What is the best thing that I love about my work?
What I love most about being a professional artist is spending my time pursuing the vision I have for my own life. Instead of building someone else’s empire, I get to wake up every day and create things that excite me.
What is my idea of perfect happiness?
I think “perfect” happiness, can only be found when you surrender to the inevitability of struggle. A lot of people think happiness is a state of equilibrium or a place without tension, but I tend to think true happiness is achieved by enduring the difficulties that result from pursuing a worthwhile task. The trick is to learn how to be at peace while moving toward the things you hope for and still experience joy after discovering what you didn’t expected.
What is my greatest fear?
I fear failure and I often fear that my best won’t be good enough. The good news is that my fears haven’t prevented me from attempting new things. Unfortunately, I think failure is a pre-requisite for success. We all fail at some point, but if you just keep moving forward there is potential for great things to happen. The only thing I know for sure is that you’ll always fail if you never try.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
Perfectionism. On one hand, my desire to make things perfect allows me to produce high quality work, but often, because every detail seems equally important, I have a hard time prioritizing and managing my time. It’s a thin line between ambition and obsession and, for me, It’s difficult to know when to let go.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
I admire many professional artists and illustrators, but I most appreciate my mentor and good friend Ron Mazellan. Ron is a recognized and award winning picture book illustrator, but it’s not only his artistic skills that I respect. Ron is one of only a handful of people I know who display excellence in every area of life. Whenever I speak to Ron I feel empowered and ready to take on the world. He is an extraordinary human being and I strive to emulate many of the principals he lives by.
What is my greatest extravagance?
Coffee. I’m kind of a coffee snob J I reward myself with a good cup of joe whenever I can.
On what occasion would I lie?
Perhaps this question is an occasion to lie and say that I never do, but if I am being truthful, I guess I would tell a white lie if it served to spare someone’s feeling. However, when It comes to my business I make it a point to always be honest. Talent isn’t the most important thing when it comes to being successful, if you’re not trustworthy it’s difficult to find people to work with.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
I dislike the uncertainty involved in what I do. In a regular nine-to-five job there is a sense of security or at least the comfort in knowing you will get paid regularly. Unfortunately, I don’t have this luxury as a fine artist. Every day I am required to do my work amid many doubts, but what I’ve discovered is that if I trust myself and do my work despite the uncertainty, incredible opportunities reveal themselves.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
I try not to focus on the past or the future to find happiness. It’s hard to resist, but ultimately, the only thing I can control is the present moment. I think I’m the happiest whenever and wherever I am creating something.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
I need to lose 20 lbs. I’m working on it.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
Honestly, I think my greatest achievement is simply that I get to wake up everyday and spend my time doing what I love. My work has been printed in several publications and I have received a handful of awards, but these accomplishments are far less important to me than living the creative life every day.
What do the words ‘The Financial Freedom to Create’ mean to me?
If I waited for financial freedom to create I’d still be waiting. Don’t wait for financial freedom to create!
Where would I most like to live?
Probably a rustic cabin in the mountains. Some far-off place in the woods surrounded by waterfalls and giant sequoia trees, of course it would have to have wifi. It’s probably not very practical for an artist to live off the grid, but I’m inspired by quiet secluded places.
What is my most treasured possession?
My time.
What is my most marked characteristic?
I’m not sure what makes a characteristic “marked,” but I am intensely involved in the things I am passionate about… I also have a big beard.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
I just moved to a small town in Michigan and discovered some great hiking trails. The Yankee Springs state park seems to be a tranquil and inspirational location.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?
This is a hard question because I just moved from Missouri to Michigan. I am still exploring my new location, but in Saint Louis there was a great little coffee house called Picassos where I spent a lot of time. Picassos overlooks the Missouri river and I found it to be a great place to think and write. They have fantastic coffee too!
What books influenced my life and how?
Great question! I think it is very important for creatives to challenge themselves intellectually and continually search for inspiration by reading. I have been influenced by many books over the years, but I really enjoyed “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. The book is about overcoming resistance and the obstacles people encounter when pursuing their calling. It’s a short manifesto, but it’s full of powerful and motivational insights for creative people. I highly recommend this book to anyone striving to live a more authentic life.
Who are my favorite writers?
I draw a lot of inspiration from some of the early American writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. I can relate to many of their essays and find that their philosophy of self-reliance it still applicable today for those who want to live beyond a state of quiet desperation.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
I like everything from Indie rock to Mozart, so it’s hard to say. I guess if it was my last day I would want to listen to something uplifting and personally meaningful to me. I would probably listen to my friend Scott Troyer’s album “All is Sideways” Scott’s music has an emotional quality that makes me contemplate the deeper things in life.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
I must go with Sam Gamgee from the Lord of the Rings. J.R.R Tolkien’s trilogy is jam packed with standard issue hero’s and even though one would probably choose Frodo or Aragorn as the most heroic character in the story, I like Sam, because even though he doesn’t meet the description of a typical hero, his loyalty and selflessness made him the only character to endure the entire journey without being corrupted by the evil powers of the ring.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
My wife Nicole is the most heroic person I know in real life. While she has never literally saved my life she has been my biggest advocate. She is the strongest woman I know and has sacrificed for me in more ways than I can count. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
“A River Runs Through it” based on a novel by Norman Mclean
What role plays art in my life and work?
Since I am a visual artist I guess it plays a large role. Someone once told me “we all stand on the shoulders of giants” meaning, nobody’s ideas are completely original, we build our ideas off our influences. My work (and I think everyone’s work) depends on the great art (in all their forms) that came before us.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
My wife and three daughters. I have a whole cheerleading squad on my side, how could I lose.
Whom would I like to work with in 2017?
I have a whole list of publishers and galleries I would like to work with in the near future. I believe its important to know who you want to work with, but I don’t generally give specifics. I feel like I’m less likely to accomplish my goals if I talk about them.
Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2017?
I want to meet them all, I have so much to learn!
What project, in 2017, am I looking forward to work on?
I am excited to continue working on a self-initiated project called “my daily painting.” I made it a goal to create and post a image on Instagram everyday for 2017. My daily paintings are generally smaller pieces that explore the beauty of everyday ordinary things. You can check them out at: https://www.instagram.com/ericwieringastudio/ Anyone interested in purchasing a painting can simply message or email me at eric@ericwieringa.com
Where can you see me or my work in 2017?
My work is on display and available for purchase at Houska Gallery in the central West End, Saint Louis Missouri. http://www.houska.com Follow me on Facebook for other upcoming events and shows. https://www.facebook.com/eric.wieringa.1
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
This could be a motto for my life. I don’t plan on ever retiring. As they say… when you do what you love, you never have to work a day in your life.
Which creative heroes should Peter invite to tell their story?
I mentioned Ron Mazellan earlier. You should look him up. A few other names that come to mind are artists Zack Smithey and David Mcdowell, also know as “Krazy” Dave.
How can you contact me?
Email: eric@ericwieringa.com
The Hero's Journey 