Tracey writes historical fiction and short stories in both novel length and short story length. Tracey was shortlisted for the 2019 Byron Bay Flash Your Fiction Contest.
The Art of Memories
The Art of Memories is inspired by a real life observation of Tracey in Elkington Park, Balmain in 2018.
The Art of Memories is a story of friendship and the consequences of the decisions we make in life.
Louise is a forty something art therapist harbouring a secret desire to be a full time artist. Walking her border collie through Elkington Park, Balmain, she sees an old man carefully tending the rose gardens. Her dog befriends the old man and Louise gets to know Bob, a lonely widower no longer in contact with his children and grandchildren.
Bob agrees to Louise painting his portrait and as the painting takes shape, Louise learns that living for others has far reaching consequences. Bob shares the story of his life in Balmain:
- meeting his wife and his need to provide her a life that didn’t involve regular moves due to the stigmas of having a father with mental illness,
- supporting his best friend to get help and acceptance following significant trauma during their National Service days
- how using his physical strength to work as a debt collector on the fringes of the underworld provided a house for his family but lost him his children;
- illicit adventures in the Parramatta River and the importance of supporting the team
Stretching from Sydney’s inner west to the eastern suburbs, the story features locations as diverse as a locked mental health ward, Leichardt Oval, Bondi Pavilion and Callan Park Aslyum. Spanning from the 1940s to today, the Art of Memories is heartwarming tale of the difference good friends make to your life.
