Meet NUNUM's fall 2020 contributor: tracy whiteside

NUNUM

Blending Flash Fiction & Art

Interview with Tracy Whiteside

Tracy Whiteside is a Chicago-area photographer specializing in Conceptual Art. Her pieces were blended in NUNUM's Fall 2002 issue with the words of Frances Lefkowitz to create Octopus. 

Most of Tracy's work centres on women and their emotions. Typically, it lies on the dark side of humanity however, with the world in turmoil she has decided she needed some color and silliness in her life.

Tracy was kind enough to give us a little of her time recently so keep reading for some great ideas on submission, inspiration and of course reading habits.

Tracy Whiteside

Tracy what was the first book you remember picking and reading by yourself?

Jumbled by Tracy Whiteside

As a child, I didn’t like to read much. It was not interesting to me. Then Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase caught my eye. Nancy was a young girl like me. The dark mystery promised by the hidden staircase filled my little heart with joy. As I mentioned, I loved scary stuff at a young age. I devoured every book in the series.

Ah Nancy, I'm sure you aren't alone with that choice Tracy. What about more recently, what was the last book you read that made you say damn that was a good book?

​Forever a Stephen King fan, I especially appreciated In The Tall Grass.

I know it’s not sophisticated literature, but no one weaves a tale like King.

His endings often disappoint me and this one did as well. But up until that time, it was a delicious read.

​Forget that, no one writes horror like that guy . It is on my bucket-list reading list, so believe me, I'm on board.  And speaking of writing things down: pen, pencil, or phone, which one do you reach for when you need to write something down?

I'm a mechanical pencil person, I use a pen only when I can’t find a pencil. My texting stinks.  It takes forever and most of the time there are so many errors I don’t know what I wrote.

Oh, one last book question before we move on, who are your go-to writers when you need something to read on holiday?

Medley by Tracy Whiteside

Obviously, I have a fondness for Stephen King.

Splash by Tracy Whiteside

For lighter reading, I like Lauren Weisenberger. But I do like to read a variety of other authors.  Fiction is usually my first choice, mysteries, suspense, and psychological horror. Occasionally I enjoy non-fiction biographical humor.

Now that is a category, non-fiction biographical humor. So let's move on to art, specifically contemporary, is there an artist out there who gets your admiration? 

​I really admire Brooke Shaden as an artist and a person. She creates conceptual images and has a distinct style. Not only is she self-taught, but she is a smart businesswoman and good person. I have taken some classes with her, both art and business. Brooke is wise well beyond her years.

I'm not familiar with her work, but thank you for the introduction. What about around you there in Chicago, is there a local artist that you would recommend people check out?

Tony Carnesecchi is not only a talented artist, but one of the nicest people I know.  Our art could not be more different. Tony is a local painter of traditional style. Still life, animals, landscape - he can do it all. He runs an art school here and I always refer people to him.

What about your own art Tracy, who has had an influence on your style? 

Mystic Pink by Tracy Whiteside

Brooke Shaden has been a strong influence on my work.

Mix and Match by Tracy Whiteside

Additionally, A. M. Lorek, Paolo Roversi, and Lindsay Adler.  Anyone’s work will influence me to some degree.  It may spark an idea for a background, setting, costume, lighting - any number of things.

Well said, Tracy I want to know if you have any advice for people you might just be starting to send their work out to journals.

If an artist is just beginning to send out their work, I would advise them not to get discouraged. You may get lucky and be accepted the first time, or it could take months. There are so many amazing artists and only a limited amount of publications. 

Many don’t tell you what they are looking for,
​so I always look at the past covers and issues.

Sometimes, those are so eclectic it is especially difficult to submit to them. Then I would say go with your instincts. Be sure to follow the directions given by the publications. I know it can be very time consuming to resize and rewrite descriptions for each submission but imagine receiving 100 subs per week that don’t adhere to the guidelines. Also, I know many others will strongly disagree with this but do not pay to submit until you have success with being published on a regular basis—unless of course you have plenty of discretionary income. There are many free options available.

Your own work doesn't lend itself to a single label,
​can you talk about your scope a little Tracy.

Many people in the art business wonder why my art is so diversified.  Most tell me to pick a lane and stick to it.  Which is logical and great advice.  However, it just doesn’t work for me.  My heart is in the dark art category, but it is a limited market.  Some days, I want to create pretty things and I don’t see why I shouldn’t be able to do that.  Other days, I wake up excited about color and silliness.  None of us have just one side to our personality.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Inspiration is a challenge for some artists, but I find inspiration in everything.  Books first and foremost because when you read, you form a visual in your head that is yours and yours alone.  Then you can translate that into your art.  Fashion helps me with poses, colors, shapes.   Pinterest has so many images it can be overwhelming.  But it is a wonderful resource.

Okay last one, maybe it's fitting, how do you deal with rejection?

No one likes rejection. I don’t either. Not too long ago, I worked with a group of artists and many of them stated that were afraid to make online submissions. I have no issue with this at all. I don’t have to look anyone in the eye while they tell me they don’t like my work. Most don’t ever reply, which is fine, because I don’t even have to deal with an email rejection. When they do send an email declining my work, I say, “Your loss” and move on to the next. But I really encourage artists to make online submissions. It toughens you up just a bit. You can keep submitting because they receive so many submissions, they probably won’t remember you. If you aren’t paying money, what do you have to lose but a bit of your time? 

Artist's Statement

Although a photographer for over 16 years, I waited until late in life to publicly share my passion for surrealism and the darker side of art.

Even as a little girl, I loved all things that go bump in the night. It's possible that I have seen every scary movie ever made, but I have a strong preference for psychological horror as opposed to violence. A few of my favorites are Rosemary's Baby, The Haunting, and The Blair Witch Project. However, The Exorcist is the film that left indelible marks in my mind.

My outlet is creating eerie, dream-like images that usually lay on the shadowy side of the imagination. Photoshop allows me to create an illusion atop the reality that I photograph. Using texture and vignettes over the images reinforce a sense of the dream state. I want my art to encourage people to take a break from reality and explore aberrant subjects because the images are intended to awaken the imagination of the observer. 

We all need to escape now and then. Walk in the shadows with me.

You can keep up with Tracy on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or on her site.

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