About Erica
I'm a wife, mother, entrepreneur, and artist living my best life in Reynolds Lake Oconee with my husband and 3 amazing children whose initials create CJV when combined.
When I'm in my concept phase, I ask myself: “Is this a statement piece?” – “Will it stop someone in their tracks because it is different?” I specialize in high-relief work to create depth, dimension, and intrigue and I gravitate toward a sculptural approach for a 3-D statement effect using porcelain clay, polymers, and varieties of modeling pastes and gels. I love to use different sheens in the same monochromatic palette to play with light and shadow to highlight heavy texture.
“I am not an adventurer by choice but by fate." – Vincent van Gogh
I have a need to always be doing something NEW. In business or art, it’s the NEW challenge that keeps me feeling alive. The saying ‘art is in the eye of the beholder’ is a frightening glimpse of rejection after countless hours have been spent, but at the same time an exhilarating hope if those gratifying hours lead to my art bringing joy to someone’s home. Creating a piece of art is all about taking chances; one bold stroke of a paint brush can change the entire end result for better or worse.
“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso
As a ‘Boss of Self’, I constantly experience an in-the-moment need for action. It’s more like a strong impulsivity to get my hands dirty and try a new method or a new technique. The ‘living on the edge’ thrill for me as a type A personality is allowing myself to enjoy the ride without being able to predict the outcome.
“The soul of an artist cannot be muted indefinitely. It must either be expressed or it will consume the host.” Gerard de Marigny
Passion isn’t just doing what you love, for me - it’s more intense than that. My passion for my businesses and my art is a barely controllable desire. The challenge is shutting down my computer, or cleaning my paint brushes when my thought that turned into an idea isn’t finished to my satisfaction. Needless to say, my passion keeps me working until the wee hours of the morning and I like that!
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams
As an entrepreneur and artist I must make mistakes along the way for growth, learning, and ultimately the ‘aha’ moment; I am constantly tweaking and experimenting until the painting finally stops talking back to me. Making mistakes is actually something I have learned to appreciate. It is my process, and that process is crucial. Throughout my career, I have made so many mistakes that set-backs no longer disappoint me because I'm confident in my ability to create again, even if it’s letting go of something that didn’t work and moving on to something completely different. My therapy is squeezing paint on a canvas and creating something from nothing. It’s very satisfying.
“Your gifts lie in the place where your values, passions, and strengths meet. Discovering that place is the first step toward sculpting your masterpiece, Your Life.” – Michelangelo
Some people think that being creative and artistic is a gift. I disagree. With vision, ambition, discipline, and determination both can be self-taught skills learned by trial and error.