Solomon
 
Tracie Truscott
Mixed Media on Reclaimed Driftwood with Quartz Crystals
24" x 9"
 
Solomon is a striking mixed-media sculpture by British Columbia artist Tracie Truscott, bringing together reclaimed driftwood, sculptural detail, hand-painted surfaces and natural quartz crystal in a work that seems to unite two worlds—the rugged shoreline above and the mysterious life beneath the water.
 
At the centre of the piece, a beautifully rendered sea turtle appears to glide across the weathered driftwood. Its shell is transformed into the focal point of the sculpture with a dramatic bed of natural quartz crystals. The raw brilliance of the crystal contrasts beautifully with the warm, aged grain of the wood and the deep greens, turquoise, bronze and gold that define the turtle.
 
Truscott's attention to detail is particularly evident in the turtle's patterned flippers and face. Intricate cellular markings, delicate line work and carefully layered colour give the creature an almost jewel-like quality. Yet the natural irregularities of the driftwood remain clearly visible, allowing nature rather than symmetry to determine the foundation of the composition.
 
A narrow channel running through the centre of the driftwood is accented with vivid turquoise stones, creating the impression of water travelling through a fissure in the wood. This vertical line visually connects the turtle, crystal and driftwood, turning an existing crack and imperfection into one of the sculpture's defining features.
 
Solomon demonstrates why Tracie Truscott's work is so difficult to categorize. Her experience as a painter and accomplished tattoo artist can be seen in the precision of the pattern and colour. Her automotive bodywork skills give her the ability to sculpt and manipulate unconventional materials, while her experience as a diver provides an intimate understanding of the marine world that repeatedly inspires her work.
Rather than disguising the history of her reclaimed materials, Truscott celebrates it.
 
Weathering, cracks, knots and irregular edges become part of the finished artwork. She then introduces unexpected materials and extraordinary detail, creating something that feels simultaneously ancient, contemporary and fantastical.
 
The quartz-filled shell gives Solomon an especially powerful presence. Light catches the individual crystals differently throughout the day, allowing the sculpture to subtly change as its surroundings and illumination change.
 
At Peachland Village Art Studio, we are proud to present original works that challenge the boundaries between painting, sculpture and found-object art. Solomon is a remarkable example—a one-of-a-kind work in which reclaimed wood, natural crystal and Tracie Truscott's unmistakable imagination come together to create something truly extraordinary.