Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erica Doo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Erica, appreciate you joining us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

I started my career in a very corporate setting. I was an artist’s assistant in New York, but it wasn’t the paint-splattered, buzzy creative hub one might picture when they think “New York City art studio.” It was a sterile, white-walled office, where I and many others tapped away at computers in silence. I learned so much from this experience, the main thing being that I am not cut out for a corporate job like that! While I do enjoy some quiet office time, I need conversation and laughter and music to really get my creative juices flowing. My artist’s assistant job taught me some things about the business side of the art world, but mainly it taught me about myself. I am a very hands-on person and am happiest when I am physically creating something. After I left that job, I moved on to start a business where I could create and sell my own artwork.

Erica, 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 began my creative business as an illustrator and “maker.” I would design small illustrations that could be translated into products like lapel pins, patches, bandanas, tee-shirts, etc. I worked with manufacturers all over the world to bring the products to life, and sold them on a website that I designed. During this time I also would take on commissioned illustration projects. I was also simultaneously teaching myself animation, mural-painting, and rug-tufting. I take pride in being a jack-of-all-trades, having picked up quite a range of skills over the years. I landed on tattooing, which is my current business, but I continue to pursue many other artistic practices and by no means categorize myself in one particular box. I love to draw on my experience to solve creative problems for clients, or discuss artistic projects with fellow artists, always feeling such satisfaction when we land on the perfect answer – whether that be the right design to fill a tattoo gap, or the right medium in which to complete an artistic vision.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’d be lying if I didn’t say that a big goal of my creative journey is MONEY. I went to an art school within a larger liberal arts university, at the insistence of my parents. I was always told to pursue my options and look at the bigger picture, instead of zeroing in on just one thing. For this reason, for better or worse, my mindset was always occupied by the idea of a “career.” I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in the world of fine art without the constant niggling concern of, “but how will I make money?” Part of why tattooing has been such a great creative space in which for me to land is that it allows me to express myself creatively and explore new styles and inspirations, while simultaneously offering me some semblance of financial stability. That’s not to say that it’s completely smooth sailing – freelance work can always be volatile. Which leads me to my other creative mission – to always be learning and experimenting with new mediums and practices. It is important for me to diversify my creative offerings, not only for business and financial reasons, but also to keep my creativity flowing and unblocked. I am currently taking ceramics classes and just finished a risograph animation course that blew my mind! I’m always looking for new bows to add to my creative quiver.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

At the beginning of starting my own creative business, I didn’t have a huge audience and needed to supplement my income somehow. I was living in New York City and got into the tourism industry – taking groups of people around the city and showing them everything from the ceiling in Grand Central Station, to the Bethesda Castle in Central Park, to the best dim sum in Chinatown. I now live in Portugal, and perhaps as a holdover from that job, I still get such satisfaction from being able to provide the perfect suggestion when someone from out of town is looking for a specific activity or meal or view of the city. It is the same for me with art. There is a problem-solving aspect to it that I love so much. A client comes to me with an idea, and asks me to expand upon it and execute it in a way that will fulfil the vision that they have in their head. There is nothing like watching the joy and excitement that comes from them finally seeing their vision realized, through a piece of art that I have created for them. The collaboration, the communication, and the trust, all culminate in finding the right manifestation of a joint creative vision.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: doostuff