Erin Down is a South Australian Artist with a taste the macabre and absurd. Her creative life started in childhood, as a young child doodling to a moody emo teenager scrawling cringey anime in a black visual journal. She is now an emerging artist with a beautiful studio and full of creativity.
When I graduated high school I was given a D grade for my art and a B grade for Multimedia, I enrolled myself at TAFE to train to be a video game 3D environmental artist, this was a well rounded course. I learnt how to draw people in life drawing, replicate textures from photographs, how to light scenes correctly, draw with perspective and how to observe life and break it down into 3D topography. I vividly remember in my first semester looking at the world like I was in The Matrix, imagining grey and green gridding over every surface. I would imagine where each edge and vertex would be placed for a 3D graphic sculpture.
Though I enjoyed my course I did not pursue a career within the Video Game industry as I realised how competitive the job market was in video games. I personally did not have the confidence in my abilities yet to move interstate or internationally to follow this career path.
I still thoroughly enjoyed drawing and decided in 2015 to do a small watercolour workshop at Pepper Street Arts Centre in Magill South Australia, I do not remember the much of the artist who taught me other than that he was close to 100 years old and that he did some very loud carefree flatulence which I actually found quite humbling and charming. He taught me how to get the water colour paper the right amount of wetness and how to "dance" the brush across the paper. He also told us to invest in high quality paper and brushes and I wish that I listened to him as I should have invested in myself earlier because the quality of art truly does improve with high quality materials.
I was born in interesting time for technology and entertainment. I am quite introverted and have been exposed to a lot of media over the years and have witnessed it evolve at a rapid rate.
My mother kept herself busy with lots of crafting and quilting, modelling the behaviour of how to fit creativity into your life. Growing up my Dad worked away in Asia and he would bring back piles of DVD's, my brother and I watched a lot of films growing up. We had a much wider exposure to broad spectrum of films than most people ever would have the opportunity to. As adult if I sit down to properly watch a film if I can predict the ending within the first 2 minutes of being introduced to the antagonist I usually will not finish the movie. So I have quite an eclectic taste in cinema and absolutely adore the cinematography that tells interesting stories. Personally I have not had a large amount of exposure past my hometown other than a few short holidays but I have certainly done my share of screen exploring. I have painted many stills from films that usually pass in the blink of an eye.
I also have a deep love for history and legends, both ancient and modern. Living in this age we are exposed to so much more than any other person has been in history. I am forever curious and learning the reasons for why things are the way that they are.
Paradoxical Calm
A series of dangerous places that appear calm. Each painting tells a tale of quiet danger, challenging the viewer to reconsider their perceptions.
In this collection, I explore the notion that appearances can be deceiving, casting a spotlight on the hidden complexities beneath the surface of ostensibly peaceful settings. Through the interplay of mediums, I strive to capture the enigma that lies within, beckoning observers to contemplate the unspoken stories that dwell in the heart of ordinary scenes.
Digital Shadows
Embark on a chilling odyssey into the realm of the unknown with my latest art series. Using a striking fusion of ink and charcoal, I bring to life cryptids and spine-chilling internet horror stories. These evocative pieces are more than just art – they are windows into the eerie and the enigmatic.
Within this collection, emotions run high as I explore the breadth of the supernatural. Some paintings exude a playful energy, drawing you into the mischievous world of cryptids. Others plunge you into the depths of the uncanny and the downright terrifying, creating an immersive experience that goes beyond the canvas.
Dive into the shadows with me as I weave a visual tapestry that captures the essence of spooky tales. From the whimsical to the bone-chilling, this series is a testament to the emotive power of art, offering a spectrum of emotions that will leave you both enchanted and haunted.
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