Q. When did you start drawing?
look at them with fresh eyes and notice what changes need to be made.
I guess it’s a similar story to most artists. Since childhood, I was always drawing in some capacity. Even before I started my portrait business, I used drawing as a tool in other projects.
Q. What is the process for someone wanting a portrait completed?
Usually people find me on Facebook or by email and we chat about what kind of project they have in mind. They send photos and we choose what photos and colours would work best with the subject.
Q. When did you know you wanted to be an artist as a vocation?
Drawing portraits has been a side gig since I was a teen. It was only after having my son that I realized there was this tiny, adorable muse that was always around and I had a billion pictures of. I started by drawing him and then offered to draw some friends’ kids. It went over well and grew from there.
Q. Do you come from a family of creative people?
Definitely! My mother is a custom cake maker who also sews, and my dad is kind of a jack of all trades. Fortunately for me, they passed down their skills and resourcefulness. My husband is an artist as well, specializing in illustration and graphic design. It’s no surprise our older son draws nonstop. Our youngest is pretty enthusiastic too when he manages to get a hold of a marker.
Q. Did you receive formal training as an artist?
I have a Bachelor of Fine Art from NSCAD.
Q. Who or what inspires you the most?
Q. What do you use to create your portraits?
Other people and their stories. Recently I’ve been taking on a lot of projects that memorialize a loved one. Many clients are seeking a visual, tangible representation of something that has been in their head and their heart. Like a family portrait that was unable to happen before a member passed away. It’s been a really fulfilling role that I never considered starting out.
I’ve worked in oil, acrylic, watercolour and all kinds of dry media, and while I occasionally offer those, my current work is mainly in colour pencil.
Q. What is your favourite subject to draw? Least favourite?
I definitely favour people, especially kids. Chubby, rosy cheeks or a nice neck roll is ideal. Least favourite? Landscape. I really envy artists that can make a field look interesting. Perhaps that’s why I appreciate it so much.
Q. How can people see your work?
You can find me and my current work at Facebook.com/livingcolourportraits, on my website livingcolourportraits.
Q. How long does it usually take to finish a portrait?
com, or email me at erin@ livingcolourportraits.com.
I probably actually spend much longer on them than I think; I just haven’t timed myself! On average, five or six hours, in increments. I find it detrimental to work on one portrait for several hours at a time, so I tend to have a few on the go. That way I can
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