We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erin W. Berrett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erin W. below.
Erin W., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
My favorite projects are commissioned paintings. I love painting something specific and special for a collector. It is so fun to be a part of a meaningful gift or a special occasion. People will send me the most creative, interesting ideas and objects for their paintings. It is an excellent form of storytelling.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I have been drawing and painting my whole life. My childhood dream was to be an artist but I had no idea what that meant. I just knew that was what I would be. After high school I went to the University of Utah to study art.
When I graduated, I felt a little lost without school. I started working full-time, always maintaining a studio and attempting to paint after work but that was almost impossible for me.
6 years later, and shortly after I got married, my husband kept encouraging me to BE A PAINTER. With his push and his support, I quit my job and started painting full-time.
I did not have a body of work so I took a year to just paint, paint, paint. I was very disciplined, working at least 40 hours a week in my home studio. After that first year, I started applying to shows and putting work out there to be seen. I started showing locally and then slowly added galleries and showing in other states.
Now, almost 20 years later, I am still working long hours and I am loving every minute of it!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Connections. I am always thrilled to connect with people through my art. It is humbling and rewarding. Those connections last as we both remember the experience each time we think of the painting. Each connection fills me with gratitude!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
It is not always glamorous! Being a professional artist includes managing a small business. I have to be both creative and business savvy at the same time.
Contact Info:
- Website: EWBpaintings.com
- Instagram: @erinWberrett