Artist Spotlight - Erin Eastabrooks
Erin Eastabrooks is one of the artists that have participated in the exhibition 'Recurring Memories', and she answers some of our questions about her inspirations, the best part of being an artist, and more.
What’s your background? I originally studied Fine Art and Interior Design at the Art Institute in San Francisco but ended up dropping out and going on to study Political Science at UC Berkeley. I interned in Washington D.C. for some time afterwards. I love politics but I have always loved art just as much. When I was working in D.C. I found all I craved was art and artists, there wasn’t really much of an art scene there and everyone sort of wore Banana Republic or J. Crew and I just wanted to be around weirdos and artists. I realized while I was there that I was only happy being around art and artists and making art myself.
What does art mean to you? Art is a way of looking at the world. It is constantly keeping an eye towards something that may feel ungraspable. I feel like art is trusting your intuition about something, letting the mysterious and your intuition lead you somewhere.
How did you start making art/Why do you make art? I have always made art. As a young child, I self-identified as an artist very early on as my favorite thing to do was draw. I continue to make art because when I don’t I feel unfulfilled and lost. What inspires you? What are your biggest influences? Beauty in all forms inspires me, as cliche as that may sound. I love aged and old things, vintage and weathered items have always inspired me. A unique textile print. A cracking, bleached out wall with lots of signs of age and wear. I think beauty is found in places and things that have been allowed to be as they are and blossom without restraint.
What’s the best thing about being an artist? You are not constrained by societal expectations.
What gives you the most joy? My daughter and bringing my dog to the beach. Also, when I see art that really blows me away.
What's the best piece of advice you've been given? My dad used to say “why be normal?” and I think that had a big impression on me.