Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin McIntosh.
Hi Erin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My painting story begins from a young age and with my mother, who is a painter. Childhood was full of artful activities – drawing, ballet, piano, and singing. Ballet became my main interest well into my teenage years but I decided to not pursue a career in dance and instead went to The University of Georgia to study painting. It was there that I discovered abstraction and the versatility of water-based painting media. I began incorporating found fabric and dress patterns into my painted works. Pattern and color were emphasized and quilts became a motif I latched onto.
After college, in 2004-2006, I rented a studio on Main Street in historic Buford, GA where I got my first taste of working professionally as an artist. My mom also rented a studio just across the hall and we enjoyed that time sharing our work and creative process with each other. Both my mom and dad have been extremely encouraging and supportive; it’s a blessing to be able to say that. I had a few mural projects and started exhibiting during those early Buford days. I also began showing work with Gregg Irby Fine Art (now Gregg Irby Gallery, Atlanta) in 2004 and this gallery relationship remains very strong today.
I spent the first years in that Buford studio painting on my days off work. Up to this point, I had only worked part-time. In 2005-06, I spent a year working full-time as an elementary school art teacher. I struggled to find the time and energy to paint. It was that year I decided to pursue graduate school and did not sign my teaching contract. Instead, I headed back to Athens to earn my M.F.A. in Studio Art at The University of Georgia (UGA).
After graduate school, I taught college art courses part-time and had the opportunity to teach abroad in Cortona, Italy. I taught three semesters on this program through UGA. After five years of teaching as an adjunct, in 2015, I accepted a full-time position at the University of North Georgia, where I continue to teach painting classes as an Associate Professor.
Athens was home for many years after graduate school and I kept up my studio practice there while commuting an hour to work at UNG. In 2019, I relocated to Gainesville, and now recently to Flowery Branch, GA. In March of 2020, I found a studio to rent, once again in Buford, GA and returned to the very same building, and just one space down, from where I had had a studio 15 years before.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Looking back, the journey of the last 20 years, since college, has been a pretty smooth road, albeit a road that was traversed slow and steady. Following this path has required patience. There are always challenges and there are bumps in the road: limited resources and balancing work with personal life; learning to run a small business without a business plan; and taking risks placing faith in the hope that the benefits would come later. I’ve learned that struggles often lead to opportunity and a new perspective. Difficult situations can build resilience and strength. I’m convinced you can learn more by diving in the deep end than swimming in the safety of the shallow waters (although, certainly only a metaphor, I don’t recommend this in actual swimming!)
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I make mostly abstract paintings on canvas and works on paper in acrylic, watercolor, and gouache. My work is process-driven, meaning improvisation is key to how I work with both materials and color. I work in series and each series begins as a broad concept such as gardens, “architecture,” and microbiology. These concepts guide the direction and form each painting takes while offering motifs to investigate. For example, my “microbes” series is inspired by an interest in the dynamic complexity of the microscopic world, looking at imagery under a microscope.
When people comment on my work, they often mention my use of color – the color mixtures and how colors are used together – as what distinguishes the work. Also, I notice I use consistent compositional structures regardless of series and my shapes tend to have an anthropomorphic feel; these common threads carry across the different series of artworks.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have so much gratitude for the people who have been mentors along the way! There are many people to thank and more than I have space to mention here. My first painting instructor at UGA, Professor Scott Belville, got me hooked on painting. I will never forget a class visit to his studio. I remember thinking “THIS is what I want to do!” Dr. Richard Seigesmund served as my art education professor and mentor in both undergrad and graduate school. He worked with me on how to verbally articulate the visual content in my paintings. Dr. Janice Simon was my art history professor; she taught me about Modernism and abstract artists with whom I felt a kinship. Professor Larry Millard taught me how to land an academic teaching position. Gregg Irby has been my primary representing gallery for over fifteen years! She began representing my work when I was just 24 and was only beginning to exhibit my work; I had so much to learn! Bridgette Mayer has taught me the business side of being an artist. My parents have been constant mentors. I am eternally grateful for these individuals.
Contact Info:
- Email: erinmcintoshstudio@gmail.com
- Website: www.erinmcintosh.com
- Instagram: @erinlmcintosh
Image Credits
Erica Carrillo
