Today we’d like to introduce you to Ericka Sobrack.
Hi Ericka, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved the arts growing up so it felt natural to pursue some sort of creative degree. Going into college, I did not have a specific direction or field in mind, so I began taking a variety of studio arts classes at Valencia College with the intention of exploring a range of mediums, learning basic form and design, and building technical skills. After I graduated with an A.A. Degree in Studio Art, I began my undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida, where I almost immediately fell in love with painting. Over time I became close with the instructors at UCF, which eventually blossomed into a mentorship. With guidance and critiques, I was able to shift my work into a more mature body of work, and by the end of my Bachelors of Fine Arts degree, I knew it was the right decision to continue refining my series of work by enrolling in UCF’s Emerging Media Graduate Program.
Within those three years, I learned so much about painting, theory, content and the art world itself. Grad school was very tough and often overwhelming but incredibly rewarding at the same time. Regardless of the occasional doubt looming in the back of my mind, painting in the studio always tended to rejuvenate and energize me and that was reassurance enough- the act of painting became an invaluable outlet of expression for me and my studio practice has since become the driving force in my life. I graduated with a Masters of Fine Art in 2019 and have been continuing to explore my body of work since then.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course, I absolutely wouldn’t be where I’m at without the love and support from mentors, friends and family, but also, just as important, I wouldn’t be where I am at today if I hadn’t had my fair share of failures. Sometimes you make a bad painting. Sometimes you say the wrong thing in an artist statement. Sometimes you should’ve said “yes” to an opportunity. Conversely, sometimes you should’ve said “no” as well. The road to navigating the fine art world is a steep one, and often the most valuable lessons you learn along the way are similarly the most unapologetic and unforgiving. I believe navigating the art world is about adapting and learning as you go, but most importantly, giving yourself permission to make mistakes.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in small, nocturne-landscape paintings where I often deconstruct suburban settings to create conflict and tension within the mundane. It’s exciting to transform the banal into something theatrical, slightly removing it from reality and creating a distance from the every day. I often suggest vague narratives or try to evoke a feeling of unsettling ambiguity, where I attempt to portray a still moment that lingers. My goal as an artist is to create a story that is accessible and universal to a large audience and has the potential to leave a lasting impression on the viewer.
In this regard, I am most proud when someone reaches out to me about my work, whether that be them relaying that something on their daily commute reminded them of my landscapes or that they were simply thinking about my paintings in general. I think what sets me apart from other painters is that I am attempting to elevate contemporary landscape painting into a psychological, emotive experience. I want my paintings to serve as a vehicle to speak of human drama with the absence of a figure, something reminiscent of a distant memory or dream.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is a culmination of time spent at my family lake house in northern Minnesota. My sisters and I basically grew up at that cabin, and we often reminisce about playing outside in the woods, swimming, fishing, or trying to name the birds singing in the trees. The environment and our interaction with it plays a large part in my memory of that place and is something that relates to my drive as an artist; the way we as humans are simultaneously imprinted by a place and leave parts of ourselves in those environments.
Contact Info:
- Email: sobrackericka@gmail.com
- Website: ErickaSobrack.com
- Instagram: @SobrackStudios
Image Credits
Files labeled starting with “BC” are credited to Brian Carlson
