Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy McKinney.
Tracy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always been creative but never really thought I had anything worthy to show other people. I always kept this part of myself hidden and never allowed myself time to play and find an outlet for all this creative energy inside me. I am drawn to art with different textures and layers so my work kind of just evolved into macrame. I remember making macrame plant hangers with my mom in the 70’s but feel like my work today is a long way from that. The last five years I’ve had some major changes in my life and have come to the realization that I need to stop hiding this part of me and that I and my art are worthy of being seen. I love working on a large scale, the bigger the better. I just feel the fibers can have such an impact, of course they do on a smaller scale also. I never work with patterns, very rarely do I even make the same thing twice. I want my pieces to be more curated than that. To me, there is no joy in just cranking out the same piece over and over again just because you know it will sell. And isn’t that the point of art? To create that joy, emotion, reaction? Whether you are the artist or the collector.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing worth the journey is ever a smooth road is it? I didn’t start this to earn a living, of course that would be nice, but for me it is about the creating. It took me a while to find the best materials but now that I have, I couldn’t ask for better supplies. I have struggled some with finding the right people who my creations speak to but when I do I love working with them!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Urban Fibers Studio – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My company is Urban Fibers Studio. I am the owner and creator of every piece of macrame that I sell. I do some smaller pieces and little things like keychains and ornaments around the holidays but the main thing I do is fiber wall hangings, the bigger the better! I love to work with someone to make something special just for their home, something that will mean something to them.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Hmmm…future plans…I want to continue exploring macrame on a larger scale. Using new knots Im working on, incorporating different materials and I’ve got some ideas I’m working on, not sure if they will work out the way Im envisioning but I’m excited about the possibilities. I did a fun install in Fort Worth in October with Art Tooth and The Greenhouse 817 that turned out amazing, I would love to do more things like that. I love working with other artists doing what they do best.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 972-816-5629
- Email: urbanfibersstudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanfibers/?hl=en
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/urbanfibersstudio
Image Credit:
Alyssa Grace Photography, Kylie Hull Photography
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