Conversations with Erin Anderson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Anderson.

Erin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been an artist since I can remember.

My kindergarten teacher told my mother that I was an artist. I was lucky to have had lots of public school art teachers growing up in the burbs of Chicago. I was introduced to the art of Claude Monet early on, and he’s been my inspiration, ever since. I studied jewelry making and photography in college, but I dropped out, got married, moved to my beloved Tennessee, and soon had two children.

We’ve been here for over forty years now. My focus then was to be a stay-at-home Mom. I dabbled in all sorts of arts and crafts while my babes were growing up. I painted murals at their schools and I became passionate about gardening and eventually started my own gardening business. I had carte blanche in several gorgeous gardens here in Tennessee for 16 years.

The ‘itch’ to create more than just gardens became strong and so I started to paint. Primarily a “self-taught painter”, my true passion was alive! I started to blog and slowly started sharing some of my paintings online. Getting a positive response and starting to sell through my blog, truly helped my struggle with low self-worth. My confidence, as a true Artist, with a God-given gift to share, began to grow.

After several years of trying to balance my garden career and painting, I have recently retired from my gardening biz and focused solely on my art. Now, in my 60s, I feel like I’m just getting started and I hope to inspire others that there’s never a bad time to change direction and start something new.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was very difficult juggling gardening in the heat of the Summer and having enough energy physically and creatively to switch gears to paint.

Being a ‘recovering perfectionist’, it was a hard lesson for me to realize I could not do both, well. I am blessed to have a loving and supportive husband who helps me make it all happen.

With much support from my community online from my blog, and now on Instagram… I have grown more confident and given myself grace and self-love. All of which create a prettier painting.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an avid gardener and hiker, my love of Nature inspires my art. Using acrylic paint on canvas or board… Trees, Flowers, Birds, and Horses often appear in my artworks. I love spending time in my own gardens and Home Studio, which has been featured in several magazines.

In 2020, my grown son was diagnosed with cancer. He had to quit his job and during his recovery, he and I hiked all of the amazing parks and trails together that surround Nashville. As we became closer than ever, our time together was the “silver lining” and inspired my series of paintings called “the Light at the End of the Tennessee Path”.

I believe time in nature surrounded by trees and birdsong and under the ceiling of blue sky, is most healing. In our turbulent world… I try to create a mood of ethereal calm and serenity in my paintings. I am most proud when I can inspire and help heal others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.erinandersonart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinandersonartworks/