Tracey Elliott has returned to painting comparatively recently. This double portrait really caught my eye for its strong composition, dramatic lighting and confident application of paint. Interestingly, Tracey’s usual work is much more delicate and precise, which makes this painting even more refreshing. Here she explains why she feels she was able to break with her usual working practices and liberate her creativity. If you would like to see more of Tracey’s work, post a comment or upload your own images to our free online gallery, visit www.paintersonline.co.uk
Tracey studied fine art, sculpture and printmaking at college, and advertising and design at university. She worked in the advertising industry for over 30 years, finding little time for drawing, and it is only recently that she has gone back to it. She writes: ‘I started drawing again about three years ago, mainly animal portraits in coloured pencil, but last July I was asked to paint something on a wall at my local village club. Although I was nervous using a new medium – acrylics – as well as painting something other than animals, I loved every minute of it, and it inspired me to paint more.