Visualizing a cohesive idea. The feeling of a pencil, and a blank piece of paper. Letting a line become what it wants to be until it reaches a point of needing refinement. I enjoy the process while creating a design. I love searching for inspiration and the exciting feeling I get when a concept has been rendered.
I am mostly self taught, well, actually I learned by watching others closely. My passion for sketching started when I was young and I would watch my mother draw majestic animals in striking poses. I was also inspired at the same time by my grandfather and father playing their guitars. This all led me to appreciate using my senses to express myself and find creativity as an escape from the more serious subjects in the world.
As a teenager I spent many hours doodling characters and drawing snowboarding logos in my sketchbooks. Art classes were what I enjoyed the most in school.
In my 20’s I worked as a screen printer. After doing that for a while I realized that I wanted to be a graphic designer so I could have a chance to put my sketches and drawings onto screen printed shirts. After working for a few local screen printers I was able to learn my way around digitizing artwork. I would practice printing my own art after working hours and learned from making mistakes, and trying again. This led me to do free graphic design jobs for my friends and family. I learned so much while trying to figure out all the terminology and meaning behind the processes in design. I realized this would be a life long learning experience and it led me to love the history of graphic design, sign painting and early advertising illustrations and typography.
Eventually, I was hired as a graphic designer for a screen printing and embroidery company. This gave me daily experience creating concept art and design for local businesses and sports teams. It was so much fun seeing the designs go from the computer screen to apparel. I began seeing my work around town and it really felt like I was able to make a personal contribution to the community.
A few years later I was hired at an advertising agency. I made social media and website design, along with many print related media. I enjoyed working there as a team, and finding each others skills and personality a vibrant and unique extension to my own abilities. The connection I made with my workmates was a valuable learning experience. We had a great dynamic of passing work back and forth, and bouncing ideas off of each other. After working there for 4 years I started to realize I wanted to expand my skills by using my hands to draw and paint.
I applied with the city of Eugene, Oregon for the local mural artist roster and was asked to work on a mural with a real estate company. I painted a mural on their exterior of their building. This experience led me to continue seeking opportunities that would allow me to express creativity in my work and let me use painting and illustration as tools of the job.
After a decade of graphic design, illustration and mural painting I am still finding things I love about this hobby turned career. I am always looking for interesting opportunities and ways to expand my skills and learn from other professionals.
Whether you are looking for someone to refine your ideas, or find an entirely fresh perspective, I would be happy to help you with your project. Thanks for stopping by!
-Michael Erickson
