Welcome to my new online print shop! I’m so glad you’re
here.
Having a little home like this to sell my photographic
prints has been a long-time dream of mine so just writing about it gives me
butterflies. Over the years of my career, I’ve done a lot of things with my
photography from shooting for clients, writing photography books, blogs, and
articles to teaching photography at workshops and in online classes but selling
my work like this has somehow been put on the back burner. Until now!
My first offering here is called Time to Heal and it’s a collection
of imagery I’ve captured over the past year or so during a very challenging (emotional,
transitional, pivotal) time in my life. Separation after 25 years of marriage
during a pandemic, and the tending to a near fatally ill kitten as my youngest
daughter finishes out her senior year of high school and gears up to leave for
college has been a lot to handle. Especially all at the same time. Throughout
it all, I’ve used photography as my therapy; a way to focus on beauty, look for
the light, and hold onto hope during the hardest days. When I printed a handful
of my favorites from this phase of my life and held them in my hands I felt compelled
to make each one unique, not only in adding another layer but in using my hands,
a paintbrush, and texture that brought extra depth and visual interest to the
photographs. Little did I know that with every brushstroke added, I was processing,
evolving, and most of all healing. The time I’ve spent on this project has helped
bring me back to myself. If I learned anything, it’s that creativity can do
that.
The size of the prints in this collection is intentionally small—4x6
prints matted in simple, clean 8x6 block frames—because there is an intimacy about
small; a softness, a tenderness, a gentle invitation to get closer and really
look into the image. Even back in art school when more value was placed on bigger
and bolder, my desire was to work on a more intimate scale. I was criticized for
creating things that were “too small and too beautiful” and it almost drove me
to change my major and walk away from art. Spoiler alert: I stuck with it and
only got more confident in the work I wanted to create because of that criticism.
I share that history as a way to convey the meaning behind my intention in offering
this inaugural collection particularly. It’s a very full circle, highly curative
moment for me as an artist.
As for this first run, I have only made 1 print available per
image. It felt like a good way to dip my toe into the new world of selling my
art, which truthfully feels quite vulnerable. Please know that if the image you
wanted is already sold, please reach out as I am happy to create one for you! This
is my first sale but it’s not the last. I have already been working on different
images and exploring new ideas and it’s making me so happy.
Thank you again for being here and for your interest in my
work and my process. Your love and support is invaluable. If you have any
questions or you want to request a print of any of these images or even others from
me (my Instagram feed @traceyclark is filled to the brim with images) please use the contact form here or email directly at tracey@traceyclark.com.
Warmly,
Tracey