Meet Tracy Updike

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

Tracy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been an artist and maker my entire life, but my journey to own my own creative business started in 2007 with Tracy Alice, artisanal handbags. I handcrafted one-of-a-kind purses using a technique I developed while working in the packaging industry. While preparing for a busy art show season, I purchased a couple of button makers to create small affordable accessories to compliment my bags. I quickly fell in love with the process, and a new idea was born. 

In 2019 I started Maker Street Studio, a button-making business. However, I didn’t stay there for long. Although I like the button-making process, crafting the design gives me the most joy, and once I found my voice, I was off to the races. It started with a commission to make buttons featuring Wilbur, a French Bulldog, and the Mayor of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. I created a design in which I morphed Wilbur’s head onto a biker’s body. Bam! With this one design, a million ideas began to pour in. 

I now create digital collages featuring animals dressed as humans that tell fun and relatable stories about the human experience. My images are sold as art prints or printed on products such as bags, t-shirts, coffee mugs, pinback buttons, and more. Of Course, I couldn’t completely get away from button-making. I still love sharing the fun and exciting process of creating buttons, so at our live events, we offer on-the-spot button making. Photos are taken at the event or pulled from the customer’s phone, then printed and made into a pinback button, magnet, coaster, or pocket mirror on the spot. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
A smooth ride would be nice, but no. My time to focus on my business is limited, and I suffer from squirrel syndrome, always wanting to chase after the shiny new idea. I’m currently balancing running Maker Street Studio alongside working a full-time job, caring for my parents, and another side hustle as a petsitter. In the beginning, I said yes to every new idea or opportunity that came forward and lacked focus on what I needed to do. As a result, my business is still very much at the beginning stage. Over the past year, I have worked diligently to create a plan and stay focused on the most critical projects to move my business forward. As a result, I feel like things are beginning to align, and my business will be ready for the next step. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My artwork depicts animals dressed as humans expressing their personalities in everyday situations. Sometimes puns are incorporated to add to the ridiculousness of the image. The illustrations are crafted by digitally cutting, combining, and manipulating photos to create original compositions. I feel my art consists of clean, well-designed images. As an artist, I’ve always been drawn to photo-realism, and I love to infuse storytelling into my art. 

Inspired by my pet sitting and love for dogs, I incorporate a lot of dogs and cats into my art. I often say our pets are members of the family, and more often than not, we inflect our own human experience onto them. At shows, I love seeing people react to my images and relating them to the members of their fur family. 

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t compare your success to others. Know what you want and set your goals accordingly. There is nothing wrong with throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks, but eventually, you will need to create a plan and stick with it to the end, or at least until it no longer serves your needs. Listen to your inner voice, and step out of your comfort zone. It is where the best stuff happens. 

Pricing:

• $18.00-$30.00 for art prints
• $15.00 – $20.00 for coffee mugs
• $5.00 for 3.5″ magnets
• $21.00 T-Shirts
• $30-$35.00 pillows

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MakerStreetStudioLLC
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makerstreetstudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakerStreetStudio

Image Credits
Tracy Updike