We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful E. C. Kanko. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with E. C. below.
E. C., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The projects that hold the deepest meaning for me by far are the memorial portraits, which actually make up a large percentage of what I do. It’s always sad to hear that someone’s furry family member has passed away, but I’m honored and more than happy to memorialize them to the best of my abilities. Each one of these paintings are unique and significant, and I understand that they mean a lot to my clients. I never fail to take the job seriously, while at the same time approaching with a happy heart. This portrait is not just any image of a pet, it’s a celebration of a life that blessed someone for the short time they were here.
Memorial pet portraits are especially meaningful when a client thinks that it can’t be done. In the past, I’ve been approached by some that say they wish they could get a portrait done, but sadly they don’t really have any nice pictures of their pet to show me. There have even been a few times when the pet has been gone for years(or in one case, decades!), so how are they supposed to get more pictures? I do my best with what we have to work with, using Photoshop to improve faded or dark pictures and to piece together something that I can use as a decent reference image for a painting. I then use all my experience to fill in any remaining info, like missing anatomy or coloring. I’ll always say that the best quality reference photos make the best quality portraits, but sometimes you just don’t have that luxury. It’s very, very rare that I will turn down a client because of the quality of their pictures, even if it’s not an ideal way to work. More often than not, I’ll accept the challenge and try my best to create something that my client will love. I recognize the importance of what I’m doing.
E. C., before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m an animal portrait artist based in San Antonio, Texas, specializing in realistic paintings of beloved pets. Though my portfolio is made up of mostly dogs and cats, I’m always eager to paint any creature, whether furry, feathery, or scaly. Sometimes I paint people, too! My medium of choice is acrylic on canvas, but I also enjoy experimenting with oils, inks, and digital media whenever I can.
I’ve always considered myself an artist, since the need to draw and paint and create has always been there. Long story short, in 2017, I started taking commissions for pet portraits. The overwhelmingly positive response on social media showed me that I finally found my niche, and I’ve continued to focus on the fun and rewarding subject matter that is pet portraits ever since. I’ve amassed a huge portfolio that only continues to grow year after year.
What sets my work apart is the great care that I take to capture the true spirit of the animal. In every painting, I aim to not only paint a physical likeness, but also to show off their character. I use many layers of transparent colors to achieve light and depth, while paying close attention to detail so that I can be sure I’m representing the subject well. The result is a bright and lifelike pet portrait that can be cherished for years to come.
I’m proud of what I do, especially when I think about how my work has been welcomed into so many homes across the country and even around the world. Knowing that my art has the ability to bring smiles to so many faces is really gratifying.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
There is a lot we can do to support artists. First and foremost, buy art! Everyone needs art in their lives in one form or another, and what better way to support the art community than paying them fairly for their work? As a society, we can support artists by fostering creativity through art education and art appreciation. Support to young artists can also come in the form of grants and scholarships. We can continue to support public art programs that make art accessible to everyone, enriching our city by literally bringing creativity out into the open. These initiatives celebrate local culture, elevate the community, and greatly contribute to a thriving creative ecosystem by not only benefiting the artists involved, but local businesses and neighborhoods as well.
That being said, there are plenty of other ways to support your local art community that don’t cost you anything. Showing up to galleries and art fairs, engaging with artists’ work on social media and online exhibits, or even just complimenting someone’s work can really go a long way to encourage an artist to keep creating.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
If I’m being honest, I just like painting animals. My goal is to paint as many as I can, and make people happy while doing it. Seeing my clients’ smiles (and sometimes tears) makes me feel like I’m doing something worthwhile. I feel really driven by the desire to keep improving my skills and am always pushing myself to do more and reach new heights. I never want to stop learning or being inspired. While I may not know exactly what the future holds, I’m excited for where this journey will take me and am eager to embrace whatever opportunities come next.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/eckanko_art
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/eckanko.art
