The title of this piece hints at the tension between faith and science that was so prominent in Spinoza's life and times. The world was created, but who created it?

Famously, this sentence from Genesis would say, "In the beginning, G-d created the heavens and the earth." But Spinoza's views on reason, in spite of his Jewish upbringing, viewed the beginning with what he considered reason. Hence, the title.

A piece of fine art must always communicate with its viewer. If the viewer is a person of faith, he or she will see this piece in the context of the original Genesis story, with the creation of the heavens and the earth, the moons and the planets. If the viewer, like Spinoza, is a person of reason, he or she will see this piece as science-based, with earth, the planets and moons, after the Big Bang (see the broken glass), forming into a livable system.

There is no right or wrong in my piece. My fascination with fine art is that it is all about perception.

Born in Miami Beach, FL, USA

Lives and works in Miami, FL, USA

Past Work in New York, Paris, Hong Kong, India

Artist Tracy Ellyn creates universal, global expressions of life experiences, in the form of multisensory mixed media gallery pieces. Using multiple layers of eclectic creative processes that enhance the interpretation of the piece, her work explores the aesthetics of experience, storytelling and inquiry rather than objects. Engaging in 19th, 20th and 21st century techniques all within one piece has become a sought-after quality of her work. Ultimately, her pieces force us to notice the spectacular in our everyday lives as we bring past, present and future together and come to holistic conclusions.

Tracy's fine art pieces transcend the genres of contemporary, modern or post-modern, and are viewed by her collectors as contemplative, thought-provoking and healing. She is sought not only for private and corporate collections, but also for medical settings such as hospitals, chemo units, pastoral care, counseling and rehabilitation settings.

Her artwork has been described as "a harmonious symphony between fine art and spiritual sensibilities."

Tracy Ellyn is grateful to be the creator of the Steven Sotloff Art Memorial. She has been selected by American Arts and Medicine Blog as one of seven of "The Top American Artists in the Art for Healing Genre," and was recently juried into the Exposure Exhibition at The Louvre Museum in Paris.

She is also a Fellow of the Jewish Art Salon and member of Manhattan Arts International in New York City and a member of Manhattan Arts International.

Tracy has exhibited in Miami, New York, across the U.S. and Europe for the past 30+ years. Permanent installations are in the U.S. and Jerusalem.