We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erick Mota. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erick below.
Alright, Erick thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Five years ago, while being swamped with classwork and term papers within my psychology PhD program, having to balance long hours at work as a retail manager, and maintain a household with three children, I made the difficult decision of resigning from my job to focus on life. There were many things happening at once, and I felt it was a perfect time to just take the risk and resign, which will result in having more time to spend with family, having more time to focus on school, and finally becoming serious about making artwork. There was alot of doubt and questions from family, friends, and co-workers, who didn’t understand my vision. While I knew art was always a passion of mine, having been immersed with art throughout my whole life, the thought of being an “artist” wasn’t adopted by anyone in my life. Maybe it was the risk of failing, the fear of the unknown, the notion that I would be a “starving artist,” or whatever other fears existed. I wasn’t nervous, however, knowing that risk-taking would have to exist if I was to succeed at achieving my goals.
Risk-taking is an essential part of creativity, and while the thought of failing can be scary, the thought of never trying was even scarier. As an artist, we open ourselves to criticism and judgement from others, however, risk-taking is what helps enhance creative ability, and how creative achievements are recognized. Creative confidence is built upon a continuous ability in taking risks and being vulnerable to the audience that will see the art produced, leaving it up to them to interpret what was meant by the artist.
While it isn’t easy to deal with feelings of uncertainty that risk-taking can produce, it takes a confidence and a consistent attitude to make that risk pay off. Five years later, I have established myself within the art world, having participated in many group shows at art galleries all over New York City, won many international awards for producing works that have pushed boundaries, and have a ton of other accolades that can solidify myself as an artist.
I am still in school getting my PhD, but that risk to do what I love paid off in a major way. If I would’ve listened to those who doubted me, if I would’ve doubted my own vision, and if I didn’t take that risk, I would’ve never known the possibilities that lie ahead. Sometimes taking risk entails getting out of the comfort zone and being comfortable with being uncomfortable, and challenging ourself and others around us to take risks. The failure that may come from something not working out will only result in an opportunity to learn from the mistake.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a visionary artist who take an approach to the canvas that is fueled by a profound philosophical and introspective understanding of the human experience. When I create art, I want to delve into that raw power of emotion and the shaping influence of culture on our personalities. I aim to fearlessly explore the complexities of the world around me, transcending the boundaries of visual expression to create pieces that serve as powerful testaments to my unrelenting quest for knowledge and self-discovery.
I grew up in Staten Island, NY, and was surrounded by creativity and encouraged to nurture my own artistic talents. My father worked at NYU, and during his free time, he was an artist. He created work solely for himself and the family, never showing anyone, and never putting his work up for sale. Instead, these works created in front of me were decorated on every empty wall of the house while growing up, cultivating a passion for art for my brother and myself. My father created art with any medium, whether it was acrylic paint, wood sculptures, etc. However, the one medium he never used was oil paint, which is why I wanted to take on the challenge.
It wasn’t until junior year of my psychology undergraduate studies that I took ‘Intro to Oil Painting’ as a required elective. I quickly fell in love with the medium and started to visualize myself as a future artist. I did so well in the introductory class that the professor gave me a ‘B’ as she thought I took her class to get an easy ‘A’ and boost my GPA. This motivated me to take intermediate and advanced oil painting classes, both of which I finally received an ‘A’ and solidified my passion and purpose as an artist.
I went on to receive my Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a Masters of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and I am now earning a doctorate in Organizational Leadership.
My artistic training is largely self-directed, showcasing natural talent. I strive to continuously learn the craft in different forms to strengthen my understanding of styles and media that I am working with.
My artistic repertoire is a rich tapestry of influences, woven together from the threads of personal experiences, my passion for psychology and organizational leadership, and my unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of those around me.
My creative process is one of precision and intentionality. Before making a single brush stroke, I spend time researching the subject(s), gathering references, and observing, studying, and capturing the subject in all its glory. This process sets the foundation for creating, as I meticulously consider the size of the canvas, the colors I want to use, the ideas I want to convey, and any hidden details I want to include.
I make my art stand out for the innovative use of psychological elements that evoke emotions and engage the viewer. I weave together titles, imagery, and the positioning of subjects to create timeless pieces that touch the soul. MY approach to art is grounded in humility, yet fueled by an unwavering passion to grow and learn. I remain dedicated to elevating my art to the highest level of knowledge and intellect through rigorous study and analysis.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
I think as an artist, evolution is a necessary for artistic innovation. NFTs are the future and something I couldn’t ignore as an artist. The ability to achieve royalties are what is most attractive to me as an artist.
I wanted to learn the ins and outs of the NFT world before diving into it. While there were constantly changing dynamics occurring, with a plethora of platforms available for NFT artists, I wanted to keep it simple, yet still provide what may be a different audience with a new way to look at my art.
I started animating all of my paintings, taking them to new heights, as my work is now in motion. I have my work available on the Open Sea platform, and I am constantly looking at new ways to display the work through virtual galleries and art markets specific to NFTs.
I think NFTs explore a potential use in industries beyond art and an emergence of new technology. Therefore, I am happy to be involved in recognizing the potential of NFTs and seeing how these one-of-a-kind assets can be a valuable addition to the art world.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part is probably being able to witness my own growth as a person. The world of an artist contains the concept that everything can be a new idea or possibility for new art, whether it is painful moments that can be turned into a beautiful work of art, or the beauty of something that can be displayed in a more creative way. It is also rewarding to have the opportunity to evoke thoughts, feelings and actions and bring them to life to make someone else see their own interpretation. The concept that I am building a legacy and sharing my art with the world is something I will always value, hoping to inspire change, and create emotions within people. 
Contact Info:
- Website: ErickMotaArt.com
- Instagram: @erickmotaart
- Twitter: @erickmotaart