Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Meyers.
Hi Erin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a Jacksonville local, born and raised here, Growing up near the St. Johns River and having the privilege of visiting the ocean my whole life gave me a deep reverence for nature from a really young age. The natural world, flora and fauna, are the central pillar of everything I do, both professionally and creatively.
Academically, I went the science route. I have a formal background in biochemistry and marine ecology, and still work as an environmental scientist. But I also pursued a fine art minor on an artistic scholarship alongside all of that. I consider my art career to be just as essential to my vitality as my science career.
When I started practicing intuitive painting, my creative style began to expand and is still evolving. The process of surrendering to the creative flow rather than approaching art with a plan is how I discovered my personal voice as an artist, and it’s what gives my work it’s unique, whimsical quality.
My creative practice resides at the intersection natural science and intuitive expression. I create surreal depictions of wildlife and ecosystems, and I use that work to advocate for environmental and cultural awareness which earned recognition from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. I’ve been exhibiting my art in Jacksonville since 2004, and plan to expand to galleries throughout Florida.
I’m committed to Jacksonville’s local art community. I love to participate in local events like Amplified Avondale and Wacca Pilatka markets. I also facilitate intuitive painting workshops to help others gain creative confidence.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. but the struggles I’ve faced have been internal rather than external. When people ask me when I started painting, I tell them I was too young to even remember. I was really privileged to have a supportive family who saw how much I desired to paint and provided supplies and classes from a very young age. So the practical side of things was never the obstacle for me.
The real challenge was my own insecurities. Like a lot of creative people, I struggled with the inner critic that tells you your work isn’t good enough, that you don’t have a real style, that you should play it safe. Those insecurities would genuinely hinder my creativity and hold me back from fully expressing myself. That’s a big part of why I began practicing intuitive painting. It gave me a way to quiet the inner critic and create without judgment.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m primarily a painter, and work with traditional acrylics on canvas. I specialize in surreal scenes that blend realistic portraits of people and animals with nature and fantasy, and am most known for my use of bright neon colors.
What I’m most proud of is the courses I’ve taught and the students who’ve become painters after working with me.
What sets me apart is that blend; the neon, the surrealism, the realism, the nature and fantasy all coming together. And it’s informed by my background as an environmental scientist, so there’s a scientific perspective underneath the whimsy.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I feel lucky, but I also know it’s not just luck. I’ve always been supported and lifted up by the people around me like my family, and friends; my community here in Jacksonville; the galleries and fellow artists who’ve championed my work along the way.
When I think about luck, I think about it as being surrounded by good people at the right times. I’ve had my share of good fortune, but I’ve also stayed focused on my passion for art and stayed open to opportunities. I think being receptive to all the support is what has brought me success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://erinmeyersart.com
- Instagram: @erinmeyersart
