Risk-Taking...

The biggest risks we take are those of living and dying.  Both appear to be one and the same.  We emerge from the womb and face the challenges that deter us and yet help us become stronger.  The theme of Village Church's Gallery Night/Day exhibit (Jan 18-19) was "A Celebration of Truth Tellers and Risk Takers."  That theme inspired this piece.  -Erico

"Ultimate Risk" (acrylic on canvas, 16x20") Jan 10, 2013

Scales...

Is it music that fills my head?  Is it the sound of sirens or the sounds of children playing on the sidewalk?  Is it the ringing in my ears?  Scales is the only title I could connect to this piece.  Purchased by a former student and friend, this piece will one day adorn her home in Japan.  -Erico

"Scales" (acrylic on canvas, 24x30")  Jan 8, 2013

Floristas...

On Monday (Jan 7), I had the pleasure of meeting a great photographer, Jeannee Sacket.  (http://www.jeanneesacken.com/home/about.html).   Jeannee and I will be sharing space at The Village Church during Milwaukee's Gallery Night/Day, January 18 & 19.  Her work is a wondrous display of photographs she has taken of women from indigenous tribes in Central America.  Their stories are heart-wrenching, but filled with hope.  They challenged me.  They moved me.  They inspired me to paint the following piece.  -Erico

"Floristas"  (acrylic on canvas, 16x20")  Jan 8, 2013

Fitting In...

How do we make it happen?  How do we learn to adapt to the environment, the culture, the expectations?  Do we follow the rules and norms of societal demands?  Do we claw away at those demands that challenge our natural state of being?  Or do we fall in line because it's what we are expected to do?  How do we learn to simply fit in?  -Erico

"Fitting In"  (acrylic on canvas, 24x36")  Jan 4, 2013

Family...

I've been thinking about families lately, particularly about my family.  Coming from a very large family, it's quite surprising to see how life's changes have caused a lot of separation, both physical and emotional.  I suppose it's a fact of life.  People grow apart.  Families grow into their own.  Siblings create their own families, pulling away from the one in which they were raised.  This is for my family, all of you, regardless of distance.  -Erico

"Family"  (acrylic on canvas, 16x20")  Dec 2012

More Trees...

I'm not sure what is driving this fascination, but I so thoroughly enjoy looking at trees...and trying to duplicate what I see, perhaps using a variety of untapped colors, both in nature and on my pallet.  Here are a few of the latest, all 12x12" acrylic on canvas panels.  -Erico

            

            

Where's my art? ...

It occurred to me this morning that my art is finding its way out into the world.  Maybe the works themselves haven't hit international status, but I find it thrilling to know that people from many countries are reading this blog and finding something worth viewing.  I welcome any and all comments regardless of language.  (I'm sure I can find a translation somewhere!).

I'm pleased that my first gallery event in October 2011 was such a success, sending over 20 pieces to the homes and offices of friends and family within the greater Milwaukee area.  And other works have been purchased since them, along with the commissioned Window pieces hanging in the Cintron-Cortez home in Shorewood--definitely my greatest accomplishment thus far!  However, it pleases me very much to know that some of my paintings have made it to homes and collections in other states.  Isla and Pueblo are hanging in the Lynch home in Arizona.  Second versions of Sunflower and Poppies have found their way (today!) into the Sanchez home in Miami.  Now...Sing! has also found its home in the Marshall Collection in Miami (or possibly somewhere in Europe!).  That's certainly exciting for me!

It was enlightening for me to see what I could accomplish on my own, but it's time to broadened my involvement with the visual arts community, as well.  So I've started some networking with local artists and organizations.  In March, I'll take part in my first community art fair in Cedarburg, just outside of Milwaukee, and look forward to other opportunities to display my work.  And I've joined a few arts organizations that are already providing much needed support to this emerging artist.  This should help me to analyze my work and find critiques that are greatly needed to help me improve my techniques and skills.

As this year comes to a close, it occurs to me that 2013 should be the year of great development in this new-found career.  I've got so much to learn...and so much to share.  -Erico