ERICA PUTIS / FEATURED ARTWORK / BIOGRAPHY / ARTIST STATEMENT / INTERVIEW / PAST EXHIBITIONS
Erica Putis Interview
La Playa Gallery: Hi! Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Can you tell us your name, where you live and a little bit about your past?
Erica Putis: Hi! Thanks for having me! My name is Erica Putis, I currently live in San Diego, California but am originally from Vermont. I was always creating, drawing and painting as a child and through high school, but it wasn’t until coming to San Diego did I get more involved with art and the local scene.
LPG: Can you give us a brief overview of the work you create?
EP: Sure. My work is always based on nature and science. I work in oils on canvas and create paintings using many layers of glazes. I’m also starting to create plaster sculptures but I’m still a newbie at this medium.
LPG: How and when did you get started?
EP: Like I said earlier, I was always drawing and creating so I don’t really remember when I started painting, but I started focusing my work into different series in 2016.
LPG: What motivates you to create new work?
EP: I get motivated to try to become a better artist by seeing what other artists create. It’s always inspiring and disheartening to know I will probably never be that good but at least it gives me something to strive for. For subject matter motivation, I love science, meteorology, geology and astrophysics. Also, nature… Always nature…
LPG: Is there a specific series you are currently creating and what is the inspiration behind it?
EP: I am focusing my work on a few series right now. Working in oils, I try to bring light to nature, science and our effect on Earth. I have completed a large body of work under my “Natural Destruction” series and plan starting my “Man Made Destruction” series soon. It will be a challenge to create work that shows what we are doing to our planet while making it beautiful enough to want to look at. I’m super excited for this challenge which will lead me to my final series in this story called “Finding a New Future.” This one should be really fun because I get to imagine what our future will be like, whether it is on Earth or us exploring the stars.
LPG: What is the most indispensable item in your studio?
EP: Gamblin Oil Painting Ground. I would have never imagined priming a canvas could be so satisfying. It makes the canvas so smooth and lovely.
LPG: Do you have a routine you follow for creating or only work when inspiration hits?
EP: Oh yes, it’s very important to me to have a routine. If I just wait till inspiration hits things would never get completed. I usually work at night and I have to let each layer dry before adding another glaze so I have multiple pieces in the works, all at the same time. I try to do something creative every day, even if it’s not painting, just to keep my mind in creative mode. It’s what drives me.
LPG: Do you collect anything and does it influence your work?
EP: I actually collect projects. Sounds kind of weird but, I want to try everything creative so I have so many project supplies. It’s ridiculous and so exciting that I have so many craft/art things to expand upon, at my fingertips.
LPG: What artist or artists have influenced you the most?
EP: In high school was in love with John William Waterhouse. The clothing/drapery and dreamy scenes sucked me in. As an adult the art I admire spans from realistic to abstract to sculpture. It’s hard to pick just one. I love the old masters and also some amazing contemporary artists living today.
LPG: Support for each other is so important. Locally, what artist excites you the most?
EP: There are so many local artists that are amazing. Off the top of my head I would have to say I’m super excited about Tiffany Bociek’s work. She works in encaustic which is beeswax. She tried to teach me once and it was so difficult. Mad props to her for making it look easy, whimsical and beautiful.
LPG: Well, thank you for letting us into your creative world. It's been a pleasure and we are really looking forward to featuring your work at La Playa Gallery!
EP: Thank you! I’m very excited to be showing at La Playa Gallery as well!