ages 5-12. Visitors who are not annual members must pay
daily admission to enter the Arboretum and view this exhibit. Annual memberships,
which include free admission, are available starting at $35, and a membership
may be purchased the day of the visit.
From June through July 22 the Arboretum hosts
Mesa Art League members' annual juried exhibition. To review other recent
gallery shows from...
March, 2006 CLICK HERE
February, 2006 CLICK HERE
January, 2006 CLICK HERE
December CLICK HERE
November CLICK HERE
October CLICK HERE
September CLICK HERE
July/August CLICK HERE
June/July CLICK HERE
May CLICK HERE
April CLICK HERE
March CLICK HERE
February CLICK HERE
January CLICK HERE
December CLICK HERE