In Conversation with Local Artists: Tracy Fleming
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For our current blog series we have been interviewing artists from Bournville, Birmingham and the surrounding areas, finding out about their inspirations and creative processes, their views on Bournville and its community, and their upcoming projects and exhibitions. At Selly Manor we are keen to champion local artists who make our community a vibrant and exciting place to live.
This week's artist is Impressionist style painter Tracy Fleming, who draws on her own experiences of living in Bournville to capture its beauty.
Artist Tracy Fleming
Q1: Could you tell us a little about yourself and your work as an artist?
“I am a local artist based in Bournville and love to paint the local and surrounding area, as well as urban landscapes of central Birmingham. I predominantly paint using acrylics with an impressionistic style. Taking inspiration from light and shade allows me to make more expressive brushstrokes and vibrant colours in my work.
I graduated from De Montfort University in Leicester with a degree in Graphic Design in 1996. I have since worked for Birmingham Libraries all my working life, but in recent years returned to my love of painting.
My work has been regularly selected for the annual RBSA Friends Exhibition, and I have had my artworks 'Blossom Trees at Oozells Square' and 'Centenary Square' selected for the Birmingham Open outdoor exhibitions over the last couple of years, featured at Victoria Square.”
'Centenary Square' by Tracy Fleming
Q2: How does Bournville (and/or the surrounding areas) inspire your work?
“Living in Bournville, I am spoilt for choice with views to paint. There is so much inspiration. Spring is probably my favourite season with the renowned white and pink blossom around the yachting pool, the stunning Rhododendrons of Rowheath and vibrant daffodils outside Cadburys, to the beautiful sea of crocuses that can be found in Bournville Park, Rowheath and outside the Rest House.”
'Rowheath Daffodils' by Tracy Fleming
Q3: Bournville is surrounded by both green spaces and city scape – how do each of these influence your work?
“I am also very fond of painting urban landscapes of Birmingham. Again, I am spoilt with both the green and urban spaces around the city centre: from the pink blossom at Oozells Square and the canals of Brindley place and Gas Street Basin, to the avenue of trees outside Birmingham Cathedral. I am always looking for pops of colour to feature in my urban landscapes to add interest.”
Q4: Is there a particular piece of local history or heritage that you find yourself drawn to? Why do you think this is?
“I have been drawn so much to the heritage of Bournville, including Selly Manor, the Rest House, Bournville Shops, Rowheath Pavilion and Park, Cadburys (which I have painted a number of times) and not forgetting the school my children attended, Bournville Infant and Junior School with its wonderful feature of the Carillon. I connect to all these places from memories with family and friends, and I frequent them regularly when walking my dog, Charlie.”
'Bournville Maypole Dancers' by Tracy Fleming
Q5 + 6: Why do you think art is important to the local community?
How do you feel your art connects with the people of Bournville/Birmingham? Or how do the people of Bournville/Birmingham connect with your work?
"I hope my art is a good representation of the area and that my work reflects just how beautiful a place Bournville is. I love to hear how much my work means to people who buy it, from bringing memories of annual visits to the Bournville Light Switch On and the special bench that features in one of my paintings, to sending cards to Australia and local prints to Tokyo as a reminder of someone’s childhood.”
Q7: Do you have a favourite artwork that you’ve created that you could talk us through?
“My favourite piece of artwork is probably one of my first paintings of Bournville featuring the Yachting Pool. It is also one of my earliest memories as a child visiting there almost 50 years ago, so it is a painting I have kept hold of. I am also very fond of one of my paintings of the iconic Bournville Christmas Tree pictured in the snow, as it brings happy memories.”
'A Snowy Bournville Green' by Tracy Fleming
Q8: What is next for you – do you have any upcoming projects or exhibitions that you’re excited about?
“I regularly run a market stall with Birmingham Artisan Markets on the third Sunday of the month on Bournville Green, occasionally at their Jewellery Quarter Market and quarterly at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. You can also find me at Rowheath Pavillion's Spring and Christmas markets, and I have framed prints and cards for sale in their cafe. They have been very supportive over the years and the place of one of my very first craft markets over 10 years ago. I will also be at the Rest House on the weekend of the 26th and 27th of September for Birmingham Open Studios.”
'Bournville Shops' by Tracy Fleming
Many thanks to Tracy for giving us an insight into how her childhood memories and lived experiences, as well as the beauty of Bournville, inspire her to create. If you would like to see more of Tracy’s paintings and keep up to date with her future events and markets, head to www.tracyflemingart.co.uk or follow her on Instagram @tracyflemingart
Written by Niamh Reid, Museum Assistant