Artist Biography
Born in 1967, Byron Tracy Snyder spent his formative years in the small town of Grayson, Kentucky. Known to his friends and family as Tracy, he is the second of five children–but the only one of the five who pursued art. As a child, Tracy enjoyed all sorts of creative expression, including drawing, arts & crafts, building & invention.
Upon graduating high school, Snyder received the Doug Anglin Art Scholarship and attended a year at Ashland Community College, Ashland, Kentucky. He then transferred to the Art Institute of Atlanta, where he graduated with honors in 1988. Since then, Snyder has worked as a creative director, art director, designer and illustrator. In 1994, he launched his own advertising and graphic design studio which he still operates.
In 2001, Snyder attempted a portrait of his first-born son as a Christmas gift to his wife. That portrait rekindled his interest in painting. He has been painting ever since – everything from portraits to landscapes. He has studied with artists such as Michael Shane Neal, Bill Davidson, Damon Carter and briefly with Dawn Whitelaw. He also credits several artist friends with profound influence. Snyder is a Juried member of The Portrait Society of Atlanta and an associate member of the Portrait Society of America and Oil Painters of America.
Snyder's portrait, "Carolyn Cosby" was a finalist in the Richeson 75: International Figure / Portrait Art Competion 2008 and won third place at the Portrait Society of Atlanta's summer 2009 show. His portrait, "Sunday Reflections", was a finalist and received a Merit Award in The Portrait Society of Atlanta's Summer 2008 exhibition. He also exhibited in The Portrait Society of Atlanta's Summer 2010, Spring 2006 and 2004 shows. His most prominent portrait subject is former U.S. Congressman and 2008 presidential candidate, Bob Barr, which resides at the State University of West Georgia. His work also appears among several private collections.
Byron Tracy Snyder currently lives in Woodstock, Georgia – a northern suburb of Atlanta – with his wife and four children. He is an active member of First Christian Church of Roswell. In addition to painting, he also enjoys woodworking, reading (especially history), and tinkering in his shop.