MoA&A Interview #15: Traci Wilkes

Hello, everyone! Welcome to July, and the Month of Artist and Author Interviews here on the website!

Today’s interview features mixed media artist Traci Wilkes–sister of esteemed Waterworld Mermaid author Avery Flynn. (I know a little bit about having an artistic sister… ) Talent definitely runs in the family!

If you like what you see here, be sure to pop on over to Traci’s Artful World Galleria Blog and check out some more!

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Author or Artist?
I’m a mixed media artist who loves to use acrylic and mix in other mediums to create a work of art.  I’m best known for my abstract art featuring aspects of pareidolia.  I collage newspaper onto canvas, cover with acrylic, ink and PVA glue. Generally, when the painting is done drying, you can make out a visage-just like seeing faces in the clouds, tree bark or negative space in wallpaper. I also do whimsical art that is more illustrative in nature.

Who are your professional role models?
My entire art guild family, Kelly Rae Roberts, and my sister

What’s your favorite writing/sketching weather?
I like it to be sunny but cool outside.  Luckily, western Nebraska has a lot of sunshine in the winter, so I can be tucked up cozy and warm in my studio and still have great natural light.

Set your current playlist/musical device to “shuffle all” and hit PLAY. What’s the first song that comes up?
Born this Way, Lady Gaga

If you could win any award, which would it be?
Best Seed Planter Award (I like to mention a little something that causes someone to consider what else they could aspire to; I want everyone to dream big!)

Would you rather have magical powers, or a spaceship?
MAGICAL POWERS – specifically- I’d like to be able to stop time so I can caught up

What was your favorite book as a child?
Swiftly Tilting Planet  by Madeleine L’Engle

What thing do you wish you could go back in time and tell your 10-year-old self?
Just because drawing realistically may not be my gift, it doesn’t mean I’m not an artist.  If you create, you are an artist- you just have to find the medium that allows you to fulfill your soul’s purpose.

What’s your favorite constellation?
Pisces

What’s your favorite fairy tale?
Cinderalla ( because I like old Disney songs)

What thing are you most proud of?
Being just fearless enough to show my art in public in 2009 which resulted in sales, opportunities and a lot of personal growth. Being published in Somerset Studio Gallery Magazine, Summer 2011.  Accepted in to the WNAC juried show in 2010 and 2012.

The Colin Harvey Memorial Question: Name 3 things on your List of Things to Do Before You Die.
-Open a brick and mortar business focused on kids and adults using art to heal, grow and express themselves.
-Get a licensing deal for my whimsical art.
-Go to Nantucket, I love the way that word sounds. Oh, I would really like to go to a big time art retreat like ArtFest or Art and Soul. Maybe they could host one in Nantucket?

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Traci Wilkes is an abstract and mixed media artist living in Scottsbluff, Nebraska with her husband and two fat cats.  She is driven to create all kinds of art and enthusiastically shares techniques and tips with others.  Her abstract art reveals subconscious memories and moods and often seems metaphysical.  Her mixed media pieces convey concepts she wishes to communicate more directly. Visit her blog on her webstite, www.artfulworldgalleria.com