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

Alright, Erin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I have always had an urge to create art, and have never been satisfied doing anything else. In addition to being a fine artist, I also teach barre fitness classes at Neighborhood Barre, which I have now done for 10 years. I guess you could call being a fitness instructor my “normal” job, but it still is a job where I am able to be creative- just in a different way.

Erin, 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 have been an artist my entire life. All through school, I was painting, drawing, designing, dancing- anything that allowed me to create. In college, I majored in Studio Art at the University of Tennessee. After college, I became a mom- which put a brief halt on my art career. During that time I began teaching barre fitness classes at Neighborhood Barre, which was a way for me to not only work out- but to help people better themselves and change their bodies. I started painting again and posting my paintings on Instagram. Its then that people started seeing my art, and asking if I would be willing to do commissions, which I started doing on the side. Over time, the commissions became more and more, and I was able to really kick-off my career as an artist. I would consider myself an abstract and portrait artist, but through commissions I have been able to experiment with multiple subjects and styles of art.

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

Art has always been so personal and special to me, that seeing my work bring someone else happiness, is extremely rewarding. Seeing someone’s face when they purchase their first piece of art or when they gift someone with a sentimental piece of art, is just a wonderful feeling.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing that I feel noncreatives may not fully understand about being an artist, or art in general- is the time, money, and skill that goes into each piece of art. Prior to the start of every painting, is the stretched canvas. My husband builds most of my canvases, and that requires the purchase of wood, canvas, and then build and stretch time. I am then able to plan out each painting, purchase paint, possibly specific brushes, and put hours of paint time into each piece. This is all part of it, and I love every bit of the process- but there is a lot more that goes into each piece than some think.

Contact Info:

• Website: Http://www.erindiener.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/erindienerart