Biography, Timeline & Artist Statement...


New Zealand Contemporary Artists Profile


Tracey Lee Cassin is an award-winning published International artist and photographer. Home is Lake Rotoma, a beautiful lakeside community in the Bay Of Plenty of New Zealand, where she lives with her creative partner, painter and muralist Marc Spijkerbosch.
Her creative practice is multifaceted as a painter, mixed media artist, writer, and photographer, with works in private collections in New Zealand, Australia, the USA,  United Kingdom, Scotland and Italy.
Her practice explores many artistic aspects, particularly the fundamentals of space, shape, and colour using various mediums, including oils, watercolour, ink, printmaking, collage, and acrylics.
The sculptural use of paint with a palette knife and spatula is a personal passion.
Contemporary seascapes feature prominently in her body of work.
As an artistic photographer, she has a special interest in macro, digital manipulation, and the creation of inspirational quotation photography.
The inspiration for her art and photography are the patterns and colours found in nature and the human face, music, lyrics and poetry.
Tracey Lee is the founder and creative director of 'Mia Bella Passions - Art, Home and Garden Website', which she began in 2012 to share her love of creativity, DIY, design and decor.



Timeline:

  • March 2023: Honorable Mention Award - 5th Colour Competition with Teravarna Art Gallery, USA
  • March 2023: Colour Symphonies for Paul Gauguin And Vincent Van Gogh - Magazine & Book Publication -  Netherlands.  
  •  February 2023: Honorable Mention Award - 5th Figurative Competition with Art Show International Gallery, USA.
  • January 2023: Talent Award for painting in 3rd Waters Competition with Art Tour International Gallery, USA.
  • January 2023:  Finalist for painting in 3rd Waters Competition with Art Tour International Gallery, USA.
  • December 2022: Selected finalist awards for three photography/photoshop images with Art Show International Gallery USA 5th Flower Competition.
  • December 2022: Group Exhibition (physical), Rossocinabro Contemporary Art Gallery, Rome, Italy.
  • December 2022: Honorable Mention for Photoshop photography - Art Show International Gallery USA - 6th Landscapes competition.
  • November 2022: Invited Artist - Jaarboek Kunstenaars 2023 Artists Yearbook - Netherlands.
  • November 2022: Small Works Exhibition, Opotiki Art Gallery, Opotiki, New Zealand.
  • October 2022: Art in the Garden, Opotiki Arts, New Zealand.
  • October 2022: Art in Dialogue with Nature - Gaudi & Defoe - Magazine & Book Publication -  Netherlands.  
  • August 2022: Expressions 2 Annual Art Exhibition, held by Rotary Rotorua Passport, Rotorua, New Zealand.
  • August 2022: Shades Of Whites 3rd Group Exhibition, Opotiki Art Gallery, Opotiki, New Zealand.
  • August 2022: Finalist -Faces Art Exhibition - Grey Cube Gallery, Online - USA.
  • August 2022: A Piece of History Group Exhibition - Auction of painted Bath House roof tiles, The Arts Village, Rotorua.
  • July 2022: 'Artists In The World Contemporary Art Catalogue', Rome, Italy.
  • July 2022:  Tae 2022 - Twitter Art Exhibition Fundraising event, York, United Kingdom.
  • June 2022: Matariki + The Journey Exhibition, Opotiki Arts Gallery, Opotiki.

  • June 2022:  Selected artist - Artists In The World - Catalogue of contemporary artists - Italy.

  • May 2022: Illustrations in the children's book - GABBY GOOSE 'Collection of Stories', by Brian W Judkins - New Zealand.

  • April 2022: 8th Place for Photography in Light Space & Time Gallery USA '12th Annual 'Figurative' Competition/Exhibition. 

  • January 2022: House & Garden UK Magazine - January 2021 Art Edit. The United Kingdom. 

  • January 2022: World Of Interiors UK Magazine - January 2022 - Artistic Impressions. The United Kingdom. 

  • December 2021: Abode2 Magazine, Artist Feature, Issue 45. 

  • December 2021: Circle Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine, Artists Feature. Issue 26. France.

  • December 2021: Exhibiting artist, 'All You Need Is Art' online exhibition with ARS Artspace, Milan, Italy.

  • December 2021: World Of Interiors UK Magazine - Artistic Impressions. The United Kingdom.

  • December 2021: House & Garden UK Magazine - December 2021 Art Edit. The United Kingdom. 

  • November 2021:  Exhibiting artist, 'New Beginnings' Exhibition, Opotiki Arts, Opotiki, New Zealand.

  • November 2021: Special Merit Award for Digitally manipulated photography in Light Space & Time Gallery USA '3rd Annual Primary Colours' Competition/Exhibition. 

  • November 2021: Invited Online Feature Artist with Circle Foundation Of The Arts - France.

  • November 2021: Grey Cube Gallery, Yellow Show, Finalist.

  • November 2021: House & Garden UK Magazine - November 2021 Art Edit. The United Kingdom. 

  • November 2021: World Of Interiors UK Magazine - November 2021 Artistic Impressions. The United Kingdom.

  • October 2021:   Special Merit Award for Digitally manipulated photography in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Seascapes' Competition/Exhibition. 

  • October 2021: Special Merit Award for Painting in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Seascapes' Competition/Exhibition. 

  • September 2021:  Special Recognition Award for Digital Photography in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Patterns' Competition/Exhibition. 

  • August 2021: Grey Cube Gallery, Blue show, Finalist.

  • August 2021: Circle Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine, Artists Feature.  Issue 25. France.

  • July 2021: Impressions - 'Variations on a Theme' - Multi-arts Collaborative project with Pianist, conductor and composer Chris Hopkins (Associate of the Royal Academy Of Music), United Kingdom.

  • July 2021: ' 'Recycle & Create', Opotiki Arts Group Exhibition, Opotiki, New Zealand.

  • July 2021:   Shades Of Whites, Group Exhibition, The Galleria, Rotorua, New Zealand.

  • June 2021: 'Aquars' - Water Exhibition, Art Space Gallery, Milano, Italy. (Invited artist).

  • May 2021:  Finalist, Photography/Digital Manipulation, Art Room Contemporary Gallery 'Portraiture' Exhibition.

  • April 2021: 'Out Of The Box' Exhibition, Opotiki Arts Group Exhibition, Opotiki, New Zealand.

  • January/February 2021:  Shades Of Whites, Group Exhibition, Orewa, New Zealand.

  • January 2021: Special Recognition Award for Digital Photography/manipulated in Light Space & Time Gallery USA '10th Annual All Women' Competition/Exhibition.                                                                          

  • December 2020 until February 2021: Group Art Exhibition, 'Galleria Rotorua, New Zealand - 'Composite Elements' with 'Ladies Of Diversity'.
  • 2020:  'Small Works', Group Exhibition Opotiki Arts, New Zealand.
  • November 2020 until January 2021: Art Exhibition, Te Koputu a te whanga a Toi Museum Gallery, 'SEAing Bleu Whakataa Kitea'.
  • 2020: Finalist Award for Painting in Grey Cube Gallery Gallery USA 'Waters' Exhibition.
  • 2020: Finalist Award for Painting/Digital Manipulation in Fusion Art Gallery USA '5th Anniversary' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Honourable Mention for Digital Photography/Manipulation in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Open' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Finalist Award for Digital Photography in Fusion Art Gallery USA '5th Annual Water' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Special Recognition Award for Digital Photography in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Landscapes' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Twitter Art Exhibition (TAE) Fundraiser, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA.
  • 2020:Honourable Mention Award for seascape painting in The Art Room Contemporary Gallery 'Waters' Competition. 
  • 2020: Special Recognition Award for Photography Digital Manipulation in Light Space & Time Gallery USA '10th Anniversary' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Contributing Artist to 'Iconic Whakatane' Mural Project.
  • 2020: Honorable Mention Award for Photography Digital in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Animals' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Special Recognition Award for Painting in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Primary Colours' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Special Recognition Award for Painting in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Seascapes' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Special Recognition Award for Digital Art in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Created In Isolation' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Finalist - Two images - digital art and digitally manipulated photography in The Art Room Contemporary Gallery 'Black and White' International competition and exhibition.
  • 2020:  'Art Explored', Group Exhibition Opotiki Arts, New Zealand.
  • 2020: Special Recognition Award for Photography/Digital Manipulation in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Botanicals' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Special Merit Award for Photography in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Figurative' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Special Recognition Award for Photography/Digital Manipulation in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Figurative' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Special Merit Award for Digital Painting in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Abstracts' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Special Recognition Award for Painting in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Abstracts' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020: Special Recognition Award for Digital Photography in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Cityscapes' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2020:  Special Merit Award for Digital Photography in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'All Womens' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2019Special Merit Award for Photography in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Nature' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2019: 111 - A Peoples Exhibition (Group) November/December - The Incubator Gallery - Tauranga, New Zealand.
  • 2019: Special Recognition Awards for two paintings in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Seascapes' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2019: Special Merit Award for Painting in Light Space & Time Gallery USA 'Patterns' Competition/Exhibition. 
  • 2019: Artist Feature - COLLECTION AUTUMN  Issue Number 81 of 'Collection Pan Arab Luxury Magazine'.   
  • 2019: Special Recognition Award for digitally manipulated photography - Light Space & Time Art Gallery USA -Open art and photography competition - 
  • 2019: Twitter Art Exhibit - Fundraising event - Edinburgh, Scotland.
  • 2019: Special Merit Award for Digital Art in Light Space & Time Gallery's 9th Annual Figurative April 2019 Competition/Exhibition.
  • 2019: Special Recognition Award for painting in Light Space & Time Gallery's 'Abstract'. Competition/Exhibition.
  • 2019: Finalist & Exhibition selection for photography @ Fusion Art Gallery's 3rd Annual Colors Exhibition. 
  • 2019: Special Recognition Award for painting in Light Space & Time Gallery's 'All Women'  Competition/ Exhibition.
  • 2018: Special Recognition Award for painting in Light Space & Time Gallery's 'Seascape' Competition/Exhibition.
  • 2018: Special Recognition Award for Digital Media in Light Space & Time Gallery's 'Nature' Competition/Exhibition.
  • 2018: Special Recognition Award for Digital Photography in Light Space & Time Gallery's 'Patterns'  Competition/Exhibition'.

  • 2018: Special Recognition Award for Digital Photography in Light Space & Time Gallery's 'Patterns'  Competition/Exhibition'.

  • 2018: Honourable Mention for Digital Photography in Light Space & Time Gallery's 'Open No Theme Competition/Exhibition'.

  • 2018: Special Recognition Award for Photography and featured in Light Space & Time Gallery's Botanicals Exhibition.

  • 2018: Two artworks as Finalists in the Abstract Competition at The Art Room Contemporary Gallery.

  • 2018: Animals Art Exhibition and Special Recognition Award at Light, Space & Time Gallery.

  • 2018: Featured Photography with 'Women In Photography'.

  • 2018: Two photography pieces selected as finalists in The Art Room Contemporary Gallery -'Black & White' Competition.

  • 2018: Featured Artist - The Healing Power Of Art & Artists Third Anniversary Exhibition - An initiative of Manhattan Arts International, New York.

  • 2018: 'Figurative' Art Exhibition - receiving a Special Recognition Award for Photography & Digital Media at Light Space and Time Gallery.

  • 2018: The Art Room Contemporary Gallery - Nature Competition - Finalist for Photography. 
  • 2018: 'Abstract' Art Exhibition - receiving a Special Merit Award for  Photography & Digital Media, and also a Special Recognition Award for Painting at Light, Space & Time Gallery.

  • 2018: 'Cityscapes' Art Exhibition - Special Merit Award - Light, Space And Time Gallery.

  • 2018: All Women Online Exhibition - Special Recognition Awards for painting & photography - Light, Space & Time Gallery.

  • 2017: Patterns Art Exhibition - Photography Special Recognition Awards for two images - Light, Space & Time Gallery.

  • 2017: 7th Annual 'Nature Art Exhibition - Special Recognition Award - Light, Space & Time Gallery.

  • 2017 - 7th Annual 'Seascapes' Art Exhibition - Special Recognition Award - Light, Space & Time Gallery.

  • 2017: Rotorua Art Awards - Salon Des Refuses Exhibition 

  • 2017: 'Open' Art Exhibition - Special Merit Award - Light, Space & Time Gallery.
  • 2017: 'Botanicals' Art Exhibition - Special Merit Award for photography - Light, Space & Time Gallery.
  • 2017: 'Seasons' Art Exhibition - Special Recognition Award - Light, Space And Time Gallery.
  • 2017: 'Animals' Art Exhibition - Special Merit Award - Light, Space & Time Gallery.
  • 2017: 'Landscape' Art Exhibition - Special Merit Award - Light, Space & Time Gallery.
  • 2017: Featured Artist -1340Art - International Art Magazine.
  • 2017: 'Figurative' 7th Annual Art Exhibition - 'Special Recognition' Artist Award - Light, Space And Time Gallery.
  • 2017: 'Abstract' Art Exhibition - Special Recognition Award - Light, Space And Time Gallery.
  • 2017: 'Cityscapes' Art Exhibition - Special Merit Award - Light, Space And Time Gallery.
  • 2016: Featured Artist - Coast & Country Newspaper.
  • 2016: Aroha Love Group Exhibition -The Art Lounge NZ -Tauranga.
  • 2016: World Inspired - Group exhibition artist - Creative Tauranga.
  • 2016: Sunshine & A Canvas - The Great Rotary Art Expo - exhibiting artist.
  • 2016: Published: IMAGO MUNDI - Benetton World Art Project - Book - contributing contemporary artist for New Zealand and included in the Luciano Benetton Permanent Collection - 'Kiwi Consciousness' - Treviso, Italy.
  • 2016 to present: Artistic Designer - Vida Voices - USA.
  • 2015: Hibiscus And Bays Art Awards, Auckland, New Zealand - Selected exhibiting artist/Merit Award
  • 2012 to present: Creative Director - Mia Bella Passions (Art, Home & Garden website).
  • 1999: Exhibition - Whakatane Museum & Gallery, New Zealand.
  • 1998: Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award - Selected Exhibiting Artist.
  • 1996: Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award - Selected Exhibiting Artist






I refer to my art practice as multifaceted.
Because I am a painter, a photographer, a designer, a writer.
I am creative in all its myriad of interesting forms.
To me limitation in one genre or style of practice is incomprehensible.
Experimentation and to go with the flow is the true basis of all I create.
From the moment I pick up the brush, camera, or whatever it is I choose to use as a tool…I never know from that moment what will evolve.
This is what it's all about…
unknown, and exciting.
It is art.
It is creativity in it's purest form.
Perfect and imperfect - I invite the viewer to journey into my artistic concepts.

Tracey Lee Cassin



New Zealand Contemporary Artists
Flight of Freedom
Oil
(Private Collection)

New Zealand Contemporary Artists


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