Today I am really excited to get to
share with you an artist that I discovered at one of the boutiques I sell at in Decatur, Georgia. Her name is Erin McManness and creates the most vivid and beautiful pieces of art.
I
was instantly blown away by her use of colors and the stunning female forms she creates.
I hope you enjoy getting to know more about her as much as I did!
I hope you enjoy getting to know more about her as much as I did!
P.S....Click on any of the photos in this post to be taken to her etsy store!
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started.
I'm Erin, and I'm currently working towards my Masters degree in Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I like rock music and drink way too much coffee. I have been an artist all of my life, but I got started on my illustration career path almost 10 years ago, when I traded in my Musical Theatre Major for a Studio Art major. I was trained as an oil painter, but now make illustrations in a lot of different media.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?!
When I'm not working on art, I'm usually baking and trying new recipes out on my boyfriend and our friends. I make a mean Scottish Shortbread, and my personal favourite is my Lemon Zucchini Bread. If it's got vegetables in it, it can't be all bad, right? I am also currently searching for a furry friend to call my sidekick.
Where does your inspiration come from?
My commercial work tends to lean over to the fashion and editorial side of illustration. I am extremely interested in fantasy, psychological space, and surrealism. The figure is my favourite thing to draw, and I am constantly inspired by it.
What does handmade mean to you?
Handmade is extremely important to me. I used to create wedding jewelry, and really cherish the mark of the artist. The brides I worked with were always so thrilled to have a custom piece for their special day - and an heirloom for years to come. I am involved in a local co-op in Decatur, HomeGrown, where we sell only handmade art, and I shop exclusively online and in local stores and small businesses for gifts. It means so much to me when others value my work, and I've taken the pledge to never go to the mall at Christmas again! I want to give my support to people just like me.
How would you describe your creative process?
My creative process almost always involves coffee. I currently have a great worktable in my sunny studio, where I like to jam out and focus on a number of different projects. As a freelancer, I often have multiple projects at once, and often find it helpful that I can keep my mind and eyes fresh by working on all types of work - from an illustrated fashion book, to apparel designs, to a 10 foot banner for a gaming convention. I love the variety!
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
My boyfriend is also an illustrator and screen-printer, and he always makes me little drawings. I don't think he realizes just how much I love them! I keep them all around my apartment, and tack them to my inspiration board and refrigerator.
How do you get out of your creative ruts?
When I'm in a creative rut, I always go back to this quote, "Winners just get shit done." Especially in graduate school, it's difficult to sort yourself out of a creative rut - you're not really allowed to have them at SCAD! While it's really intense work, I am grateful for the hustle-attitude. If I really need a break, I'll go out and grab a smoothie and listen to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack really loudly in my headphones, have a zen moment, and then get back to it. I try to push myself in times of creative exhaust - sometimes you get your best ideas when you think you're out of ideas!
Where do you see yourself and your business in a few years?
I have been feeling a sense of anticipation for the past year that my business is about to reach the end of its latest plateau and begin climbing up to the next level again. My goal for the New Year is to start it off with an agent and take my freelance up to the next level. In the next few years I'd like to be working on large-scale commercial illustrations and continue my financial stability of paying my bills with my art work!
What advice would you give to other artisans trying to sell their wares?
What is the most popular item you sell?
What are your top five books, movies, musicians and websites?
Where can we find you online and off?
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started.
I'm Erin, and I'm currently working towards my Masters degree in Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I like rock music and drink way too much coffee. I have been an artist all of my life, but I got started on my illustration career path almost 10 years ago, when I traded in my Musical Theatre Major for a Studio Art major. I was trained as an oil painter, but now make illustrations in a lot of different media.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?!
When I'm not working on art, I'm usually baking and trying new recipes out on my boyfriend and our friends. I make a mean Scottish Shortbread, and my personal favourite is my Lemon Zucchini Bread. If it's got vegetables in it, it can't be all bad, right? I am also currently searching for a furry friend to call my sidekick.
Where does your inspiration come from?
My commercial work tends to lean over to the fashion and editorial side of illustration. I am extremely interested in fantasy, psychological space, and surrealism. The figure is my favourite thing to draw, and I am constantly inspired by it.
What does handmade mean to you?
Handmade is extremely important to me. I used to create wedding jewelry, and really cherish the mark of the artist. The brides I worked with were always so thrilled to have a custom piece for their special day - and an heirloom for years to come. I am involved in a local co-op in Decatur, HomeGrown, where we sell only handmade art, and I shop exclusively online and in local stores and small businesses for gifts. It means so much to me when others value my work, and I've taken the pledge to never go to the mall at Christmas again! I want to give my support to people just like me.
How would you describe your creative process?
My creative process almost always involves coffee. I currently have a great worktable in my sunny studio, where I like to jam out and focus on a number of different projects. As a freelancer, I often have multiple projects at once, and often find it helpful that I can keep my mind and eyes fresh by working on all types of work - from an illustrated fashion book, to apparel designs, to a 10 foot banner for a gaming convention. I love the variety!
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
My boyfriend is also an illustrator and screen-printer, and he always makes me little drawings. I don't think he realizes just how much I love them! I keep them all around my apartment, and tack them to my inspiration board and refrigerator.
How do you get out of your creative ruts?
When I'm in a creative rut, I always go back to this quote, "Winners just get shit done." Especially in graduate school, it's difficult to sort yourself out of a creative rut - you're not really allowed to have them at SCAD! While it's really intense work, I am grateful for the hustle-attitude. If I really need a break, I'll go out and grab a smoothie and listen to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack really loudly in my headphones, have a zen moment, and then get back to it. I try to push myself in times of creative exhaust - sometimes you get your best ideas when you think you're out of ideas!
Where do you see yourself and your business in a few years?
I have been feeling a sense of anticipation for the past year that my business is about to reach the end of its latest plateau and begin climbing up to the next level again. My goal for the New Year is to start it off with an agent and take my freelance up to the next level. In the next few years I'd like to be working on large-scale commercial illustrations and continue my financial stability of paying my bills with my art work!
What is the best and worst thing about being an artisan?
The
best thing is seeing someone wearing your work on the street, or seeing
your work in print. Yesterday I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a
lady wearing one of my necklaces. I wasn't able to catch her to say
hello, but that warm fuzzy feeling stayed with me the whole day. Second
best is the schedule and freedom. I have almost complete flexibility in
my schedule and get to tackle projects that really excite and inspire
me! But on the flip side, working for yourself - and working as a
creative - often means putting in a ton of hours (and not always getting
paid for them). Most weeks I work 60-70 hours and barely leave my desk.
I find, though, that coffee with friends or taking a jog will refresh
my eyes and my mind, though!
What advice would you give to other artisans trying to sell their wares?
My
professor has a saying, "Go as fast as you can for as long as you can
while the fire is hot." To be successful artist is to adopt a lifestyle,
and the lifestyle is going to require a lot of time, energy, and
personal investment. The lucky thing though, is that if you truly love
what you do, these things come as a natural inclination to grow.
What is the most popular item you sell?
Since
we're in Atlanta, my most popular print is Rick Grimes from The Walking
Dead. This past Spring I had sent his agency 2 prints as a thank you
for the inspiration the show has given me -- I was shocked to have them
sent back to me signed by Andrew Lincoln himself! One says "Big Zombie
Love" and the other says "Best Wishes from the Zombie Apocalypse". It
was the coolest thing EVER.
What are your top five books, movies, musicians and websites?
Favourite Books are the Game of Thrones series. I am a huge fan!
My
favourite movies are all "guy" movies: Braveheart, Gladiator, Lord of
the Rings, Indiana Jones... I also love watching old black and white
samurai movies with my boyfriend. And I have a big soft spot for
Miyazaki (doesn't every illustrator?)
As for music, my favourites include Dave Matthews Band and
The Black Keys. I was a Musical Theatre major, so I also love operas and
shows like Les Miserables, RENT, Phantom of the Opera, etc.
Where can we find you online and off?
Website: http://erinmcmanness.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/
Offline, my work can be found at Homegrown Boutique in
Decatur, and very soon at HodgePodge Coffeeshop and Gallery in East
Atlanta.Thank you so much Erin for taking the time to let us get to know you better! Please be sure to check her out online or stop by Homegrown Boutique if you are in Atlanta!
~ With Love, Ashlee ~
