We’re looking forward to introducing you to Erika Eclectik . Check out our conversation below.
Erika, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Any act of creating. Whether it be drawing, painting, crocheting, macrame… I will completely lose track of time and feel more like myself after a session. People will ask me how long things take me and it’s always so hard for me to answer. I am never looking at the clock or keeping track. I get completely lost in it.
It brings me such a deep sense of peace. I find I will start to feel depressed and anxious if it has been too long since I’ve made something with my hands. I think we, as humans, often forget that the opposite of depression isn’t joy, it’s expression. You have to let it out or it just sits inside and rots.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I am Erika Eclectik and I am a self-taught artist.
All of my works are hand-drawn and inspired by music, nature, and life.
I feel what makes me unique is I let my creative mind venture wherever it pleases and dont put myself into any boxes. If I want to draw a colorful mermaid one day, and a darker, creepier piece the next, I dont censor myself. I just let it flow. This is probably because I have ADHD, and monotony kills my inspiration and drive. I’ve allowed myself freedom to do whatever I feel like creatively and therefore have fallen in love with the practice.
Right now, Im working on about 10 different projects: a few digital pieces, a few marker art pieces and am also up-cycling some old clothes by adding fabric painted art to them.
I sell my art on Red Bubble and Threadless as t-shirts, prints, clocks, puzzles and a bunch of other merch. I also have coloring pages available on Etsy.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I love this question, because the answer is, my friends. My “Chosen Family” as they say. I am fortunate enough to have an amazing group of friends that have known me about half of my life now.
Basically up until college, I felt very lost. I didn’t have the easiest childhood and harbored a lot of anger within me. I didn’t respect myself. I had no idea who I was, and I didn’t love myself in the slightest. Because of those things, I found myself in a lot of terrible relationships – friendships included. It’s funny how when you only know something to be one way, you think that’s just how it is. Relationships hurt and are painful. They are supposed to be full of turmoil. That’s just how it is.
Then, around 18, I found my tribe. This group of people helped me find myself. Not only did they fiercely love me, but they also demanded better of me. They showed me that love makes you better, not angry. When its true, it brings you peace, laughter, and a deep sense of safety.
They saw this broken, lost kid who was looking for a place to belong. They saw that inside me was a huge heart with an immense amount of love to give. Once they saw it, I started to see it too. I learned exactly who I was and how to love her unconditionally. I began to demand better for myself. No more toxic relationships. In fact, inside that friend group, I found my now husband. Love really does bring out the best in us.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
For the longest time, I would only draw when I was happy and in a good mood. I feel whatever energy I have on my soul ends up in my art. I used to feel badly thinking I could negatively impact someone’s mood with what I created. I only wanted to make people feel happy and calm. And, truthfully, I was also ashamed to show people how deeply I felt things sometimes. I only wanted them to know me at my best.
It wasn’t until about 3 years ago, that I began using my art to release any emotion I had bubbling up – the good and the bad. I realized that thats the beauty of art – we use it to feel, and all emotions are valid. Through art, we can let people know that there are others out there just like them, who feel things deeply. I think art has a unique power to let us all know we are never alone in any of our feelings. It possesses the power to connect us without words. What’s more powerful than that?
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie is that art is replaceable with AI. I do think AI generated art will find it’s place, however, I do not think it will ever fully take over. It will shift quite a bit, particularly for big box consumers looking for a quick and cheap fix. But, it will never have the substance and depth that real art appreciators seek. We all know AI art when we see it because it lacks a story. It is void of emotion and quite simply put, human-ness. As I said in the previous question, we go to art to feel. To connect to not only others, but to ourselves. I really believe that there will always be more of us who want real art from real human minds and hearts than those who don’t.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I feel I am doing what I am born to do. I create art regularly, even though it has never been very lucrative for me. I do it because I need to. I’ve been drawing as far back as I can remember. It is a big part of who I am, though I do not do it for a living… yet. I am working on building up my art business, and would love to one day actualize it into a career.
Right now, I also work with children who have disabilities and have been for about 5 years now. I love this work too. It bring me a wonderful sense of fulfillment and joy that other 9-5’s never did. So, though I am not a full-time artist, I still feel like I am on the exact path and in the exact place I am meant to be right now. I’m a big believer that what is meant to be will be.
Plus, I hate being told what to do haha. I am definitely a forge my own path kinda gal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ErikaEclectik.redbubble.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/erikaeclectik
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069382225436#
- Other: Threadless Shop: https://ErikaEclectik.threadless.com/
Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ErikaEclectik
