Liz Truluck’s Hidden Talent: In the world of pickleball, the spotlight often shines brightest on the courts where athletic prowess is displayed. However, the lives of many professional players extend far beyond their on-court battles. The majority of pros on tour didn’t necessarily start out as full-time pickleballers. From investment bankers to Reiki masters, the backgrounds of these athletes contribute to the rich tapestry of America’s fastest-growing sport. Liz Truluck, an artist by training and passion, embodies this diversity, bringing a unique blend of creativity and athleticism to the game.
Liz Truluck’s Creative Journey
Truluck, a Davidson College graduate with a degree in studio art, stands out not just for her pickleball skills but for her distinctive approach to art. “I love geometric abstraction,” she explains. “I feel like it uses a different part of the brain because you’re not thinking literally, you’re thinking in shapes and patterns.” This abstract way of thinking has roots in her tennis-playing years, where she constantly analyzed angles and worked them into her game strategy.
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Unconventional Mediums
While many artists rely on traditional paints from art supply stores, Truluck’s favorite medium is far more unconventional. “I used to paint with natural materials and natural dyes,” she shares. “I would go out into the woods and find berries or flowers to create my own dye.” Her senior year of college saw her delving into biodegradable art, scavenging for materials in the forest to create sculptures and mixed media pieces.
The origin of this unique artistic approach can be traced back to a summer spent working on a farm. Without access to standard art supplies, Truluck turned to nature for inspiration. “I would go out and get leaves or berries and create art with that,” she recalls. “Once, I went out and got blackberries and crab apples, mashed them down, and made dyes.” Her love for hiking and walks fueled this creative experimentation, as she discovered vibrant colors in nature that could be transformed into artistic materials.
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Art on the Road
Traveling for pickleball tournaments presents a challenge for maintaining her artistic practice. Lugging around a paint set and canvas isn’t practical, leading Truluck to explore digital art. “I use Photoshop and I’ve been using a lot of pickleball-inspired photos like portraits, action photos of myself, or pictures of courts,” she says. By overlaying these images and creating collages, she keeps her creative juices flowing even on the road.
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Truluck’s dream is to merge her two passions—pickleball and art—by creating a mural on a pickleball court. Though she’s not yet certain what she would paint, she insists it would be something cheerful and bright. “I can’t wait for the mural reveal,” she says with excitement. “Bringing my two passions together on the 20×44 will be special.”
As the world of pickleball continues to grow, it’s the unique stories and backgrounds of players like Liz Truluck that add depth and richness to the sport. Whether she’s smashing a ball on the court or experimenting with natural dyes in the forest, Truluck exemplifies the creative spirit that makes pickleball such a fascinating and diverse community.
News in Brief: Liz Truluck’s Hidden Talent
In the world of pickleball, athletes often come from diverse backgrounds, adding depth to the sport. Liz Truluck, a Davidson College graduate with a degree in studio art, exemplifies this blend of creativity and athleticism. Known for her love of geometric abstraction, Truluck’s artistic journey includes painting with natural dyes sourced from the woods, inspired by a summer on a farm. Despite the challenges of traveling for tournaments, she maintains her art through digital creations using Photoshop. Her dream is to merge her passions by creating a mural on a pickleball court, embodying the vibrant spirit she brings to both her art and the game. Truluck’s story enriches the ever-growing tapestry of pickleball.
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