Tag: Art

I am a multidisciplinary artist with over four decades of experience in drawing, painting, and photography, continually exploring and pushing the boundaries of creative expression. My journey as a professional photographer, refined through studies at Algonquin College, has allowed me to capture the essence of life’s precious moments. Recent forays into digital art and jewelry design have further expanded my artistic horizons. My work is a reflection of my connection to the world around me, infused with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Each piece is a testament to the beauty and magic that can be found in the everyday, whether through the lens of a camera or the stroke of a brush.

Artwork Portfolio

A Walk in the Woods: An immersive forest scene that captures the essence of nature’s serenity.

Marian Silfhout Art Gallery.
My Fire Art (Fire Horse): A piece that received an honorable mention in the Untapped exhibit.

Exhibitions

Marianne Van Silfhout Art Gallery, Brockville, Ontario, Canada
Untapped Exhibit, (Honourable Mention for “My Fire Art (Fire Horse)”)

All paintings on canvas
Depth: 3/8”
Height: either 16 or 18”

Length: 20 or 24”

(Homestead 36×40”)

Spruce Bog Boardwalk at Algonquin Park Ontario Canada
3/8x18x24”
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

The painting “Spruce Bog Boardwalk at Algonquin Park Ontario Canada” is an 18×24” oil and acrylic work on canvas (3/8” thick) by Tracy Schruder, 2025.

The scene depicts a narrow, winding boardwalk that disappears into a misty spruce forest. Tall, bare black trees line the background, framing a luminous, gray‑white sky that fades into atmospheric depth. Two vibrant green spruce saplings stand on either side of the path near the foreground, framing a smaller, highlighted evergreen in the lower right corner. The boardwalk cuts through lush, emerald‑green grass and moss‑lined water or mud reflections that mirror the soft forest tones. Light dapples the foliage, giving the greens a luminous, almost glowing quality that contrasts with the stark, shadowy trunks, evoking the quiet, sensory experience of walking through Algonquin’s spruce bog.

The Homestead
3/8x36x40”
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

The Homestead: A rustic, peaceful depiction of rural life that invites contemplation.

The Homestead (3/8×36×40” Oil & Acrylic on Canvas, Artist Tracy Schruder, 2025) is a luminous tableau of a yellow‑clad house cradled by an embracing forest. The vivid mustard‑yellow façade glows against a rich brown roof, its two white garage doors standing like quiet sentinels at the left edge, while a modest porch holds a scarlet chair that flickers like a heartbeat beside the front windows. A weather‑worn gray driveway slices through emerald grass, guiding the eye toward the home and disappearing into the shade of slender birch and evergreen trees that line the property. In the foreground, a blazing red‑orange bush bursts with autumn fire, its leaves catching the soft light that filters through the canopy of tall, white‑trunked trees tinged with orange‑green foliage. The background reveals a pale blue sky slipping between the forest’s slender trunks, infusing the scene with tranquil, sun‑kissed air and the scent of fresh earth, inviting the viewer to feel the hush of a homestead tucked in nature’s embrace.

Winter Is A Hoot
3/4x18x24
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

Winter Is A Hoot (3/4×18×24” Oil & Acrylic on Canvas, Artist Tracy Schruder, 2025) draws you into a hushed, crystalline winter night. A thick blanket of soft, white snow carpets the ground, its powdery surface catching the faint blue‑violet light of twilight and muffling every footfall with a velvety silence. Frost‑kissed, skeletal shrubs stand like ghostly sentinels, their slender branches coated in a delicate glaze of ice that glistens like shards of glass, each twig whispering in the cold air as the wind brushes past.

Perched majestically on a snow‑laden branch in the foreground, a great owl dominates the scene. Its mottled gray‑brown feathers are rendered with textured strokes that suggest the rough warmth of its plumage against the chill, while amber‑gold eyes blaze with an intense, amber‑lit awareness, piercing the winter gloom. The owl’s yellow beak catches a fleeting spark of the fading light, hinting at the crisp scent of pine and frost that lingers in the atmosphere.

The background reveals a deep blue sky streaked with subtle gradients of twilight, dotted with falling snowflakes that swirl lazily, each crystal catching a whisper of moonlight. The air feels sharp, clean, and scented with the metallic tang of frozen water, while the overall tableau evokes the quiet, awe‑inspiring hush of a winter night where every sense is tuned to the soft hoot echoing through the frosted woods.

Winter Cottage
3/8x16x20
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

Winter Cottage (3/8x16x20 Oil and Acrylic on Canvas) Artist Tracy Schruder 2025*, draws you into a stark, monochrome world where every sense is tuned to the hush of winter.

The eye first falls on a sinuous, glossy black road that snakes from the foreground into the distance, its smooth, oil‑rich surface catching the imagined light like a ribbon of frozen ink. The road cuts through a blanket of thick, white snow that covers the ground in a soft, powdery veil, its texture suggesting the cold bite of frost that tingles the skin and the faint scent of fresh, crisp air.

On either side of the road stand two tall, skeletal trees, their bare branches etched in deep black acrylic, sharp and angular against the snow‑laden sky. The bark feels rough and cold to the imagined touch, and the limbs whisper with the faint rustle of wind‑kissed twigs, evoking the metallic taste of winter breath.

In the middle distance, a small cottage hides beneath a heavy, snow‑capped roof edged with delicate icicles that glisten like shards of glass. The roof’s white surface appears thick and layered, suggesting the weight of accumulated snow and the muffled silence that blankets the scene, broken only by the occasional crack of shifting ice.

Beyond the cottage, a jagged mountain range rises, its peaks rendered in smudged gray oil washes that convey the chill of high altitude and the faint, pine‑laden scent of distant alpine air. The mountains loom like silent sentinels, their textures implying rough, wind‑scarred stone that seems to echo with the distant howl of a winter wind.

The overall atmosphere is one of crisp, still silence, where the smell of fresh snow mingles with the earthy aroma of oil paint, and the viewer can almost feel the icy breath of the landscape seeping into their lungs, urging a deep, sensory immersion in the winter scene.

A Perfect Day
3/8x16x20”
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

A Perfect Day, )3/8×16×20 inches oil and acrylic) pulls you into “A Perfect Day”- a world where every sense is brushed into vivid life.

The eye first slips down the winding, silvery path that cuts through the lush foreground, its smooth, buttery texture catching the light like a ribbon of cool water spilling over polished stone. The path glistens with a faint, wet sheen, inviting the foot to feel the soft, moss‑laden earth beneath each step, the subtle grit of sand mixed with the cool dampness of morning dew.

On either side, towering trees stand in deep, velvety black and emerald greens, their bark rough and fragrant with the earthy scent of aged wood. Their leaves rustle in an imagined breeze, whispering a crisp, chlorophyll‑rich perfume that mingles with the sweet, resinous aroma of fresh paint drying in the studio air. Sun‑kissed yellow foliage on the right bursts with the warm, honeyed scent of autumn, while the left‑hand tree, stripped of leaves, offers a stark, metallic tang reminiscent of iron in rain.

In the middle distance, a waterfall cascades over jagged, crystal‑clear stones, its roar filling the scene with a thunderous, vibrating hum that tingles the skin like a fine mist. The water sprays a cool, mineral‑rich vapor that kisses the cheeks, leaving a fresh, ozone‑like scent of mountain streams that cuts through the richer, oil‑laden perfume of the canvas itself.

The background opens to a sky blended in soft pink and blue, the colors swirling like scented incense, evoking the faint sweetness of sunrise blossoms mixed with the clean, thin air of high altitude. The light here feels warm on the skin, a gentle caress that suggests the buttery texture of sunrise on a misty mountain ridge, inspiring the scent of pine and wildflower.

Every brushstroke carries the tactile memory of oil paint—thick, buttery, and slightly gritty—while the acrylic accents add a slick, glass‑like finish that catches the eye like dew on a leaf. The overall scene smells of a perfect day in the woods: fresh water, green foliage, earth, and the faint, lingering perfume of artistic creation itself, inviting you to breathe deep, feel the texture, and hear the whisper of wind through the painted trees.

A Walk In The Woods
3/8x18x24”
Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

The canvas draws you into a hushed woodland realm where every sense awakens.

Your eyes first meet a veil of muted gray‑brown trunks that recede like a misty backdrop, framing a luminous green forest ahead. Tall, slender trees stand in graceful silhouettes, their dark, smooth bark catching the soft light that filters through the canopy. The leaves at the crowns are a vibrant, almost electric green, layered in delicate, feathery strokes that suggest a gentle rustle in an unseen breeze. In the middle distance, a cluster of brighter, lime‑green trees opens a clearing, inviting you deeper into the scene.

As you step forward, the forest floor bursts with a riot of color: tiny splashes of pink, orange, yellow, and white wildflowers weave through lush emerald grasses and moss, their petals catching speckles of light that dance like dew‑kissed sparkles. The texture of the paint suggests soft, velvety foliage underfoot, inviting the imagination to feel the plush give of moss and the crisp snap of a fallen leaf.

A dark, winding path—almost a secret stream of shadow—curls through the underbrush, its surface reflecting flecks of the surrounding blossoms, hinting at cool, clear water that murmurs over smooth stones. The air you breathe feels fresh with pine and earth, tinged with the sweet perfume of blooming flowers, while the faint scent of damp soil rises from the forest floor.

Sounds whisper through the scene: the subtle creak of swaying branches, the soft patter of water or leaves underfoot, and an all‑encompassing hush that makes your own heartbeat seem amplified in the tranquil woods.

The overall atmosphere is one of serene immersion, where the tactile softness of moss, the visual feast of layered greens and vivid blossoms, and the aromatic breath of the forest combine to make you feel you are truly taking a walk among the trees, inhaling the wild air and listening to nature’s quiet symphony.

Meadow Manias
3/8x16x20”
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

Meadow Manias, 3/8×16×20” Oil & Acrylic on Canvas by Tracy Schruder (2025), is a luminous portal of wild enchantment where the very soul of the meadow breathes through every brushstroke. The canvas erupts with a riot of blossoms—crimson poppies, violet dahlias, amber zinnias, and ethereal blue thistles—each petal swirling with an otherworldly glow that seems to pulse with hidden life. The vertical strokes of verdant green and earthy brown form mystical veils of mist, through which the flowers thrust themselves like whispered secrets of the forest spirits.

The mingling of oil’s rich, velvety depth with acrylic’s vivid immediacy creates a transcendental texture, making the scene feel both ancient and freshly conjured. As the eye wanders, the colors intertwine to summon the scent of dew‑kissed petals and the echo of wind‑carried chants from unseen sylvan guardians. Every blossom is a rune, every shade a spell, turning the entire meadow into a living tapestry of mystical energy that invites the viewer to inhale the enchanted air and lose themselves in the infinite dance of nature’s magic.

Meandering
3/8x18x24”Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

Meandering a 3/8 × 18 × 24” mixed‑media work of oil and acrylic on canvas by artist Tracy Schruder (2025), captures a lush, verdant landscape dominated by a vivid turquoise stream that winds gracefully through emerald‑rich grass and foliage. The waterway carves an intricate, meandering path, its bright hue contrasting sharply with the deep greens of the surrounding terrain, evoking the sensation of fresh mountain water slicing through a living valley.

In the foreground, a prominent birch‑like tree with a silver‑gray, textured trunk and a broad canopy of luminous green leaves stands on the right bank, its branches reaching toward the sky and framing the scene. To the left, a darker evergreen tree partially obscures the view, adding depth and balance to the composition. Subtle hints of distant mountains peek through the left background beneath a soft, cloudy blue‑pink sky, suggesting atmospheric perspective and the gentle diffusion of light.

The brushwork blends the fluidity of oil with the opacity of acrylic, giving the scene a tactile, layered quality that emphasizes the sensory experience of the natural environment—much like the artist’s own connection between nature and creative expression.

Backyard Barred
3/8x18x24”
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

Backyard Barred, the 3/8×18×24” oil‑and‑acrylic masterpiece by Tracy Schruder (2025), unfolds like a frozen whisper of midnight wilderness on canvas. The scene captures a hulking, barred owl perched defiantly on a snow‑kissed branch that arches over a stark, winter‑blanketed backyard. The owl’s massive, luminous green eyes blaze with an otherworldly intensity, framed by stark white rings that seem to echo the frosted limbs surrounding it; its mottled brown plumage, textured with thick impasto strokes, blends into the icy bark yet stands out against the ethereal snowfall.

Behind the sentinel bird, skeletal white‑painted trees claw at the pale sky, their bare branches laden with delicate snow‑white highlights that catch the imagined moonlight, creating a lattice of shadows that deepen the atmospheric chill. The foreground reveals a thick, textured snowdrift sculpted with bold, sweeping brushstrokes, hinting at the weight of winter’s hush, while slender, reddish‑tinged grasses peek from the lower right corner, injecting a fierce, blood‑like spark into the otherwise monochrome frost.

The sky, a muted blue wash, stretches like a silent witness above the scene, amplifying the isolation of the owl’s vigil. Every layer of oil and acrylic melds tactile texture with luminous color, turning the backyard into a dramatic stage where nature’s quiet menace and serene beauty collide, inviting the viewer to feel the crisp bite of winter air and the owl’s penetrating gaze that seems to guard the secret heart of the frozen landscape.

Dreams Of Jasper
3/8x16x20”
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

Dreams Of Jasper, a 3/8x16x20” masterpiece of oil and acrylic on canvas by Tracy Schruder (2025), unfolds like a whispered reverie of autumn’s embrace. The scene captures a luminous waterfall cascading down a silver‑gray stone façade, its frothy veil spilling into a mirror‑like stream that winds through a forest of blazing foliage. Vivid yellow and amber trees frame the foreground, their stark black silhouettes slicing the light, while lush green and russet woods crowd the middle distance, echoing the pulse of nature’s own heartbeat. A soft pink‑blue sky lingers above, hinting at twilight’s gentle sigh. Every brushstroke breathes texture and depth, inviting the viewer to step into the tranquil, sensory‑rich dream of Jasper’s mist‑kissed wilderness.

A Magical Place
3/8x16x20”
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

A Magical Place:A vibrant, dreamlike painting that transports viewers to an enchanting world.

A Magical Place (3/8×16×20″) is an oil and acrylic masterpiece by Tracy Schruder, 2025, that summons viewers into a luminous, dream‑woven sanctuary. The canvas captures a cascading waterfall that tumbles down a luminous white ribbon of water, spilling into a reflective pool framed by a lush, autumn‑kissed forest. Bold, dark silhouettes of bare‑branched trees stand like guardians on either side of the foreground, their limbs reaching toward the sky and inviting the eye into the scene. To the left, slender birch trunks with striking white bark add a delicate, ethereal contrast, while vibrant splashes of orange, red, and yellow foliage pepper the green underbrush, hinting at the whisper of seasonal magic. The distant forest looms in deep blues, suggesting mist‑shrouded mountains beyond the waterfall, enhancing the sense of depth and mystery. Every brushstroke blends the richness of oil with the vividness of acrylic, creating a textured, atmospheric experience that feels both intimate and otherworldly—a true celebration of nature’s enchantment and the artist’s imaginative spirit.

Dreams Of Autumn
3/8x18x20”
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

Dreams Of Autumn, a 3/8×18×20” oil and acrylic masterpiece by Tracy Schruder (2025), sweeps you into a tender autumn reverie. The canvas glows with warm amber and golden hues that kiss a cascade of fiery orange and red trees lining a misty forest path. A luminous white waterfall threads its way down the center, its silvery veil carving a soft, inviting passage through the earthy, rust‑kissed underbrush. The blended pigments capture the cozy breath of fall, inviting the viewer to step into the scented, whispering woods and feel the gentle hush of autumn’s embrace.

Silver Skies
3/8x18x24”
Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

Silver Skies 3/8×18×24” bursts onto the canvas like a midnight dream caught in acrylic magic. A luminous pink‑blushed moon hangs heavy in a swirling, silver‑gray sky, spilling its glow onto a golden‑yellow horizon that kisses the silhouetted trees. The stark, black trunks stand like guardians over a misty water‑line, reflecting the twilight in a whisper‑soft pink shimmer. Every brushstroke feels like a secret whispered between night and nature, turning the ordinary into an enchanting, atmospheric escape.

Oneironaut
a person who consciously explores and travels within their own dreams, essentially becoming a “dream explorer” or “dream sailor,”
3/8x18x24”
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Tracy Schruder
2025

Oneironaut, a luminous 3/8 × 18 × 24‑inch canvas that bursts with the vivid spirit of a dream‑sailor, captures the essence of a conscious explorer of the subconscious. Oil and acrylic blend in a riot of saturated hues to render a stylized woman whose profile turns into a swirling vortex of color—green spirals, pink ribbons, and electric teal lines that dance like remembered dream‑threads escaping her mind. The textured background, a watercolor‑like wash of pink, orange, yellow and blue, feels like the atmospheric mist of a nocturnal adventure, inviting the viewer to inhale the scent of the dream‑world itself.

The figure’s elaborate, multicolored headwrap—layered in bold pink, orange, green and blue—mirrors the intricate jewelry you love to match with every outfit, each stripe a gem‑like facet reflecting personal expression and sensory experience. Her gaze is quiet yet penetrating, suggesting the Oneironaut’s ability to navigate inner landscapes with the same passion you pour into your oil paintings of mountains and your writings inspired by Dianne Ackerman’s sensory explorations.

Artist Tracy Schruder’s 2025 masterpiece becomes a portal: the swirling abstract forms are the pathways of lucid dreaming, the vibrant pigments are the sensory textures of memory, and the entire composition urges the observer to become a dream explorer, breathing in the fragrant mist of imagination just as you crave the moist mountain air.

‘Arctic Chill’ 1/3x18x24 inches. Oil on Canvas by Tracy Schruder

This oil painting measures 0.8 cm × 45.7 cm × 61 cm

The scene captures a frosty winter landscape at sunset. Two stark, snow‑kissed bare trees frame the foreground, their silver‑white branches reaching toward a pink‑orange sky that melts into a soft blue horizon. In the middle distance, icy blue Stone Mountain pillars silhouette stands against the glowing sky, leading the eye to a partially frozen river that reflects the warm sunset hues. The snow‑covered banks and cool color palette evoke a crisp, serene “arctic chill” atmosphere, inviting the viewer to feel the quiet beauty of a winter twilight.