FORT KENT - Sitting at the easel in her new home studio, Tracy Law spoke about the importance of art in her life, and her passion for facilitating others in finding their own creative spark.
The walls of Law’s house are full of vibrant art, with passages of poetry hanging in her kitchen, and plants adorning all the upper shelves - away from the two black cats that come in and out to snooze by windowsills.
“Art for me is my emotional balance. It’s how I process things. It makes me feel settled, and focused - at peace. It takes all the noise out of my head. I guess it’s become part of my identity . . . and I love helping other people tap into that for themselves.”
Law has foregone classical art training and instead adopted it as a lifestyle. She is big on alleviating the pressures of art and protecting the element of play within her own artistic practice, and while teaching others.
Law facilitates paint nights in the Lakeland and spoke fondly of the community aspect her paint nights bring, allowing people to gather and create together.
“For me, helping people tap into their creative spark, is almost as good as creating that piece of art that I just fall in love with.”
Law strives to create spaces where people of all skill levels can benefit from art.
“Everybody can create art, but we get these mindsets that it has to look a certain way. If you have someone to gently guide you . . . to shift your perspective, all of a sudden [it can open things up for you]. Sometimes I will take someone's canvas and hold it away from them to gain some distance. When you’re nose to nose with your canvas, you can get stuck in details.”
Instead of teaching students to paint one particular way, Law feels it’s better to equip people with the right techniques and attitude that will allow them to continue their artistic journey on their own.
“I’m teaching people how to put paint on canvas and how to see. And it’s OK if you think it’s bad and you make a mistake. I can teach you how to splash some water on it and fix it."
Law spoke ardently about how art teaches people to change their perspective and become observant of the beauty and detail of the world around them. The focus that art demands can be soothing on an overactive brain.
Law has always loved the way art and creating makes her feel, and she encourages people to follow their artistic inklings.
“I tell people to follow the feeling. When you feel that spark of inspiration, explore it.”
Getting into the flow state is where a lot of creative magic can happen, and Law explains that you don’t need a traditional paint and canvas to create.
“It’s the same with anything creative. You can decorate your house in the flow state . . . Bring a pen when you travel and doodle on the back of a program.”
As a way to cast off constrictions, Law encouraged people to try being led by art.
“Allow for the freedom to let it be what it is. If you’re drawing, just be curious and see what pours out of your pen. Let the art take you somewhere unexpected.”
Law has been interested in art since she was young, and one of her earliest memories of being inspired was in Grade 6, seeing a girl two desks away from her doodling and being amazed by her talent.
Law took art classes in school and resonated with the teachers and the art spaces.
“I remember one high school art teacher in particular - we’re still friends to this day - his classroom was so cool, there was stuff hanging from the walls and it was so inspiring. It enveloped you. It felt like a womb of art – it wasn't a room it was a womb. I felt like I was part of it automatically - I had found my tribe.”
Law shared her gratitude for the people in her life that inspired her to become an artist and feels the desire to pick up that torch and help others step into their creativity.
Although art is deeply entrenched in her life, Law has experienced artistic burnout, and the self-criticism that can sabotage the process.
“When I first moved here, I had stopped painting completely. I was not having fun. I recognized that I was overthinking – the one thing that brought me such joy, was bringing me such discomfort. I was stuck, so I packed up all my supplies and gave a lot away.”
Law said it was the people in her life who helped her get back her creative spark.
“My boss would say, ‘hey, could you make us a sign for the store? We need a background for the front window, do you think you could whip something up?’; and then my friend Tanya said to me “You’re an artist, let's go [to a paint night]” and she was giving me no quarter. So, I went and painted a galaxy.”
Law had the realization that it was time for her to allow someone to facilitate the process for her, so she let herself be led back to art.
“It was about having people along the way who were willing to tell me to stop messing around and just get back at it. That was my way back to my peace.”
