Meet Barbara Tracy | Photographer and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Barbara Tracy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Barbara, why did you pursue a creative career?
My grandmother instilled her love of photography in me. I bought my first camera when I was 7, and have been carrying cameras with me ever since. I love the landscape of Colorado. After an injury which caused me to leave my job as a college English professor, my daughter invited me to live with her on her homestead. In Costilla County where the quiet and daily interaction with nature has inspired me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My biggest challenge is letting others see me as an artist. I started painting a few years ago. I’ve always kind of hidden my work. I started an Instagram account years ago where I post artwork and photos. Originally, I used a pseudonym and didn’t tell anyone I knew about my account. I wanted to see if strangers would like my work. Turns out they did. I have a small following who have been very encouraging. When I became disabled, I renamed my account and invited friends. Many of them didn’t know about my secret art hobby. I then had the opportunity to exhibit 3 of my pieces in an art show curated by a friend. I’m looking forward to sharing my work in more venues, and when people ask me what I do, I reply, I’m a photographer and artist.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I want friends visiting me to set up camp on the homestead. I’d drive them to Wild Horse Mesa where we can watch small herds roaming across the road. We would take a lot of road trips around the Sangre de Christos and public lands nearby. We’d go fishing, visit the sand dunes, and the hot springs We would go to the Ft. Garland Museum. Part of living in southern Colorado is our relationship with New Mexico, so we would take a day trip to Taos. For meals, we would mostly eat at the homestead, but we have to take them to Mrs Rios Restaurant in San Luis, where we can order from three menus: American, Mexican, and Thai. I such good curries there. We might have to go twice. .

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve had a lot of support for my photography and am grateful to have had these people supporting me: my grandmother of course. My father would bring home expired rolls of film from his office for me when I started shooting 35 mm. I had two English professors who encouraged me to use photography as a means of storytelling. My biggest supporters are my kids and grandkids who have been shooting photos with me since they could hold a camera.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/barbaratracyartist

Other: Patreon.com/BarbaraTracy

Image Credits
Photo of artist by Jennifer Allen