TRACY GOLDFINCH ELSON FUSES THE CONTEMPORARY DIGITAL APPROACH WITH CLASSICAL MOTIVES
MARIE BERTELSEN | ARTICULATE #19 | APRIL 2019
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You can easily call Goldfinch a modern artist. By the use of Instagram, she has a modern take on classical motives, where the style is baroqueish, but the photographic method and communication are contemporary.
 
Goldfinch started drawing friends’ portraits from the age of 8, when she discovered that she had a certain artistic talent. She took on many pencil portrait commissions up until the time she had her children. 

As a new mother, she found herself having less time, yet being desperate for a creative outlet. Almost 3 years ago she bought her first DSLR camera to photograph a line of stationery that she had designed at the start of her creative journey. Through the recommendation of a friend, Goldfinch at the same time joined Instagram. Within months Goldfinch had discovered a new passion, Instagram, a platform filled with inspiration and a creative, supportive community.

The development going from drawing people, to motherhood to photographing and then finally reaching out to a broad audience through Instagram makes it seem like a natural progress reaching the medium portrait photography through a combination of acquired skills.
 
Furthermore, Goldfinch points to paintings of the old masters such a Rembrandt, Vermeer and Da Vinci as being a strong influence. According to her the captivation comes from the contrast of light and shadow which she later translated into her photography. Photographing flowers, food, naturally turned into to shooting portraits. 

Later on, the inspiration and influence came from different artists, which Instagram was a big part of. As Goldfinch states, any Instagram user can tell you the vast amount of images that you can absorb every day. This is also where Goldfinch discovered the work of Hendrick Kerstens, among others who have been a source of fascination to her.

It is clear, Goldfinch life is family oriented when describing her artistic journey. In her development between and from different media to her current position, a central theme has been family and the feminine elements. 

Goldfinch’s 10-year-old daughter, Megan and seven-year-old daughter Poppy are usually willing models who enable her to experiment regularly. However, Goldfinch looks wants to work with professionals such as Cali White and Isabella May but have not had the change yet (@isabellamayofficial) and dreams of the subjects to be Tilda Swinton, Kiera Knightley, and Karen Elson. In general portrait photography is close to Goldfinch’s heart and has developed in her own atmospheric style. 

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When shooting, Goldfinch tends not to let go of structures but observe what emerges as she works.  This is done by observing the light on the subject and then waiting to get a special feeling that forms when it is just right. Photographing flowers or groups of objects, Goldfinch aims for the number three in order to obtain a shot that feels balanced and significant. This could be three antique bottles or three beautiful blooms, as photographing a single object, can feel offset and off-center.

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This article about TRACY GOLDFINCH ELSON takes part of ARTICULATE #19. Read, download or order your print version of the full publication below