Inspiring Artist, Tracy Verdugo

Introducing Artist, Tracy Verdugo!

Hi everyone! I’m Tracy Verdugo, painter, singer, writer, mamma bear, wife, explorer of ideas, lover of humanity and nature, life long learner and believer in possibilities! I’ve been painting for around 11 years now and the discovery that there was a creative being inside of me who could sing and paint, in my early thirties, was quite a revelation! Since beginning my creative journey I’ve had 14 solo exhibitions, released 3 CD’s and been a part of countless group shows and festivals including a travelling exhibition that went to China and was viewed by millions! My paintings have sold both in Australia and internationally and I get a huge buzz thinking about them hanging in their new homes around the world. I LOVE to help others find their own unique form of creative expression and have run workshops and classes for kids and adults for 10 years. Together with the bubbly and ever so talented Hollyeva we have put together our Wholehearted workshops which we intend to run both here and overseas to help and inspire others to blossom creatively. This year my dream of teaching at an International retreat came true when I was accepted to teach at East- West Coast Retreat’s Art is You in Sydney March 2012 and Petaluma Sept 2012.

For me Art Is … a meditation, a way to view the world through fresh eyes, always making new discoveries. Art is never getting bored, being Spontaneous and Playful, a way to connect and express our own unique perspective on the world. I am currently working on what seems like a million and one things! Ideas come at all hours of the day and night so I have to make sure I write them down. The other day I had this complete vision while I was in the bath of Holly and I with our own TV show called the Upcycling Queens where we get to roam around op shops ( thrift stores), garage sales( yard sales) and junkyards finding unloved things and turning them into amazing new pieces of wearable art, sculpture etc..oh, how much fun would that be!! I’m working on articles and book ideas, workshop outlines for various retreats, learning how to make videos for online tutorials, workshops and music videos for our new songs and we also hope to have a new CD out this year so watch out for The Long Goodbyes. I’m also in my third year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts, painting for upcoming exhibitions and working on three commissions. Life is busy but wonderful cos’ I’m following my bliss!

So much inspiration out there! For more than 20 years I’ve been following the works and wisdom of Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra who were talking about manifesting your dreams long before The Secret came out. I am inspired by anyone who lives a passionate, purposeful life and I truly believe as Marianne Williamson says that “as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others”. I am soooo inspired by my friend Christine Brady who has single-handedly overcome third world bureaucracy to bring creativity to one of Tijuana’s most impoverished communities through her beautiful School of Hope. I have so many favourite quotes but right now I am loving “ Sometimes I believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast” Alice in Wonderland and this one by Michael Ondaatje “We die containing a richness of lovers and tribes, tastes we have swallowed, bodies we have plunged into and swum up as if rivers of wisdom, characters we have climbed into as if trees, fears we have hidden in as if caves.

I wish for all this to be marked on by body when I am dead… We are communal histories, communal books. We are not owned or monogamous in our taste or experience.” I think the biggest tip I can give for living a creative life is to surround yourself with a community of encouraging, inspiring people who are as passionate as you are, read lots, listen to podcasts with interesting creative people and don’t be too precious about your work; be prepared to make a lot of messes as part of the process AND do SOMETHING creative, no matter how small, every single day.

I’d love for you to come say hello to me at my blog or my FB page. I have also created a very magical mixed media group on FB where lots of talented artists share, support and inspire each other every day. Would LOVE to see you there!

Thanks soooo much for giving me the opportunity to share Jeniffer. What an amazing platform you have created for us to connect and share our passions.

artoftracyverdugo.blogspot.com my blog

www.myspace.com/theloooooooonggoodbyes our music

www.facebook.com/tracy.verdugo my FB

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atUVi6AyXas this is a video about our friend Christines amazing school… an oasis of creativity bringing the arts to some of the most impoverished kids in Tijuana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lREtI-9LQVA a little video of some of my art with a performance by Marco and myself of Somewhere over the Rainbow