Tracie Lyn Huskamp, Book Giveaway {Artist SpotLight}

Last week, I had a lovely long chat with Traci Huskkamp and here is the result! I've really enjoyed her book as well and decided to share the joy. I'll be giving away one copy of Nature Inspired. Leave a comment by Wednesday, March 10 and I'll use the old random number generator to pick a winner. In the meantime, enjoy this interview with Tracie. It was very excellent to get to know this talented workshop teacher/artist/author. 

Hi Tracie! Let's start at the beginning. Can you pick five words to describe yourself at ten years old? 
Creative, Tender Hearted, Funny (with a very dry sense of humor, even at 10), Optimistic, Smart.

Can you tell us about a project you are currently working on?

I am currently engrossed in creating nature page using paint and collage in a vintage accounting ledger inspired by Edith Holden's art.

Back to Nature Inspired, which is your favorite page spread and why? 

Contents Page Spread - It is a combination of all things that I love... nature, photography, painting, collage, fibers, tea, and birds.

That is a beautiful page, Tracie. A wonderful way to start out. It pulled me right into the mood of the book. 

This is my favorite image from the book. You have an excellent composition here: nice and simple and I love the use of the lace on the bird's breast.

What is your favorite piece of art (at this moment!)?

Anymore, I rarely have an artwork professionally framed, but I have one particular piece displayed in a wide gold frame and double matted... that is how much I love it.  The work is by Sara Lechner  and  is mostly made of felt, embroidery, and collage elements. The piece tells of a garden fairy and her rabbits. Sara creates brilliant ethereal works, and I feel extremely lucky to be able to own an original. This artwork takes my breath away every time I look at it.

Tell us about your studio space ... 

My studio is tucked into my home.  It is a cozy retreat filled with all things that are romantic and beautiful and nature related.  I draw so much inspiration and comfort from this space.

Another of my favorite pages

What’s a usual work week look like for you?

Monday thru Friday, I work from 8 to 5 in my studio.... each morning is filled with computer to-do's, as I am most awake and alert in the mornings.  The afternoons are spent at my work tables creating.  Saturdays are used to catch-up on personal projects.  I always clean house on Sundays.  

What do you listen to while you are working?

I am constantly listening to my IPod.  I own a wide variety of music, so it mostly depends on my mood.  Some of my favorite artists are George Winston, Jewel, Imogene Heap, Hem, Dave Matthews, Enya, ColdPlay, Kate Bush, Sarah Brightman, Sting, Sarah MacLachlan, U2, and Instrumental Nature CDs.

Tea or coffee? 

TEA! All the way... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the smell of coffee and could sit in a Starbucks for the rest of my life, entranced by the smell of coffee, but CANNOT drink the stuff.

Favorite movie/book. 

LOVE Julie&Julia... I related so much with both women's struggles to find themselves.

Are you a gardener? Tell us about your neck of the woods, in the nature world. 

Yes.. well, sort of.  I wish I was a better gardener, but I don't seem to have the desire to really spend lots of time making myself better.  I do a lot by trial and error.

Kansas has an INCREDIBLE landscape.  Wichita is located close to the Oklahoma border.  I actually drive to Kansas City a lot, so I am quite familiar with the terrain between Wichita and Kansas City.  This landscape is called the Flint Hills.  If you can image a desert, but instead of sand, it is all prairie grass, rolling hills, and big blue skies.  That would be the perfect description of this area.  It is awe-inspiring to see, and I have witnessed this marvelous place in all seasons.  I never get tired of gazing upon it.

So the Fling Hills are the Wide Open Spaces of your your article in March Art Quilting Studios!

This article for Art Quilting Studios was inspired by the Flint Hills and my desire to capture the essence of that space.

Favorite season? Autumn... then Winter

Favorite flower? Who can choose...  but if I must... probably garden roses, tulips, and big sunflowers.

I love the mix of realistic fine art painting and vintage fabrics in your work. When did this start to come together for you? Was there a moment you can isolate? I love the story about how you began to paint on muslin. 

My mother-in-law and I are extremely close.  She is a INCREDIBLE fiber artist. I had always been around fabric and sewing because I had two grandmothers that spent time showing me sewing techniques as a child.  But it was my mother-in-law that really sparked my interest in fabric.  I use fibers as just another option when considering mixed-media elements in my work.

What do you love about teaching? 

I love teaching mostly because of the interaction with participants, and the excitement I feel over sharing my love of art and nature with others.

Favorite art product? Golden Heavy Matte Medium (I would probably cry like a small child, if someone tried to take it away from me.) It is the BEST GLUE EVER MADE!

Favorite technique? Painting on Muslin

Tracie, tell us what's coming up for you this year? Workshops, shows, articles ....

There is A LOT happening... I will have the incredible experience of witnessing my new fabric line debuting in the fall with Windham Fabrics, and some other exciting Licensing news coming up that I can't wait share with everyone.

I will also be teaching in Italy in September, and at Artfest, and teaching twice for International Quilt once in Chicago in April and once in Houston in Oct/Nov.

Congratulations! It is a wonderful to see your successes. Wow! a fabric line! Can't wait to see that and we'll be looking forward to hearing about that Licensing news. Thanks so much for spending time with us this week, Tracie!


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It was a real pleasure talking with Tracie this week. Along with smart and talented, she's pretty funny which goes a very long way in my book. My favorite project from Nature Inspired is the Season's Journal. I love the vintage look and the binding style. 

I'll be doing more interviews over the next few months. It is such fun to spotlight different artists work in-depth. Tracie interviewed me as well and that will be up on her blog tomorrow.