
ERIKA HAWKINS - #5
1004 Marine Drive
acrylic, mixed media
www.facebook.com/erikahawkinsart/
Handicap accessible
Will be doing a demonstration during the studio tour
Erika Hawkins is an artist from Astoria and has been involved in the Clatsop County arts community from an early age. She was first drawn to music and then music's correlation with art before she started elementary school. As a child, she would draw pictures around the music notes in her piano homework and loved writing scores based on how the scenery would look in her imagination. Erika graduated from Astoria High School in 2000, with her senior project inviting children to help paint a mural for The Healing Circle while studying the murals and art of the Sistine Chapel. Music eventually evolved into dance and Erika was a founding member of the Astoria Arts and Movement Center, teaching Belly Dance.
Throughout her life, there has always been an underlying love of photography and perspective. In the first few years after graduating, Erika worked as a printer for The Compleat Photographer, furthering the joy of traditional photography and the darkroom. While still something she enjoys to do, Erika's eyesight no longer allows active photography.
Painting has allowed a combination of all of these disciplines to come together. Erika focuses on light-bending abstracts and detailed mixed media fluid paintings. These have been instrumental in dealing with rare genetic retinal dystrophy, a disease that is taking her sight too soon. Each painting is a lesson in patience and letting go of the control we all seem to think we have in this world.
Erika was selected for the July 1 - September 30, 2016 AVA a-i-r term.
Artist Statement
Born and raised in Astoria, I have been immersed in our area's beauty. Art is truly everywhere we look. From music, to dance, to photography, to paint. In 2014, my vision started to fail but my artistic vision wasn't willing to give in. My art is interpretive. While my paintings show me a personal message, it can speak entirely different for others. My current focus is fluid painting and capturing light. The paint reacts and changes beyond my control while retaining the original thoughts and intention. I can guide and shape it, but ultimately I get to watch it adapt to its surroundings.
1004 Marine Drive
acrylic, mixed media
www.facebook.com/erikahawkinsart/
Handicap accessible
Will be doing a demonstration during the studio tour
Erika Hawkins is an artist from Astoria and has been involved in the Clatsop County arts community from an early age. She was first drawn to music and then music's correlation with art before she started elementary school. As a child, she would draw pictures around the music notes in her piano homework and loved writing scores based on how the scenery would look in her imagination. Erika graduated from Astoria High School in 2000, with her senior project inviting children to help paint a mural for The Healing Circle while studying the murals and art of the Sistine Chapel. Music eventually evolved into dance and Erika was a founding member of the Astoria Arts and Movement Center, teaching Belly Dance.
Throughout her life, there has always been an underlying love of photography and perspective. In the first few years after graduating, Erika worked as a printer for The Compleat Photographer, furthering the joy of traditional photography and the darkroom. While still something she enjoys to do, Erika's eyesight no longer allows active photography.
Painting has allowed a combination of all of these disciplines to come together. Erika focuses on light-bending abstracts and detailed mixed media fluid paintings. These have been instrumental in dealing with rare genetic retinal dystrophy, a disease that is taking her sight too soon. Each painting is a lesson in patience and letting go of the control we all seem to think we have in this world.
Erika was selected for the July 1 - September 30, 2016 AVA a-i-r term.
Artist Statement
Born and raised in Astoria, I have been immersed in our area's beauty. Art is truly everywhere we look. From music, to dance, to photography, to paint. In 2014, my vision started to fail but my artistic vision wasn't willing to give in. My art is interpretive. While my paintings show me a personal message, it can speak entirely different for others. My current focus is fluid painting and capturing light. The paint reacts and changes beyond my control while retaining the original thoughts and intention. I can guide and shape it, but ultimately I get to watch it adapt to its surroundings.