Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Tracy Lizotte

Today’s  Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx interview is with artist Tracy Lizotte. Tracy is an watercolorist whose who creates & sells heartwarming and charming prints documenting childhood and the nature world. I am smitten…

Learn more about Tracy and her work in my interview with her below.

What’s your creative process like?

Most of my paintings are inspired from my daily life. My children are my biggest source of inspiration at the moment. Usually, I will witness something that I want to paint and if it’s a painting of children, I will get a photo reference. I can change colors, clothing, and hair types of children, but I do not like to compromise the body gesture. I want to capture the exact body motion that inspired me to create the painting in the first place. So, I usually have to ask one of my daughters to pose for me to get the painting just right. The next part is easy; I draw it up and paint it!

What are your inspirations in your art and life?

My inspiration is to keep art in my life! Now that I have a family and a mortgage to take care of, I’m completely dedicated to growing my art career for two reasons. First is to make sure we have enough income to pay the bills and feed the family, and second it to make sure I keep painting in my life. I have gotten to a point where raising a family and taking care of a house takes up the majority of my time, and the only time I have left is for a job. So, if I didn’t make painting my career, I would have to say goodbye to it until my girls are grown and that is a terrifying thought for me! It’s also what motivates me to work every day and to do my very best.

What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?

I completely love what I do, and that is by far the best! I picked up a paintbrush when I was ten and have loved painting watercolors ever since. It has just taken me a while to figure out the business end of this career. I also love the fact that I can work from my house and watch my girls. I have four girls, Jillian is eight, Emma is five, Abby is four, and Little Lydia is nine months. I would also say working from home is also the worst part of the job because I have to juggle being a mom and an artist and the two roles are in constant  competition with each  other. Oh, and I don’t want to forget, I’m also a wife and have to take care of my husband and house! Most of the time I wish I had just that…more time!

What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at?

When I have the time to surf the Web, I will check out a lot of blogs that pertain to the arts:  Decor8, DesignSponge, poppytalk, and a whole slew of artist blogs. When it comes to shopping, I don’t usually get out much, but when I do it’s usually to a kid store for one of my girls, or the grocery store!  

What’s your favorite comfort food and why?

Pizza and chocolate milk, but not together. Pizza has always been my go-to food for as long as I can remember, and I got hooked on chocolate milk before bedtime during my last pregnancy and it stuck.

What’s something you’ve learned as an adult that you wish you knew as a kid?

Don’t wait for your life to happen, make it happen! I always knew I wanted painting to be my full time career, but I waited to start it until I became a stay at home mom. That’s what lit a fire under my ass! I stopped teaching, but still needed to bring in an income and working full-time from my home studio was the answer. I just wish I started it so much sooner!

What 3 things can’t you live without?

My family is by far the most important thing in my life! After that I would say materials to draw and paint. I guess the third thing (and I hate to admit it) would be my Iphone.

Do you have a mentor? If not, who would your dream mentor be?

Growing up my mentor in art was my Great-Aunt Dot. She was an artist and took the time to show me all the professional tools available and how to properly use them. She taught me the history of watercolors, and the traditional techniques, but still let me develop my own style and for that I’m grateful! From my experience with her I learned the importance to apprentice with those you admire. I love to help others now!  I encourage anyone who wants to learn more about art to have the courage to ask question and never stop. The more you talk with other artists the more you will learn about yourself and grow as an artist.