Paint and Sip: Tree of Hearts Painting Experience

Hello, I’m Tracey Mae, founder of Tracey Mae Studios, artist, art teacher and three-time international art award recipient.Art has always been part of my life, but my journey to creating Tracey Mae Studios has been wonderfully unconventional.Alongside my career as an artist, I built an extensive background in hospitality, conferences, events and experiential team building in South Africa. I owned and managed a 4-star game lodge, worked as a Professional Conference Organiser (PCO), and helped companies create meaningful experiences through conferences, leadership events and team-building programmes.As a registered Professional Conference Organiser working with hotel groups including Protea Hotels and Tsogo Sun, I specialised in matching venues, conference facilities and team-building experiences to each client’s goals, group size and vision.Over the years I designed and facilitated experiences for hundreds of corporate groups and leadership teams, working with organisations including:

• South African Presidency
• Standard Bank
• ABSA Bank
• Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)
• Volkswagen
• BBD
• 3M
• Lufthansa
• South African Airways (SAA)
• Simba

…and many more.One memorable experience involved creating a Survivor-inspired executive team challenge concept linked with Endemol South Africa. The idea created plenty of excitement, although the leadership team eventually decided observation was safer than participation!Art, however, was always my true calling.I founded Tracey Mae Studios because I wanted to create spaces where people could reconnect with creativity without pressure or intimidation. My classes are relaxed, welcoming and technique-based, designed for everyone from complete beginners to experienced creatives.One of my greatest joys is watching someone arrive saying “I can’t paint” and leave with a smile and artwork they never thought possible.My arts background has also included curating more than 10 exhibitions, working with artists and communities, and helping organise the 2019 Plett Arts Festival in South Africa, which brought together 26 venues, 12 opening evenings, 120 artists and more than 700 artworks.Today, I combine art, teaching, creativity, travel and experiences through Tracey Mae Studios, delivering art classes, Paint & Sip evenings, workshops and developing future art retreat experiences between the UK, South Africa and beyond.Highlights from my journey include:Founder of Tracey Mae StudiosThree-time international art award recipientCurator of 10+ exhibitionsOrganiser of the 2019 Plett Arts Festival (26 venues, 120 artists, 700+ artworks)Former owner and manager of a 4-star game lodge in South AfricaProfessional Conference Organiser (PCO) with conference and events backgroundExtensive experience in hospitality, experiential events and team buildingFacilitated experiences for corporate groups, leadership teams and major organisationsNo experience is needed in my classes — just curiosity, creativity and a willingness to enjoy the journey.