Daily Inspiration: Meet Erik-Jan Pliner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik-Jan Pliner.

Erik-Jan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born a creative kid always playing, creating and using my imagination. I won a local coloring contest at age 5 and took Art classes in High School and graduated college with BA Fine Arts Indiana University Bloomington. In 2003 I officially became Erik the Artist, a fine artist painter with a focus on celebrities and charities. Successfully fundraising with my artwork, I created other opportunities and continued to build value and purpose in my artwork. This fulfillment enabled me to work with legends of sports, music and film, teaming to create positive results impacting lives. It drives me to perfection of each detail of every painting, patient until done.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
All sorts of challenges and usually the randomness of things out of my control. I can make a painting, but with events there are many more variables on bidding and fulfillment. It requires persistence to continue to grow always putting everything out there, the more risk more reward. An evolution of process with positive measurable results always overcomes all obstacles and challenges.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in portrait paintings acrylic on canvas with a focus on icons and legends of Film, Music, Society and of History. I am known for my very colorful interpretations such as on my Rosa Parks painting to the realistic ones like Marlon Brando, Tim McGraw, Ernie Isley and Narada Michael Walden. I am very proud of my recent painting of NBA HOF Gary Payton and the successful charity fundraising at Gary’s Glove Foundation Event and for the Salvation Army of Alameda. Also my painting of Michael Jackson, teaming with his son Prince Jackson with his Heal LA event is something I am also very proud of. With Guitar Center Foundation, we honored Ernie Isley and my painting impacting music for kids. What sets me apart is my tiny paint brush and patience to each detail, a lot of time goes into the paintings and everyone can see and enjoy the attention to detail

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The hustle, going after things, making things happen, taking risks and putting everything on the line. With that all at stake each painting has to be perfect and there have to be many paintings and takes many years. Patience is the key to all of it and to quote AC/DC “It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll”!

Pricing:

• 11″x14″ Canvas $479.95
• 16″x20″ Canvas $779.95
• 30″x40″ Canvas $1,479.95
• Commission Pricing Varies Contact for Info

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eriktheartist.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eriktheartist/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowetheartist/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eriktheartist
• Twitter: https://x.com/wowetheartist
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/eriktheartist
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/erik-the-artist-redondo-beach

Image Credits
Arnold Turner “Arnold Shoots”
Drew Altizer