Artist Interview and $150 Limited Edition Print Giveaway!! Smoky Mountain Art

Original Watercolor Iris

One thing I have loved about Knoxville is the close proximity of the Smoky Mountains.  They are gorgeous and perfect for a hike, picnic, or bike ride. 

This week I am interviewing Tracy from Smoky Mountain Art.   He has beautiful prints of scenes from the Smoky Mountains in all different sizes and on note cards as well as the cutest painting of elephants!  I love elephants!

Some of my favorites:

 

Marshes of Gynn Sunset


Boat Dock


Elephant Dance


A Time to Remember

Check out his inspiring interview, HUGE $150 PRINT GIVEAWAY, and discount details below.

Hey Tracy! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your art.
I am from Cosby, TN; a small rural community located Northeast of Gatlinburg. I have been married to my wonderful wife Jennifer for sixteen years and we are expecting our first baby this April. I have been painting for about seventeen years in both oil and watercolor.  The abundance of subject matter in and around the Smoky Mountains has become the focus of most of art. Flowers and the changing seasonal landscapes of this region all find their way into my art.

Besides the beautiful prints and note cards you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
Spring is my favorite time of year and I always enjoy getting my hands a little dirty planting flowers and freshening up the landscaping around our home.  We have three cats that like to try to help and they are always fun to watch hiding and playing in the shrubs and flowers. I also like spending time in the mountains maybe hiking, a picnic in Cades Cove or just taking a scenic drive.  The last couple years Jennifer and I have enjoyed visiting outdoor arts and craft shows in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. I love to see all the interesting things people create with their hands. It is really inspiring to see these artists creating unique handmade art.

What first drew you to arts and crafts, especially painting?
I got a late start in art.  I drew a little when I was young but our local schools did not have any art classes so I was never encouraged to develop my artistic talents until my senior year in collage when I took an introduction course in painting.  After college I still thought of my art as a hobby until I visited the Jim Gray Gallery in Gatlinburg and finally realized painting is what I want to do. I was so inspired by Jim's art and the fact that he was making a living doing what he loved.  I later applied for a job with Jim Gray Gallery and was given the opportunity to doing custom framing while I developed my painting skills.  I have been selling my work at the Jim Gray Gallery for about fifteen years now.

What inspires you?
The beauty of nature more than anything.  After a trip to the mountains I am always inspired to paint that new smoky mountain scene I just discovered.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
I am new to Etsy and still learning but as far as being an artist just do what you love.  I always seem happier when I am working towards a goal.  Set your artistic goals high and don't give up.

Find Tracy on his website here, at his Etsy Store here, and on Facebook here or e-mail him at tracy@tracywebbgallery.com

The following businesses carry Tracy Webb fine art prints. Please visit them if you are in their area!

Woolworth Walk/ Asheville, TN 

25 Haywood Street (828) 254-9234

www.woolworthwalk.com

The Shops At Carousel Gardens / Gatlinburg, TN 37738

     At Red Light #3  Parkway / 321 intersection
     www.shopsatcarouselgardens.com             

Jim Gray Gallery / Gatlinburg, TN 37738

     On Glades Road in the Arts and Crafts Community  (865)436-8988
     www.jimgraygallery.com

Jim Gray Gallery/ Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 

Across from the Old Mill  (865)428-2202

     www.jimgraypigeonforge.com

 
In honor of highlighting local, east Tennessee artists, Tracy is
hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! He will be giving
away a $150.00 Limited Edition print on watercolor paper of  "Foothills Autumn."


Also seen here.

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on
March 16, 2011 so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to his Etsy Store,  Smoky Mountain Art, and leave a comment here about your favorite item(s). Seven possible additional entries for each of the following. 

(Be sure to leave additional comments for each entry.)

1) Making a purchase here at Tracy's Gallery or  here at his Etsy shop.  2) Signing up to receive his new print release e-mails at Tracy's Gallery  3) "Like"ing Smokey Mountain Art's Facebook page 4) “Heart"ing or adding Tracy Webb Gallery to your favorites on Etsy 5) Becoming a first time follower of A Girl and Her Scout. 6) Posting this giveaway with a link on your blog. 7) Posting this giveaway with a link on your facebook and/or twitter.

In addition he will be offering a 25% new customer discount at his Gallery (here) to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use Promotional Code "Blog Promo" at check out to receive your discount.

Happy shopping and painting and many thanks again to Tracy for participating in my Artist Highlight of the week! 

**Simple Living Month** Day 2

From my trip to Tunisia, Africa.

In case you are looking for something to do this weekend....

Turn off the TV.
It will save electricity, energy, and money.

and

Go outside.

Part of living simply, is living a balanced life so that we can feel and actually be healthier and more in tune with our bodies and our spirits. When we are surrounded by technology and noise all day, it only seems logical to need to spend equal parts outside in the non-man-made, quieter world so that we can decompress from our busy lives.

That may be near impossible if you work in an office all day, but try to spend at least a little time outside every day and then maybe get a good hike in or bike ride on the weekends. You don't have to go backpacking, buy a bike that resembles Lance Armstrong's, or suddenly take up repelling (though that would be cool), just go outside and walk or even sit if walking/jogging/biking isn't your thing.

Just be in nature.

This will not only be therapeutic, but if it becomes a habit for humans, it will no doubt decrease our ever-increasing obesity rates because we will be moving more.

Outside of Barcelona, Spain

I had the privilege of growing up out in the middle of nowhere aka- in the middle of nature... with woods and fields and a creek on our property. I am so grateful for this conscious choice my parents made for our family so that we could grow up with a great appreciation for the world around us.

This doesn't mean you need to relocate your family, it just encourages us to make conscious decisions for our family and ourselves that benefit our overall lifestyle.
And since it's literally as easy as walking outside...

Lake Como, Outside of Milan, Italy

If my words aren't completely convincing :), or you just want more proof that what I say is scientifically true or need some more inspiration, check out these articles:

Nature Deficit Disorder increases in our kids and families.

Nature's therapeutic effects.

Stuck on what to do outside? Check out this list.
(It has some stuff to do inside too, but I really liked the basic outside suggestions!)

Let me know what you end up doing on your outside adventure!

**My photos are from my travels. I have been very blessed to travel and hope you enjoy seeing the photos as I always enjoy reliving these experiences.

Smokey Mountain Fun!

The men and Bailey "the Adventure Schnauz," which she was so adequately nick-named this weekend.

This weekend, Scout, Bailey, a friend of ours, and I went on a hike up in the Smokeys. It has finally cooled off enough to where the hours of 10am to 6pm are tolerable for outdoor recreation. We hiked up to Abram Falls, which was a beautiful hike if you are looking for one. Bailey loved her first hike and I must say, she did pretty well for 5 miles. She also loved(ish) jumping into the falls. It was a great chance to enjoy the zen of the great outdoors.

PS- Pets are apparently not allowed on trails in the Smokeys, but we didn't know till we saw the teeny sign when we got there. So if you are thinking about bringing a pet, just know they are technically not allowed though we did see some other pups along the way. Also, we picked up her poop so park rangers, please don't be mad. Look how cute she is!

The falls at the end of the trail.

My Scout. :)

Bailey the dog. (Sorry it's blurry she doesn't stand still for cameras.)

Our family at the falls. I look a bit like a goober so please forgive. I was laughing.