Meet The Local Artist – Tracey Caines

We’re fortunate in this part of the world not only to be surrounded by stunning scenery, but also by gifted artists who know how to capture it. This month’s front cover features a painting by Tracey Caines, whose talent shines through in every brushstroke. We caught up with Tracey to learn more about her work and the inspiration behind it.

When did you start painting?

I have always created art from a young age. Mostly graphite and charcoal drawings. Even doing drawings of my maths teachers and Welsh mountain ponies. All my life I have played around with some sort of art medium. Before discovering soft pastels about 7 years ago.  So, I bought myself a set of soft pastels and taught myself how to paint with them I totally fell in love with them and have never looked back.

You specialise in animal portraits. How did you get into this?

I always wanted to become an animal artist and social media really helped to achieve this. I posted a painting I had done of a dog and from that, I was asked whether I accepted commissions? I took on the challenge and was blown away with the responses I was having online. I am now with the association of animal artists and I have painted many animals.  Customers are now on a waiting list for my work.

Is it important to meet the animal – I know that you paint a lot of pets. I just wonder whether it helps or if a photo is as good?

When painting an animal, it’s always nice to have met them but not always the case.  Many commissions are memorial pieces of peoples beloved pets.  So many photos are of low quality, blurry and pixelated in some cases. I always try my best to gather as many reference images as possible and enhance the picture quality. This way I can ensure a better result in the artwork.

I have had people bring their pets to me so I can take the reference photo. This is a joy as it really helps me to connect to the animal.

You live in Afon Twrch – what makes the valley so beautiful to paint?

Living in Cwmllynfell, I am surrounded by such picturesque scenery.  From my home studio I can see the Cribath mountain (sleeping giant) and I’m surrounded by the beautiful black mountains. Every day I see birds of prey. Mostly red kites and buzzards flying over. This is what inspires me as an artist to paint is the ever-changing landscape. It shows us a different atmosphere everyday, from the mesmerising sunset that touches on the walls of Carreg Cennen castle, to the mysterious dragon’s breath that sweeps through the valley.  Living in this beautiful valley, I am always inspired to paint.

What do you hope people feel or think when they look at your art?

I am always honoured that the people who look at my art tell me that I have captured their pets perfectly. As an animal lover myself I do my best to connect to the animal and feel how loved and missed they are. This allows me to paint from my heart. I am often asked to paint in a favourite landscape, or a meaningful place that the dog loved to walk. I hope the owners can feel the animal’s spirit within the painting, and that it serves as a memory of the happy times and love they shared together. 

How long have you lived locally and what’s your favourite thing about it?

I have lived the past 20 years in Cwmllynfell . I love living in a rural area as I am a country girl at heart. I live a short walk from the East pit lake. Since  the closure of the site and the filling of the excavation, I have seen a marked increase in wildlife. Many different species of birds with Canada geese flying over to rest at the lake. At night I hear the owls hooting. Cwmllynfell  truly is a special village and I’m very proud to call it home.

You can find more of Tracey’s work on Facebook at www.facebook/tracey.m.caines and also on TikTok (@traceycainesart) & Instagram (tracey_caines_art) If you are a local artist or photographer and would like to get in touch with the magazine the please do:- info@southwalesmedia.com