In loving memory of:
It is with great sadness that while on vacation at the beach I learned of the passing of Tracey Fletcher King after a long and courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. I "met" Tracey through Paint Party Friday link ups when I began blogging in 2012. She immediately captured my attention with her fun (and yes, snarky at times!!) sense of humor, and her incredible watercolor ink and pen art. I mean, Tracey painted clothing with such movement you swore it was a photo, and OMG- her crystal glasses were stunning!!!
I went back to some of my older blog posts to share the following:
Back in 2013 Tracey participated in the ICAD Challenge and chose to add a challenge of her own with it. If anyone wished to send her a photo or two of a mug or a teacup she would draw and paint them on a daily index card. I was thrilled that this Vera Bradley tea cup I sent:
was painted by her:
In October of this same year Tracey shared on her blog that she was going through a rough patch with her chemo treatments. I painted and dedicated this journal page to her and for breast cancer awareness month:
And in December the wonderful hosts Eva and Kristin of
Paint Party Friday organized a Surprise! Virtual Tea Party for Tracey to support her with virtual love, hugs, encouragement, and prayers. Here is the mug:
and this is my pitiful rendering of it:
😬Yikes! But I did it for Trace.
The following year Tracey had a really lovely giveaway. She had done an illustration for the
Tea Spot company and they offered her one of their tea mug sets and some teas to giveaway. And I won!!! You can view the mug along with much better photos and descriptions of everything
in this post. But here are a few pics from my printed blog book:
The package of cards she sent me- the tea cup is a sticker of the design she had created for the company. And inside the package was this amazing assortment of her postcard art!!! (Sorry for the bad photo- it looks SO much better and clearer in the actual blog post).
Her art, her strength, her humor so touched my heart. My deepest sympathies to Tracey's family Phantom and Sinus (as she nicknamed them) her children, her husband, and the numerous other family and friends. Her legacy, her art will live on.
I will leave you with this photo and words from Tracey's blog:
"...walking with fabulous, generous, supportive friends as the sun comes up
who shamelessly laugh while I trip for the twentieth time and you know secretly they are hoping you'll go down in a pile of limbs... you know... true friends
plus I seriously can't believe we live somewhere so beautiful sometimes..." 💝
Quick edit: as I went to grab PPF's link I just saw that Eva and Kristin dedicated last week's link up to Tracey so if you want to see more of her awesome art along with links to her sites please go there. Thank you!
"Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower; We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind; In the primal sympathy which having been must ever be; In the soothing thoughts that spring out of human suffering; In the faith that looks through death, in years that bring the philosophic mind."
William Wordsworth
I loved Tracey's art. I met her through a class she had where we sketched and painted fruits and veggies. It was lots of fun. And I learned a lot.Thanks for sharing that info Linda. I hadn't heard the news. I hope you had a wonderful time away last week, and have a happy T day. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI too, admired her art. A lovely post!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about Tracey the other day. I am deeply saddened by her passing. She was always SO positive, even in the face of this debilitating disease that ravaged her body. Thank you for sharing both the mug she painted for you and the other art you won. Thanks for your own contributions to honor her, too. It's a joyous, yet heart rendering post you shared with us for T this Tuesday, Linda.
ReplyDeleteTracey was indeed a wonderful artist and a great friend. I still treasure an album she sent me. She suffered for such a long time. Thanks for making this page for her! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet tribute to your friend. She was very talented and sounds like very inspirational as well. So sad to see our friends and family go on and leave us. I like the cup you drew, by the way. You are very talented as well. Sweet post and very appropriate for T-day. Happy T-day, Linda. Many hugz
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the passing of a dear blog friend. I didn't know her but looking at the photos, she was very talented. Your tribute is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHappy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
Ohhh I had not heard about Tracey's passing. She was/is such an inspiration to me and so many others. A sad day indeed. Thanks for letting us know.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful tribute to your dear friend! She sounded like a truly wonderful person, sending you and her family wishes of peace and comfort ❤️. Happy T Day wishes! Hugs Jo x
ReplyDeleteLinda ~ this an absolutely wonderful tribute to Tracy ~ Gorgeous artwork and wonderful words by you ~ so sad to lose our dear friends ~ Many healing energy hugs and love to you ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteLiving in the moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Your new header ~ it is new right? ~ It says it all and so fitting for the ending of the season ~ thanks ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteLiving in the moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I remember Tracey from several years back, when I still joined PPF. I'm sorry to learn that she has passed away. Thank you for this tribute to her and her art.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear of the passing of your friend, I didn't know her but she sounds like a wonderful and talented friend. Happy T Day wishes Elle xx
ReplyDeleteA fabulous tribute. Her paintings are lovely and I love that you painted a mug. It looks great!
ReplyDeleteHappy Tea Day,
Kate
what a wonderful friendship you shared, I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like Tracey will be greatly missed. Blessings to you ~ Karen
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for the loss of your friend. This is a wonderful tribute in honor of her. Thanks for sharing her art and yours, too. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to your friend. May her memory be a blessing. Happy T Day
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and tribute
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF! It's really sad that Tracey died. Have a great weekend, stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this moving tribute in memory of Tracey so very sad.
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to your friend.
ReplyDeleteSuper words about your blogger friend and great art
ReplyDeleteoh well done
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Tracy from PPF was going thru that... I miss a lot... so sad, cried til I read the final quote... how special
A beautiful tribute to Tracey.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your dear friend Linda, she sure sounds like a beautiful soul. Her fabulous artwork will live on as will her memory now free from pain. If there is a heaven she'll be looking down on us all ready to pick out and paint something magnificent.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes this PPF Tracey x
a nice tribut to a dear friend. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful read. I did not know Tracey but was touched by your sharing of her art. I know she will be missed.
ReplyDelete