Meet Tracy Sayers Trombetta
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How did you start creating?
I was an administrator, business owner and single mom for 30 years. I liked to sketch and draw when I was younger but was so busy for most of my adult life that I never gave painting a thought. Never even crossed my mind. People often ask if I knew I could paint and the answer is a genuine no. Then - I bought a 100 year old house for 2 of my daughters to live in when they were in college/grad school (cheaper than room and board) I had an absolute BLAST doing faux finishes in the house (cue my love of textured finishes) and then rescuing furniture for them to use in the house. I spent so much time at the local Annie Sloan retailer that I ended up teaching painting classes there. Loved it so much that I really never stopped! I've taught classes, had my own booth in an antique mall, started canvas painting, moved on to gallery showings, became a USA Distributor for products and then went and started Painting Lady Designs. We will have to see what the future still holds!
Favorite thing you have ever created?
I'm not sure I have one favorite thing. My 3 daughters (they all turned out pretty cool) I will always be proud of starting/creating Step By Step Inc Early Childhood/Child Care programs. I started with 3 staff and 3 children in 1993. It's still going strong today with 6 licensed programs caring for over 300 children daily and 50+ employees. It's provided quality care and education for thousands of children over the years and pretty much life long employment for some of our staff - They're amazing. As for painting/creating.... I will always love beach paintings. I was honored a few years ago to be asked to paint a 20 foot long wall mural at a new cancer treatment center in Alton, IL It was a very long hallway to the radiation treatment area and they wanted something peaceful and calming for patients. I used real sand (got to have that texture) with the theme of "Footprints in the Sand" - and created real footprints in the sand. The wording (a transfer) was "It was then that I carried you" It was an accomplishment I think I'll always be proud of.
Favorite Paint and Color to work with?
I'm a texture addict through and through. As it says on my artist website: "I'm fascinated with combining techniques to create both physical and visual texture. I'm very often found with plaster on my hands, glue on my shirt and paint in my hair - somewhere between self-taught artist and mad scientist. Perhaps it's attributable to the many years I spent developing multisensory activities and curriculums for very young and special needs children - I want to create art that is more than something to just look at. I'm absolutely thrilled to watch someone look at one of my paintings and automatically raise their hands to touch it or look at it from different angles and then turn around and say "how did you do that??" To that end - I have used many products over the years. I started with Annie Sloan paint and have always found the paint and Annie herself to be top notch. I do love Dixie Belle's patina products. Very easy to use and consistent results. I will always and forever love woodUbend and Posh Chalk products - the variety and possibilities that can be created with their products are mind boggling.
Something most do not know about you
Oh my...... How about I'm British? According to Ancestry.com - 99% British as a matter of fact lol I moved to the USA as a child but I'm very British sometimes .....
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A fashion designer! I even sent some of my drawings in to a clothing company (who knows which one it was) But I remember getting a letter back saying thank you and to get back in touch when I was grown up (written by some very kind person lol) I think I wanted to be a stewardess for a while (they were pretty glamorous back then....)
If you could choose anywhere in the world to live, where would it be and why?
In real life? Close to my grandchildren (#3 on his way very soon) so that I can be a part of their lives every day. In my dreams? Not one place at all - I'd travel the world and paint all the places I saw.....
Finish this sentence. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me...
Hmmmm could be painting. Could be playing with my grandchildren. Most likely? Drinking tea and planning the week ahead.
How do you want people to remember you?
Ohhhh my..... A good mom. An entrepreneur. An artist. A good boss. A dog lover. Kind, loyal, honest and rather persistently thinking outside of the box.