Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Norwood.
Hi Erica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been a creative person, and that absolutely comes from my parents. Even though neither of my parents are artists as a profession, they’re both skilled at drawing and writing poetry. My dad can build anything he dreams up, and so I grew up watching him come up with ideas and then bringing them to life, and it was always so inspirational to me!
I remember one time I came home from school to find my dad had sculpted all of the shrubs in our backyard, and turned them into circus animals! It was amazing! He’s also a writer. He’s a whistleblower in the aerospace industry and wrote a book on his experience, titled, “ Diary of An Aerospace Whistleblower: The Ultrasonic Research Story.” (Available on Amazon) He wants Zac Efron to play him in his movie someday. So Zac, if you’re reading this, let’s make this happen!
Art wasn’t seen as something formal in our family; something separate from every day life. It was just a part of our every day, and that’s a wonderful foundation for building a creative mind. My twin sister is extremely creative as well. Her name is Alicia Mullins, and she’s a very talented singer/songwriter. She’s also a great painter and assists me on many of my murals.
I think it would be surprising if I grew up in this family and didn’t become an artist! Being immersed in a home which valued imagination and play, truly shaped me into who I am today, and I’m very grateful to my parents for providing me such an incredible childhood.
As far as formally getting started, custom art is how I began in my art career, and it’s a great way to perfect one’s skills. Each time you paint something that someone else wants, you learn the skills to paint what you want.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It wasn’t a smooth road in the past, but the road is much smoother now, and let’s face it, has anyone ever had a totally smooth road? An easy path doesn’t lead to growth anyway. The experiences in life that make us uncomfortable, are what teach us what we do want in life. And until we know what we do want, we’re essentially sitting on the highway in traffic forever, never moving forward towards any worthwhile goal.
One of my biggest struggles was saying no to the jobs I didn’t feel inspired to do. I’ve since shifted my mindset, and now I don’t feel guilty turning down murals that don’t resonate with me. Saying yes to what excites me has enhanced my life on so many levels, and when you’re painting something you’re excited about, it turns out a million times better anyway!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I paint a lot of custom murals in both homes and businesses, and I specialize in rich color and contrast. A huge wall is a blank canvas to me, full of potential, and I’m so blessed that people seek me out to make their visions a reality in that way.
I’m most proud of my ability to sketch out murals in a way that feels balanced with the shape of a room and to then bring them to life in a manner that’s cohesive with the mood of the room. One landscape mural may be calming, while another is energizing. The varying ranges of color and contrast allow me to adjust the mood of any mural, and I live for the challenge of it!
I’m not sure what sets me apart from others, necessarily, because the other mural artists I know are all very kind and talented. But I will say that I am quite proud of my work ethic, which really just stems from my excitement over each mural that I paint. If a customer lets me begin painting at 8 a.m., and continue painting till midnight, I will, and I’m not sure how common that is. Once I get in a good creative groove, it’s just hard to stop and go home. I seem to pick up speed and focus, the longer I paint, and it’s a really thrilling and rewarding feeling.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’m excited to share that I’ve been working on another creative venture; writing a children’s book! It’s been such a joy to dive into, and now every moment not spent painting, is spent writing. I will share more details in the near future, but this has been a lot of fun for me, and I can’t wait to share it with the world!
Pricing:
- Most murals range in price from $1,500-$5,000, depending on the size and level of complexity.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyericanorwood/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtByEricaNorwood/
