Rising Stars: Meet Tracy Cendoya of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Cendoya.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in the South was a great experience as an artist because I was always surrounded by great people and bright energetic atmospheres. When I was really young, I would take my pencils and sketch pad with me most places. It helped me to deal with my energy in a positive way, and it started my love for the arts that I still enjoy today.
My grandmother was immersed into the social scenes in New Orleans. There were lots of opportunities to wear fashionable clothing regularly. I loved seeing all of the fuss around women getting dressed up for church or an event or just their visit to an uptown luncheon with friends.

This grew into a love for fashion design in middle school. It was energizing to me to open magazines and see Cindy Crawford or Helena Christensen wearing the latest fashion in a colorful 2 page spread.. I took fashion design figure drawing classes starting in 7th grade with a local art instructor in Uptown New Orleans. I was drawn to the exaggerated elongation of the figure and continue to use that aspect today. When it was time to choose a college, I wanted to go to Parsons in NYC. My upper school art teacher also spoke with my parents about sending me to Parsons for college. My mom was nervous about me being in that big city so young and asked me to start out in our state school first. I went to LSU for fashion design and learned a lot of the technical skills needed for working in the fashion business. I eventually made it to Parsons as a fashion student living amongst lots of international students who loved art as much as I did. Living in the City while attending Parsons opened up my eyes to all sorts of possibilities that came from so much creativity in one place. We had weekly gallery visits where I learned about professional artists like Chuck Close. He was exhibiting in SOHO back then and I was enamored with his process. Parsons has a heavy fine arts expectation with their fashion degrees. This is where I learned to love working with other mediums like paint. We learned to do a lot of our work with different types of paint and mediums whether it was a fashion figure class or 2D design. I eventually moved back to Louisiana and was more interested in pursuing a painting career than fashion. I got married to my now husband and we started our family. I now have 4 adult kids(3 boys and a girl). While building our family, I would spend any free time I had painting in our guest room closet. I had an easel and little table w paints and brushes. Once I felt confident enough to show my work to a small gift shop. I approached a the owner in our town and showed her some of my work. This is how I first started selling pieces there. Eventually I learned how to create collections and in my early 30s I had my first exhibit with the collection of paintings that were inspired by the color and mood of BLUE. I learned how to work under deadlines, cater to clients for custom work and to do all of the different aspects of a working artist.

Now that I am in my 50s, I have sold art nationally and internationally. My art continues to grow and expand each day. I truly love the exploring aspect of being an artist because it gives me the freedom to practice my process and continue to explore many different subjects, materials, and textures.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m not sure that artists and “smooth road” are two concepts that go together …Haha. The process of becoming who I am meant to be is a lifelong endeavor. The struggles in my 20s are different than the struggles now in my 50s. I think the hardest hurdle for me was when I started to sell my paintings outside of an environment where people knew me and then understanding that not everyone would like my style of art. There is a learning curve to not take this personally. The next hard hurdle that was learned over time was the effort that went into an art exhibition was part of the needed process even if I went home with all or almost all of the inventory I brought with me. Also, learning to get comfortable with the concept of having enough paintings to fill a tent at an art event was a win even if the sales didn’t show that. Fortunately, I would notice that I would eventually sell all of the paintings from the show after the event was over. It could span 6 months, but they would eventually sell. I also would get plenty of commission work from them. People have to get used to seeing your art over and over before they will commit to buying. The new struggle I am currently dealing with is learning how to use social media to sell and promote my art and working with the algorithm. I’m also learning its ok not to do everything myself. There are so many talented people that can do some of the needed tasks way better and more efficiently than me. It’s good to always crave curiosity and learning because learning new things is always an important part of the joy in life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a lifelong artist (mostly painter)and art educator with a background in fine art and design, including studies at Parsons School of Design. I have taught art to students from PreK through 12th grade as well as adults, and previously operated my own studio and art classes in Johns Creek,GA. After retiring from full-time teaching in 2024, I have returned to my primary focus which is my own artwork and creative business.

My work is expressive, contemporary, and often figurative, combining simplified forms, pattern, texture, earthy colors, and unexpected whimsical elements. My current work draws from themes of connection, place, family, creativity, and transitions in life, often incorporating subtle personal or spiritual symbolism of my Christian faith. The recently created Updraft collection explores figures, settings, mapping lines, and the idea of moving into a new season. It is uploaded on my website.

Today, I am developing an art collective where I can combine my love of teaching art with my love of creating my own art to share with others. My hope is to also have art gatherings and promote other artists work so people can see the amazing artists behind some of these paintings and pieces being created around GA. The studio is called “4 Wings Art Collective”.
As far as my work goes, I am most proud of how the many pieces I have created over the years that others connect to personally. Regardless of what was going on in our lives. God has always provided a way for me to create and connect with Him through my art and I hope that it reflects that to others.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
My family and I have recently moved to a farm in North Georgia. We had purchased the farm with a 1903 farmhouse in 2021 as a fun project. I would say I am a city girl at heart and LOVE the energy that comes from the buzz of a city. However, my husband was ready for a change.. I was hesitant initially but have grown to love being surrounded by nature and fresh air. We are surrounded by dairy cows and other livestock which has been inspiring my latest pieces.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://4wingsartcollective.myshopify.com
• Instagram: Cendoya.art
• Facebook: Tracy Cendoya Art