Tracy Kachtick-Anders and her six children. (Photo Courtesy of T. Kachtick-Anders)
I met Tracy Kachtick-Anders in an unusual way. I had just completed my 30 days of LGBT arts and entertainment features here on Examiner for the month of June--to protest Prop. 8 and to support LGBT civil rights--when I found another writer on Examiner.com who was doing a very similar project shortly thereafter.
I had to meet this like-minded person and fellow Examiner.
After emailing a few times and learning more about the amazing things Kachtick-Anders is accomplishing in her very busy life, I knew I had to write a feature profile on her.
But where to start with a woman who's a foster and adoption advocate and creator of the non-profit Open Arms Campaign, an artist, a writer, a doula, the inventor of the Sleep Tight Wedge and a single mother to six children?
I decided to focus on Kachtick-Anders's breathtaking artwork, her six beautiful children and her work as a writer on Examiner.com. It's my hope that after learning about this remarkable woman, you'll be inspired to learn more about her work as an inventor, a doula and a foster/adoption advocate.
I promise you'll be as captivated and inspired by Tracy Kacktick-Anders as I have become.
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Tracy, tell me a little about yourself.
Born in Texas, except for a couple of years in Florida. My whole childhood was in Texas, in Seabrook near the NASA space center. I went to college in Texas (studied art, BFA in sculpture) and then moved to Mexico for three years, where I taught at a bilingual elementary school. I then moved to Seattle for 25 years before moving back to Texas, to be close to family and to rest on the beach. My youngest son (birth son) had some medical issues (Down syndrome, two heart surgeries, oxygen issues, etc.) and I needed a rest. I currently live in Galveston, a few blocks from the beach.
How did you become an Examiner and why did you choose the topic of LGBT Parenting?
A neighbor of mine here (in Galveston) told me she was writing about parenting kids with special needs. Almost all of my kids (five adopted, one birth) have special needs. I looked at her site and then said, "I could do that."
I thought about all sorts of categories I could fit in: single parenting, green living, special needs, foster and adoption, and then figured I had (the) most to say about gay issues, especially in (Galveston). I am always writing letters to newpapers about issues in Galveston (and) the schools and letters (to the paper) suggesting stories and then figured I could just do it myself.
When did you become an artist?
I have a school paper I did in maybe 3rd grade that says I want to be an artist and have men take my paintings on ships all around the world. Although my BFA is in sculpture, I really only paint, but am handy with a hammer. I only took one class in high school though because someone told me only lazy people or pot heads took art classes, and since I was at least one of those, I took an architecture (class) instead. When I made a sculpture in art class, the teacher thought I copied it from a magazine, so I figured I was on to something. I think my art looks like I was self-taught though. I even use my left hand to draw a lot of time so that the drawings are crude. 
What do you want other people to know about your art?
I don't take any of it too seriously. What I like about my art is that it looks safe from a distance, almost cartoonish, but then you see that I am talking about real things. Earlier in my work, I did much more serious issues, AIDS, poverty, etc, but it has lightened up a bit. I am more interested in showing how everything is connected, making women turn into butterflies or trees, or work out my dreams through my art. I know many of the paintings are autobiographical but I make the women different colors, blue or green or red, so that they can be anyone. I used to not even give them hair or eyeballs.
Tell me about your children and their individual personalities.
My kids are (ages) 5-17. My oldest is 17 and without giving away his privacy, I can only say that he had a lot to overcome, being in different homes early in life that were not healthy. He is working at a local restaurant and...right now we are talking about firefighting. He will need some help with the transition into adulthood.
My 15-year-old daughter just came to our family last year. She is the biological sister of my two oldest boys (they have another sister who lives in Seattle). I finalized her adoption in June, but I have known her since she was three and she has visited with us a lot. She too has lived in many homes and is finally trusting that I will do what I say. She has a wicked sense of humor and the best belly laugh.
My next (child) is my 13-year-old son. He is a great athlete and cute as can be. He has a heck of a time staying out of trouble but is, at heart, a good kid. He loves animals and reading big scary books.
Next is my 8-year-old son. He is a nerdy little fellow who is very sweet. He woke me up the other morning to say he had made our family breakfast and I found 7 little bowls of Cheerios on the table. He and I took up surfing this summer and he did great. He does not love school, as it is very challenging for him, but he has come a long way.
My 6-year-old daughter is smarter than all of us combined. She is a mini-me, but way smarter. She kind of keeps everyone in line, a tattle-tell, and a bit bossy. She is bilingual (Spanish/English) and is in the gifted program at school. She is also a prolific painter and has sold 10 paintings in the last two months.
The youngest is my son who is 5. He is a sensitive, caring boy who keeps very busy. He is curious about everything and I have to kid-proof everything. He does not really talk but gets his message across rather well.
How has being a mother impacted your life?
Being a mom makes me less selfish for sure. I hardly ever go out. I cannot really travel alone and have very little free time, but I cannot imagine not being a mother either. Luckily I started late and did get to do crazy things and have lots of experiences. I just wish I had more time. Sometimes, parenting is not at all what you imagined beforehand. I did not think about how different my kids would be from me, with such different interests or lack of interest in things. .jpg)
What are your other passions in life?
Leaving the world better than I found it, is how I want to live my life. Muriel Rukeyser says, "I am in the world to change the world." I love that. I am not 100% sure when I started to live by that, because I was not the nicest kid. I do know that when I gave birth to Wyatt, all drug-free, I felt very powerful and strong. I knew he needed me to be his advocate on so many levels, with nurses who might not give 100%, schools who wanted to treat him a certain way because of a diagnosis, etc. I began to speak up and not be afraid.
What are your future projects or plans?
I have so many future plans but am not sure which ones will come to fruition. I want to make sure my kids grow up to be as self-sufficient as possible. I am sure there will be a couple who will need to live with me or stay very close to home, so I will need to create a business that can employ them and myself. I don't ever plan on working for anyone else, as I have my own ideas and am a bit too bossy to share.
Because of the kids' special needs, I cannot really work outside of the home because I take someone to an appointment almost every few days and they cannot be left alone without supervision.
I can see myself someday, driving around the country in an old VW van, stopping at roadside attractions, having a margarita while lying in a hammock at night. The possibilites are endless. I just read the kids a book about a day in the life of Georgia O'Keeffe. She got up, looked at the sun through a bone she found on the ground, got inspired and went home to paint. I can see a bit of that too. I have not really ever had a whole room dedicated to art. It would be fun to have a messy place, full of tools and paints, and it would be okay to make a big mess on the floor.
Oh, and maybe for a future plan, I'd like a date with an inspiring woman!
Related story: What I saw behind-the-scenes as a guest on the Rosie O'Donnell Show
***N. E. Francis is an established news journalist, specializing in arts and entertainment features and a radio co-host for the weekly LGBTQI radio program, Alternative Perspectives, every Tuesday on WRFG. She also writes Tales from a California Blonde, a weekly column published every Saturday exclusively at Examiner.com.
Ms. Francis is also a published poet, celebrity ghostwriter, film & theater critic and upcoming children’s author. She also owns the first online art gallery featuring women artists around the world, BeautyandtheBabyArt.com. Contact her at ArtExaminer@comcast.net.***
(Copyright © 2009-2010 N. E. Francis. All Rights Reserved. Article may not be reproduced, reprinted or shared in any manner, in any medium, without written consent of author.)
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Comments
Wow. Tracy is obviously making the world a better place right now. No doubt she will meet her goal to leave it a better place. Definitely captivated and inspired. Thank you for sharing.
Awesome!
This has made my day...love her story and we need more women like her....
Must admit that i came here from the people.com story, but am enthralled with Tracy's story and admire her courage and determination on every level. As a straight mother of twins, I can only imagine the struggles and upward battle that Tracy has had to endure, but she is all the better for it. Lucky Rosie!
Must admit that i came here from the people.com story, but am enthralled with Tracy's story and admire her courage and determination on every level. As a straight mother of twins, I can only imagine the struggles and upward battle that Tracy has had to endure, but she is all the better for it. Lucky Rosie!
Wow, kudos on being linked to a People.com article. That's fantastic. And what a great article it is, thorough, thoughtful, and inspiring. Great job. Maria ~Boston Celebrity Headlines Examiner
Thank you, Maria, and to everyone who has sent such positive thoughts to me about Tracy and Rosie. Tracy is an amazing woman and I am so happy for her! I wish Tracy and Rosie much happiness and joy--they both deserve it and I'm beyond thrilled that my interview brought the two of them together. Thank you to everyone...
NE Francis-You got sourced by the Huffington Post! Many congratulations on your article! :)
N.E., Congrats on such a successful article! Wonderful profile piece!
It's really cool that a real article that you put a ton of effort into is putting you at the top on Examiner right now. As someone who just usually writes entertainment sleaze (me), it's rare to see a really well-written thorough piece get someone the credit and (hopefully) compensation they deserve! Great job!
although her chosen sexual orientation absolutely disgusts me and it's so wrong, I do admire her for how well she is doing with her children. It's so nice to see people taking a genuine interest in children who weren't given a fair shot at life. Kudos to her and good luck with the children. I wonder if she is looking into the adoption of the other sister of the boys she mentioned???
dre: what is disgusting is you and your attitude about people. let Tracy live her life. she is not judging you, why do you need to judge her?
Pamela: Dre is probably disgusted because she has some bisexual feelings herself and can't come to grips with them. Typical projection.
Tracy sounds like an amazing lady! She should have her own series about her work and life.
I'm sorry but as much as I respect any sexual orientation, I think homosexuality is gross. I just can't go there. I do however, think it doesn't matter what lifestyle people choose, I just don't condone homosexuality.
Tracey seems to do alot of good with the kids and all, but why in the world would ANYONE want to be associated with that psychopath Rosie O'Donnell??? Since she is used to dealing with handicap kids (kudos to her for that), maybe that will train her to deal with that idiot Rosie.
Tracey - do what anyone in their right mind would do when it comes to Rosie - - - - - RUN AS FAST AS YOUR LEGS WILL TAKE YOU!!!
Just wondering: is Tracy in this relationship for money?
I have to admit I googled Tracy and found this story out of "nosiness" about trying to find out more about who Rosie is dating. I find this woman intriguing and admirable. Having seen Rosie's activism over the years, these two sound like they would make a wonderful couple, lots of kids to balance together but both sound like strong able women who can manage very well. Tracy and Rosie look to be a power couple if this relationship works out. I wish them both much happiness and their children as well.
I googled Tracy Kachtick-Anders out of curiousity. She looks genuine. I dont get it: Tracy said she had goals dating an inspiring woman but ends up with Rosie. Go figure. Kelli looks like a keeper. Too bad she plays for the other team. I could probably get her to switch teams.
Happy New Everyone.
Tracie does sound like a unique individual but should you and she really subject her children to the public media frenzy brought forth by well placed pr this week? I do know her, personally, and I worry about all of the attention towards her children in very conservative Texas. You actually do her children a disservice by re=posting their photos.
It always amazes me that when an article happens to be about a lesbian or gay person awful comments are always posted. When comments start off with 'her lifestyle disgusts me, but.' I picture bigot flags flying. Say...If I commented on Tiger Woods and started my rant off with 'His interracial straight marriage disgusts me, but' - I would be crucified as a bigot. Some where it became "A" ok to trash gays. Why is such a tiny part of someone...their sexual orientation, a huge target for maliciousness? The next article written about some actor in Hollywood should read...straight man George Clooney was spotted at the Starbucks today. Why do we care if they are straight or gay? You have to be extremely bored with your own life to get that worked up over who celebrities date. There can't possibly be anything good about a lesbian that has adopted and raised disadvantaged kids. Heck no that makes her kind and honorable. I for one re frame from judging, it seems to backfire.
I follow Rosie life for a while. Always felt great about Kelli,got upset about their break up. But this new lady in her life turned me upside down. She is great/ That is definitely a serious affair. But it makes me feel blue...
kudos to tracey. she sounds like a wonderful person and mother. we definitely need more women like her in our world. i support her gay/not gay. being a good person/mother doesnt have anything to do with sexuality people. if alcoholics, drug users/addicts, republican/democrats can be parents, so can gay men and lesbians. i would love to read more about tracey and i wish her and rosie or whom ever she decides to date the best of luck. its 2010 people, lets get with the programs. no hate!
This isnt just about beinf gay which I am, Look at what amazing mother she is, who cares if shes gay were still all equal
I AM A NATIVE TEXAN, LIVE IN NASSUA BAY, HAVE ALWAYS LOVED ROSIE, AND I HAVE SEEN TRACIES PAINTINGS BEFORE. I LOVED KELLI, BUT HEY, YOU CAN'T BEAT US TEXAS WOMEN, ROSIE!!! I THINK THIS IS GREAT, NOT BECAUSE ITS THE NEW LESBIAN AFFAIR OF THE YEAR, BUT BECAUSE OF THE CHILDREN. ROSIE HAS LOVED CHILDREN FOREVER, AND TRACIE SOUNDS LIKE SHES THE MOTHER OF THE CENTURY. SO BOTH OF YOU KICK BACK, ENJOY GALVESTON (EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN'T SMOKE ON THE STREETS ROSIE!). HAVE A BIG TEXAS TIME!!!
not a fan of homosexuality or her art work. The adoption of the kids is nice though.
While wishing the best for all, isn't bizzare how much media attention this is getting? How do the children feel about it? Most celebrities actively shield their kids from the limelight. Tracie sounds like a great person, but I hope she is prepared for the downside of this moment of fame- too good to be true too often is true. could be great-could be a train wreak- but please leave your children out of this public display.
The comment made by Tracy that she had to be her son's advocate since nurses won't give 100% is insulting to me. I've been a nurse for 28 years and will tell you it is the nurse who is the voice of the patient. We are with the patient directly and supervise their care while including family members. Every parent should take on the role of advocate regardless if their child is special needs or not. Don't single out nurses...have an issue with the health care system as a whole but why make the statement that nurses aren't giving 100%!
She's lovely... and it appears to be an inside and out thing.
I found this article from a link on Rosie's blog and as a regular visitor to the blog, Rosie is just glowing these days and it's easy to see why. They seem like such a good match... both dedicated moms and artists.
I wish Rosie and Tracy a world of happiness. Rosie is a hero of mine and has healed my hurt heart many times and she's never even met me. On a side note, Tracy's art is truly beautiful.
I read this post on Rosie's blog months ago...Being a Rosie lover I felt that things were not good for her and Kelli and thought this gal is a Rosie match...I do believe my intuition right as did Rosie ...she posted me as a smart girl on her blog..hehe..happinees and peace for both these ladies and Kelli too!
Tracy sounds like an amazing person, mum ,artist humanitarian...whats to judge...oh right she is dating Rosie O...well then...she has it made it say, because they seem like a great match..blessings to them all....they do so much good i dont understand ignorant people who judge by reading the tabloids:(
Love is a gift. How wonderful that two people who have given so much back can recieve something incredibly special for themselves.
I love happy/sad/tired/artist/actress/ activist Rosie and her authentic soul and I see 'REAL' in Tracey's eyes and her art!
( and I dont even have a Va Jay-Jay!) Enjoy! Mark xo
I drive a school bus in Galveston and drove Tracy's six year old daughter every day. To those of you who think this is for some other reason than what is stated. Your wrong.I only met Tracy a couple of times, but found her well grounded and completly sincere. And her daughter was a joy to know. I'll miss her.
TRACY IS A GREAT PERSON!! SHE LIVED DOWN THE STREET FROM MY DAD. HE IS CURRENTLY LETTING ONE OF HER SONS STAY WITH MY DAD SO HE CAN FINISH SCHOOL IN TEXAS. MY BROTHER AND HIM ARE BEST FRIENDS.
who is supporting these 6 people? she doesn't ever intend to work for anyone else? so who has been paying for her lifestyle all of these years? please tell me it's not my tax dollars. Because I too would love to have children but don't feel that the taxpayers should have to support me in my choices...
. Better question might be why your tax dollars are still paying for those six when they 's all living with a multimillionaire. Could be a great topic for hte new show on OWN.
Most children adopted from foster care receive a monthly subsidy because very few people want to adopt older kids or kids with special issues. The government set it up this way so that the half a million foster children in our country would have a better chance of finding permanent homes. As far as lifestyle, what do you imagine a person can do with the meager subsidy provided? Why don't you Google what a foster care amount actually is? I'm curious what lifestyle you imagine this family to have had. Did the article say anything about a lavish lifestyle? And where did it say that she had not been working? It said not for "anyone else". Perhaps she sells her art, since that site says "sold" on most of the paintings. Why don't you try adopting some kids yourself before you judge others? I don't know since I don't have kids, but I am glad someone is giving them homes. And anonymous, looks like you have been a bit bored since you have visited this site twice in 2 weeks just to comment.
Foster subsidies for sibling groups, special needs kids can range from 1000-1500 per child per month. It is also not declared as taxable income. The amount depends on the state; most kids in foster care are special needs one way or the other. Medical insurance is also covered by the state. I have been a foster parent, and have adopted as well, But I don't live with a millionaire.
As an artist and a collector, I have to say her work is pretty terrible.
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