5/365- Be Brave- Figurescape Series by Tracey Grumbach

Harford County Artist Tracey Grumbach

'Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?'
'That is the only time a man can be brave,' his father told him.

―George R.R. Martin; A Game of Thrones

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Hoping all of you have a beautiful Labor Day. Here's to being brave today.

Until tomorrow...

xo

Mobile Art Created on iPhone Apps- Don't Limit Me

Mobile-Art-Created-on-iPhone-Apps-Tracey-Grumbach

My newest figurative piece is titled "Don't Limit Me". I am still struggling to find just the right feel with this style of art, but I keep trying! I still haven't completed the third lesson in the Figurescapes class as I have been not feeling well most of the week, but I am starting to get antsy to finish it and start my second class about teaching online classes. So, my goal is to find time and feel well enough this weekend to complete the first course. So far I have completed 5 different pieces inspired by or required by this class: Dixie and Go Figure, No Fear, On the Edge, and this one. I was honored that On the Edge was chosen on Instagram as a featured piece by @ig_artistry. 

Speaking of Instagram, have you all heard about Chatbooks? They are these adorable little books that are printed from your Facebook or Instagram photos. I've heard so much about them and since I usually only print one copy of my art, I decided to have my Nine Acres Designs Instagram account printed so I could have a record of all the images I've created since opening that account. Well, yesterday I received 4 Chatbooks in the mail and I was in total love. It was so cool to see all of my Instagram posts bound together in a tiny picture book. My twins went crazy for them and immediately sat down looking through each one. They are decent quality for the value price you pay and it is nice, like I said, to have all of it printed. Each time you get 60 images on your Instagram you can print a new volume. Later today I will take a picture of the ones I received and put it up on Facebook. Look for that if you are interested!

Tonight is a special night because it is the artists' reception for the Art Without Boundaries exhibit in which I have two pieces showing. All the art was divided between Bel Air Library and Havre de Grace Library but both of my pieces of art are showing at the Bel Air location. I am looking forward to seeing the entire installation and meeting the other artists!

I'm also thrilled to receive the news that The Mighty, the online magazine which I am a contributing author for, is publishing my 4th article soon! I will for sure let you know on Nine Acres Designs Facebook page when the article has been published. I imagine is should be sometime today.

This weekend, if I am able to, is an exciting one. Tomorrow my son has a rugby match in Washington D.C. Then, on Sunday, my daughter has a performance at a local church for a play that she has been working on all week in VBS camp. Also on Sunday I get to pick up my oldest daughter from the airport after her amazing trip to Seattle and Vancouver. It will be good to support my kids this weekend and have my girl back home.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend. Be safe and have fun! See you back here on Monday!

xo

Dixie- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

Dixie- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

Meet Dixie- Dixie was created as a result of learning some new techniques in the Figurescapes Digital art class I am taking. Her name just came to me as I was creating this piece. She looks like a Dixie, doesn't she? While the class is focused on creating figurative humans, I wanted to create a more realistic version of an animal but still honor the new strategies I've learned. I created this on my own after completing the below assigned second project-

Below is the final result of the second project. The projects are a bit too abstract for my taste, but I am enjoying the process anyway.

Go Figure- Digital Art Class Project

I have two more projects to complete in the class, so there is still more learning ahead. I can't wait to see how these new skills will play out in my future work.

Today Brian and I are taking our oldest son to check out a trade school he is interested in near Philadelphia. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Ours is a busy one, so I will see you on the other side. Be safe out there, y'all.

xo

No Fear- Figurescapes Project 1

No Fear- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

In my new Figurescapes class I am taking, this is my completed first project. It is totally out of the realm of what is "normal" for me- an abstract human figure. I rarely include humans in my digital art work and when I do they are typically self portraits. While I really enjoyed and loved this first project and while I learned a ton, both about myself and about apps and artistic process, I am not sure this is exactly "me."  But, that is ok. The point was to push myself out of my artistic box and see what I can learn. I will continue exploring this type of art to see if I can apply more of "my style" to it and make it more me.

I titled it "No Fear" because that was my mantra going into this project and it stuck with me throughout the weekend. I often times find my fear of failure holding me back from trying new things, so I thought it was an appropriate title for my first project. Those words also popped into my mind when I thought about the defiant body posture the figure is taking in this piece. She looks strong and fearless and powerful in her stance. No Fear. I love it. Can you see the cursive written words "no fear" toward the bottom of the piece in her leg area? Just a sweet reminder to myself to let me fears go and let the process work unhindered.

What do you fear? How is this holding you back from achieving your goals or holding you back from trying new things? How can you overcome this fear? Talk to me...

Have a great Monday and a fantastic Independence Day. I may or may not have a post tomorrow, so if I don't, have a safe holiday!

xo