Tracie Eaton takes up residence at Grazing Goat, paints in Mackay

A ‘painter to the stars’ is touring through Queensland to meet with local artists on her mission to raise money for a charity close to her heart.

Bee Creativezzz popped by for lunch and a chat with Tracie at the Grazing Goat on Wood St. Photo: Fergus Gregg

An ‘artist to the stars’ is touring the regions to raise money for a charity that works to end sex trafficking worldwide, and has stopped in Mackay.

Tracie Eaton, who has painted Oscar nominees, visited Mackay on July 5 and set-up her easel at the Grazing Goat cafe in wet weather on her mission to raise funds and awareness for Destiny Rescue, a charity that works to rescue children from sex trafficking.

“We’re visiting 14 towns in 28 days around Queensland and we’re painting,” Mrs Eaton said.

“I have always been really inspired by colour and the impact that it has and makes us feel, so I paint to elicit emotion from people.”

Tracie had to battle the elements in Mackay, as wet weather and wind kept threatening to undo her painting progress. Photo: Fergus Gregg

On her tour, Mrs Eaton will be capturing each of her stops in abstract paintings, including Mackay.
Mrs Eaton’s art for rescue project aims to raise awareness about Australia’s involvement in sex trafficking.

She claimed approximately 200,000 Australian men travel internationally each year exclusively to participate in the sex tourism industry.

“Australia is the third most active country in the world for engaging in that sort of thing overseas,” she said.

“I think that if the demand wasn’t there, then all of a sudden you know people wouldn’t necessarily be trafficked.”

Mrs Eaton was joined at the Grazing Goat for lunch by artists from the Bee Creativezzz art group and their organiser, and Mackay 2024 art and culture award winner, Margaret Ross.

“We had a workshop today with around 18 people and we heard that Tracie was here,” Mrs Ross said.

“I was so inspired and it was just like a gut thing where you go I got to meet this lady.”

Joining Mrs Ross was Bee Creativezzz up and coming artist Georgia Knolls, who heard Tracie speak on the radio.

Georgia Knolls is one of Bee Creativezzz star artists.

“It’s really cool that Tracie is here,” Ms Knolls said.

“It touched my heart so I wanted to thank her for that.”

After the completion of the tour and creative process, Eaton’s original artworks will then be exhibited and presented at another charity function, to be held on 9 November at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) on the Gold Coast.

Through Art for Rescue, Eaton aims to raise $1 million for Destiny Rescue through fundraising events and the sale of her art work with the ultimate aim of eradicating the child sex trade.