We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erica Tamburo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erica below.

Erica, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I wanted nothing more than to take a photography class and was finally able to right before I started grad school. The class was a service-learning class that traveled to Ireland for a few weeks to work on documentary projects for our hosts. Dublin, Belfast, and a few points in between. I relished every second of class like I had no other. I learned about Susan Sontag, how to ethically approach subjects in public (not so much how to do so without being weird about it lol), and all the wonderful things you learn in your very first class. I could have listened to the instructor for hours; classes were never long enough. In Ireland, we photographed communities in need. One of my favorite personal photos was of a young girl grazing her horse in Dublin, They stood between very large high-rise apartments, power lines running above them, and some trash strewn about. It was a melding of urban and rural that my young brain was just intrigued by. In the second half of the trip, I experienced my first exhibition and the full power of photography. The exhibition was a documentary project on runaways. I can still feel the sadness grip my chest and the tears wet on my cheeks. It was then that I fell in love. I just wish that my head had followed.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have always just wanted to help make the world a better place for others and for myself. What took me a long time to realize was that I could do that by just being myself and creating my art. My parallel careers in medical imaging research and photography fed and strengthened each other, my unique path helping me to develop my unique approach to multiple exposure photography. In addition, deciding to step away from portrait and event photography into fine art was both the most selfish and self-less decision I ever made. I now create work with the intention of helping viewers tackle the common but difficult challenges of life, work that transforms the messiness of life into something beautiful and inspiring. I print my limited edition work on modern and vibrant metal, watercolor aquarelle rag paper, as well as elevated limited edition wearable art. I love wearing the positive messages of my art out into the world and seeing photos of my clients as they bring their unique gifts into the world wearing my dresses and scarves. I am most proud of the fact that I feel that I am finally doing what I am meant to do and that is making the world a better place through my art.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I connect most with stories. The times during the month that I feel that my heart is most filled are those that I spend at places like Story Club Pittsburgh, Toastmasters, or within my leadership circles, where people are sharing their stories. While the goals of all of those spaces might be different. they are all places of true sharing and connection.

I strive to emulate that through my practice. To make a painting or series of paintings based on the idea of “should” for example. “I should know,” “I should eat,” “I should be,” our favorite phrase used to beat ourselves up for something. I then take that and create a beautiful flower portrait using it. The goal is to discover a healthy answer to “I should” through the process. It also serves as a reminder that we are made even more beautiful and unique through our challenges. A lesson we often need repeating.

In addition to storytelling and connecting, my creative journey is fueled by my desire to learn how to create work using all of the media that I love. Glass, metal, wood, all of these things that I feel compelled to create with are constantly presenting ideas on how to incorporate them. It’s really fun and exciting to let creativity lead the way. You never really know where you will end up next.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Connection, without a doubt is at the top of the list. To see both people that I know and absolute strangers look at a piece then smile wide-eyed as they engage and discover, just wow. It is quite special. But then to share the stories behind the art and have collectors share their stories of why they purchased a piece, that is why I will create and share art for the rest of my life. When a little piece of me connects with a little piece of someone else, all because of a story and a photograph.

A very close second would be the fact that art allows me to be authentic. I think it’s because a lot of my life’s experiences have been me trying to fit in to places and being told that I don’t belong that I just desperately desire to be myself. My drive is to be as unique as possible, to always experiment, to keep pushing forward. It’s been so rewarding to develop my own voice. Both of these have been the best gifts of my lifetime.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ericatamburogallery.com
• Instagram: @ericatamburo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564091318481
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-tamburo/

Image Credits

Anita Buzzy Photography
Erica Tamburo
Dave Hochendoner