July Cover ArtistCover Artist: Tracy Bradley    

Tracy Bradley began her artistic career at the age of five. It was then that she sold her first piece—a “My Little Mermaid” drawing glued to a popsicle stick—and has been a professional artist ever since. Initially, she focused on pen and pencil portrait sketches of her favorite magazine cover models, gradually picked up painting, and eventually morphed her artistic abilities into the web.

Wanting to experience (and perfect) every type of art that appealed to her, Bradley asked one of her close friends, a graphic designer, to teach her a few “virtual” tricks of the trade. That was 16 years ago. Today, Bradley is the CEO of a successful creative agency, JeTT Media Group, located in Los Angeles.

thalo went behind-the-scenes with Bradley to discuss her creation of the first cover of the magazine

thalo: How did you create this piece?

Tracy Bradley: It was created using Illustrator. It’s actually a modified version of one of my 30” by 40” illustrations that I had printed on canvas to hang in my corporate office.

th: Where did your inspiration for this work come from?

TB: These colors are so prominent in our beautiful Southern California sunsets. I have these huge windows in my office and I just love watching the blue skies turn into orange as each day passes by. The birds were incorporated because I have always loved the idea of flight, and the feeling of being that free to dance on the wind. I actually took flying lessons for a while when I was in college, and there’s just something about being up there in the clouds that’s so peaceful and settling. … Plus, I have a very outgoing personality. I’m not a shy person, and these bold colors just really reflect who I am.

th: If you had any advice for up-and-coming artists, what would it be?

TB: I haven’t had an easy path to get where I am now. There have been a lot of struggles, ups and downs, and days when I thought I just wouldn’t make it. But I would stop myself and realize that if I just kept believing in myself and working hard, that one day it would all pay off. Nothing in life that’s worth having comes easy, and you truly have to work hard to make it. You have to believe that you can do anything and be anyone you want to be, and you will get there!