Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Arndts.
Erica, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I am an Ohio native currently living and painting in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. As a child I grew up loving to draw, color, paint, anything art related. In high school I really started to develop my love for drawing and painting, which led me to going to the university of Cincinnati, OH for fine art.
I hated it though! I desperately wanted out of Ohio and had my sights set on Los Angeles. I am a diehard fan of Steven Tyler and I decided “I am going to see who designs for Steven Tyler and I am going to work for them.” I found the company who designed for him, sent them an email, and I was hired to be an internship. I moved to LA when I was 21, and transferred school to FIDM, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles where I graduated with a degree in Apparel Manufacturing Management. I worked in the fashion industry for 3 1/2 years and then picked up and moved to Atlanta.
Atlanta was a weird period in my life. Life was too expensive for me to stay in LA and I didn’t have that passion I needed to have to be in the fashion industry. I liked to be behind the scenes working with my hands. Painting was what I was most passionate about. While I was living in LA I was always working on paintings on the side and selling them. Fast forward 5 years in Atlanta (I moved here because my sister and her family lived here and she had the hook up for a job for me), I worked as a physician recruiter and then ended that chapter in my life. Again, a very weird time in my life. I needed money, BAD, and this job was perfect for it, but I also got an interesting, and eye-opening picture of the medical industry, the good and the bad. The money was great but I was absolutely miserable – but I made some of the greatest friends working this field!
At a certain point I said EFF THIS, I am going to be a server, work whenever I want, make cash, and paint more. I am sick of doing this line of work and has nothing to do with any of my life passions. So, I quit the medical recruiting industry and started waiting tables at Park Tavern in Atlanta, GA.
Park Tavern was such a life changer for me, and I am so grateful to this chapter in my life! The owners of this establishment are the finest humans on the planet. They took a chance with me (I was a terrible server, but I always tried!), and they let me paint live during their weekend concert series from April-October. This amplified my audience and my art career took off from there.
3 years later I just relocated to Playa Del Carmen to take a break from life, and just live. Do me. Paint what I want, go to the beach, eat all the fruit I want, and be happy. I am still painting for clients, traveling for murals, and establishing myself here in Mexico now. Life has gotten quite exciting!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Music has always been the main influence in my art. I always liked to paint the people I liked to listen to. I started discovering my love for painting in high school, and Jimi Hendrix, Janis, the doors, etc. were my favorite musicians I listened to. I did several paintings of Jimi, Jim, Janice, bob Marley, etc. throughout high school and into college. Since then I have painted other icons in history, but mostly musicians. I try to capture the essence of how music touches my soul and bottle all the up and pour it out on a canvas. Bright colors, psychedelic, and BIG. I prefer to paint on large surfaces, and I mostly use acrylic paint. I also use oils and spray paint.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
Get a dog and two cats like me and life will never be lonely! Thankfully social media has opened up a lot of doors for artists to meet one another and has been a great way for me to connect with fellow artists I admire. Use all the tools you can and get out there.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I have most of my painting currently on display at the following establishments in Atlanta, GA:
Art more Hotel – 25 painting collection
131 Ponce Apartments – mural
Park Tavern, Atlanta
The Highlander, Atlanta
The Pointe – Conyers, GA
Metropolitan Studios – mural
Body X – mural in Brynmar, PA
Al Pacino’s latest movie “Hangman” – I have 3 paintings in the background
The Oak Brew Pub – Atlanta mural
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.ericaarndts.com
- Email: ericaarndts@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ericaarndts
- Facebook: Erica Arndts
Image Credit:
Live painting at Park Tavern, Atlanta
my studio, Atlanta
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