Tracy Partridge-Johnson
Professional Pyrographer
I have been an artist all my life and love making things with my hands. Prior to our move from the city I had purchased a cheap, craft-store wood burning tool to play with and decided it might be fun to dig it out of storage and see what kind of art I could create. I’ve been reproducing photos, some full-color,some spot-color and others only sepia-tones, ever since.
That was more than 20 years ago.
Some of My First Pieces…
Here are 3 of my very first pyrography pieces. I burned them onto scrap lumber I found laying around on the property. I still have these pieces to remind me of my skill level when I started and to compare that to where I am today.
I practiced a lot!
We survived living on our own property from early July 1999 until mid March of 2000. But once the snow got so bad that it was nearly impossible to get in and out of our own property (did I mention we lived 4 miles down a dirt road from the nearest paved street? That was where we had to meet the school bus each morning and afternoon for the kids’ 70 mile round-trip daily ride to the k-12 school!) I had had ENOUGH! LOL!
I began asking locals about vacant houses in the area we might rent and I was able to make arrangements to move into an old house on a 160 acre ranch with a big, red 3-story barn and multiple out buildings. There I scavenged a bunch of scrap wood that was lying around and these three are some of the first pieces I created out there.
Ultimately we moved back to the city…
First to Bend, then eventually we returned to the Greater Portland Metro area, where we have remained for the last 10+ years.
And the rest is history.
Initially I created burnings as a hobby. A way to while away the hours and explore my creativity. Then I started making pieces as gifts for family members and friends. But once we moved back to the city and people saw my art I began to receive requests for commissioned pieces. So I made a website and a Facebook page and over time more and more people have approached me…both business owners as well as private clients…to order one-of-a-kind, handcrafted works of art.
I really love this work! The smell of the wood as it’s burning (I have a much better, professional-quality, temperature-regulated burning tool now, btw!), the entire creative process of working with my hands, and the personal gratification that comes from engaging closely with each client to craft something truly meaningful that will be cherished for years.
I would be very pleased to work with you, as well 😉
Contact me and let’s explore your vision & dream together!
I look forward to hearing from you.
All the very best,
Tracy