It Takes Heart To Be A Part Of The Trade Of Art
Written By Everett Mckee
Original artwork by Tiffany Erickson. Photo provided by the artist, Tiffany.
Its a long way to the top if you wanna draw and paint, for a living. Unlike the musical artistry that ACDC rocked out too, one student has found a different way to get to the top. Art is one of the few talents that has transgressed the test of time. Looking upon countless figures such as the classics of Da Vinci and Van Gogh, or a contemporary artists closer to home such as Herb Kane. Art will always pull from the beauty that each person holds within themselves. However, like all things in a person’s life some talents take time to be discovered.
Tiffany Erickson, an art major here at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo is currently on her rise to fame through her various types of Art. Currently working as a freelance artist she also participates in gallery events throughout the art community. Erickson also works to bring together the beauty of a client's imagination and her craftsmanship. Her portfolio is currently under development as she has taken on new mediums of art to insert into her credentials.
UH Hilo art major, Tiffany Erickson. Photo provided by Erickson.
Through courses here at UH Hilo she has taken the opportunity to broaden her artistic scope and expand the styles in which she works in. Her professional portfolio includes what she considers to be a few “good oil paintings”, a few “drawings which [she] [is] most experienced with”, and thanks to her courses, Intaglio works which is an etching style artwork. This life that she invests her time into was not something she always knew.
As questions were raised as to the early beginnings of this artist, she expounded on a life ranging from an aquatic adventure to a more personal life experiencing moment. Which was studying in the art of sign language. However, fate had given her the chance of a lifetime, an internship from Walt Disney. Strolling down this new path of life she has come to discover some of the most crucial things when it comes to the art world. When asked what is one of the most difficult things that a new artist must deal with, Erickson replied with “getting the train going”.
Original work by Tiffany Erickson. Photo provided by Tiffany.
The basic beginning like most professions is always hardest when you are fresh. “The one thing that’s a really big is that this business is all about who you know. I just kept hanging around and networking to meet the right people”. When asked what advice she has for up and coming artists Erickson proclaims “Its best to go out and network as much as you can. The more people you meet the more opportunities you can discover. And when you do meet these people find out exactly what kind of art they are looking for.”
One final thing that she was asked is, where is a good place to go to help solicit and get your work out to the masses? Freelancer.com was the proposed sight that she herself was a part of. So for all of you new artists out there, if word of mouth has not got your work to the places you want why not take a shot with this medium that could open the door to your success.
