Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eric Dixon . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Eric , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I first knew I wanted to pursue a creative/ artist path when I was six years old. I use to draw in class for myself but then all my classmates started asking me to draw them pictures. I’ve been fortunate enough to know what I wanted to do and what I wanted to become at a young age..
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 started doing freelance illustrations when I graduated high school back in 2001. I later attended art school with a degree in 3D animation and digital art. I came on the art scene in Raleigh in 2012. I’ve been in galleries around Raleigh and Durham. I’ve showcased in Rawartist Raleigh and Los Angeles. I’ve also worked with Oak city Hustle magazine. Currently I’m working on designs for my brand Kanary Barnes. I design skate decks, snowboards, surfboards and various apparel to go along. I stopped working freelance to focus mainly on my brand. I think what sets me apart is my style. My art is a mix of comic books, graphic design and tattoo designs. At some point in my career I tried all three. I’m most proud of being known by other artists for creating cool and beautiful work. Your peers recognizing the amount of effort you put into your craft is a good feeling. The main thing I want people to know about me and my art, I’m going to be unique and my work stands out. I try to let my work do the talking
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I first started people did not liked or accepted my work. A handful of friends and family saw my potential. I didn’t believe in myself at all. I listened to the people that believed in me until I started believing in myself. For years I was constantly told ‘no’ and rejected on a huge majority of projects and contests I went for. There were many times I thought of quitting. I kept working and getting better. Every failure was actually a lesson in disguise. I learned things during those hard times that helped me down the road with my career.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
There was a book I read and a conversation I had some years ago changed my view on being a professional artist. The book was title ‘Letter’s to a young brother’ by Hill Harper. It talked about his journey from going to Harvard Law school and full filing his dream of becoming and actor. The book also had letters from famous men in different fields. They told some of their stories along with encouragement to a young man trying to find his path in life. The conversation I had with an incredible artist name Ivy Hayes. He was one of uncle’s best friends. I had the privilege to sit and talk with has he looked at my work. He told me I could be a better artist than what I was at the time. He talked to me about my potential and encouraged me to pursue becoming a full time artist. I can still remember that conversation to this day
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kanarybarnesstudio.com/
- Instagram: @kanarybarnes