The Art of Robert Tracy - An Appreciation.by Robert Knapp, Ph.D.
Robert Tracy is a self-taught romantic-realist artist. At the time he began his art career, non-objective art held a near monopoly to the claim of serious art. The art schools were among the staunchest supporters of that monopoly. The choice was to get on board or go your own way. Robert Tracy went his own way.
A casual perusal of his web site will reveal the range of his accomplishment. He has mastered oils, water colors, pencil, silver point, and acrylics. He is equally at home with painting the human figure, still life, portraits, and landscapes. His style is marked by a focused clarity and a keen sense of balance. The subjects are attractive and are intended to be contemplated and enjoyed.
Tracy’s art is not fashionable. It does not seek to shock, affront, distort, deconstruct, or dissolve. It seeks only to invite you in to share his world.
What is that world? For the most part, it is a world of peace and absorption. It is a world of people, and sometimes animals, who are intently focused on whatever they happen to be doing. A girl lovingly holds a cat. Or shoulders a miniature alligator. Or puts on makeup or an earring. Or contemplates a vista. Or reads. Or does homework. A cat stalks its prey. Or looks out the window. Or enters the house seeking attention. Though there can be drama, there is little conflict and usually no social interaction.
© 2000 Robert Knapp. All Rights Reserved
Robert Tracy
Photo of the Artist by his wife, Linda. March 14, 2008.
Married 39 years.
2 daughters: Gretchen, 40. Heather, 36.
3 grandchildren: Dominic, 17. Francesca, 14. And Axel, 1 year.
2 years and 40 days in Vietnam with the Marines.
Graphic by Robert Tracy in Photoshop 7
See Original works for sale at Quent Cordair Fine Art:
Among the many values that art can offer, the subtlest one--and, perhaps, the most inspiring--is the sight of talent, talent as such, the spectacle of human ability actualizing its best potential. In the presence of a great achievement, you feel as if you were seeing two art works: one is the object before you, the other is the artist who made himself capable of creating it. --Ayn Rand
If interested I have a site of my photographs. Haven't put anything new up there for more than a year, but there you can find some of the source images for some of the paintings I submit at deviantArt:
Unsophisticated Photographs
Several of my paintings were inspired by passages in Ayn Rand's book "ATLAS SHRUGGED"
I have supplied the quotes from that book in the relevant paintings. Click the links below to read them.
Galt's Gulch
Benjamin Wylie Grain and Feed
Frozen Train
Good Morning
Multiplying
Old Farm
Moonlit Beach with Marbles
FAQ
If you're a student you do not have the credentials of a professional art critic. Indeed, even I, who am a professional artist don't have those credentials. Therefore I have never given a critique of another's work. For me it's a matter of does it touch me personally in some way. So I rather say "I like it" and praise someone's work for it's artistic values. However, I never second guess another's work, looking for faults. A professional Art Critic better know the philosophy of Aesthetics and have a degree in journalism. When I say "Critique Not Desired", I mean only this: unless you have the proper training, you shouldn't attempt to nit-pick at another's work. This does not mean that I don't appreciate comments. I do, and I welcome them. A comment is an observation, an insight, an opinion.
See, I recall in college the encouragement of students critiquing other students' works. I knew then I was not qualified to do so and refused to paticipate in this kind of ganging up on an individual.
Moreover, to critique is to criticize. "Criticize": to judge disapprovingly; find fault (with); censure. Webster's New World Dictionary.
In short, a critique--unless specifically requeseted--is impolite.
Art Review and Various 
Sorrow
How are you? Have you received my note?
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'_____'~
I clicked the links from your note, but I can't open .rar files. I'll try again.
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"The artist sees what others only catch a glimpse of." -- da Vinci
Originals: "Prices" [link]
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'_____'~
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And it's all that needs said. It reveals your lovely soul.
Thank you very much,
Robert
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"The artist sees what others only catch a glimpse of." -- da Vinci
Originals: "Prices" [link]
There will be fewer and fewer of those. That makes me sad. Your marriage commitment becomes even more precious. A true diamond against the black velvet of a world going mad.
I became so involved in reading your journal, I jumped in this comment box before even looking at your art.
I like the quotes you include in your journal.
I'm very encouraged by what you wrote about critique. I feel that way, but didn't have the confidence to say it.
I don't have any formal training in art.
I've noticed how a piece of art that is very primary can capture my attention and evoke response.
The technically great artists rarely do that, for me anyway.
I can see already that this does not apply to you. "The spark" ?? I suppose that factor is in the eye of the viewer primarily.
It is like creativity has to come from an uncreated source. Paradox, not logical.
I timidly took a watercolor class a few years ago. Just a little community thing, an elderly lady teaching a group of retired women how to paint flowers. And then there was me.
I'd never allowed myself the luxury of paint and brushes before. I painted half a face and an unborn child with big veins in the forehead, sort of like a tree, of life.
She skipped me every time she circled around to give critique.
I was sinking lower and lower in my chair. I had been terrified to step up and face that blank white piece of possibility. Especially in public.
At that point, I thought she might ask me not to return for the other 3 sessions.
At the end of class, she asked me to hang my art in the upcoming Art Association Show. Took some convincing, and much courage on my part, to have such audacity.
The judge of the show was merciless toward my art, and I was devastated. Wrote his criticism of me in the art association newsletter.
BUT< ...The night of the local art walk show, my one piece was the only thing that sold.
It was taken home to hang next to an original PINO. The art collector had very "discriminating taste". Whatever.
It dropped a spark in the dormant creative fuel that had been waiting inside of me.
I do ramble don't I?
Now, I look forward to exploring your art.
mel
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I'm happy to hear you have no formal art training. Teach yourself, I say.
So you beat the critic of your art. Congratulations!
Now, I look forward to visiting your art.
Robert
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"The artist sees what others only catch a glimpse of." -- da Vinci
Originals: "Prices" [link]
And don't forget to fave so more people can see your art ^_^
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How are you? I'm fine. Workinh hard as your advice. And very happy.
Plase, if you have a time, visit my another DA account? [link]
I create it for organize my illustrations.
Thanks for all. Your advice 'work hard, friend' is always with me.
Thanks for the gift you gave to Bruno. He like it very much.
You are so kind.
Onde day, I really like to meet you.
Kisses for you and your Linda,
Tina.
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"I wished to know the meaning of things. I am the meaning. I wished to find a warrant for being. I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction." (Ayn Rand)
I'm OK. Glad to hear you're fine and working hard as I see at your site of designs and illustrations.
Yes, Wednesday October 7 Linda and I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary.
I sincerely look forward to the day we all can meet.
Kisses for you and your Bruno.
Robert
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"The artist sees what others only catch a glimpse of." -- da Vinci
Originals: "Prices" [link]
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